" he said. "These adventures have
hardened your muscles and tanned your skin. I was wrong to let you out
of my sight so long, but now that it's over, I feel that it has made a
man of you."

Dan eagerly related all his experiences since he had parted from his
father and soon Professor Oakwood and Dick came to shake hands and
exchange congratulations.

Later Rex Carter was introduced to the Hindu seer, who received the
wealthy business man with quiet dignity. Carter was impressed for
though the Mahatma wore nothing but a saffron-colored loin cloth, he
was as majestic as though he were clad in the robes of a king.

Dan explained how the wise man had come to Africa in search of an
ancient crown, on which was the symbol of perfect wisdom.

At first Rex Carter was inclined to take it lightly, but when he
learned that the diadem was probably the same one that Dick Oakwood had
worn in the land of the Taharans, he could hardly restrain his
impatience.

"I'll fly you there, today," he said. "By sundown we will all be in
the realm of the Boy King."

"I accept your offer with thanks," said the Mahatma.

"And after that I'll take you to India. Any place you want to go!"
continued Carter. "You have done more for my children than I can ever
pay for. Pack up your belongings and we will take off for Tahara now."

"My belongings are here," said the Mahatma, displaying the square of
black cloth which contained his crystal.

"Is that all you own?" The millionaire was startled.

"That is all. More would be a weight to drag me from the higher plane
where my spirit dwells."

"That's all right for a Hindu sage, but it would be all wrong for an
American business man," Rex Carter answered, thinking of his vast
factory, his town house and country estate, his yacht and automobiles.

With only a bow for reply, the Mahatma went a little way off, where he
summoned his faithful Kungoras and took leave of them.

Mutaba threw himself on the ground and howled with grief and the others
wailed in unison. They had lived in peace and happiness under this
wise man's rule, and though they had sometimes been impatient to go on
the warpath, they now realized that they were losing their best friend
and adviser. They begged him to change his mind and stay with them but
the Mahatma assured them that the time had come to say goodbye and
urged them to follow the ways of peace and kindness as he had taught
them.

Meanwhile Dick was instruc