me to the conclusion that
there's nothing the matter with your wits."

Again he smiled and stroked his long, white beard.

CHAPTER II

THE AUCTION ROOM

I do not think that this conversion about the Pongo savages who were
said to worship a Gorilla and a Golden Flower was renewed until we
reached my house at Durban. Thither of course I took Mr. Charles
Scroope, and thither also came Brother John who, as bedroom
accommodation was lacking, pitched his tent in the garden.

One night we sat on the step smoking; Brother John's only concession to
human weakness was that he smoked. He drank no wine or spirits; he never
ate meat unless he was obliged, but I rejoice to say that he smoked
cigars, like most Americans, when he could get them.

"John," said I, "I have been thinking over that yarn of yours and have
come to one or two conclusions."

"What may they be, Allan?"

"The first is that you were a great donkey not to get more out of the
Kalubi when you had the chance."

"Agreed, Allan, but, amongst other things, I am a doctor and the
operation was uppermost in my mind."

"The second is that I believe this Kalubi had charge of the gorilla-god,
as no doubt you've guessed; also that it was the gorilla which bit off
his finger."

"Why so?"

"Because I have heard of great monkeys called _sokos_ that live in
Central East Africa which are said to bite off men's toes and fingers. I
have heard too that they are very like gorillas."

"Now you mention it, so have I, Allan. Indeed, once I saw a _soko_,
though some way off, a huge, brown ape which stood on its hind legs and
drummed upon its chest with its fists. I didn't see it for long because
I ran away."

"The third is that this yellow orchid would be worth a great deal of
money if one could dig it up and take it to England."

"I think I told you, Allan, that I valued it at L20,000, so that
conclusion of yours is not original."

"The fourth is that I should like to dig up that orchid and get a share
of the L20,000."

Brother John became intensely interested.

"Ah!" he said, "now we are getting to the point. I have been wondering
how long it would take you to see it, Allan, but if you are slow, you
are sure."

"The fifth is," I went on, "that such an expedition to succeed would
need a great deal of money, more than you or I could find. Partners
would be wanted, active or sleeping, but partners with cash."

Brother John looked t