*"_
* "Yes, yes. It is the will of the Master."
"Down with the door!" roared Dunbar.
The woman threw herself, with a wild sob, upon the motionless body of
Stuart.
Ensued a series of splintering crashes, and finally the head of an
axe appeared through the panels of the door. Ah-Fang-Fu tried to
drag the woman away, but she clung to Stuart desperately and was
immovable. Thereupon the huge quadroon, running across the room,
swept them both up into his giant embrace, man and woman together,
and bore them down by the sunken doorway into the cellars below!
The shop door fell inwards, crashing down the four steps, and Dunbar
sprang into the place, revolver in hand, followed by Inspector Kelly
and four men of the River Police, one of whom carried a hurricane
lantern. Ah-Fang-Fu had just descended after Miguel and closed the
heavy door.
"Try this way, boys!" cried Kelly, and rushed up the stair. The four
men followed him. The lantern was left on the floor. Dunbar stared
about him. Sowerby and several other men entered. Suddenly Dunbar saw
Gaston Max lying on the floor.
"My God!" he cried--"they have killed him!"
He ran across, knelt and examined Max, pressing his ear against his
breast.
Inspector Kelly reaching the top of the stairs and finding the door
locked, hurled his great bulk against it and burst it open.
"Follow me, boys!" he cried. "Take care! Bring the lantern, somebody."
The fourth man grasped the lantern and all followed the Inspector up
the stair and out through the doorway.
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