Ensued a series of splintering crashes, and finally the head of an axe appeared through the panels of the door. Ah-Fang-Fu tried to drag the woman away, but she clung to Stuart desperately and was immovable. Thereupon the huge quadroon, running across the room, swept them both up into his giant embrace, man and woman together, and bore them down by the sunken doorway into the cellars below!
The shop door fell inwards, crashing down the four steps, and Dunbar sprang into the place, revolver in hand, followed by Inspector Kelly and four men of the River Police, one of whom carried a hurricane lantern. Ah-Fang-Fu had just descended after Miguel and closed the heavy door.
"Try this way, boys!" cried Kelly, and rushed up the stair. The four men followed him. The lantern was left on the floor. Dunbar stared about him. Sowerby and several other men entered. Suddenly Dunbar saw Gaston Max lying on the floor.
"My God!" he cried—"they have killed him!"
He ran across, knelt and examined Max, pressing his ear against his breast.
Inspector Kelly reaching the top of the stairs and finding the door locked, hurled his great bulk against it and burst it open.
"Follow me, boys!" he cried. "Take care! Bring the lantern, somebody."
The fourth man grasped the lantern and all followed the Inspector up the stair and out through the doorway. His voice came dimly:
"Mind the beam! Pass the light forward…."
Sowerby was struggling with the door by which Miguel and Ah-Fang-Fu unseen had made their escape and Dunbar, having rested Max's head upon a pillow, was glaring all about him, his square jaw set grimly and his eyes fierce with anger.