had a complete chain of evidence connecting these with
the murders and the bodies were discovered.

Sir Donald is much perplexed. This must not be communicated to the
London office. In all this tangle there is one clear point. Whatever the
result, Sir Donald will shield William Dodge. That family must be found
and kept from want. Delay and premature action are alike precarious.

He compromises by a brief stay in Paris, better to know how to proceed.
Failing to learn anything more, Sir Donald and Esther leave for
Calcutta.

CHAPTER X

AT THE HIMALAYAS

Traversing many weary miles of that vast Indian Empire, the survey party
reaches the Himalaya range.

Twenty-five persons are in the camp. The guide is an intelligent Hindu.
There are one German, a Russian, and an American. Ample provisions had
been made for the journey. The chief is absolute head of the
undertaking, but void of light as to its ultimate purposes.

From the outset Oswald is well treated. In his looks is that which
claims respect. While feeling gratitude for employment and evident
good-will, Oswald's experiences of the recent past make him pensive.
This abstraction had been noted. His prompt obedience to all orders wins
approval. He never makes inquiries as to the purposes of this
expedition. His chief reciprocates by not referring to Oswald's
antecedents and by relieving him from the natural curiosity of
fellow-workers.

For a long time they are employed in surveying the mountain passes and
approaches. Maps are made and grades established. For many miles on
both sides of the range the country is explored, and numberless cipher
annotations are placed on the charts. Much care is taken in survey of
streams and the location of springs.

Oswald becomes greatly interested in this work, but asks only questions
about technical parts. He learns much of triangulation and of aneroid
computations. Vernier and arc readings become familiar.

At times tripod and transit seem revolving belcher of deadly hail.
Glaring eastward from rocky summit is a "lion rampant." This figure
slowly retreats backward with sullen roar. Now upon the mountain apex
appears a huge grizzly form, looking from shaggy, impassive brows toward
sea and plain and jungle. A mighty horde sweeps down, emerging from pass
and rocky fastnesses. This army, scattering over the plain, is swelled
by Moslem, Sikh, Hindu, Parsee, and Buddhist allies, until its millions
hold India's domain. The