been to proceed a moment before, I was now trebly
anxious to retire, and for this reason: on the bottom step of the stair,
facing me, stood Dr. Fu-Manchu!

CHAPTER XIX. DR. FU-MANCHU'S LABORATORY

I cannot conceive that any ordinary mortal ever attained to anything
like an intimacy with Dr. Fu-Manchu; I cannot believe that any man could
ever grow used to his presence, could ever cease to fear him. I suppose
I had set eyes upon Fu-Manchu some five or six times prior to this
occasion, and now he was dressed in the manner which I always associated
with him, probably because it was thus I first saw him. He wore a plain
yellow robe, and, with his pointed chin resting upon his bosom, he
looked down at me, revealing a great expanse of the marvelous brow with
its sparse, neutral-colored hair.

Never in my experience have I known such force to dwell in the glance
of any human eye as dwelt in that of this uncanny being. His singular
affliction (if affliction it were), the film or slight membrane which
sometimes obscured the oblique eyes, was particularly evident at the
moment that I crossed the threshold, but now, as I looked up at Dr.
Fu-Manchu, it lifted--revealing the eyes in all their emerald greenness.

The idea of physical attack upon this incredible being seemed
childish--inadequate. But, following that first instant of stupefaction,
I forced myself to advance upon him.

A dull, crushing blow descended on the top of my skull, and I became
oblivious of all things.

My return to consciousness was accompanied by tremendous pains in my
head, whereby, from previous experience, I knew that a sandbag had been
used against me by some one in the shop, presumably by the immobile
shopman. This awakening was accompanied by none of those hazy doubts
respecting previous events and present surroundings which are the usual
symptoms of revival from sudden unconsciousness; even before I opened
my eyes, before I had more than a partial command of my senses, I knew
that, with my wrists handcuffed behind me, I lay in a room which
was also occupied by Dr. Fu-Manchu. This absolute certainty of the
Chinaman's presence was evidenced, not by my senses, but only by an
inner consciousness, and the same that always awoke into life at the
approach not only of Fu-Manchu in person but of certain of his uncanny
servants.

A faint perfume hung in the air about me; I do not mean that of any
essence or of any incense, but rather the smell which i