r opened and Saya Chone came in. Jack recognised him at once, for
the delicate filmy veil of muslin which hung just before him was so
slight in texture that he could see through it easily and make out all
that went on in the light of the lamps. But the part of the room where
he was a prisoner was unlighted, and the veil served to hide him
sufficiently from anyone standing in the brighter part of the place.
Saya Chone came forward and conversed with U Saw for a few moments,
then a second note was struck upon the resounding gong.

Again the door opened, and a couple of Kachins came in, leading a man
between them, a tall, thin man with grey hair and pale face. Jack's
heart leapt within him, and he felt suffocating under his gag. Yes,
there was his father, there he was. They had been right in their
suspicions all the time. Thomas Haydon had been carried off by the men
who served the Ruby King.

Jack's heart swelled within him at sight of that well-known form and
face, and he strained every muscle against his bonds. But he had been
secured too strongly, and his efforts were utterly in vain. He could
only stare and stare at the old familiar figure, and long for the
moment when his gag should be loosed and he could acquaint his father
with his presence. He wondered whether his father would see him
through the curtain, but he felt sure at the next moment that it was
impossible. He was seated in a dusky corner, and his father stood full
in the light of the lamps.

What an end was this to his quest! He had set out to find his father.
He had found him: they stood within a few yards of each other. But he
had found him a prisoner in cruel and merciless hands which now also
held Jack captive. What an end to all his fine dreams of rescuing his
father! What a mockery of his hopes! As these thoughts thronged
through Jack's mind, Saya Chone began to speak. Jack was at once all
attention to the words of the half-caste.

"Well, Mr. Haydon," began the latter, "you have now had several days
to know whether you are more inclined to be reasonable. You have only,
you know, to write down on a scrap of paper the bearings of the place
where you found the big ruby, and then you are free to go where you
please."

There was silence for a moment, then Mr. Haydon replied. How the
well-known tones thrilled Jack through and through as they fell on his
ear!

"Exactly," said Thomas Haydon, in a tone of quiet but bitter scorn. "I
have only to give u