rty, and that the constabulary would not give up the hunt. No more
could be done. The American consulate had no resources with which to
conduct a search.

"Come on," Zircon said. "It's time for lunch. Dr. Okola will be arriving
in a few minutes."

"All right. But I wish we could really get started on our search, or
find someone who could help us. Even Chahda hasn't shown up. We haven't
even had a reply to Dad's message."

As they went down to the dining room Scotty pointed out that Chahda
might be very hard to reach. "For all we know, he could be in the
interior of Malaya, or some unlikely place. He would come if he could,
Rick."

Rick knew Scotty was right. Chahda had proved his loyalty and friendship
more than once. Just the same, he had hoped Chahda would come. The Hindu
boy with his "Worrold Alm-in-ack" education, as he called it, could be a
great help. Chahda had not only memorized the entire _World Almanac_,
but he seemed to have a sixth sense about people and places that was
always a source of amazement to Rick and Scotty.

Lunch with Dr. Okola was pleasant, even though it did nothing to advance
the search. Rick and Scotty reminisced about _The Golden Skull_
expedition with the Filipino archaeologist and enjoyed the hour. They
parted with Dr. Okola's assurances that he was ready to help in any way
he could.

As Rick unlocked the door of their room after lunch, he said, "I guess
it's up to us to..." He stopped with a yell of delight as the door
swung open. Seated by the window, waiting for them, was a slim,
brown-skinned boy in a turban. Chahda!

The Hindu boy pounded them in glee, then shook hands with Zircon. "It is
good for old friends to meet," Chahda declared, "even in such unhappying
soaking-stances."

"Circumstances," Rick corrected automatically. "Why didn't you wire? We
thought JANIG hadn't been able to get our message to you."

"I was in Singapore with my boss, Carl Bradley," Chahda explained. "When
your message comes, he says go now, Chahda. By the time a message back
catches them, so will you. You know, he right? I get here before you,
already two days now."

"Two days!" Scotty exclaimed. "What have you been doing?"

Chahda bowed. "Scotty, please to be speckfull. You now speak to Raman
Sunda, salesman of cloths."

"I'll show proper speck," Scotty said with a grin. "Do you mean
clothes?"

"Not clothes. Cloths. Tax-tills."

"Textiles," Zircon boomed. "Chahda, what on earth does a Hindu