fitted well and the glass was thick. Moreover, it was very dirty.
He was afraid, however, to attempt to clean a space.

Ah Fu apparently had set the lantern upon a table, and into the radius
of its light there presently moved a stooping figure. Durham recognized
Huang Chow, and felt his heart beats increasing in rapidity.

Clutching the framework of the trap with his hands, he moved his head
cautiously, so that presently he was enabled to see the two Chinamen.
They were standing beside the lacquered coffin upon its dragon-legged
pedestal. Durham stifled an exclamation.

One end of the ornate sarcophagus had been opened in some way!

Now, to the watcher's unbounded astonishment, Ah Fu placed the birdcage
in the opening, and apparently reclosed the trap in the end of the
coffin. He made other manipulations with his bony yellow fingers, which
Durham failed to comprehend. Finally the birdcage was withdrawn again,
and as it was passed before the light of the lantern he saw that it was
empty, whereas previously it had contained a number of tiny birds all
huddled up together!

The light gleamed upon the spectacles of Huang Chow. Watching him,
Durham saw him take out from a hidden drawer in the pedestal a long,
slender key, insert it in a lock concealed by the ornate carving,
and then slightly raise the lid which had so recently defied his own
efforts.

He raised it only a few inches, and then, taking up the lantern, peered
into the interior of the coffin, at the same time waving his hand
in dismissal to Ah Fu. For a while he stood there, peering into the
interior, and then, lowering the lid again, he relocked this gruesome
receptacle and, lantern in hand, began to mount the stair.

Durham inhaled deeply. He realized that during the last few seconds he
had been holding his breath. Now, as he began to creep back down the
slope, he discovered that his hands were shaking.

He dropped down into the court again, and for several minutes leaned
against the wall, endeavouring to reason out an explanation of what he
had seen, and in a measure to regain his composure.

There was a horror underlying it all which he was half afraid to face.
But the real clue to the mystery still eluded him.

Whether what he had witnessed were some kind of obscene ceremony,
or whether an explanation more vile must be sought, he remained
undetermined. He must repeat his exploit, if possible, and once more
gain access to the room which contained th