Sax Rohmer

“ Van Dean continued, “a criminal genius—unique, maybe, in the whole world—is right here at my heels. I know it, I feel it. What is your plan, Harley?”
“I'm following inspiration rather than plan,” was the reply. “Without attaching too much importance to the presence of an image of Káli in this room, I am convinced that this library is the center, the focus, of the enemy's activities. By the way, Van Dean, you are sure that this figure did come from your agent in Rangoon?” ”

“ Latham asked blankly.
“So much for my defenses, so much for my barbed wire and my alarms!” groaned Van Dean.
“It isn't credible, Harley!” declared Latham. “This S. Group is admittedly clever, dangerously clever, but they're only men, after all! Are the alarms set?”
“I tested them quite recently,” replied Harley.
“Then only a spirit could have entered these grounds, tonight, without setting the bells ringing!”
“Yet,” retorted Harley dryly, “we have the evidence of Miss Westbury, and now that of Wu Chang, that there is a stranger amongst us. Let's face the facts.” He began to fill his pipe. ”

“ He is here to remove Van Dean, or myself, or both of us! We have the doubtful honor to stand between this present civilization and a great uprising of other races. Some superstitions have a basis of truth. Now, throughout the Far East, the anger of the S. Group is associated with the Indian goddess Káli. Am I right, Latham? ”