lar in China just now."

"Never heard of them," Ned said, watching the men turn from the road
into the grove.

"As you know," the officer explained; "I have been on Chinese stations a
long time. Well, I've taken a fancy to study up the religion of the
people. Or, to put it right, the three religions. First, there is the
Confucian religion, which is not really a religion, for it does not deal
with the spiritual. It is a philosophy, which teaches the brotherhood
of man.

"Second, there is Buddhism, with its ruined temples and begging monks.
This religion is an importation from India. Aged people and women are
its chief devotees.

"Third, there is Taoism, scarcely less popular that Buddhism. The
priests live with their families in ruined temples and practice all
sorts of fool things. They have a mystic alchemy, prepare spells and
incantations, and claim to hold communion with the dead. It is said
that worthless foreigners travel about in the disguise of Taoist
priests, just for the money there is in it, as fake spiritualist mediums
travel about in our own country.

"The people coming are Taoist priests, all right, for they have the
drums, and gongs, and fifes of their trade with them. Their ruined
temple may not be far away. If we have time we may witness some of
their foolish ceremonies."

Ned's face looked thoughtful for a moment, then cleared. There was a
smile on his face as he asked:

"Do Taoist priests accost strangers on the highway?"

"Yes; when there is a show of getting money. They are a rank lot, as
you will soon see."

"These may not be so rank," Ned replied, meaningfully.

"'Why," began Captain Martin, "you don't suppose--"

"It seems odd that Taoist priests should arrive here just at this time."

"If these chaps really I are spies--the spies we have been warned
against--the fellows we were sent forth to meet, why, there may be a bit
of action here."

"Well," Ned went on, "let them take the initiative. We shall soon be
able to give a good guess as to what this visit means."

As the four strangely clad figures moved across the little patch of
field which separated the highway from the grove, Jimmie came running
over to where the two were sitting, an egg sandwich in one hand and a
cup of coffee in the other. As he ran the hot liquid jolted out of the
cup and came in contact with his hand.

"Gee!" he shouted. "Just look what's comin'."

Then he dropped the hot cup on the ground