erstand are at
present engaging your attention."

Nayland Smith raised his hand deprecatingly.

"We are prepared, Mr. Logan," he replied, "to travel to the uttermost
ends of the earth at all times, if by doing so we can obtain even a
meager clue to the enigma which baffles us."

"I should not have disturbed Mr. Smith," said Weymouth, "if I had not
been pretty sure that there was Chinese devilry at work here: nor
should I have told you as much as I have, Mr. Logan," he added, a
humorous twinkle creeping into his blue eyes, "if I had thought you
could not be of use to us in unraveling our case!"

"I quite understand that," said Logan, "and now, since you have voted
for the story first and refreshments afterward, let me tell you what
little I know of the matter."

"Be as brief as you can," snapped Nayland Smith, starting up from the
chair in which he had been seated and beginning restlessly to pace
the floor before the open fireplace--"as brief as is consistent with
clarity. We have learnt in the past that an hour or less sometimes
means the difference between----"

He paused, glancing at Sir Baldwin's secretary.

"Between life and death," he added.

Mr. Logan started perceptibly.

"You alarm me, Mr. Smith," he declared; "for I can conceive of no
earthly manner in which this mysterious Eastern organization of which
Inspector Weymouth speaks, could profit by the death of Sir Baldwin."

Nayland Smith suddenly turned and stared grimly at the speaker.

"I call it death," he said harshly, "to be carried off to the interior
of China, to be made a mere slave, having no will but the great and
evil man who already--already, mark you!--has actually accomplished
such things."

"But Sir Baldwin----"

"Sir Baldwin Frazer," snapped Smith, "is the undisputed head of his
particular branch of surgery. Dr. Fu-Manchu may have what he deems
useful employment for such skill as his. But," glancing at the clock,
"we are wasting time. Your story, Mr. Logan."

"It was about half-past twelve last night," began the secretary,
closing his eyes as if he were concentrating his mind upon certain
past events, "when a woman came here and inquired for Sir Baldwin.
The butler informed her that Sir Baldwin was entertaining friends and
that he could receive no professional visitors until the morning.
She was so insistent, however, absolutely declining to go away, that
I was sent for--I have rooms in the house--and I came down to interview
h