t breath of perfume became perceptible to me.

The cabs and cars about us were actually beginning to move again, and
there was nothing for it but a hasty retreat to the curb. I could not
pause to glance behind, but instinctively I knew that someone--someone
who used that rare, fragrant essence--was leaning from the window of
the car.

"ANDAMAN--SECOND!" floated a soft whisper.

We gained the pavement as the pent-up traffic roared upon its way.

Smith had not noticed the perfume worn by the unseen occupant of the
car, had not detected the whispered words. But I had no reason to
doubt my senses, and I knew beyond question that Fu-Manchu's lovely
slave, Karamaneh, had been within a yard of us, had recognized us, and
had uttered those words for our guidance.

On regaining my rooms, we devoted a whole hour to considering what
"ANDAMAN--SECOND" could possibly mean.

"Hang it all!" cried Smith, "it might mean anything--the result of a
race, for instance."

He burst into one of his rare laughs, and began to stuff broadcut
mixture into his briar. I could see that he had no intention of
turning in.

"I can think of no one--no one of note--in London at present upon whom
it is likely that Fu-Manchu would make an attempt," he said, "except
ourselves."

We began methodically to go through the long list of names which we had
compiled and to review our elaborate notes. When, at last, I turned
in, the night had given place to a new day. But sleep evaded me, and
"ANDAMAN--SECOND" danced like a mocking phantom through my brain.

Then I heard the telephone bell. I heard Smith speaking.

A minute afterwards he was in my room, his face very grim.

"I knew as well as if I'd seen it with my own eyes that some black
business was afoot last night," he said. "And it was. Within
pistol-shot of us! Someone has got at Frank Norris West. Inspector
Weymouth has just been on the 'phone."

"Norris West!" I cried, "the American aviator--and inventor--" "Of the
West aero-torpedo--yes. He's been offering it to the English War
Office, and they have delayed too long."

I got out of bed.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that the potentialities have attracted the attention of Dr.
Fu-Manchu!"

Those words operated electrically. I do not know how long I was in
dressing, how long a time elapsed ere the cab for which Smith had
'phoned arrived, how many precious minutes were lost upon the journey;
but, in a nervous whirl, these thing