ness and the silence. Those who could move ran for a low place in
the ruined wall, climbed it frantically, and fled into the darkness,
yelling and terror-stricken.

Now there burst into the courtyard three familiar figures. Buck Risley
led the way, Jim Dent followed, and Me Dain raced after.

"Say," cried Buck, "we only dropped on this little fandango just in
time. Stand steady, Jack." With a few swift strokes of his knife he
severed Jack's bonds, and the English lad staggered aside, and was
caught by his father. They exchanged a strong, silent hand-grip, but
neither could speak.

Jim Dent, a reloaded Mauser pistol in hand, was standing on guard. But
they had nothing to fear from the groaning wounded, nothing from the
Ruby King who lay with his evil smile fixed for ever on his dark face,
nothing from the half-caste, now writhing in the agonies of a terrible
death.

"Say, Professor, this is great to see you again!" cried Buck joyfully,
as Mr. Haydon seized his faithful follower's hand.

"Buck, Buck, this is wonderful," said Mr. Haydon in a shaking voice.
"You have come to our rescue at the moment of our utmost need. And
Dent and Me Dain. A thousand thanks. But what are words to tell you
how we feel?"

"We know just how you feel, Professor," said Jim Dent. "We're only too
glad we turned up in time to put a stopper on their fiendish tricks.
Now the word is march."

"Right, Jim," said Buck; "off we go. Come on, Me Dain."

The Burman was bending over the body of the Ruby King, and stripping
off his rich silken girdle.

"I come," he said, and they trooped across the courtyard together.

Jack had not spoken a word. He had clasped the hands of his faithful
friends, but he was too overwrought and bewildered to be able to frame
his feelings into speech. He stumbled as he walked, for his limbs were
numbed from his bonds, and his father and Buck supported him. Near the
doorway the native woman waited for them. Her guard had fled, and she
had at once sprung to join her companions in flight.

Their path ran across the open space before the pagoda. Here the
ponies of U Saw and his men had been picketed, and were now left
without watchers, for all had been drawn to the courtyard. Three of
these were caught and saddled, and led with the party till the ruins
were cleared and the open hill-side was gained.

"Now we're right," breathed Jim Dent. "I don't reckon there was much
to fear from that lot we sent scuttling. They're