Roxton plans how to capture a pterodactyl chick, and succeeds in doing so. Upon return to England, despite full reports from Malone many detractors continue to dismiss the expedition's account, much as they had Challenger's original story – although Summerlee, having been on the expedition, has now switched sides and is supporting Challenger. Anticipating this, at a public meeting at Queen's Hall Challenger produces the young pterodactyl as proof, transfixing the audience and leaving them in no doubt of the truth. The explorers are instantly feted as heroes, and on a wave of adulation find themselves carried shoulder-high from the hall by cheering crowds. The pterodactyl, in the confusion, makes its escape and is witnessed several times at different locations around London, causing consternation wherever it goes, but is last seen heading off to the southwest in the probable direction of its home. At a private celebratory dinner, Roxton reveals to the others that the blue clay contained diamonds. He had been tipped off to the possibility, by the recollection of a similar feature in South Africa, and managed to extract about £200,000 worth (£23 million in 2021), which is to be split between them. Challenger plans to open a private museum with his share. Summerlee plans to retire and categorise fossils. Malone returns to his love, Gladys, hoping she will recognise his achievements. Instead, he finds she has now changed her mind and married a very ordinary man instead, an insignificant clerk. Astonished at this turn of events, and with nothing to keep him in London, he decides to accompany Roxton back to the lost world. Characters Professor George Edward Challenger, a zoologist Edward D. Malone, a reporter McArdle, Malone's editor at the Daily Gazette Professor Summerlee, a scientist Lord John Roxton, an adventurer Gomez, brother to an enslaver whom Roxton killed Manuel, Gomez's friend Zambo, South American friend to the traveler Gladys Hungerton, Edward Malone's love interest Jessie Challenger, Challenger's wife Maple White, a deceased explorer who discovered the lost world The Accala Indians, the natives of the lost world Bestiary Non-avian dinosaurs Iguanodon An unnamed theropod (The exact genus is never specified, however the characters speculate that it is either Allosaurus or Megalosaurus.) Stegosaurus Other extinct reptiles A pterosaur (Like the theropod, it is never stated what species it is, but the characters believe it is Pterodactylus or Dimorphodon.) Plesiosaurus Ichthyosaurus Other prehistoric animals included Megaloceros Glyptodon