"Who he is? No more than _where_ he is! Probably some creature of Dr. Fu-Manchu specially chosen for the purpose; obviously a man of culture, and probably of thug ancestry. I hit him--in the shoulder; but even then he ran like a hare. We've searched the ship, without result. He may have gone overboard and chanced the swim to shore...."
We stepped out on to the deck. Around us was that unforgettable scene--Port Said by night. The ship was barely moving through the glassy water, now. Smith took my arm and we walked forward. Above us was the mighty peace of Egypt's sky ablaze with splendour; around and about us moved the unique turmoil of the clearing-house of the Near East.
"I would give much to know the real identity of the Bishop of Damascus," muttered Smith.
He stopped abruptly, snapping his teeth together and grasping my arm as in a vice. Hard upon his words had followed the rattling clangour as the great anchor was let go; but horribly intermingled with the metallic roar there came to us such a fearful inarticulate shrieking as to chill one's heart.
The anchor plunged into the water of the harbour; the shrieking ceased. Smith turned to me, and his face was tragic in the light of the arc lamp swung hard by.
"We shall never know," he whispered. "God forgive him--he must be in bloody tatters now. Petrie, the poor fool was hiding in the _chain-locker!_"
A little hand stole into mine. I turned quickly. Kâramanèh stood beside me. I placed my arm about her shoulders, drawing her close; and I blush to relate that all else was forgotten.
For a moment, heedless of the fearful turmoil forward, Nayland Smith stood looking at us. Then he turned, with his rare smile, and walked aft.
37 Lord Arthur Savile's Crime Oscar Wilde
85 The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde
45 Vailima Letters Robert Louis Stevenson
80 Selected Letters Robert Louis Stevenson
94 All Things Considered G. K. Chesterton
54 The Life of John Ruskin W. G. Collingwood
57 Sevastopol and other Stories Leo Tolstoy
91 Social Evils and their Remedy Leo Tolstoy
58 The Lore of the Honey-Bee Tickner Edwardes
64 The Vicar of Morwenstow S. Baring-Gould
93 The Substance of Faith Sir Oliver Lodge
126 Science from an Easy Chair Sir Ray Lankester