"I regret that you were so rash as to take part in last night's abortive raid, Dr. Stuart," he said. Stuart started. So he had been unconscious for many hours! "Because of your professional acquirements at one time I had contemplated removing you," continued the unemotional voice. "But I rejoice to think that I failed. It would have been an error of judgement. I have useful work for such men. You shall assist in the extensive laboratories of my distinguished predecessor." "Never!" snapped Stuart. The man's callousness was so purposeful and deliberate that it awed. He seemed like one who stands above all ordinary human frailties and emotions. "Your prejudice is natural," rejoined Fo-Hi calmly. "You are ignorant of our sublime motives, but you shall nevertheless assist us to establish that intellectual control which is destined to be the new World Force. No doubt you are conscious of a mental hiatus extending from the moment when you found the pigtail of the worthy Ah-Fang-Fu about your throat until that when you recovered consciousness in this room. It has covered a period roughly of twenty-four hours, Dr. Stuart." "I don't believe it," muttered Stuart--and found his own voice to seem as unreal as everything else in the nightmare apartment. "If I had not revived earlier, I should never have revived at all." He raised his hand to his swollen throat, touching it gingerly. "Your unconsciousness was prolonged," explained Fo-Hi, consulting an open book written in Chinese characters, "by an injection which I found it necessary to make. Otherwise, as you remark, it would have been prolonged indefinitely. Your clever but rash companion was less happy." "What!" cried Stuart--"he is dead? You fiend! You damned yellow fiend!" Emotion shook him and he sat clutching the leopard-skins and glaring madly at the cowled figure. "Fortunately," resumed Fo-Hi, "my people--with one exception-- succeeded in making their escape. I may add that the needless scuffling attendant upon arresting this unfortunate follower of mine, immediately outside the door of the house, led to the discovery of your own presence. Nevertheless, the others departed safely. My own departure is imminent; it has been because of certain domestic details and by the necessity of awaiting nightfall. You see, I am frank with you." "Because the grave is silent!" "The grave, and ... China. There is no other alternative in your case." "Are you sure that there is no other in your own?" asked Stuart huskily. "An alternative to my returning to China? Can you suggest one?" "The scaffold!" cried Stuart furiously, "for you and the scum who follow you!" Fo-Hi lighted a Bunsen burner. "I trust not," he rejoined placidly. "With two exceptions, all my people are out of England."