not the least abashed, had snatched up the figure and
critically examined it, glass in eye. For an appreciable time he stood
silent and transfixed, obviously gloating over the article in his
grasp--yes, gloating, with the absorbed expression of a devotee! At
last he spoke, raising his voice almost to a shout:

"And are _you_ aware, madam; that this--this piece in my hand, is a
most glorious specimen of old 'Kang He'? An altar vessel, too; a most
perfect, complete, and unique specimen of Chinese enamelled porcelain,
dating from the Kang dynasty? By George!" handling it and turning it
about with tender loving care, "what an astonishing find! I've never
come across such a piece, and I've seen a good few in my time. How did
you get hold of it?"

"Mr. Shafto gave it to me," replied Mrs. Malone, in her stiffest manner.

"And I picked it off a stall in the Caledonian Market," supplemented
Shafto.

"What luck; what incredible luck!" exclaimed the dealer, nodding his
big head; "well, Mrs. Malone, will you please inform your other
customer that I will pay you three hundred pounds down for this
piece--that rather snuffs him out, eh? I'll give you a cheque in the
morning," and carrying the monster as reverently as if it were some
holy relic, Manasseh Levison, expert and connoisseur, marched out of
the room in triumph.

CHAPTER VIII

BOUND FOR BURMA

It was some minutes before Mrs. Malone recovered her breath and
composure, the invasion and purchase had been so startlingly abrupt.
At last she found her tongue and her wits, and after a lengthy and
animated discussion, it was ultimately decided that she and Douglas
would each take a hundred pounds (privately she determined to invest
her share for his benefit) and hand the remaining hundred to the old
woman in the black bonnet at her stand in the Caledonian Market.

The journey to Rangoon was now likely to be accomplished, thanks to the
Chinese Monster. When Douglas picked it off the cobble stones, from
among coarse common crockery, how little he dreamed what a factor this
figure would prove in his future--it had been the means of shaping his
destiny!

On Friday morning he sent in a formal acceptance of Mr. Martin's offer
and, having obtained leave, hurried away to the Caledonian Market, in
search of the old rag and bottle female. It was half-past twelve
o'clock when he arrived, he was late, and her pitch was empty. Had she
departed already? On inquiry he w