ultivated--the--vice, to a point where protracted
absences become necessary--you understand me?--is, so far as my
experience goes"...

"Incurable! I quite understand," jerked Leroux. "A thousand times better
dead, indeed."

"The facts as I see them," resumed the physician, "as I see them, are
these: by some fatality, at present inexplicable, a victim of the opium
syndicate met her death in this flat. Realizing that the inquiries
brought to bear would inevitably lead to the cross-examination of Mrs.
Leroux, the opium syndicate has detained her; was forced to detain her."

"Where is the place," began Leroux, in a voice rising higher with every
syllable--"where is the infamous den to which--to which"...

Dr. Cumberly pressed his hands firmly upon the speaker's shoulders.

"It is only a question of time, Leroux," he said, "and you will have the
satisfaction of knowing that--though at a great cost to yourself--this
dreadful evil has been stamped out, that this yellow peril has been torn
from the heart of society. Now, I must leave you for the present; but
rest assured that everything possible is being done to close the nets
about Mr. King."

"Ah!" whispered Leroux, "MR. KING!"

"The circle is narrowing," continued the physician. "I may not divulge
confidences; but a very clever man--the greatest practical criminologist
in Europe--is devoting the whole of his time, night and day, to this
object."

Helen Cumberly and Denise Ryland exhibited a keen interest in the words,
but Leroux, with closed eyes, merely nodded in a dull way. Shortly,
Dr. Cumberly took his departure, and, Helen looking at her companion
interrogatively:--

"I think," said Denise Ryland, addressing Leroux, "that you should not
over-tax your strength at present." She walked across to where he sat,
and examined some proofslips lying upon the little table beside the
couch. "'Martin Zeda,'" she said, with a certain high disdain. "Leave
'Martin Zeda' alone for once, and read a really cheerful book!"

Leroux forced a smile to his lips.

"The correction of these proofs," he said diffidently, "exacts no great
mental strain, but is sufficient to--distract my mind. Work, after all,
is nature's own sedative."

"I rather agree with Mr. Leroux, Denise," said Helen;--"and really you
must allow him to know best."

"Thank you," said Leroux, meeting her eyes momentarily. "I feared that I
was about to be sent to bed like a naughty boy!"

"I hope it's fine to-m