off the harbour, and
then sent it adrift when they'd done with it."

Mr. Buxton had filled his pipe and was smoking thoughtfully. Now he
took the pipe out of his mouth, and spoke.

"I can see another thing which, in the light now thrown upon the
affair, seems very possible," said he. "How many letters did you
receive from your father, Jack, when he was on his way home?"

"Only one, Mr. Buxton," replied Jack. "The one he sent me from Cairo
was the first I had had from him for a long time."

"Isn't it possible," went on Mr. Buxton, "that those who were
following him up knew of that letter being sent, and were anxious to
read it, hoping that he would describe where he had been and what he
had been doing? Then, even if they failed to secure him and the big
stone, they would know the spot where he had discovered the
ruby-mine."

"Say, Mr. Buxton, you've hit the bull's eye," remarked Buck. "That's
about the square-toed truth."

"And that's why they threw the letter away when they had read it,"
cried Jack. "There was no hint of any such thing in it."

There was silence for a few moments, while all three pondered over the
strange events which had taken place. It was broken by Jack.

"Oh, Buck," he said, "I suppose there is no chance of such a precious
thing being in the baggage after all."

"Not it," replied Risley. "I packed every consarned thing with my own
hands. I had just enough strength for a job like that."

"And you feel convinced, Risley, that Tom Haydon has been spirited off
back to Burmah by a gang who have learned of his wonderful find, and
mean to seize it for themselves?" said Mr. Buxton.

"Dead sure of it, sir," replied Buck.

Jack sprang to his feet and paced the room excitedly.

"Then we'll go ourselves, Buck," he cried, "and run them to earth."

"Sure thing," said Buck calmly. "I'm on at once for a look into what's
happened to the Professor."

"It will be a dangerous quest," said Mr. Buxton slowly; "a very
dangerous quest, among wild lands and savage peoples. I know that
much. Do you think the Government authority extends over the district
where the discovery was made, Risley?"

"No, it don't," replied Buck. "They're all savage Kachins and Shans up
there, as ready for a scrap as any you ever met. It's all the
authorities can do to hold 'em off the settlements."

"A dangerous quest indeed!" repeated Mr. Buxton.

"But one that must be undertaken," cried Jack earnestly. "Would you
have me