The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu by Sax Rohmer.
Chapter 1
Chapter I
Nayland Smith unexpectedly arrives at Dr. Petrie's home, revealing he is on a secret mission against a deadly foe who attempted to kill him with a venom-tipped arrow. He insists they must warn Sir Crichton Davey, but they arrive too late: Sir Crichton has been found dead under mysterious circumstances, with a strange red mark on his hand and a dying gasp of 'The red hand.' Smith and Petrie begin their investigation.
Chapter 2
II
Nayland Smith reveals to Dr. Petrie the existence of a diabolical mastermind, Dr. Fu-Manchu, whom he describes as the 'yellow peril incarnate.' Smith explains that Fu-Manchu is responsible for a series of mysterious deaths, including that of Sir Crichton Davey, and is part of a larger conspiracy to awaken the East against the West. The chapter follows Smith and Petrie as they investigate Sir Crichton's study, discovering a scented envelope and other clues. Smith's examination is cut short when he warns Petrie not to touch anything, fearing hidden dangers. Later, Petrie encounters a mysterious, beautiful woman outside the house who inquires about Sir Crichton's death and claims to have information for the police.
Chapter 3
The Zayat Kiss
Nayland Smith reveals to Dr. Petrie that Sir Crichton Davey was killed by a giant venomous centipede, which he calls the 'Zayat Kiss.' He explains his theory that Fu-Manchu uses a rare green orchid's scent to attract the creature, and that a dacoit lowered it down the chimney using a weighted line. Smith and Petrie set a trap in Petrie's rooms, using a perfumed envelope as bait. At 2:15 AM, a dacoit appears at the window and drops a box containing the centipede. Smith kills it with a golf club, confirming the mechanism of the Zayat Kiss.
Chapter 4
IV
Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie learn of the murder of Detective Cadby, whose body is found in the Thames with a false Chinese pigtail and wig. Smith identifies the victim as a dacoit. Petrie later visits Cadby's lodgings, where he confronts Karamanèh, who has been searching Cadby's room. She pleads for mercy, claiming she is a slave forced to serve Fu-Manchu, and offers to reveal information if Petrie will hide her from her master.
Chapter 5
V
Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie, disguised as seamen, plan to infiltrate Shen-Yan's opium den in search of Dr. Fu-Manchu. Inspector Weymouth and Ryman coordinate a police operation, with a launch waiting on the Thames and officers positioned near the den. Smith reconstructs clues from burned notes left by the murdered detective Cadby, linking a hunchback, a lascar, and a 'booming sound' to Shen-Yan's. The chapter ends as the party approaches the Stone Stairs by the riverside.
Chapter 6
The Pit of the Opium Den
Petrie and Smith infiltrate Shen-Yan's opium den in disguise, observing a dacoit and other agents reporting to Fu-Manchu. They attempt to rush the hidden stairs, but Petrie falls through a trap door into a water-filled pit. Smith rescues him using a false queue, and the den catches fire. Fu-Manchu escapes, and Karamanèh, disguised as a Chinaman, slips away. Later, Smith reveals he spared Karamanèh because she saved Petrie's life.
Chapter 7
VII
At Redmoat, Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie join the Rev. J. D. Eltham, who reveals a series of disturbing events: a drugging on a train, a yellow-faced man seen by his daughter Greba, and a prowler described as a yellow man. Eltham confesses he is planning to return to Ho-Nan, China, against the warning of Mandarin Yen-Sun-Yat. Smith warns him that the 'Yellow Peril' is real and that his return could ignite conflict. The chapter ends with a woman's scream, identified as Greba's.
Chapter 8
The Shrubbery Mystery
At Redmoat, the party investigates the mysterious shrubbery where Denby disappeared. They discover a concealed cask with a movable lid, used by Fu-Manchu to gain access. Denby is found alive but with a hypodermic puncture, his memory erased. Smith theorizes that Fu-Manchu himself may be hiding within Redmoat, and the group remains on edge awaiting the next attack.
Chapter 9
The Web of the Yellow Peril
Petrie reflects on the growing evidence of Fu-Manchu's influence, collecting newspaper clippings that reveal Chinese unrest and criminal activities worldwide. Smith returns from visiting Sir Lionel Barton, describing his dangerous, cluttered house and expressing frustration at Barton's refusal to take threats seriously. The chapter ends with a telegram announcing Sir Lionel Barton's murder.
Chapter 10
The Mystery of the Sarcophagus
Nayland Smith, Dr. Petrie, and Inspector Weymouth investigate a double murder at Sir Lionel Barton's home. The Italian secretary Strozza and the Chinese servant Kwee are found dead under mysterious circumstances near an opened Egyptian sarcophagus. Smith deduces that Strozza was rifling the mummy case for jewels, while Kwee was hidden in the conservatory, likely as an agent of Fu-Manchu. The deaths are attributed to a strange green mist that emerged from the sarcophagus, which Sir Lionel later reveals was connected to the tomb of Mekara, a magician from the time of Moses. Professor Rembold had warned Sir Lionel not to open the sarcophagus, citing the similar death of Egyptologist M. Page le Roi.
Chapter 11
Chapter XII: The Poisonous Gas
Petrie is visited by Karamanèh, who warns him of danger and pleads to be taken away from Fu-Manchu by force. Later, Nayland Smith arrives with a package from Inspector Weymouth containing a lead-lined box that releases a poisonous yellow-green gas, revealing Fu-Manchu's plot to kill them. Smith deduces that the mummy case at Rowan House contained the gas rather than a person, explaining the locked-room mystery.
Chapter 12
XIII
Petrie recounts a strange dream of being in a vast hall with Dr. Fu-Manchu, then awakens to find himself and Nayland Smith chained in a dark vault. Fu-Manchu taunts them with his deadly pets and declares that Graham Guthrie will die at half-past twelve, accompanied by the eerie 'Call of Siva.'
Chapter 13
XIV
Petrie and Smith are chained in a dark cellar, awaiting death at the hands of Fu-Manchu. They are unexpectedly rescued by Karamanèh, who leads them blindfolded through a secret passage and across the Thames to Windsor. After escaping, they learn they have only two hours to save Graham Guthrie from a mysterious death linked to the 'Call of Siva'.
Chapter 14
The Call of Siva
Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie rush to protect Graham Guthrie, a British resident of North Bhutan, from an assassination attempt by Dr. Fu-Manchu. Despite being in a high hotel room, a Thug strangler nearly kills Smith, who is saved by Petrie and Guthrie. Smith explains the Thug's method and the 'Call of Siva' signal, revealing Fu-Manchu's use of religious stranglers from Burma.
Chapter 15
XVI
Petrie and Smith close in on Fu-Manchu's operations near Windsor. Petrie confronts Karamanèh, who reveals her brother is held hostage by Fu-Manchu, and she agrees to help if her brother is freed. Smith captures a disguised dacoit in a gypsy caravan, and Petrie pursues another dacoit who escapes into the Thames, narrowly avoiding a thrown knife.
Chapter 16
XVII
Nayland Smith and Dr. Petrie, acting on information from Karamanèh, venture alone onto the Thames marshes to confront Dr. Fu-Manchu aboard a hulk. They are captured, but a tense standoff ensues, leading to a negotiated release where both parties disarm and part under a truce.
Chapter 17
Chapter XVIII
Petrie reflects on his parting from Karamanèh and the impossibility of East and West intermingling. He and Nayland Smith, disguised as Orientals, visit a hidden Arab club near Leicester Square to gather intelligence on Fu-Manchu's operations. They witness a dancer deliver a message to an unknown man, who departs hastily. Later, at Piccadilly Circus, Petrie detects Karamanèh's perfume and hears her whisper 'Andaman—second!' Returning to his rooms, they puzzle over the clue. The next morning, Smith learns that American aviator Frank Norris West has been drugged and his chambers invaded. At the scene, they find bird-like tracks on the windowsill, deepening the mystery.
Chapter 18
XIX
Norris West recounts his harrowing experience of being drugged with hashish by Fu-Manchu, who hypnotically extracted the combination to his safe and stole the plans for the aero-torpedo. Smith deduces the method and races to intercept the thief at Tilbury.
Chapter 19
The Dash to Tilbury
Petrie and Smith race to Tilbury docks in a special train to intercept a second-class passenger on the Andaman who possesses stolen plans. Smith deduces that Fu-Manchu used a trained marmoset to climb into Norris West's locked room and drug him with hashish to extract the safe combination. At the docks, despite their efforts, Fu-Manchu's guttural voice taunts them with 'Another victory for China, Mr. Nayland Smith!' before vanishing.
Chapter 20
XXI
Petrie is led by Karamanèh to Fu-Manchu's hidden lair in the East End, where he sees Aziz in a deathlike trance and obtains a phial of the drug used to simulate death. Meanwhile, Smith and Petrie investigate the sudden death of Lord Southery, suspecting Fu-Manchu's involvement despite no visible evidence.
Chapter 21
XXII
Smith and Petrie prepare to raid Fu-Manchu's house, relying on Karamanèh as an ally. Smith suddenly decides to travel to L——, where they visit Stradwick Hall, the home of Lord Southery, suspecting Fu-Manchu is also on the train.
Chapter 22
XXIII
Nayland Smith persuades a reluctant Mr. Henderson to allow the exhumation of Lord Southery, suspecting that Fu-Manchu has kidnapped him. They enter the vault, find Southery alive, and narrowly escape an attack by Fu-Manchu and a dacoit. Smith is wounded but believes Fu-Manchu intended to ship Southery to China. They await word from Karamanèh for a raid on Fu-Manchu's house.
Chapter 23
XXIV
Petrie reflects on the mystery of Dr. Fu-Manchu's identity and his hidden base in London. With Karamanèh's help, Smith, Petrie, and Inspector Weymouth raid the East End warehouse where Fu-Manchu has been living. They find the place stripped and silent, and discover Fu-Manchu in an opium stupor. Karamanèh warns them not to enter the room, but Weymouth steps inside, followed by Smith and Petrie, leading to a sudden catastrophe.
Chapter 24
XXV
Petrie, Smith, and Weymouth are captured by Fu-Manchu and held in a subterranean fungal laboratory. Fu-Manchu demonstrates his deadly fungological expertise, using giant spores and poisonous mushrooms to murder pursuing detectives. He reveals his plan to use them as informants, while Petrie realizes Fu-Manchu's genius and madness.
Chapter 25
XXVI
Bound and captive aboard Fu-Manchu's electric launch, Dr. Petrie, Nayland Smith, and Inspector Weymouth are taken through the foggy Thames. Fu-Manchu threatens Karamanèh with a needle carrying a rare culture, but Weymouth attacks him. During the struggle, both fall into the river. The launch runs aground and begins to sink, but Karamanèh revives as water floods in.
Chapter 26
XXVII
In the aftermath of the Thames confrontation, Smith, Petrie, and Karamanèh mourn Inspector Weymouth's death. They visit Weymouth's home, where his widow suffers from delusions of knocking at the door. Smith explains Fu-Manchu's possible supernatural origins and his use of a poisoned needle that induces madness. Karamanèh reveals details about Fu-Manchu's operations, including the dacoits and a private vessel that has sailed for China. Smith refuses to assume Fu-Manchu is dead without proof.
Chapter 27
XXVIII
Petrie reflects on the failure to capture Fu-Manchu and the freedom of Karamanèh and Aziz. While out with Karamanèh, Aziz senses Fu-Manchu's presence, but it turns out to be Professor Jenner Monde. Smith investigates Monde and learns of strange occurrences at Maple Cottage, where Weymouth's brother was killed. Weymouth reports eerie knocking and groans, and Smith plans to investigate.
Chapter 28
Chapter XXIX
During a tense vigil at Maple Cottage, Nayland Smith, Dr. Petrie, and James Weymouth await a critical development in the Fu-Manchu case. The night is marked by eerie stillness and mounting anxiety. A frantic knocking at the door reveals a horrifying figure—Inspector Weymouth, driven to madness by Fu-Manchu's machinations. After a violent struggle, he is subdued with a sedative. Smith receives word that another suspect has been arrested, and the night's work continues.
Chapter 29
The Final Reckoning
Fu-Manchu, having been arrested while disguised as Professor Jenner Monde, is brought to heal the insane Inspector Weymouth. In a surrounded cottage, he performs the cure, but as Weymouth emerges sane, the cottage erupts in supernatural flames. Fu-Manchu seemingly perishes, leaving behind a cryptic vellum message. The chapter concludes with Petrie reflecting on the unresolved mystery and Smith proposing a trip to Egypt.
