s bound; and each held him by an arm as they
stumbled over the rough ground in the dark, for Burton would not risk
using his lamp lest the light, at that unusual hour, should attract the
attention of the man's friends and cause them to try and discover what
it meant.

When they had safely lodged their prisoner they started for the camp.

"What caused you to go to that cave, Tom?" asked Burton, as they walked
along.

"Oh, the word on that last piece of stone turns out to be 'cave,' and
when thinking the matter over I thought of the place Mark had entered
after the porcupine, so I spotted the place before dark, and then
quietly left the camp after dinner on a private exploring expedition.
That man suddenly sprang upon me just before you so opportunely appeared
on the scene," explained Tom.

"Then that's all right--you were followed from the camp; I was afraid
they had placed a guard over that entrance," said Burton. "I branch off
here, for I cannot enter the camp in this disguise; I want to use it
again, and as a Fakir I do not wish to be seen near the camp; but I hope
to turn up early in the--or rather this morning. I advise you to get all
the rest you can, for I think I can promise you a very lively time
before many hours are over."

As Burton went on alone, he muttered, "Yes, I must have all arrangements
carefully made. I expect we shall have a dangerous tussle, for they are
not the class of men to give in quietly."

CHAPTER V.--A VALUABLE FIND IN THE TEMPLE OF ATLAS

"It's what I call a tall order, Burton," exclaimed Tom Ellison, who,
with the Doctor, had been listening to the police officer's plan to raid
the Cave of Hydas.

"I am glad you turned up before eight o'clock, Burton, for it would be
difficult to enter the cave and find our way about without your
guidance. It seems a likely place to get one's head cracked in the
dark," remarked the Doctor.

"It would not be easy for you to get in, but had I been caught last
night you would have found a clue to my whereabouts in the letter I gave
you. However, we are all here yet, and I expect we shall get the better
of Appoyas and his gang if our plans work out properly, and if they
don't, then, well--look out for yourselves," said Burton, and he
shrugged his shoulders.

"What led you to suspect Appoyas, who you say is supposed to be one the
wealthiest and most respected men on the Salt Range, Burton?" asked the
Doctor.

"Well, I saw him with that lo