"That was why we ran. But I think our retreat had all the appearance of a rout, as I intended that it should. Pardon my playing upon your very natural fears, old man, but you could not have _simulated_ panic half so naturally! And if they had suspected that the device was discovered, we might never have quitted The Gables alive. It was touch-and-go for a moment." "But--" "Turn out the light!" snapped my companion. Wondering greatly, I did as he desired. I turned out the light ... and in the darkness of my study I saw a fiery fist being shaken at me threateningly!... The bones were distinctly visible, and the luminosity of the flesh was truly ghastly. "Turn on the light again!" cried Smith. Deeply mystified, I did so ... and my friend tossed a little electric pocket-lamp on to the writing table. "They used merely a small electric lamp fitted into the handle of a glass dagger," he said with a sort of contempt. "It was very effective, but the luminous hand is a phenomenon producible by anyone who possesses an electric torch." "The Gables will be watched?" "At last, Petrie, I think we have Fu-Manchu--in his own trap!" CHAPTER XXVII THE NIGHT OF THE RAID "Dash it all, Petrie!" cried Smith, "this is most annoying!" The bell was ringing furiously, although midnight was long past. Whom could my late visitor be? Almost certainly this ringing portended an urgent case. In other words, I was not fated to take part in what I anticipated would prove to be the closing scene of the Fu-Manchu drama. "Every one is in bed," I said ruefully; "and how can I possibly see a patient--in this costume?" Smith and I were both arrayed in rough tweeds, and anticipating the labours before us, had dispensed with collars and wore soft mufflers. It was hard to be called upon to face a professional interview dressed thus, and having a big tweed cap pulled down over my eyes. Across the writing-table we confronted one another, in dismayed silence, whilst, below, the bell sent up its ceaseless clangour. "It has to be done, Smith," I said regretfully. "Almost certainly it means a journey and probably an absence of some hours." I threw my cap upon the table, turned up my coat to hide the absence of collar, and started for the door. My last sight of Smith showed him standing looking after me, tugging at the lobe of his ear and clicking his teeth together with suppressed irritability. I stumbled down the dark stairs, along the hall, and opened the front door. Vaguely visible in the light of a street lamp which stood at no great distance away, I saw a slender man of medium height confronting me. From the shadowed face two large and luminous eyes looked out into mine. My visitor, who, despite the warmth of the evening, wore a heavy greatcoat, was an Oriental! I drew back, apprehensively; then:-- "Ah! Dr. Petrie!" he said in a softly musical voice which made me start again, "to God be all praise that I have found you!"