by Sax Rohmer
“He has not demonstrated it to me,” I replied, “but some time ago in London I came in contact with it.”
“Good, good — the same thing, or an adaptation of my own. These floats or buoys, of which I shall presently show you several models, are operated from the firing-turret. They remain in contact by means of a cable operating over a drum of a material so light and yet so strong — a preparation of the Doctor’s — that half a mile of such cable weighs only twelve pounds; yet the float can be towed back upon it.”
“But what are the objects of these floats?”
“They are motor-driven and radio-steered. Each carries an Ericksen projector.”
“Ericksen again,” murmured Perrywell.
“True — too true. The range of such a projector is limited. Some day, no doubt, it will be increased: the Doctor is carrying out experiments; but at present it is limited. When the float is in range of its target, the operator — we carry no gunnery officers — directs the wave—”
He paused, drew a deep breath, and extended his palms. “There is no substance, Mr. Kerrigan, no form of armour plating, however thick, which is not destroyed by it as if through a paper bag one push one’s finger. From here, our base, we control every movement the United States could make. A fleet of one hundred Sharks — we have more than one hundred — could destroy the whole shipping of the Caribbean in a week.”
“What is your speed?” I asked.
“It increases as I dive. At twenty fathoms it is forty knots.”
“What!”
“On the surface as you see me now, it is only fifteen. But I have no occasion on the surface to remain. My motive power, my armament, I draw from the elements through which I pass. I require only material provisions for my crew; and I carry six.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT. “I GIVE YOU ONE HOUR”
“Although you belong to a wiser and more imaginative race,” said Dr. Fu-Manchu, “as I have already observed you are curiously English in your outlook. The German hordes overrun Europe. But other governments of the world, including the Government of the United States, continue to treat with them as with equals. I use the methods of those German hordes, but more subtly and more effectively. Quality rather than quantity distinguished the master. Yet, because I hold no diplomatic portfolio, I, Fu-Manchu, am a criminal.”
He drew himself up to his great height, a grotesque figure in that prosaic office deep in the heart of an extinct volcano. I anticipated an outburst. But as he stood, those glistening eyes grew filmed, introspective. He dropped down again into the chair from which he had risen, and reflectively took a pinch of snuff.
“Yes, you possess a good, but not a first-rate intelligence,” he went on, musingly, his voice now low. ‘You have trained powers of observation. You possess that Celtic fire which, transmuted, sometimes produces genius. You are a man who honours his word; I recognize one when I meet him, since I honour my own. I could take other steps, but I trust my judgement. The world is in the balance. I hold in my hand that decimal of a gramme which shall determine which way the scale tips. I am going to send you as my nuncio to Sir Denis Nayland Smith and the American authorities. Neither he nor Washington has communicated with me.”
Only one thought entered my mind at that moment: Smith has escaped — Smith was free! Thank God for this knowledge! Smith was free!
“You will say that my services are at the disposal of the Allied governments and of the Government of the United States. You will tell him what you know of my facilities; and you will make it your business to bring him back with you entrusted by his own Government, by that of the United States, or by both, with plenipotentiary powers to negotiate — not with a criminal, but with one who holds the destiny of the world in his hands. I have said that I am prepared to accept your word; but Sir Denis, being bound by no such obligation, might forcibly detain you. Therefore, I shall take steps to limit the time of your absence. You will have seventy-two hours in which to return. It is a painless operation: I shall operate personally. You may decline this commission if you wish. It is now six o’clock. I give you one hour. Report to me here at seven.”
Faced by this ghastly prospect, every hissing syllable of Fu-Manchu’s ultimatum repeating itself over and over again in my brain, I wandered along the busy quays of that subterranean dockyard. No one paid the slightest attention to my presence. I walked straight ahead — aimlessly — hopelessly — thinking. For me it was the end: I should never see Ardatha again; for that Nayland Smith should compromise with Dr. Fu-Manchu was a thing unthinkable. Yet, whatever became of me, heaven be thanked. Smith was free! The fight went on!
And now, as I wandered along past the groups of workers, some of whom glanced at me — but none with any evidence of curiosity — an explanation presented itself. In my shabby drill suit, my skin reduced by the hot sun to a dusky brown, I was indistinguishable from many of the labourers: they mistook me for one of the “below-ground” staff!
This theory to explain their indifference to the presence of a stranger was strengthened a moment later. At the head of some steps against which a boat was tied up, a man dressed almost as I was dressed sat splicing a length of rope. There was no one within twenty yards of the spot, and for this reason I particularly noticed him. His bowed shoulders were turned to me as he bent over his task. I had almost passed him when he spoke:
“Don’t stop — don’t look back. Walk straight ahead.”
The speaker was Nayland Smith!
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE. CHRISTOPHE’S PATH
“Smith!” I gasped, “this is a miracle!”
“No. Sound organization and top marks go to Barton. This way, and mind you don’t stumble.”
A coil of rope slung over his shoulder, Smith had slouched along in my wake until, leaving dockside activity behind, I had found myself on the farther shore, pursuing a path overhung by frowning rocks. Then, suddenly, he had caught me up and thrust me into a narrow cavity.
One backward glance I threw across the waters of the inky lake, glittering in synthetic sunshine. I could see gangs at work on the quays. One of the Sharks was submerging: it disappeared with the speed of a moorhen. Ring after ring of gleaming black water spread out from the spot where it had been.
Then, as I stumbled along behind Smith in impenetrable darkness, he turned, grasped my hand and pulled me up and round a bend into a small cave. Several electric lamps were set on the rocky floor, casting their light upon a group of armed and uniformed men. It was a party of United States Marines!
They had their carbines at the ready.
“Made a capture, sir?” growled the petty officer who was evidently in charge.
“Yes!” snapped Smith, “the one I went for: Mr. Kerrigan.”
A sort of gruff murmur greeted this announcement.
“And now,” Smith continued rapidly, “we have to work fast. Stand easy, you fellows. Come over here, Kerrigan — thank God you are here! And tell me all you can in the fewest possible words.”
Madly excited as I was, frantically keyed up by this unforeseen solution of a problem which had threatened my faith, my principles, my soul, I strove hard to comply. I told him of the infra-azure lamp; described The Snapping Fingers: I named some of those brilliant men who laboured here to bring the world under the domination of Dr. Fu-Manchu.
“He has agents everywhere, Smith!” I cried.
“I know that.”
“Six of his submarines could destroy a battle fleet. His planes, armed with Ericksen projectors, can manoeuvre like hawks. Whatever happens to Europe and the rest of the world, it is certain that at the present moment he holds the fate of the United States Navy in his hands.”
“At this stage of history, that means the rest of the world,” said Smith gravely. He turned. “Stand by here, sergeant,” he directed. “Post your men one in touch with another along the passage. When a search party comes — and it can’t fail to be long, now — all fall back to the ladder, haul it up and leave no sign.”
�
��All clear, sir.”
In single file we walked up a narrow passage in which there were many bends, and at each of the bends a man dropped out, until at the point where passage seemed to end in a great jagged, natural chamber in the rock, I saw a rope ladder hanging from a ledge high above.
“This was Christophe’s road to the great cavern,” said Smith. “Just above this point, as we explored, it seemed that we had come to the end. You see, there have been earth tremors during the past century, and in places the way is blocked.” He raised his head. “All ready above there?” he hailed.
“All ready, sir,” came a distant reply.
“We brought climbing tackle, and fortunately the kind of men who know how to use it. Hang on to the ladder there. Up you go, Kerrigan.”
There were two more Marines on duty at the head of the ladder. As one helped me to scramble up:
“Welcome, Mr. Kerrigan!” he said; “I guess you are lucky to be alive!”
“I think so, too!”
I was in a much wider passage, which, however, was obviously natural; and when Smith had joined me and had given directions to the men, we began to climb up a steep ascent, he carrying an electric lamp.
“Smith,” I said, “at all costs we must rescue Ardatha!”
“Leave Ardatha to me,” he replied shortly. “Her safety is assured. We have a long way to go, Kerrigan, and so we must step out.”
We stepped out, along that mounting, winding rock corridor, the floor of which was icy smooth in places where in some earth agony of long ago streams of lava had flowed down, or, perhaps, steam had spurted up from the great cavern below which had been the crater. The air was foul as that inside a pyramid; colonies of bats clung to the roof in places and sometimes came sweeping down to the light.
Smith rapped out a staccato, abbreviated account as we climbed:
“In distraction caused by your striking at Voice — cursed you at the time but seems to have come out for the best — I dived down into shadow. Invisible Fu-Manchu had not had time to indicate me to smeller-out with big sword. Blow had staggered him, and, for reasons understood now, he became partially visible for a moment. Effect on those poor devils — glimpse of ghostly green figure — something I can’t describe. One long wail went up and all fell flat on their faces.”
At a bend in the passage we passed another armed Marine, who saluted.
“All clear. Stand by,” said Smith.
“But what did you do?”
“About you could do nothing. Two masked thugs picked you up as you fell; carried you into the temple. Sticking to shadow of stockade, got back to the gate. Two masks on duty there, but I flashed the master amulet in the moonlight. Never questioned me: just saluted. I made along the path through trees to the rest-house and big clearing, at which it had been arranged for three planes to alight. Got through unchallenged. Saw a sight I shall never forget. Minor ceremony being performed, with drums, feathered witch doctor, and number of Voodoo priestesses, dancing until they fell in convulsions. Everyone dancing; drums beating; scores of panting bodies on the ground; shrieks, half animal cries…
“The rest-house was deserted. I stood there watching the orgy. Often glanced at my watch; wondered if you were dead or alive, counting the minutes, seconds. Then, on the dot of appointed time, came drone of the engines. The scene changed magically. As the fighters circled overhead and then glided down to that perfect landing-ground, every soul scattered to cover! Most of those who had seemed to be insensible staggered to their feet — joined in the rout; others dragged away. Drums ceased, the witch doctor alone continued frenzied dancing. He did not seem to come to his senses until the first plane grounded right beside him.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing. Entire crowd took to the woods. Barton was in the second plane. We posted guards and set out helter-skelter for the stockade. Kerrigan — there wasn’t a soul in the place!”
At this point in our upward climb we passed another Marine.
“Impossible to give you any idea activity of next few days. Haitian police like a pack of wolves. Suspects rounded up; hundreds of people questioned. But Voodoo is a very powerful force, Kerrigan. Air reconnaissance showed no suspicious movements. Naval units inspected every mile of shore. Marines landed at likely spots. Inquiries extended from coast to coast, beyond Dominican border. Had reasoned that secret base must be masked by some big industrial enterprise. San Damien Sisal Corporation seemed to fill bill. Called personally upon Mr. Horton, the manager. Except for certain strangeness of manner which I was disposed to ascribe to drug habit—”
“The man is a Zombie” I interrupted. “He is nearly ninety years old!”
“Ah! this I did not know; his manner quite disarming. Most courteous; good enough to conduct me over the hemp refinery. Even offered to drive me out to largest plantation. This offer I declined. In short, Kerrigan — defeated.”
I pulled up. The atmosphere of the tunnel was telling upon me, for I had passed through an exacting time.
“Have we much farther to go, Smith? Or is this passage unending?”
“No; ends on other side of a ravine immediately facing ruined chapel.”
“Not in the chapel?”
“No. Fu-Manchu made a slip. Having inspected original chart, he learned that Barton had tricked him; site of opening faked. Had very little time though to search for it. Therefore blew up chapel?”
“With what result?”
“None at all. One thing he had not seen — most important thing of all.”
“Why had he not seen it, since he had seen the chart?”
“Because it was written on the back! It read, roughly, ‘The altar faces the entrance, which is on opposite hillside, marked by granite cross set among trees!’”
“Astounding bit of luck!”
“Plus Barton’s genius for secrecy. Went to work like galley slaves. Had to work under cover. Posted hidden sentries all round area. Providence with us. Explosion had left altar practically intact; gave us our bearings… Granite cross long since vanished Took Barton two days to find tiny cave, no more than crevice in rock — but only way down to great cavern known to Christophe!”
“The other entrance, that from the sisal works, was discovered by accident some years ago…”
I saw a peep of daylight, and a voice hailed us. It was a loud, unmistakable voice — the voice of Sir Lionel Barton!
“All’s well, Barton!” cried Smith. “I have a surprise for you.” Two armed men were guarding the entrance, which indeed was no more than eighteen inches wide and which opened on to a ledge some ten feet below the crest of a jagged and jungle-choked ravine.
As I stepped out behind Smith:
“My God!” cried “Barton. “Kerrigan! Heaven be praised!” He shook my hand so hard that my fingers became limp, and then, pointing west:
“Look at that,” he said. “We have just time to get back to camp. There’s a hell of a storm brewing.”
And as we set out I looked into the west and saw that the sky was becoming veiled by a sort of purple haze.
The camp was an army tent with a smaller one set up behind it near a grove of trees. I observed a quantity of kit, a number of rifles; and here another Marine was on duty. Barton was so happy to see me that he kept throwing his arm around my shoulders and giving me bear-like hugs.
I suppose the boom of his great voice reached her from afar; for, as we approached, the flap of the smaller tent opened — and Ardatha ran out!
CHAPTER FORTY. THE SAN DAMIEN SISAL CORPORATION
When I had in some measure recovered from a shock of joy which I confess left me trembling, when I had fully appreciated the fact that this was the real Ardatha, the Ardatha who had so mysteriously disappeared in Paris, and not her shadow whom I had met again in London, I had time for wonder and time for questions.
“But how did it happen?” I asked breathlessly. “Even now I find it hard to believe.”
“It happened, Bart dear, because even the
genius of the Doctor nods — sometimes. You remember that he gave me over to the charge of Hassan. Hassan has served my family ever since I can remember, except that he was black, then, and not white. He came with me when I joined the Si-Fan, but when I left to come to you, in Paris — you remember—”
“Remember? I remember every hour we spent together, every minute.”
“Well—” there was a haunting inflection in the way she pronounced the word, “he becomes like all the others, except for one thing: he can never refuse to obey any order which I may give him.”
“I think I understand.”
“The work which I have done in the past for them has been away from their headquarters, you see. Those here in Haiti, where I have been only once before, who do not know me, know Hassan. I ordered him to come with me to the gate, and no one stopped us. I ordered him to get into one of the staff cars, of which there are always five or six waiting there, and to sit beside me, like a groom. He obeyed. I drove away. The Doctor had made a mistake. You see, I was myself again, and I knew! I meant to go to the consul at Cap Haitian, but on the way—”
“On the way,” snapped a familiar voice, and I saw that Smith had joined us, “pardon my interruption — Ardatha met myself and a party of Marines going to join Barton.”
“And, oh! how glad I was to see you — how glad!”
“As a result of this meeting,” Smith added, “certain steps were taken in regard to the activities of the San Damien Sisal Corporation. But Ardatha I rarely let out of my sight again.”
So utterly happy was I in our reunion that ominous claps of thunder, a growing darkness, that present danger to the United States which I knew to lurk in the Caribbean, were forgotten. Smith brought me sharply to my senses.
“At last,” he said, “we have the game in our hands, if we play our cards carefully. The great brains which support Dr. Fu-Manchu, the machinery which his genius and that of his dupes has brought into being, all are here. I have failed before, but this time I do not mean to fail. In the next twenty-four hours either we win our long battle or hand what is left of the civilized world over to Dr. Fu-Manchu.”