Brood of the Witch-Queen

lf-Moon Street was bathed in almost tropical sunlight, but already the celebrated physician had sent those out from his house to whom the

ou wish to see me

upon a corner of the big tab

ugh; but I thought you might

ermyn attended on my behalf; an urgent case d

it was a surprise-quite a pleasant one-to find tha

rn star

not provided for his niece? She is

ne in my belief that during the-peculiar state of min

his adopted

inherit equal shares, and the house goes to Myra. Mr. Antony Ferra

dee

beastly fur coats-a fur coat, with the thermometer a

tapping at the blotting-pad w

titude towards yo

on st

u, yourself brought about an open ruptu

since you were present, that Sir Mi

God for

e are many difficulties. But,

, yes-but, heavens! he didn

turned to

t we know. But"-his clear eyes were raised to his

man stared

nothing les

ed hand checked the

than you do. But cannot you see how

n was silen

nscience; I confess it. But give me time. If only as a move-as a matter of policy-keep in to

"Yes, I see. I understand. By heav

have studied you would know that retribution, though slow, is inevitable. But be on your guard. I am taking precautions. We have an enemy; I do not pretend to deny it; and

irn spoke

in palatial chamb

ou been

N

hings which happened in a top set at Oxford we might be groping in the dark now! You never liked Ant

ood up, and lig

"I'm glad I'm not alone in th

Hume, and all the old servants. We shall see what is to be do

sir! Go

e bell which summoned Marston to usher out

lly reflected. He might call upon Myra Duquesne, in which event he would almost certainly be asked to stay

lf and his work. The feeling of fierce resentment towards Antony Ferrara which he cherished grew stronger at every step. He was the spider governing the web, the web that clammily touched Dr. Cairn, himself, Robert Cairn, and-Myra Duquesne

e steps. Before the gates of the l

suite, and the doors were opened by

gain!" muttered Cairn. "The man shoul

pots. Heavy curtains of rich fabric draped the doors. The floor was of mosaic, and a small fountain played in the centre. A cushioned divan occupied one side of the place, from which natural light was entirely excluded and which was illuminated

ael's fortune won't last long at this rate!" He glanced at

the lean, neatly-groomed Scotsman, with his fresh, clean-shaven face

he visitor passed. Cairn found himself in Antony Ferrara's study. A huge fire

of great opulence. But the littered table was there, with its nameless instruments and its extraordinary silver lamp; the mummies were there; the antique volumes, rolls of papyrus, preserved snakes a

set in a smile, which yet was no smile of welcome; the over-red lips smiled alone; the long, glittering dark eyes were joyless; alm

a welcome interrupti

n could not deny the charm of that unique voice. It was possible to understand how wo

Whilst Ferrara was speaking one found a sort of fascination in listening, but when he was

rself jolly comfor

bly absurd; it is that of one who finds himself in a garden filled with roses and who holds his nostrils; who perceives there shady bowers, but ch

Aren't you thinking of do

shions. "Forgive me, Cairn, but I leave it, gladly and c

tes, but Cairn shook his head, balan

oked too much already;

, I declare, you will never have tasted but which yo

ay that might have reminded

s. Some other time, Fer

ly British B. and S., even a

oice, now, of a sort of contemptuous banter. But

s; but it's

ographs he examined with supercilious curiosity. Then, passing to a huge cabinet, he began to peer in at the

of Dermestes Beetles had propagated in the cavity. Those creatures never saw the light, Cairn. Yet I assure you that

ws on a bed of moss; one might almost have supposed that unclean life yet survived in the little black insects. They were an unfamiliar sp

nsect are extremely rare,"

" replie

n that group of beetles whose history had

he said. "Why d

rugged his

enigmatically. "They migh

attitude it occurred to Cairn

ff," he said

f Piccadilly. He knew something of the great evil which dwelt within this man whom

. "Of course, your press wor

he fountain plashed coolly and the silver mibkharah sent up its pencils of vapour. The outer door was opened

eace be with you) he murmured, "as the Moslems say. B

ds that brought Cairn up short. He turned, but the doors closed