The Insidious Dr. Fu-Manchu · Chapter
The Call of Siva explained
Nayland Smith and Dr.
What happens
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.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene is the dramatic climax because it reaches the story's highest emotional and psychological tension:…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Fear and Paranoia
The sense of impending danger and isolation in the hotel room, heightened by the supernatural-like attack.
- Death and Mystery
The Thug's method of strangulation and the uncanny 'Call of Siva' create an atmosphere of mysterious death.
- East vs. West
Fu-Manchu's use of ancient Eastern cults (Thuggee) against Western targets like Guthrie and Smith.
Characters to notice
- Nayland Smith
Leads the defense against the Thug attack; nearly strangled but saved by Petrie and Guthrie.
- Dr. Petrie
Assists Smith in protecting Guthrie; cuts the strangling cord from Smith's neck.
- Graham Guthrie
The intended victim; a British resident of North Bhutan, grateful for Smith's intervention.
- Dr. Fu-Manchu
Masterminds the assassination attempt using a Thug strangler; referenced as having secret knowledge and power over the stranglers.
Key passages
“far from aid as in the heart of a desert. I was glad that I was not alone in that room—marked with the death-mark of Fu-Manchu; and I am certain that Graham Guthrie welcomed his unexpected company.”
Petrie feels isolated and vulnerable, but is relieved to have company in the room that Fu-Manchu has marked for death.
Highlights the theme of isolation and fear.
“Some invisible herald went ahead of the dreadful Chinaman, proclaiming his coming to every nerve in one’s body. It was like a breath of astral incense, announcing the presence of the priests of death.”
An uncanny sensation precedes Fu-Manchu's arrival, as if a supernatural messenger signals his approach.
Emphasizes the supernatural and ominous nature of Fu-Manchu.
“It was a Thug ! screamed Guthrie. Get the rope off! He's choking!”
Guthrie identifies the attacker as a Thug and urgently calls for the strangling cord to be removed from Smith's neck.
Key moment revealing the Thug's identity and the immediate danger.
