CHAPTER III
THE FIFTH SECRET OF RACHE CHURAN
Stricken silent with fear, Miska staggered back against the lacquereddoor, dropping the keys which she held in her hand. Fo-Hi had removedthe cowled garment and was now arrayed in a rich mandarin robe.Through the grotesque green veil which obscured his features thebrilliant eyes shone catlike.
"So," he said softly, "you speed the parting guest. And did I nothear the sound of a chaste salute?"
Miska watched him, wild-eyed.
"And he knows," continued the metallic voice, "'how to deal withChunda Lal'? But it may be that Chunda Lal will know how to deal with_him!_ I had suspected that Dr. Keppel Stuart entertained anunprofessional interest in his charming patient. Your failure toforce the bureau drawer in his study excited my suspicion--unjustly,I admit; for did not I fail also when I paid the doctor a personalvisit? True, I was disturbed. But this suspicion later returned. Itwas in order that some lingering doubt might be removed that Iafforded you the opportunity of interviewing my guest. But whateversurprise his ingenuity, aided by your woman's wit, has planned forChunda Lal, I dare to believe that Chunda Lal, being forewarned, willmeet successfully. He is expecting an attempt, by Dr. Stuart, to leavethis house. He has my orders to detain him."
At that, anger conquered terror in the heart of Miska, and:
"You mean he has your orders to kill him!" she cried desperately.
Fo-Hi closed the door.
"On the contrary, he has my orders to take every possible care of him.Those blind, tempestuous passions which merely make a woman moredesirable find no place in the trained mind of the scientist. ThatDr. Stuart covets my choicest possession in no way detracts from hisvalue to my Council."
Miska had never moved from the doorway by which Stuart had gone out;and now, having listened covertly and heard no outcry, her faith inChunda Lal was restored. Her wonderful eyes narrowed momentarily, andshe spoke with the guile, which seems so naive, of the Oriental woman.
"I care nothing for him--this Dr. Stuart. But he had done you nowrong----"
"Beyond seeking my death--none. I have already said"--the eyes ofFo-Hi gleamed through the hideous veil--"that I bear him no ill will."
"But you plan to carry him to China--like those others."
"I assign him a part in the New Renaissance--yes. In the Deluge thatshall engulf the world, his place is in the Ark. I honor him."
"Perhaps he rather remain a--nobody--than be so honored."
"In his present state of imperfect understanding it is quitepossible," said Fo-Hi smoothly. "But if he refuses to achievegreatness he must have greatness thrust upon him. Van Rembold, I seemto recall, hesitated for some time to direct his genius to the problemof producing radium in workable quantities from the pitchblenddeposits of Ho-Nan. But the _split rod_ had not been applied to thesoles of his feet more than five times ere he reviewed his prejudicesand found them to be surmountable."
Miska, knowing well the moods of the monstrous being whose unveiledface she had never seen, was not deceived by the suavity of hismanner. Nevertheless, she fought down her terror, knowing how muchmight depend upon her retaining her presence of mind. How much of herinterview with Stuart he had overheard she did not know, nor how muchhe had witnessed.
"But," she said, moving away from him, "he does not matter--this one.Forgive me if I think to let him go; but I am afraid----"
Fo-Hi crossed slowly, intercepting her.
"Ah!" said Miska, her eyes opening widely--"you are going to punishme again! For why? Because I am a woman and cannot always be cruel?"
From its place on the wall Fo-Hi took a whip. At that:
"Ah! no, no!" she cried. "You drive me mad! I am only in part of theEast and I cannot bear it--I cannot bear it! You teach me to be likethe women of England, who are free, and you treat me like the women ofChina, who are slaves. Once, it did not matter. I thought it was apart of a woman's life to be treated so. But now I cannot bear it!"She stamped her foot fiercely upon the floor. "I tell you I cannotbear it!"
Whip in hand, Fo-Hi stood watching her.
"You release that man--for whom you 'care nothing'--in order that hemay bring my enemies about me, in order that he may hand me over tothe barbarous law of England. Now, you 'cannot bear' so light arebuke as the whip. Here, I perceive, is some deep psychologicalchange. Such protests do not belong to the women of my country; theyare never heard in the _zenana,_ and would provoke derision in the_harems_ of Stambul.
"You have trained me to know that life in a _harem_ is not life, butonly the existence of an animal."
"I have trained you--yes. What fate was before you when I intervenedin that Mecca slave-market? You who are 'only in part of the East.'Do you forget so soon how you cowered there amongst the others, Arabs,Circassians, Georgians, Nubians, striving to veil your beauty fromthose ravenous eyes? From _what_ did I rescue you?"
"And _for_ what?" cried Miska bitterly. "To use me as a lure--and beatme if I failed."
Fo-Hi stood watching her, and slowly, as he watched, terror grew uponher and she retreated before him, step by step. He made no attempt tofollow her, but continued to watch. Then, raising the whip he brokeit across his knee and dropped the pieces on the floor.
At that she extended her hands towards him pitifully.
"Oh! what are you going to do to me!" she said. "Let me go! let me go!I can no more be of use to you. Give me back my life and let me go--et me go and hide away from them all--from all ... the world...."
Her words died away and ceased upon a suppressed hysterical sob. For,in silence, Fo-Hi stood watching her, unmoved.
"Oh!" she moaned, and sank cowering upon a _diwan--_ "why do you watchme so!"
"Because," came the metallic voice, softly--"you are beautiful with abeauty given but rarely to the daughters of men. The Sublime Orderhas acquired many pretty women--for they are potent weapons--but noneso fair as you. Miska, I would make life sweet for you."
"Ah! you do not mean that!" she whispered fearfully.
"Have I not clothed you in the raiment of a princess!" continuedFo-Hi. "To-night, at my urgent request, you wear the charming nationalcostume in which I delight to see you. But is there a woman of Paris,of London, of New York, who has such robes, such jewels, suchapartments as you possess? Perhaps the peculiar duties which I haverequired you to perform, the hideous disguises, which you havesometimes been called upon to adopt, have disgusted you."
Her heart beating wildly, for she did not know this mood but divinedit to portend some unique horror, Miska crouched, head averted.
"To-night the hour has come to break the whip. To-night the master inme dies. My cloak of wise authority has fallen from me and I offermyself in bondage to _you_, my slave!"
"This is some trap you set for me!" she whispered.
But Fo-Hi, paying no heed to her words, continued in the same raptvoice:
"Truly have you observed that the Chinese wife is but a slave to herlord. I have said that the relation of master and slave is endedbetween us. I offer you a companionship that signifies absolutefreedom and perfect understanding. Half of all I have--and the worldlies in my grasp--is yours. I offer a throne set upon the SevenMountains of the Universe. Look into my eyes and read the truth."
But lower and lower she cowered upon the _diwan._
"No, no! I am afraid!"
Fo-Hi approached her closely and abject terror now had robbed her ofstrength. Her limbs seemed to have become numbed, her tongue clave tothe roof of her mouth.
"Fear me no more, Miska," said Fo-Hi. "I _will_ you nothing but joy.The man who has learned the Fifth Secret of Rache Churan--who haslearned how to control his will--holds a power absolute and beyondperfectability. You know, who have dwelt beneath my roof, that thereis no escape from my will." His calm was terrible, and his glance,through the green veil, was like a ray of scorching heat. His voicesank lower and lower.
"There is one frailty, Miska, that even the Adept cannot conquer. Itis inherent in every man. Miska, I
would not _force_ you to grasp thejoy I offer; I would have you _accept_ it willingly. No! do not turnfrom me! No woman in all the world has ever heard me plead, as Iplead to you. Never before have I _sued_ for favours. Do not turn fromme, Miska."
Slightly, the metallic voice vibrated, and the ruffling of that giantcalm was a thing horrible to witness. Fo-Hi extended his long yellowhands, advancing step by step until he stood over the cowering girl.Irresistibly her glance was drawn to those blazing eyes which the veilcould not hide, and as she met that unblinking gaze her own eyesdilated and grew fixed as those of a sleep-walker. A moment Fo-Histood so. Then passion swept him from his feet and he seized herfiercely.
"Your eyes drive me mad!" he hissed. "Your lips taunt me, and I knowall earthly greatness to be a mirage, its conquests visions, and itsfairness dust. I would rather be a captive in your white arms thanthe emperor of heaven! Your sweetness intoxicates me, Miska. A feverburns me up!"
Helpless, enmeshed in the toils of that mighty will, Miska raised herhead; and gradually her expression changed. Fear was smoothed awayfrom her lovely face as by some magic brush. She grew placid; andfinally she smiled--the luresome, caressing smile of the East. Nearerand nearer drew the green veil. Then, uttering a sudden fierceexclamation, Fo-Hi thrust her from him.
"That smile is not for _me,_ the man!" he cried gutterally. "Ah! Icould curse the power that I coveted and set above all earthly joys!I who boasted that he could control his will--I read in your eyes thatI am _willing_ you to love me! I seek a gift and can obtain but atribute!"
Miska, with a sobbing moan, sank upon the _diwan._ Fo-Hi stoodmotionless, looking straight before him. His terrible calm wasrestored.
"It is the bitter truth," he said--"that to win the world I havebartered the birthright of men; the art of winning a woman's heart.There is much in our Chinese wisdom. I erred in breaking the whip.I erred in doubting my own prescience, which told me that the smilesI could not woo were given freely to another ... and perhaps thekisses. At least I can set these poor frail human doubts at rest."
He crossed and struck a gong which hung midway between the two doors.