ke it. Unfortunately a couple of natives, old
ruby-miners, were with me when I found it, and of course I could not
keep their tongues quiet."

"These fellows went to a tremendous lot of trouble, the rascals, to
follow you up and get possession of it," remarked Jack.

"They were well repaid, my boy," returned his father. "The stone is
worth a large fortune, and the greed of a man like U Saw for a
precious stone is beyond your understanding, for you do not know the
tribe."

"And the mine, was that rich?" asked Jack.

"Very rich," said his father, "but it is best for us not to speak of
these matters, Jack. Walls have ears with a vengeance in these
places."

Their talk now turned to the channel of their own doings while they
had been separated. For nearly twenty-four hours father and son stayed
together, and were as cheerful as the dark fate hanging over them
allowed. Then towards sunset of the day after Jack's arrival at U
Saw's stronghold, the door of the cell was opened, and the Strangler
appeared at the head of a strong guard.

By signs he ordered the two prisoners to follow him. As they stepped
forward, they were placed in single file, and the guard closed round
them. Jack and his father were now led into the courtyard, where they
saw that a larger procession was awaiting them. At the head of the
latter was placed the villager who had killed his neighbour. His hands
were bound behind his back, a loop of cord was thrown about his neck,
and he was in charge of a couple of the Kachin bodyguard.

Jack and his father were placed behind this prisoner, and were now
allowed to walk side by side.

At the next moment the Ruby King and Saya Chone rode forward, and took
their places at the head of the procession. They moved on, walking
their ponies quietly, and the line of men on foot at once marched
after them.

Neither Jack nor Mr. Haydon was bound. They were entirely free except
for the Kachins who marched on either side and kept a wary eye on
their movements.

"After all," thought Jack sadly to himself. "What need is there to
bind us? Suppose I broke loose now and ran? Even if I got away from
these fellows, where could I go to? The whole valley is a prison just
as sure as the stone walls we have left behind for the moment."

But scarce two minutes had passed before Jack had burst from the guard
and was running at his fleetest. It happened in this way. They filed
out of the courtyard and along a broad, ill-kept,