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Updated: June 20, 2025
"Ah," he said, in that low-pitched voice which was so terrifying "a gaziyeh of Ancient Egypt! How beautiful you are, Miska! You transport me to the court of golden Pharaoh. Miska! daughter of the moon-magic of Isis Zara el-Khala! At any hour my enemies may be clamoring at my doors. But this hour is mine!"
Inspector," interrupted Gaston Max, "but you have never seen Zara el-Khala! I have seen her and I forgive him, also!" Stuart continued rapidly: "We have little time to waste. There are only three people in the house, so far as I am aware: Miska known to you, M. Max, as Zara el-Khala the Hindu, Chunda Lal, and Fo-Hi "
I set six of my first-class men at work: three being detailed to watch the hotel of the Grand Duke Ivan and three to watch Zara el-Khala. Two more were employed in watching the Hindu servant and one in watching my good friend Casimir. Thus, nine clever men and myself were immediately engaged upon the case. Why do I speak of a "case" when thus far nothing of apparent importance had occurred?
She started back from him a movement of inimitable grace, like that of a startled gazelle. And even before I had time to get upon my feet she had raised a little silver whistle to her lips and blown a short shrill note. The Grand Duke, endeavouring to seize her hand, was pouring out voluble expressions of adoration in execrable French, and Zara el-Khala was retreating step by step.
The latter pointed out to him a path through the trees along which Zara el-Khala habitually strolled and showed him the point at which she usually rejoined the Hindu who followed along the road with the car. They retired. I seated myself beneath a tree from whence I could watch the path and the road and began to partake of the repast which I had brought with me.
"The Scorpion!" ... that name haunted me persistently. So much so that at last I determined to find out for myself if Sir Frank Narcombe had ever spoken about a scorpion or if there was any evidence to show that he had been interested in the subject. I could not fail to remember, too, that Zara el-Khala had last been reported as crossing to England.
Kneeling, his right knee thrust between the shoulder blades of the prostrate man, the Hindu looked up and I read murder in those glaring eyes. That he was an accomplished wrestler or perhaps a strangler I divined from the helplessness of the Grand Duke, who lay inert, robbed of every power except that of his tongue. He was swearing savagely. "Chunda Lal!" said Zara el-Khala again.
The chauffeur was the Hindu, Chunda Lal! As Zara el-Khala walked up the steps he backed the car into the narrow lane and I watched him constantly. Yet, watch as closely as I might, I could not see where he concealed himself in order to command a view of the road. On this occasion, as I know, Dr. Stuart was at home.
In the first place I had particular reasons for suspecting anyone who sought to obtain access to the Grand Duke. These were diplomatic. And in the second place I had suspicions of Zara el-Khala. These were personal. Yes so she called herself Zara el-Khala, which in Arabic is "Flower of the Desert."
It was only with difficulty that I restrained the cry of triumph which arose to my lips. On the instant that the study door closed, Zara el-Khala began to try a number of keys which she took from her handbag upon the various drawers of the bureau! "So!" I said "they are uncertain of the drawer!"
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