r."

"It MUST be found," murmured the scientist. "Without it all our work
will go for naught."

They all went into the tent where the professor and Mr. Damon had slept
when they were not on guard. The camp was a busy place, with the
Indians finishing their morning meal, and getting ready for the work of
the day. For word had been given out that there would be no more long
periods of travel.

In consequence, efforts were being directed by the head men of the
bearers to making a more permanent camp in the wilderness. Shelters of
palm-thatched huts were being built, a site for cooking fires made,
and, at the direction of Mr. Damon, to whom this part was entrusted,
some sanitary regulations were insisted on.

Leaving this busy scene, the four, with solemn faces, proceeded to the
tent where it was hoped the map would be found. But though they went
through everything, and traced and retraced every place the professor
could remember having traversed about the canvas shelter, no signs of
the important document could be found.

"I don't believe I dropped it out of my pocket," said the scientist,
for perhaps the twentieth time.

"Then it was taken," declared Tom.

"That's what I say!" chimed in Ned. "And by some of Beecher's party!"

"Easy, my boy," cautioned Mr. Damon. "We don't want to make
accusations we can't prove."

"That is true," agreed Professor Bumper. "But, though I am sorry to
say it of a fellow archaelogist, I can not help thinking Beecher had
something to do with the taking of my map."

"But how could any of them get it?" asked Mr. Damon. "You say you had
the map this morning, and certainly none of them has been in our camp
since dawn, though of course it is possible that some of them sneaked
in during the night."

"It does seem a mystery how it could have been taken in open daylight,
while we were about camp together," said Tom. "But is the loss such a
grave one, Professor Bumper?"

"Very grave. In fact I may say it is impossible to proceed with the
excavating without the map."

"Then what are we to do?" asked Ned.

"We must get it back!" declared Tom.

"Yes," agreed the scientist, "we can not work without it. As soon as I
make a little further search, to make sure it could not have dropped in
some out-of-the-way place, I shall go over to Professor Beecher's camp
and demand that he give me back my property."

"Suppose he says he hasn't taken it?" asked Tom.

"Well, I'm sure he eit