the bowl he poured the contents of a large glass jar. Flames and
clouds of smoke arose. He paused, listening.

Confused voices were audible, seemingly from all around him, together
with a sound of vague movements.

Fo-Hi took up vials and jars and dashed them to pieces upon the tiled
hearth in which the furnace rested. Test-tubes, flasks and retorts he
shattered, and finally, raising the large glass case of orchids he
dashed it down amid the debris of the other nameless and priceless
monstrosities unknown to Western science.

CHAPTER VII

THE WAY OF A SCORPION

A black cloud swept past the face of the moon and cold illumination
flooded the narrow lane and patched with light the drive leading up
to the front of the isolated mansion. Wrought-iron gates closed both
entrances and a high wall, surmounted by broken glass and barbed
wire, entirely surrounded the grounds.

"This one also is locked," said Gaston Max, trying the gate and then
peering through the bars in the direction of the gloomy house.

All the visible windows were shuttered. No ray of light showed
anywhere. The house must have been pronounced deserted by anyone
contemplating it.

"Upon which side do you suppose the big room to be?" asked Max.

"It is difficult to judge," replied Stuart. "But I am disposed to
believe that it is in the front of the house and on the first floor,
for I traversed a long corridor, descended several stairs, turned to
the right and emerged in a part of the garden bordering the lane in
which Inspector Kelly is posted."

"I was thinking of the window and the balcony which 'The Scorpion'
informed you commanded a view of Hampton Court. Hampton Court," he
turned half-left, "lies about yonder. Therefore you are probably
right, doctor; the room as you say should be in front of the house.
Since we do not know how to disconnect the alarms, once we have
entered the grounds it is important that we should gain access to the
house immediately. Ah! _morbleu!_ the moon disappears again!"

Darkness crept over the countryside.

"There is an iron balcony jutting out amongst the ivy just above and
to the right of the porch!" cried Stuart, who had also been peering
up the moon-patched drive. "I would wager that that is the room!"

"Ah!" replied Max, "I believe you are right. This, then is how we
shall proceed: Inspector Kelly, with the aid of two men, can get over
the wall near that garden door by which you came out. If they can