"Is that what you intend to do with me?" asked Bennett, shrinking back in terror.
The Chinaman nodded in affirmation as he pushed back the coffins.
Overcome by the horror of the idea Bennett, with a groan, sank back into the chair, shaking his head as if to indicate that the plan was far too terrible to carry out.
With a sinister smile and a shrug of his shoulders Long Sin pointed to the cup from which Bennett had drunk.
"But, dear master," he remarked suavely, "you have already drunk a full dose of the potion which causes insensibility, and it is overcoming you. Even now," he added, "you are too weak to rise."
Bennett made frantic efforts to move from his seat, but the potion was already taking effect, and through sheer weakness he found he was unable to get on his feet in spite of all his struggles.
With a malicious chuckle Long Sin moved closer to his victim and spoke again.
"Divulge where your seven million dollars are hidden," he suggested craftily, "and I will give you an antidote."
By this time Bennett, who was becoming more rigid each moment, was unable to speak, but by a movement of his head and an expression in his eyes he indicated that he was ready to agree to the Chinaman's proposal.
"Where have you hidden the seven million dollars?" repeated Long Sin.