reat expert did not need to take a second glance. "That's my
stone," he said. "Me Dain, I am indebted to you for ever. Its value to
me is beyond all money, for it represents my honour and the good faith
which I owe to those who employ me. Me Dain, my good friend, I shall
give you ten thousand rupees."

"Oh, sahib," cried the Burman, overcome with the vision of so much
wealth, "it is too much for your servant."

"Not a penny," said Mr. Haydon earnestly, "not a penny too much. You
have rendered me a service which no money can repay."

Amid a buzz of wonder and surprise and delighted congratulation, the
huge stone was examined and passed from hand to hand. Then Mr. Haydon
took it again, wrapped it up in a piece of silk cut from the girdle,
and carefully bestowed it in an inner pocket.

"I'll have another try to get to London with it," he said. "We ought
to manage it this time among us."

Jack stood looking at his father with shining eyes, and Mr. Haydon now
turned to his son. As he did so, Buck slapped the tall lad on the
shoulder.

"Say, Jack," he cried, "is this good enough for you? You've got your
father and the big pebble. Seems to me you've worked your way through
this business pretty successful. I reckon you've been the king pin of
this outfit."

"Right, Buck, right," said Mr. Haydon in a tone of deep feeling. "I
was just thinking of what I owed to my boy."

The next morning they struck south across the hills for Mogok, the
great mining town, and their journey thither, under the skilful
guidance of Me Dain, was made in safety. The native woman accompanied
them for the first half day of their journey, and then her path
branched off to the west. She took leave of them with a thousand
thanks and good wishes, and, from the store of ready money, carried
on one of the pack-ponies, she was furnished with a bag of silver
pieces which would make her a rich woman when she reached her native
village.

Her parting words were mysterious. She said, "Tell the young sahib
that he will find that I have not forgotten him."

Me Dain asked her what she meant, but, with a smile, she refused to
explain, and presently was lost to sight along a forest path, and they
saw her no more.

From Mogok the travellers pushed on straight to Mandalay, where,
through a merchant of his acquaintance, Mr. Haydon obtained sufficient
money to pay Me Dain the reward he had promised. So that this time the
Burman retired to his native village wi