And then instinctively they started back, for, as the
door opened, a wave of heat came out upon them so that they could hardly
breathe. The place was like an oven.
They entered. It was lit by enormous lamps, the light of which was
increased by reflectors, and warmed by a great furnace. They could not
understand why so intense a heat was necessary. The narrow windows were
closed. Dr Porhoet caught sight of a thermometer and was astounded at the
temperature it indicated. The room was used evidently as a laboratory. On
broad tables were test-tubes, basins and baths of white porcelain,
measuring-glasses, and utensils of all sorts; but the surprising thing
was the great scale upon which everything was. Neither Arthur nor Dr
Porhoet had ever seen such gigantic measures nor such large test-tubes.
There were rows of bottles, like those in the dispensary of a hospital,
each containing great quantities of a different chemical. The three
friends stood in silence. The emptiness of the room contrasted so oddly
with its appearance of being in immediate use that it was uncanny.
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