Brood of the Witch-Queen · Chapter
XIII: The Scorpion Wind explained
During a violent khamsin sandstorm in Cairo, Robert Cairn confides in Dr.
What happens
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 figure in a crocodile mask, later revealed to be Ferrara himself. Ferrara taunts Cairn from a window, claiming the storm follows him. Cairn collapses and wakes in a hospital, where Sime informs him he contracted plague during his delirium.
Themes in this chapter
Sorcery vs. Science
Cairn describes Ferrara's sorcerous murders as beyond the reach of law and medicine, contrasting with Sime's nervous-system theories.
Good vs. Evil
Cairn portrays Ferrara as a pestilence and murderer who must be destroyed for the good of mankind.
The Occult and Ancient Egypt
Ferrara's sorcery is linked to ancient Egyptian practices, and the crocodile mask evokes the god Set.
Characters to notice
- Robert Cairn
Confides in Sime about Ferrara's crimes and sorcery; becomes delirious after confronting Ferrara during the khamsin.
- Dr. Sime
Listens to Cairn's accusations, follows him during the storm, and later attends to him in hospital.
- Antony Ferrara
Appears in a crocodile mask, taunts Cairn from a window, and implies he controls the khamsin.
- Dr. Bruce Cairn
Mentioned as having driven to Ferrara's rooms with a revolver, intending to kill him.
- Sir Michael Ferrara
Mentioned as having been killed by Ferrara's sorcery.
- Lord Lashmore
Mentioned as having died from heart failure caused by Ferrara.
Key passages
“The man who removes Antony Ferrara from the earth will be doing mankind a service worthy of the highest reward.”
Cairn declares that killing Ferrara would be a heroic act benefiting all humanity.
Cairn justifies his father's intent to shoot Ferrara.
“He killed her without coming anywhere near her—and he killed his adoptive father, Sir Michael Ferrara, by the same unholy means!”
Cairn claims Ferrara murdered both a girl and Sir Michael remotely using sorcery.
Cairn explains Ferrara's method of murder to Sime.
“I only arrived from the Fayûm this evening, Cairn, and, do you know, they have the pestilence there!”
Ferrara taunts Cairn by mentioning plague in the Fayûm, implying he brings disease.
Ferrara's mocking words foreshadow Cairn's illness.