Next morning Mr Tompkins was dozing in bed, when he became aware of somebody's presence in the room. Looking round, he discovered that his old friend the professor was sitting in the armchair, absorbed in the study of a map spread on his knee.

‘Are you coming along?’ asked the professor, lifting his head.

‘ Coming where?’ said Mr Tompkins, still wondering how the professor had got into his room.

‘To see the elephants, of course, and the rest of the animals of the quantum jungle. The owner of the billiard room we visited recently told me his secret about the place where the ivory for his billiard-balls came from. You see this region which I've marked with red pencil on the map? It seems that everything within it is subject to quantum laws with a very large quantum constant. The natives think that all this part of the country is populated by devils, and I am afraid it will hardly be possible for us to find a guide. But if you want to come along, you had better hurry up. The boat is sailing in an hour's time and we still have to pick up Sir Richard on our way.’

‘Who is Sir Richard?’ asked Mr Tompkins.

‘ Haven't you ever heard about him?’ The professor was evidently surprised. ‘He is a famous tiger-hunter, and decided to go with us, when I promised him some interesting shooting.’