CHAPTER IV

MADEMOISELLE DORIAN


The telephone bell rang.

Stuart reached across for the instrument and raised the receiver.
"Yes," he said--"Dr. Stuart speaking. Inspector Dunbar is here. Hold
on."

He passed the instrument to Dunbar, who had stood up on hearing his
name mentioned. "Sergeant Sowerby at Scotland Yard wishes to speak
to you, Inspector."

"Hullo," said Dunbar--"that you, Sowerby. Yes--but I arrived here
only a short time ago. What's that?--Max? Good God! what does it all
mean! Are you sure of the number--49685? Poor chap--he should have
worked with us instead of going off alone like that. But he was
always given to that sort of thing. Wait for me. I'll be with you in
a few minutes. I can get a taxi. And, Sowerby--listen! It's 'The
Scorpion' case right enough. That bit of gold found on the dead man
is not a cactus stem; it's a scorpion's tail!"

He put down the telephone and turned to Stuart, who had been listening
to the words with growing concern. Dunbar struck his open palm down