"It is a daring idea," said Stuart, "and relies for its success upon the chance that 'The Scorpion' remains ignorant of the fate of his agent and continues to believe that the body found off Hanover Hole was yours." "The admirable precautions of my clever colleague," replied Max, laying his hand upon Dunbar's shoulder, "in closing the mortuary and publishing particulars of the identification disk, made it perfectly safe. 'Le Balafre' has been in hiding. He emerges!" Stuart had secret reasons for knowing that Max's logic was not at fault, and this brought him to the matter of the sealed paper. He took up the envelope. "I have here," he said slowly, "a statement. Examine the seal." He held it out, and Max and Dunbar looked at it. The latter laughed shortly. "Oh, it is a real statement," continued Stuart, "the nature of which I am not at liberty to divulge. But as to-night we take risks, I propose to leave it in your charge, Inspector." He handed the envelope to Dunbar, whose face was blank with astonishment. "In the event of failure to-night," added Stuart, "or catastrophe, I authorise you to read this statement--and act upon it. If, however, I escape safely, I ask you to return it to me, unread." _"Eh bien,"_ said Max, and fixed that eye the whole of which was visible upon Stuart. "Perhaps I understand, and certainly"--he removed his hand from Dunbar's shoulder and rested it upon that of Stuart-- "but certainly, my friend, I sympathise!" Stuart started guiltily, but Max immediately turned aside and began to speak about their plans. "In a bag which Inspector Dunbar has thoughtfully left in the cab," he said---- Dunbar hastily retired and Max laughed. "In that bag," he continued, "is a suit of clothes such as habitues of 'The Pidgin House' rejoice to wear. I, who have studied disguise almost as deeply as the great Willy Clarkson, will transform you into a perfect ruffian. It is important, you understand, that someone should be inside the house of Ah-Fang-Fu, as otherwise by means of some secret exit the man we seek may escape. I believe that he contemplates departing at any moment, and I believe that the visit of Miguel means that what I may term the masters of the minor lodges are coming to London for parting instructions--or, of course Miguel may have come about the disappearance of 'Le Balafre.'" "Suppose you meet Miguel!" "My dear friend, I must trust to the Kismet who pursues evil-doers! The only reason which has led me to adopt this daring disguise is a simple one. Although I believe 'The Pidgin House' to be open to ordinary opium-smokers, it may not be open on 'lodge nights.' Do you follow me? Very well. I have the golden scorpion--which I suppose to be a sort of passport." Stuart wondered more and more at the reasoning powers of this remarkable man, which could lead him to such an accurate conclusion.