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Rohmer, Sax, 1883-1959

"The Yellow Claw"


"It was not so with you in Moulmein," she said, her silvery voice
lowered caressingly. "Do you remember with me a night beside the
Irawaddi?--where was that I wonder? Was it in Prome?--Perhaps, yes?...
you threatened me to leap in, if... and I think to believe you!--I
believing you!"
"Mahara!" cried Gianapolis, and sought to seize her in his arms.
Again she struck down his hand with the little fan, watching him
continuously and with no change of expression. But the smoldering fire
in those eyes told of a greater flame which consumed her slender
body and was potent enough to consume many a victim upon its altar.
Gianapolis' yellow skin assumed a faintly mottled appearance.
"Whatever is the matter?" he inquired plaintively.
"So you must be off--yes? I hear you say it; I asking you who to meet?"
"Why do you speak in English?" said Gianapolis with a faint irritation.
"Let us talk..."
She struck him lightly on the face with her fan; but he clenched his
teeth and suppressed an ugly exclamation.
"Who was it?" she asked, musically, "that say to me, 'to hear you
speaking English--like rippling water'?"
"You are mad!" muttered Gianapolis, beginning to drill the points of
his mustache as was his manner in moments of agitation.


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