There was a pathetic humidity in the velvet eyes of Azîz--eyes so like those others that were ever looking into mine in dreams--as glancing from Smith to me he began, hands outstretched, characteristically, palms upward and fingers curling, to tell in broken English the story of his search for Kâramanèh....
"It was Fu-Manchu, my kind gentlemen--it was the _hâkîm_ who is really not a man at all, but an _efreet_. He found us again less than four days after you had left us, Smith Pasha!... He found us in Cairo, and to Kâramanèh he made the forgetting of all things--even of me--even of me...."
Nayland Smith snapped his teeth together sharply; then:
For my own part I understood well enough, remembering how the brilliant Chinese doctor once had performed such an operation as this upon poor Inspector Weymouth; how, by means of an injection of some serum, prepared (as Kâramanèh afterwards told us) from the venom of a swamp adder or similar reptile, he had induced _amnesia_, or complete loss of memory. I felt every drop of blood recede from my cheeks.
"Let him speak for himself," interrupted my friend sharply.
"They tried to take us both," continued Azîz, still speaking in that soft, melodious manner, but with deep seriousness. "I escaped, I, who am swift of foot, hoping to bring help."--He shook his head sadly--"But, except the All Powerful, who is so powerful as the _Hâkîm_ Fu-Manchu? I hid, my gentlemen, and watched and waited, one--two--three weeks. At last I saw her again, my sister Kâramanèh; but ah! she did not know me, did not know _me_, Azîz, her brother! She was in an _arabeeyeh_, and passed me quickly along the _Sharia en-Nahhâsin_. I ran, and ran, and ran, crying her name, but although she looked back, she did not know me--she did not know me! I felt that I was dying, and presently I fell--upon the steps of the Mosque of Abu."
He dropped the expressive hands wearily to his sides and sank his chin upon his breast.
"And then?" I said huskily--for my heart was fluttering like a captive bird.
"Alas! from that day to this I see her no more, my gentlemen. I travel not only in Egypt but near and far, and still I see her no more until in Rangoon I hear that which brings me to England again"--he extended his palms naïvely--"and here I am--Smith Pasha."