these discoveries, started, long after dusk, to walk to
Graywater Park."

He shrugged his shoulders whimsically, and raised one hand to his
bandaged head.

"Fu-Manchu employs weapons both of the future and of the past," he
said. "My movements had been watched, of course; I was mad. Some one,
probably a dacoit, laid me low with a ball of clay propelled form a
sling of the Ancient Persian pattern! I actually saw him ... then saw,
and knew, no more!

"Smith!" I cried--whilst Sir Lionel Barton and Dr. Hamilton stared at
one another, dumbfounded--"you think _he_ is on the point of flying
from England----"

"The Chinese yacht, _Chanak-Kampo,_ is lying two miles off the coast
and in the sight of the tower of Monkswell!"

CHAPTER XXXIX

THE SHADOW ARMY

The scene of our return to Graywater Park is destined to live in my
memory for ever. The storm, of which the violet rainfall had been a
prelude, gathered blackly over the hills. Ebon clouds lowered upon us
as we came racing to the gates. Then the big car was spinning around
the carriage sweep, amid a deathly stillness of Nature indescribably
gloomy and ominous. I have said, a stillness of nature; but, as
Kennedy leapt out and ran up the steps to the door, from the distant
cages wherein Sire Lionel kept his collection of rare beasts proceeded
the angry howling of the leopards and such a wild succession of roars
from the African lioness that I stared at our eccentric host
questioningly.

"It's the gathering storm," he explained. "These creatures are
peculiarly susceptible to atmospheric disturbances."

Now the door was thrown open, and, standing in the lighted hall,
a picture fair to look upon in her dainty kimono and little red,
high-heeled slippers, stood Karamaneh!

I was beside her in a moment; for the lovely face was pale and there
was a wildness in her eyes which alarmed me.

"_He_ is somewhere near!" she whispered, clinging to me. "Some great
danger threatens. Where have you been?--what has happened?"

"Smith was attacked on his way back from London," I replied. "But, as
you see, he is quite recovered. We are in no danger; and I insist that
you go back to bed. We shall tell you all about it in the morning."

Rebellion blazed up in her wonderful eyes instantly--and as quickly
was gone, leaving them exquisitely bright. Two tears, like twin pearls,
hung upon the curved black lashes. It made my blood course faster to
watch this lovely Eastern girl conqu