th wealth beyond anything he
had ever dreamed of.

This business detained them in Mandalay for some days, but one evening
Mr. Haydon said, "We'll take the first train to-morrow morning," and
the others nodded agreement.

Jack went to his room to pack the big bag which he had bought to
contain his share of the baggage. The latter had been carried to the
room he occupied in the hotel, and he now began to look over it and
lay things in order. Presently he came to a torn flannel shirt, and he
looked at it with interest. It was the shirt which the half-caste had
rent from his breast, and he had replaced it with a spare one which
had been among their store. He raised it, and it felt oddly heavy. He
unrolled it, and found that it was wrapped round a small parcel.

"What's this?" murmured Jack. "I never wrapped anything up in this
shirt."

He took up the parcel and examined it. The outer covering was of
native cloth of a dull blue shade. Jack wondered where he had seen
such cloth before, then remembered that the head-dress of the native
woman, their companion in so adventurous an escape, had been made of
it.

"Looks like a bit of that great bundle of stuff she twisted round and
round her head," reflected Jack. "Let's see what she's wrapped up for
a keepsake."

But the chuckle with which these thoughts passed through his mind was
suddenly cut short. A lamp burned brightly on the table beside him. He
untied the scrap of cloth which was fastened about the parcel, and
unwrapped the folds. He gave a jump of astonishment and a cry of
amazement. For there before him, gleaming softly and richly in the
strong light of the lamp, lay a heap of magnificent jewels, glorious
rubies every one.

He was still staring entranced at this extraordinary find among his
traps when the door was opened and a head thrust in.

"Say, Jack," began the newcomer.

"Buck!" cried the lad, "run and fetch my father and Jim, and come back
with them."

Buck hurried away, and in less than a minute the four of them were
gathered about the heap of precious stones.

"Oh, thunder!" breathed Jim Dent, in a soft tone of amazed wonder.

"Say, Jack, who've you been stickin' up on the trail?" murmured Buck.
"Well, if they ain't got a shine on 'em!" and he could say no more.

Mr. Haydon was whistling softly, his eyebrows raised. At last he
opened his mouth. "I fancy we've seen these before, Jack," he said.

"Rather," said his son. "These are the rubies that