# Brood of the Witch-Queen — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Brood of the Witch-Queen by Sax Rohmer.

- [Prefatory Notice](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/prefatory-notice.md): The author's prefatory note explains that the story of Antony Ferrara is meant to illustrate historical practices of sorcery from Ancient Egypt and medieval Europe, and that Ferrara's powers are within the bounds claimed
- [Brood of the Witch-Queen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/brood-of-the-witch-queen.md): The chapter introduces the central conflict between Dr. Bruce Cairn and his son Robert against the sinister Antony Ferrara, who is revealed to be the adopted son of the late Sir Michael Ferrara and is suspected of practi
- [I: Antony Ferrara](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/i-antony-ferrara.md): Robert Cairn confides in his friend Sime about his disturbing observations of Antony Ferrara, including Ferrara's strange behavior, his fire on a hot night, the incense in his rooms, and the unsettling objects and photog
- [II: The Phantom Hands](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/ii-the-phantom-hands.md): Robert Cairn visits Sir Michael Ferrara's house and speaks with Myra Duquesne, who describes strange nocturnal occurrences including phantom hands and a chilling presence. Meanwhile, Cairn investigates a mysterious death
- [III: The Ring of Thoth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/iii-the-ring-of-thoth.md): Dr. Cairn and Robert Cairn discuss the mysterious events surrounding Sir Michael Ferrara's death and Antony Ferrara's involvement. Dr. Cairn reveals his knowledge of Egyptian magic and the Book of Thoth, while Myra Duque
- [At Ferrara's Chambers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/iv-at-ferrara-s-chambers.md): Robert Cairn visits Antony Ferrara in his luxurious Piccadilly chambers, where Ferrara displays his collection of occult curiosities, including beetles bred inside a mummy's skull. Later, Robert reports to his father, Dr
- [The Rustling Shadows](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/v-the-rustling-shadows.md): Robert Cairn encounters Myra Duquesne outside Antony Ferrara's chambers and learns she visits him. Later, Robert experiences terrifying supernatural phenomena in his own rooms, including a putrid odor and shadowy crawlin
- [VI: The Beetles](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/vi-the-beetles.md): Dr. Cairn confronts Antony Ferrara in his chambers, discovering a square of linen covered with Dermestes beetles from a mummy's skull, which Ferrara had been using to project terrifying insect apparitions into Robert Cai
- [VII: Sir Elwin Groves’ Patient](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/vii-sir-elwin-groves-patient.md): Dr. Bruce Cairn sends Myra Duquesne to a Scottish manor for safety after Sir Michael's will divides the legacy between her and Antony Ferrara. Sir Elwin Groves consults Dr. Cairn about Lord Lashmore's mysterious throat w
- [The Secret of Dhoon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/viii-the-secret-of-dhoon.md): Lord Lashmore visits Dr. Cairn to consult him about mysterious throat wounds and a family curse. Dr. Cairn reveals his knowledge of the secret chamber at Dhoon Castle and the hidden history of Mirza, a Polish Jewess who 
- [IX: The Polish Jewess](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/ix-the-polish-jewess.md): Lord Lashmore reveals the history of the Dhoon family curse, tracing it back to Mirza, a Polish Jewess and sorceress who became a vampire after death. Dr. Cairn explains that her spirit remains earthbound and may be cont
- [X: The Laughter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/x-the-laughter.md): Dr. Cairn interviews Lady Lashmore, who confesses to horrific recurring dreams of a dark cavern and a vampire's thirst, linked to attacks on her husband. Dr. Cairn deduces that Antony Ferrara used a séance to install the
- [XI: Cairo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xi-cairo.md): Robert Cairn, recovering from a severe nervous breakdown, travels to Cairo for rest. He meets Dr. Sime, who tells him about a local superstition involving an 'Afreet' (demon) believed to be causing an early khamsin (hot 
- [The Mask of Set](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xii-the-mask-of-set.md): During a carnival at a Cairo hotel garden, Robert Cairn pursues a woman in a yashmak through the festive crowd. A sudden khamsin wind sweeps in, causing panic as scorpions appear and the garden empties. Cairn alone sees 
- [XIII: The Scorpion Wind](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xiii-the-scorpion-wind.md): During a violent khamsin sandstorm in Cairo, Robert Cairn confides in Dr. Sime about Antony Ferrara's sorcerous crimes, including the murders of a girl and Sir Michael Ferrara. Cairn becomes agitated after glimpsing a fi
- [XIV: Dr. Cairn Arrives](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xiv-dr-cairn-arrives.md): Dr. Bruce Cairn arrives in Port Said, driven by the urgent need to confront Antony Ferrara and protect his son Robert. Overwhelmed by guilt for not acting sooner against Ferrara's evil, he reflects on the menace Ferrara 
- [XV: The Witch-Queen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xv-the-witch-queen.md): Dr. Cairn experiences a vivid dream in which a veiled woman leads him to a room where he is given a dagger and urged to stab the sleeping Antony Ferrara. He is about to strike when an explosion awakens him, and he finds 
- [Lair of the Spiders](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xvi-lair-of-the-spiders.md): Dr. Cairn and Robert Cairn trace the location of the sarcophagus of the Witch-Queen to a house in Port Said. They discover a hidden cellar containing the sarcophagus, where Antony Ferrara lies in a trance. As Dr. Cairn p
- [The Story of Ali Mohammed](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xvii-the-story-of-ali-mohammed.md): Dr. Cairn, Robert Cairn, and Dr. Sime discuss the alarming report of Ali Mohammed, who witnessed a swarm of bats, a woman's scream, and a foul odor emanating from the Pyramid of Méydûm. Dr. Cairn connects these events to
- [XVIII: The Bats](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xviii-the-bats.md): Dr. Cairn, Robert Cairn, and Sime journey to the Pyramid of Méydûm, where they suspect Antony Ferrara is conducting a horrific sorcerous ritual. They discover decapitated bats at the pyramid entrance, confirming their fe
- [XIX: Anthropomancy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xix-anthropomancy.md): Dr. Cairn and Dr. Sime infiltrate the Pyramid of Méydûm, discovering a hidden chamber where Antony Ferrara performs a necromantic ritual involving a suspended white object. Sime fires multiple shots at Ferrara, but the b
- [XX: The Incense](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xx-the-incense.md): Robert Cairn and Dr. Bruce Cairn return from Egypt to London after receiving a letter from Myra Duquesne revealing that Antony Ferrara is back and visiting her frequently. They rush to the house of James Saunderson in Du
- [XXI: The Magician](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxi-the-magician.md): Dr. Cairn and Robert Cairn discuss the threat posed by Antony Ferrara, who uses ancient Egyptian sorcery and a hellish incense. They lament their helplessness as Ferrara visits Mr. Saunderson's house, where Myra Duquesne
- [XXII: Myra](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxii-myra.md): Robert Cairn and Myra Duquesne share a romantic moment in the garden, where he confesses his love and kisses her. Myra reveals that Antony Ferrara recently visited her, confessed his love, and asked for a lock of her hai
- [The Face in the Orchid-House](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxiii-the-face-in-the-orchid-house.md): Dr. Bruce Cairn watches over the dying Myra Duquesne, puzzled by her mysterious illness. After consulting with other doctors, he learns from gardener Crombie about a strange face seen in the orchid-houses, which Crombie 
- [Flowering of the Lotus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxiv-flowering-of-the-lotus.md): Dr. Cairn and Robert race to save Myra Duquesne, whose life is mysteriously linked to a strange orchid. Consulting Sir Michael Ferrara's unpublished manuscript, Dr. Cairn realizes the orchid is a magical plant from ancie
- [Cairn Meets Ferrara](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxv-cairn-meets-ferrara.md): Robert Cairn, struggling to maintain silence about the supernatural threat posed by Antony Ferrara, visits the British Museum to research for articles about Egypt. There, he is drawn to the Egyptian Rooms and discovers a
- [The Ivory Hand](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxvi-the-ivory-hand.md): Robert Cairn, alone in his chambers, struggles with paranoia and supernatural phenomena as he examines a silken cord left by Antony Ferrara. He experiences auditory hallucinations, a mysterious shadow, and an unconscious
- [XXVII: The Thug’s Cord](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxvii-the-thug-s-cord.md): Robert Cairn, isolated in his chambers, faces a supernatural attack by Antony Ferrara. After a phone call cuts off, he experiences eerie silence, a failing lamp, and disembodied white hands that attempt to strangle him w
- [XXVIII: The High Priest, Hortotef](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxviii-the-high-priest-hortotef.md): In the breakfast-room of Dr. Cairn's house, Robert Cairn reflects on the impending final struggle against Antony Ferrara. Myra Duquesne, still recovering from illness, reveals she has had another strange dream involving 
- [The Wizard's Den](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxix-the-wizard-s-den.md): Robert Cairn tracks Antony Ferrara to a secluded barn near Dulwich Common, which Myra had dreamt of, revealing Ferrara's hidden lair for his sorcerous activities. Dr. Cairn and Robert prepare for a supreme attack that ni
- [The Elemental](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxx-the-elemental.md): Dr. Cairn, Robert Cairn, and Myra Duquesne gather in the library, bracing for an attack from Antony Ferrara. Dr. Cairn has prepared protective seals and wax pellets. Myra screams and faints as a fiery grey elemental with
- [The Book of Thoth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxxi-the-book-of-thoth.md): Dr. Cairn and Robert Cairn break into a barn where Antony Ferrara has hidden his occult tools. Dr. Cairn destroys the Book of Thoth, robbing Ferrara of his armor and control over his summoned servant. The next morning, t
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/endnotes.md): The endnotes provide a single citation from Collectanea Hermetica, Vol. VIII, suggesting that the mummy-case (sarcophagus) served as a material basis for preserving the magical powers (Khu) of an Adept.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters