"You will perhaps remind me," he continued rapidly, "of the lowly place held by women in the East. I can cite notable exceptions, ancient and modern. In fact, a moment's consideration by a hypothetical body of Eastern dynast-makers not of an emperor but of an empress. Finally, there is a persistent tradition throughout the Far East that such a woman will one day rule over the known peoples. I was assured some years ago, by a very learned pundit, that a princess of incalculably ancient lineage, residing in some secret monastery in Tartary or Tibet, was to be the future empress of the world. I believe this tradition, or the extensive group who seek to keep it alive and potent, to be what is called the Si-Fan!" I was past greater amazement; but-- "This lady can be no longer young, then?" I asked. "On the contrary, Petrie, she remains always young and beautiful by means of a continuous series of reincarnations; also she thus conserves the collated wisdom of many ages. In short, she is the archetype of Lamaism. The real secret of Lama celibacy is the existence of this immaculate ruler, of whom the Grand Lama is merely a high priest. She has, as attendants, maidens of good family, selected for their personal charms, and rendered dumb in order that they may never report what they see and hear." "Smith!" I cried, "this is utterly incredible!" "Her body slaves are not only mute, but blind; for it is death to look upon her beauty unveiled." I stood up impatiently. "You are amusing yourself," I said. Nayland Smith clapped his hands upon my shoulders, in his own impulsive fashion, and looked earnestly into my eyes. "Forgive me, old man," he said, "if I have related all these fantastic particulars as though I gave them credence. Much of this is legendary, I know, some of it mere superstition, but--I am serious now, Petrie-- _part of it is true_." I stared at the square-cut, sun-tanned face; and no trace of a smile lurked about that grim mouth. "Such a woman may actually exist, Petrie, only in legend; but, nevertheless, she forms the head center of that giant conspiracy in which the activities of Dr. Fu-Manchu were merely a part. Hale blundered on to this stupendous business; and from what I have gathered from Beeton and what I have seen for myself, it is evident that in yonder coffer"--he pointed to the brass chest standing hard by--"Hale got hold of something indispensable to the success of this vast Yellow conspiracy. That he was followed here, to the very hotel, by agents of this mystic Unknown is evident. But," he added grimly, "they have failed in their object!" A thousand outrageous possibilities fought for precedence in my mind. "Smith!" I cried, "the half-caste woman whom I saw in the hotel ..." Nayland Smith shrugged his shoulders. "Probably, as M. Samarkan suggests, an _ayah!_" he said; but there was an odd note in his voice and an odd look in his eyes.