# XIX: Anthropomancy explained — Brood of the Witch-Queen

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

## What happens

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 bullets have no effect. They escape as the passage seals behind them, with Sime's hair turned white from the horror.

## Themes in this chapter

### Sorcery vs. Science

Sime's modern pistol is powerless against Ferrara's ancient sorcery, highlighting the conflict between rationality and the occult.

### The Occult and Ancient Egypt

The ritual takes place in a hidden chamber of the Pyramid of Méydûm, using ancient Egyptian necromantic formulae.

### Good vs. Evil

Dr. Cairn and Sime confront the evil of Ferrara's necromancy, with the hand of God credited for their escape.

## Character check-ins

### Antony Ferrara

Performs a necromantic ritual in the hidden chamber, appearing impervious to gunfire.

### Dr. Bruce Cairn

Leads the expedition into the pyramid, recognizes the ritual, and drags Sime to safety.

### Dr. Sime

Accompanies Dr. Cairn, fires at Ferrara in desperation, and emerges with his hair streaked white.

### Robert Cairn

Mentioned as having fired shots at something like a huge bat on the first stage.

### Lady Lashmore

Her fate is implied to be connected to the white object in the chamber.

## Key lines

> He had fired at least seven shots at the black-robed figure, and it was not humanly possible that all could have gone wide of their mark. Yet Antony Ferrara lived!

Sime shot Ferrara seven times at close range, but Ferrara remained unharmed.

_Highlights Ferrara's supernatural invulnerability._

> Until the Pyramid of Méydûm is pulled down, stone by stone, the world will never know her fate!

The mystery of Lady Lashmore's fate will remain sealed within the pyramid forever.

_Emphasizes the unresolved horror and the permanence of the evil._

> Sime and I have looked in at the gate of hell! Only the hand of God plucked us back!

Dr. Cairn describes their experience as a glimpse into hell from which only divine intervention saved them.

_Conveys the extreme supernatural danger they faced._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xix-anthropomancy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters