ubt you are conscious of a mental hiatus extending
from the moment when you found the pigtail of the worthy Ah-Fang-Fu
about your throat until that when you recovered consciousness in this
room. It has covered a period roughly of twenty-four hours, Dr. Stuart."

"I don't believe it," muttered Stuart--and found his own voice to
seem as unreal as everything else in the nightmare apartment. "If I
had not revived earlier, I should never have revived at all."

He raised his hand to his swollen throat, touching it gingerly.

"Your unconsciousness was prolonged," explained Fo-Hi, consulting an
open book written in Chinese characters, "by an injection which I
found it necessary to make. Otherwise, as you remark, it would have
been prolonged indefinitely. Your clever but rash companion was less
happy."

"What!" cried Stuart--"he is dead? You fiend! You damned yellow
fiend!" Emotion shook him and he sat clutching the leopard-skins and
glaring madly at the cowled figure.

"Fortunately," resumed Fo-Hi, "my people--with one exception--
succeeded in making their escape. I may add that the needless scuffling
attendant upon arresting this unfortunate follower of mine,
immediately outside the door of the house, led to the discovery of
your own presence. Nevertheless, the others departed safely. My own
departure is imminent; it has been because of certain domestic details
and by the necessity of awaiting nightfall. You see, I am frank with
you."

"Because the grave is silent!"

"The grave, and ... China. There is no other alternative in your
case."

"Are you sure that there is no other in your own?" asked Stuart
huskily.

"An alternative to my returning to China? Can you suggest one?"

"The scaffold!" cried Stuart furiously, "for you and the scum who
follow you!"

Fo-Hi lighted a Bunsen burner.

"I trust not," he rejoined placidly. "With two exceptions, all my
people are out of England."

Stuart's heart began to throb painfully. With two exceptions! Did
Miska still remain? He conquered his anger and tried to speak calmly,
recognising how he lay utterly in the power of this uncanny being and
how closely his happiness was involved even if he escaped with life.

"And you?" he said.

"In these matters, Dr. Stuart," replied Fo-Hi, "I have always
modelled my behavior upon that of the brilliant scientist who
preceded me as European representative of our movement. Your
beautiful Thames is my highway as it was his highway. N