Such a house I discovered after about a week of feverish questing (for apart from the ordinary dangers of discovery to which my protegee was subject, her proclivity for adventures at the most unseasonable times greatly enhanced the danger which I apprehended).  Judge, then, of my satisfaction when I succeeded in obtaining the lease of a small villa—­indeed I might almost term it a bungalow—­in one of those odd survivals of less crowded days which are yet counted suburbs or parts of greater London.

This house stood alone in some two acres of ground, and because of its lack of modern conveniences and the comparative inaccessibility of its position, my application was eagerly entertained by the agent interested in the leasing of the property.  One week later I entered into possession, Cassim, Nahemah and myself comprising the entire household.  Much of my valuable—­indeed I may say unique—­collection, I had been compelled to store; for my new quarters lacked the necessary space for the purpose.  But although I was unaware of the fact at the time, I was not destined to be long deprived of a suitable home for the records of my life’s work.

Nahemah’s demand for some understanding between herself and her family grew daily more insistent; but I might have continued to oppose her wishes had it not been for the fact that by this time my slender resources were almost exhausted.

It suddenly became evident to me that I held in my hand an instrument whereby I might force Sir Burnham Coverly to finance the new experiments upon which I had entered at this time with all the enthusiasm that a love for science inspires in the student!  You may judge me unscrupulous, but the wheel of progress is at least as unrelenting.  It was not, however, without much searching self-analysis that one day I presented myself before Sir Burnham Coverly at Friar’s Park.

If I had had any scruples prior to that visit they were instantly dispelled by the manner of my reception.  Forgetful of the service which (as he believed) I had done him in the past, Sir Burnham allowed all the prejudice of the Anglo-Indian to reveal itself in his first greeting.

Because I am an Eurasian, the worst traits which attach to such a parentage—­and of which I am only too painfully conscious—­revealed themselves in me.  My heart hardened towards this man whose treatment of an intellectual superior was so icily, so offensively condescending.  Knowing that I had it in my power to deal him a blow from which he might never recover, I toyed with him for a time; and, his manner growing momentarily more objectionable, I rejoiced to know that his very life and career were in my keeping.

His son, Roger Coverly, at that time a boy only about nine years old, as the prospective heir to Friar’s Park was cherished as an only child is always cherished in these circumstances.  I pictured to myself the meeting of brother and sister!  Yes! because of the refined and deliberate cruelty which Sir Burnham displayed towards myself, I retaliated with a poisoned blade.  Having led the conversation in the direction of the heir, I threw away the scabbard of pretense—­I launched my challenge.