ed.

Jack knew at once that danger was closer than ever. By some means Saya
Chone and the Strangler knew that he and his guides had turned aside
from the ordinary track, and had followed on their new trail.

Now their pursuers began to climb down the steep side of the ravine,
led by a Panthay tracker. In a moment Jack saw that the man was
following the path they had followed. His quick eye was marking the
displaced stones and torn creepers, and he was leading Saya Chone and
the Strangler straight upon their prey.

Jack looked swiftly round the cave in which they stood. Did it offer
any securer hiding-place than the part in which they were? To leave it
was impossible! They could only step out in full sight of the
advancing band of enemies. He looked at the Panthays and saw that they
could render him no help. They were trembling like leaves with terror.
He caught a name on the elder Panthay's lips, and knew it.

"Saya Chone," the man was murmuring. "Saya Chone."

"Oh," thought Jack, "this fellow recognises the half-caste and fears
the vengeance of a powerful enemy. Then we can't be far now from the
country where the Ruby King rules the roost. But the point for the
moment is, how to dodge Mr. Saya Chone."

He beckoned to the Panthays to follow him, and all three retreated to
the depths of the cave. The elder Panthay ran ahead, waving his hand
to Jack to follow.

"Hullo!" thought Jack, "looks as if this chap knew of a spot to hide
in," and he hurried forward. At the lower end of the cave the roof
dipped sharply down, and the sides closed in, forming a tunnel about
six feet high and five feet wide. This tunnel was three or four yards
long, and then it opened out again into a second cave of fair size.
The second cave was dimly lighted from a rift in the rock, forty feet
above their heads. In two minutes Jack had made the circuit of it, and
knew that, except for the fact that it was an inner cave, it offered
them no refuge. The walls were smooth and unclimbable, and there was
no break in them except at the point where the tunnel ran in.

Jack returned from his swift search and peered down the tunnel. From
the cool darkness he looked out and saw a ring of brilliant light, the
mouth of the outer cave. Suddenly a head shot into the patch of
blinding sunlight without. The head was covered with a yellow turban,
and Jack saw the Strangler slowly draw himself up and stand in the
mouth of the cave. The big Malay did not rush