ayed a part. But the most
significant clause which Wilson found in his hasty examination of the
remnants was this reference:

"There is still, I hear, a great bitterness felt among the
Mountain tribes over the disappearance of the idol of their
Sun God. They blame this on the government and more than half
suspect that you were an important factor in its vanishing.
Have a care and keep a sharp lookout. You know their priest is
no ordinary man. They have implicit faith that he will charm
it back to them."

This was dated three months before. Wilson put the few remaining bits
of this letter in his pocket. Was it possible that this grinning idol
which already had played so important a part in his own life was the
one mentioned here? And the priest of whom Sorez spoke--could it be he
who ruled these tribes in the Andes? It was possible--Lord, yes,
_anything_ was possible. But none of these things hinted as to where
the girl now was.

He came back into the study and took a look into the small room to the
left. He saw his own clothes there. He had forgotten all about them.
They were wrinkled and scarcely fit to wear--all but his old slouch
hat. He smiled as he recalled that at school it was thought he showed
undue levity for a theological student in wearing so weather-beaten
and rakish a hat. He was glad of the opportunity to exchange for it
the one he now wore. He picked it up from the chair where it lay.
Beneath the rim, but protruding so as to be easily seen, was a note.
He snatched it out, knowing it was from her as truly as though he had
heard her voice. It read:

"DEAR COMRADE:

I don't know what has become of you, but I know that if you're
alive you'll come back for me. We are leaving here now. I
haven't time to tell you more. Go to the telephone and ring up
Belmont 2748.

Hastily, your comrade,
JO MANNING."

Wilson caught his breath. With the quick relief he felt almost
light-headed. She was alive--she had thought of him--she had trusted
him! It deepened the mystery of how he had come to be carried from the
house--of where they succeeded in hiding themselves--but, Lord, he was
thankful for it all now. He would have undergone double what he had
been through for the reward of this note--for this assurance of her
faith in him. It cemented their friendship as nothing else cou