Finally, in the event of such a
surprise, I have an exit whereby one emerges at a secret spot on the
river bank. A motor-boat, suitably concealed, awaits me there."
He placed a thermometer in the neck of the yellow bottle and the
bottle in a rack. He directed the intolerable gaze of his awful eyes
upon the man who sat, teeth tightly clenched, watching him from the
_diwan._
"Ten minutes of life--in England--yet remain to you, Dr. Stuart. In
ten minutes this fluid will have cooled to a temperature of 99 degrees,
when I shall be enabled safely make an injection. You will be reborn
in Kiangsu."
Fo-Hi walked slowly to the door whereby he had entered, opened it and
went out. The door closed.
CHAPTER II
THE LIVING DEATH
The little furnace hissed continuously. A wisp of smoke floated up
from the incense-burner.
Stuart sat with his hands locked between his knees, and his gaze set
upon the yellow flask.
Even now he found it difficult to credit the verity of his case. He
found it almost impossible to believe that such a being as Fo-Hi
existed, that such deeds had been done, were being done, in England,
as those of which he had heard from the sinister cowled man. Save for
the hissing of the furnace and the clanking of the chain as he strove
with all his strength to win freedom, that wonderful evil room was
silent as the King's Chamber at the heart of the Great Pyramid.
His gaze reverted to the yellow flask.
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