orce through the darkness; I fell
a considerable distance on to gravel which lacerated my hands and
gashed my knees. Then, with the cool night air fanning my brow, I was
running--running--my breath coming in hysterical sobs. Beside me fled
another figure.... And my definite recollections commence again at
that point. For this companion of my flight from The Gables threw
himself roughly against me to alter my course.

"Not that way! not that way!" came pantingly. "Not on to the Heath ...
we must keep to the roads...."

It was Nayland Smith. That healing realization came to me, bringing
such a gladness as no word of mine can express nor convey. Still we
ran on.

"There's a policeman's lantern," panted my companion. "They'll attempt
nothing, now!"

* * * * *

I gulped down the stiff brandy-and-soda, then glanced across to where
Nayland Smith lay extended in the long cane chair.

"Perhaps you will explain," I said, "for what purpose you submitted me
to that ordeal. If you proposed to correct my scepticism concerning
supernatural manifestations, you have succeeded."

"Yes," said my companion musingly, "they are devilishly clever; but we
knew that already."

I stared at him, fatuously.

"Have you ever known me to waste my time when there was important work
to do?" he continued. "Do you seriously believe that my ghost-hunting
was undertaken for amusement? Really, Petrie, although you are very
fond of assuring me that I need a holiday, I think the shoe is on the
other foot!"

From the pocket of his dressing-gown he took out a piece of silk
fringe which had apparently been torn from a scarf, and rolling it
into a ball, tossed it across to me.

"Smell!" he snapped.

I did as he directed--and gave a great start. The silk exhaled a faint
perfume, but its effect upon me was as though someone had cried aloud:
"_Karamaneh!_"

Beyond doubt the silken fragment had belonged to the beautiful servant
of Dr. Fu-Manchu, to the dark-eyed, seductive Karamaneh. Nayland Smith
was watching me keenly.

"You recognize it--yes?"

I placed the piece of silk upon the table, slightly shrugging my
shoulders.

"It was sufficient evidence in itself," continued my friend, "but I
thought it better to seek confirmation, and the obvious way was to
pose as a new lessee of The Gables...."

"But, Smith--" I began.

"Let me explain, Petrie. The history of The Gables seemed to be
susceptible of only one exp