Max to sit upon. The Frenchman, always courteous, gently
forced Sergeant Sowerby himself to occupy the chair, silencing his
muttered protests with upraised hand. The matter settled, he lowered his
hand, and, resting it fraternally upon the sergeant's shoulder, listened
to Inspector Dunbar's account of what had occurred that night. No one
interrupted the Inspector until he was come to the end of his narrative.
"Mille tonnerres!" then exclaimed M. Max; and, holding a finger of his
glove between his teeth, he tugged so sharply that a long rent appeared
in the suede.
His eyes were on fire; the whole man quivered with electric force.
In silence that group watched the celebrated Frenchman; instinctively
they looked to him for aid. It is at such times that personality
proclaims itself. Here was the last court of appeal, to which came Dr.
Cumberly and Inspector Dunbar alike; whose pronouncement they awaited,
not questioning that it would be final.
"To-morrow night," began Max, speaking in a very low voice, "we raid
the headquarters of Ho-Pin. This disappearance of your daughter, Dr.
Cumberly, is frightful; it could not have been foreseen or it should
have been prevented. But the least mistake now, and"--he looked at Dr.
Cumberly as if apologizing for his barbed words--"she may never return!"
"My God!" groaned the physician, and momentarily dropped his face into
his hands.
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