In Search of Goliathus Hercules (19 page)

“Y
es, of course I’m a boy!” exclaimed Henri but as he said it he realized he wasn’t so sure. Before the maestro could ask anything more Henri blurted out his whole story.

“I’m not really an orphan,” he said and began to tell Maestro Antonio about his father’s departure to British Malaya and his subsequent disappearance. Henri explained how his mother sent him to live with Great Aunt Georgie in America and how his life changed the day he spoke with Dom, the fly. He retold the story of the spectacular rescue of the insects in the stream, which had catapulted him to hero status in the insect world. Speaking carefully, Henri shared his suspicions of Agatha Black, aka Madame Noir, and the highly coincidental links to his own story. He finished by telling the maestro how desperately he wanted to travel to British Malaya to search for his father and capture
Goliathus hercules
.

Maestro Antonio looked dumbfounded. At last, he said, “But you haven’t explained how it is that you can speak to insects.”

“It’s just something I am able to do. I thought Professor Young would have an explanation, but he doesn’t. All I know is, one day I just opened my mouth, spoke to a fly, and the fly understood me. It seems as if I can speak with and understand anything with six legs. I really don’t know. It’s a gift, I guess, and a complete mystery,” replied Henri, shrugging his shoulders.

“I don’t know quite how to say this, Henri,” said Maestro Antonio with a look of concern, “but has it ever occurred to you that you might be an insect, or at least turning into one?”

No! It couldn’t be, thought Henri. Everyone said he had his father’s eyes and his mother’s smile. There was definitely a family resemblance. But a biological connection to insects could explain his acute hearing and eyesight. That wasn’t all. There was the stiffness in his joints, and recently Henri had noticed that his complexion was becoming quite green and that he was losing his hair! If he was turning into an insect, how long did he have before he would no longer be a boy?

“Tony, it all makes sense in a peculiar way. Um…have you noticed any changes in me lately?”

“Well, you’ve been looking a bit greenish, kind of sickly. I thought maybe you had picked up a tropical disease of some kind down here, but there’s something else too. Your eyes, they seem to be getting bigger and bigger. I hope you don’t mind my saying this, Henri, but, um, you seem to be going bald.”

Henri groaned and put his head in his hands. Maestro Antonio patted his back and said, “Henri, this is crazy talk. How can a boy turn into an insect? I’m sorry that I ever suggested it. Please forgive me.”

Henri looked up. His lips trembled, but when he spoke, his voice was firm and clear. “No, I think you’re right, Tony, and if it is true, then I may not have much time left. I have to get to Southeast Asia and find my father.”

They sat in silence for some time. At last Maestro Antonio said, “You know, Henri, I have an idea! The insect circus is popular. If we add a few more shows each day it won’t be long before we have enough money to get to us to British Malaya.”

“What do you mean, ‘we’?”

“You’re a kid. You’re not going to get very far by yourself. First we’ll go to London, taking along the Amazing Menagerie of Insects and perform the show to raise a bit more money. While we’re there we’ll announce that we’re going in search of this Goliath…uh…that Hercules type insect. Then we can approach universities and scientists to endorse and maybe even sponsor our trip. Of course we’ll look for your father too,” assured the maestro.

Henri was stunned into silence for so quickly had the maestro formed a plan.

Maestro Antonio continued, “You know I actually find insects quite fascinating, Henri. Insect communication, why it’s revolutionary! We are pioneers in the field! What we’re doing should be recognized not just for its entertainment value but as a scientific achievement! You know Professor Young and I have become pen pals. I’ve been reporting to him on our travels and the various new insects we’ve added to the show. In his last letter he called me an excellent field researcher. Well I think it’s time I went even farther afield!”

Henri sat waiting for Robin and Billy with a mixture of anticipation and dread. He feared they would notice the change in his appearance. Two months had passed since he had last seen them. At last in the middle of the afternoon with their chores completed, his friends excitedly bounded into the flea circus tent.

Taking only a moment for her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the tent, Robin exclaimed, “Henri, you’ve been sick! You look terrible! Have you seen a doctor?”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Don’t fuss.”

“You’re lying. Look at him, Billy. He looks like he’s been dreadfully ill!”

Billy eyed him from head to toe. “She’s right. You look awful.”

“Thanks a lot,” retorted Henri. With a sigh he said, “All right, sit down, I’ve got some news.” Slowly, he explained the very strange changes to his body. “Maestro Antonio thinks I might even be turning into an insect,” he concluded.

“What!” they both exclaimed.

“That’s impossible, Henri! Stop it!” commanded Robin. She turned her back and started to cry. “You should see a doctor,” she sniffed.

Henri moved toward her and rested his hand on her shoulder. “Please, Robin, don’t cry. I’ve resigned myself to my fate. Anyway, who knows how long this transformation or metamorphosis or whatever it is might take? It could be years; maybe it will never happen at all. I have things to do, and now I’m motivated to get them done!”

“What do you mean?” asked Billy. “What things do you have to do?”

“For one, search for my father!” Henri explained how his father had gone missing in Malaya and how his mother had gone off to look for him.

“I’m so sorry, Henri,” said Billy. “That’s terrible.”

Henri nodded, looked downward, and was silent. The awkward silence was broken when Henri remembered that he had not yet told Robin and Billy what he considered to be his most interesting piece of news. He looked up and announced that Madame Noir had vanished from the circus.“ And according to my Great Aunt Georgie, Mrs. Black, aka Madame Noir, has not been seen at Dutch Elm Farm in many months.”

Henri pulled out and read from his great aunt’s most recent letter: “It’s very good of you to ask about Mrs. Black’s health.” Henri made a face and continued reading. “Coincidentally, I’m sure, Agatha departed on a trip about the same time you joined the circus. You will recall she was experiencing some respiratory problems. I received a very nice card from her saying that she has gone to a healing spa in the Southwest where the climate is much drier and more suitable for asthmatics.”

Henri snorted. “Unlike my Great Aunt Georgie, I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that Agatha Black disappeared around the same time I joined the circus. And I think it has something to do with
Goliathus hercules
,” replied Henri.

“Who’s he? Another sideshow performer?” asked Billy.

“No! He…I mean, it could be a she too…” spluttered Henri.

“Oh, like Albert Alberta, the half man, half woman?” asked Robin.

“No! No! No! Can I please finish my sentence?
Goliathus hercules
is an insect, an insect from the jungle of Southeast Asia, the very same area where my father went missing. Robin, I told you about it a long time ago.”

“Oh, I remember,” said Robin. “The Bigfoot of the insect world,” she added skeptically.

“Well, some would say that, but Professor Young thinks it exists, and Tony and I are going to find it before Agatha Black does!”

Henri knew he must sound a bit crazed. What interest could Agatha Black possibly have in
Goliathus hercules
? It barely made sense even to Henri, but his visit to Madame Noir’s tent had made it clear that she was interested in insects and Southeast Asia. And then there was the skewered insect on the mourning pin bearing his father’s picture. Henri gave a shudder.

“If you’re going to Malaya, how are you going to get there and why is Maestro Antonio going?” Robin wanted to know.

“Well, we’ve saved our money, of course, and we have a plan to raise more. First we’ll go to London, taking along the insects to perform the show there. Then Tony thinks we should approach universities and scientists to endorse and maybe sponsor our trip. We’re even writing a paper on insect communication with Professor Young to be presented to the British Entomological Society!”

“A paper?” asked Billy.

“It’s an academic essay about our research,” replied Henri. “Presenting papers and publishing them is how you gain credibility in the worlds of science and academics. Professor Young says this will be important for us if we’re to find sponsors. He’s helping us, and he says it’s good for his reputation too.”

“What does Maestro Antonio know about insect communication?” scoffed Robin just as the maestro himself walked into the tent.

Seeing them, Maestro Antonio drew himself up and, in insect language, said, “Your mother eats poo!”

Henri collapsed in a fit of laughter. This was a popular insult in the insect world, although generally not said to flies, as it is usually true.

Of course, Robin and Billy did not understand, and Henri refused to translate.

“You can speak Insect?” asked Robin in surprise.

“Yes,” said the maestro proudly. “Henri’s been teaching me. I can’t articulate everything I want to say yet but I’m making rapid progress. I’ll show you why.” The maestro opened a trunk and pulled out a metal box with wires, buttons, and an attachable earpiece.

“This newly invented device…what’s it called again, Henri?”

“A hearing aid.”

“Yes, hearing aids are going to replace the ear trumpet in this modern world. At great expense, we have purchased one. You see, part of what was slowing down my progress was my inability to hear the insects. I can speak with them, but I can’t hear them the way Henri can. But now, with this device, I’m able to. I’ve been practicing with our circus performers, and they tell me I am becoming quite fluent!” He beamed. “I expect Henri has told you of our upcoming expedition. It won’t be long before we’re ready to head out upon our adventure!”

“Henri, I want to come too,” said Billy. “I want to come on the expedition to Malaya to find your father and that big insect.”

“Me too!” said Robin.

“Don’t be crazy,” replied Henri. “It’s too dangerous. I don’t want you risking your lives for something that doesn’t involve you!”

“I’m an orphan,” said Billy. “I can make decisions for myself. To be honest, I don’t want to be a lion tamer. I want to explore and make discoveries too!”

“I feel the same way as Billy,” said Robin. “I was born into the circus. I’ve never had a choice, but now…well, I’d gladly leave. I want to help you, Henri.”

“Whoever heard of running away from the circus?” remarked Maestro Antonio.

“Are you two sure? We can’t promise that you’ll come back in one piece,” Henri said in his most serious voice, but really he was overjoyed that his friends wanted to come along.

“Yes!” Billy and Robin replied.

Before any more objections could be made Billy said, “OK, so it’s agreed. I think that we should learn to speak Insect too. When can we start?”

“How about after the last performance tonight?” suggested Henri.

And so it was that Billy and Robin learned to run the insect circus because it was best way to learn the language. They came to the tent during their free time; Henri provided basic instruction, and the rest of the insects acted as their tutors. Maestro Antonio, Billy, and Robin would never have the kind of hearing to become as fluent as Henri, but they progressed nicely with the help of the hearing aid. Robin turned out to be the best of the three because she worked harder at it.

With Robin and Billy assisting, the insect circus was able to perform more often and thus it was possible to quickly save money for the expedition. Sometimes Maestro Antonio and Henri even left them in charge. Of course, there was some unintended hilarity as Billy and Robin learned how to work with the insects. On May fifteenth, Billy asked the fireflies to spell out
Happy birthday, Robin
at the conclusion of the day’s show. He failed to make sure they knew the spelling or the order of the letters, which was a mistake—after all, the fireflies couldn’t actually read. Thus, as they reached the finale of the show, they flew out in formation to spell
Harpy barfday, nibor.
Robin said it was the thought that counted.

By the time the circus’s season was drawing to a close, Maestro Antonio announced that they had enough money to go to London and on to British Malaya! At the conclusion of their final show, Henri, Maestro Antonio, Robin, and Billy packed their bags and the insect circus. They were taking the train to New York and from there they would travel by steamship to London. It was a most extraordinary group that gathered on the railway platform to send them off. Tears were shed by Robin’s family as well as by Hope and Charity the conjoined twins and Gertrude the Fat Lady. Herbert Kramer the Lion Tamer had taken up a collection and the adventurers were presented with an odd assortment of gifts including a lucky rabbit’s foot, an umbrella, and a fly swatter! As they waved to their friends from the window of the train, the whistle blew, and with a blast of steam the train started to move. As they pulled out of the station Henri saw that Andre the World’s Strongest Man held Theo the Human Caterpillar above his head. He waved one last time, closed the window, and smiled. The quest was truly about to begin!