study. He was a man of somewhat heavy build,
clean-shaven and inclined to pallor. The hirsute blue tinge about his
lips and jaw lent added vigour to a flexible but masterful mouth. His
dark hair was tinged with grey, his dark eyes were brilliant with
excitement. He was very smartly dressed and wore light tan gloves. He
reeled suddenly, clutching at a chair for support.

"Quick! quick!" he cried--"the telephone! ... Ah!"

Just inside the window he stood, swaying and breathing rapidly, his
gaze upon the instrument.

"_Mon Dieu!_" he cried--"what has happened, then!"

Stuart stared at the new-comer dazedly.

"Hell has been in my room!" he replied. "That's all!"

"Ah!" said the stranger--"again he eludes me! The telephone was the
only chance. _Pas d'blaque!_ we are finished!"

He dropped into a chair, removed his light grey hat and began to dry
his moist brow with a fine silk handkerchief. Stuart stared at him
like a man who is stupefied. The room was still laden with strange
fumes.

"_Blimey!_" remarked the new-comer, and his Whitechapel was as perfect
as his Montmatre. He was looking at the decapitated telephone. "This
is a knock-out!"

"Might I ask," said Stuart, endeavouring to collect his scattered
senses, "where you came from?"

"From up a tree!" was the astonishing reply. "It was the only way
to get over!"

"Up a tree!"

"Exactly. Yes, I was foolish. I am too heavy. But what could I do!
We must begin all over again."

Stuart began to doubt his sanity. This was no ordinary man.

"Might I ask," he said, "who you are and what you are doing in my
house?"

"Ah!" The stranger laughed merrily. "You wonder about me--I can see
it. Permit me to present myself--Gaston Max, at your service!"

"Gaston Max!" Stuart glared at the speaker incredulously. "Gaston Max!
Why, I conduct a _post mortem_ examination upon Gaston Max tomorrow,
in order to learn if he was poisoned!"

"Do not trouble, doctor. That poor fellow is not Gaston Max and he
was not poisoned. You may accept my word for it. I had the misfortune
to strangle him."

PART II

STATEMENT OF GASTON MAX

I. THE DANCER OF MONTMARTRE

CHAPTER I

ZARA EL-KHALA

The following statement which I, Gaston Max, am drawing up in
duplicate for the guidance of whoever may inherit the task of tracing
"The Scorpion"--a task which I have begun--will be lodged--one copy at
the Service de Surete in Paris, and the other copy with the
Commissioner of