The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu · Chapter
XXVI explained
Bound and captive aboard Fu-Manchu's electric launch, Dr.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Yellow Peril
Fu-Manchu's plan to take Petrie to China and his 'genius of the Yellow Peril' epitomize the racial fear of Asian domination.
Fear and Paranoia
The captives' helplessness and the constant threat of the needle create an atmosphere of terror.
Science and Occultism
Fu-Manchu's needle charged with a 'rare culture' linking bacilli and fungi represents his twisted scientific mastery.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Petrie
Bound and gagged, he observes the struggle and fears drowning as the launch sinks.
- Nayland Smith
Also bound, he tries to rouse Karamanèh by touching her.
- Inspector Weymouth
Works free of his bonds and attacks Fu-Manchu, but both fall into the river.
- Dr. Fu-Manchu
Drags Karamanèh aft, threatens her with a needle, and fights Weymouth before both fall overboard.
- Karamanèh
Dragged by Fu-Manchu, she faints from terror but revives as water floods the launch.
Key passages
“Dr. Fu-Manchu, wearing a heavy overcoat but no hat, came aft. He was dragging Karamanèh by the wrists.”
Fu-Manchu, coat-clad and hatless, pulled Karamanèh by the wrists to the rear of the launch.
Fu-Manchu's control over Karamanèh is physically demonstrated.
“A touch of this keen point, and the laughing Karamanèh becomes the shrieking hag—the maniacal, mowing—”
With a prick of this needle, the cheerful Karamanèh would turn into a screaming, insane creature.
Fu-Manchu threatens to transform Karamanèh with his needle.
“Then, with an ox-like rush, Weymouth was upon him!”
Weymouth charged at Fu-Manchu with the force of a bull.
Weymouth's sudden attack on Fu-Manchu.
“The launch heeled over, and my cry of horror was crushed back into my throat by the bandage.”
The boat tilted, and my scream of terror was stifled by the gag.
Petrie's horror as the launch tips and the struggle continues.
“A silent prayer of thankfulness came from my very soul when I saw her stir—when I saw her raise her hands to her head—and saw the big, horror-bright eyes gleam through the mist veil.”
I felt immense relief when I saw Karamanèh move, lift her hands to her head, and her wide, terrified eyes shine through the fog.
Petrie's gratitude as Karamanèh revives.