for
there was something so strange about them that they seemed to have come
down from a far-off distant age, and to have suddenly burst into a
civilization which had long out-grown the type from which they were
descended. But by-and-by their curious old-world appearance was
forgotten in amazement at the articles they carried with them. These
were carefully wrapped in several folds of cloth to keep them from
being soiled, though the two priests were perfectly willing to unfold
the wrappers, and exhibit them to anyone who wished to examine them.

The precious things which were preserved with such jealous care were a
hat and robe such as an abbot might wear on some great occasion when
the Buddhist Church was using its most elaborate ceremonial to perform
some function of unusual dignity and importance. There was also a
crosier, beautifully wrought with precious stones, which was well
worthy of being held in the hand of the highest functionary of the
Church in any of its most sacred and solemn services. The remarkable
thing about the hat and robe was their exquisite beauty. The richness
of the embroidered work, the quaint designs, the harmonious blending of
colours, and the subtle exhibition of the genius of the mind which had
fashioned and perfected them, arrested the attention of even the lowest
class in the crowds of people who gathered round the two priests to
gaze upon the hat and robe, with awe and admiration in their faces.

Some instinct that flashed through the minds of the wondering
spectators told them that these rare and fairy-like vestments were no
ordinary products manufactured in any of the looms throughout the wide
domains of the Empire. No human mind or hand had ever designed or
worked out the various hues and shades of such marvellous colours as
those which flashed before their eyes, and which possessed a delicacy
and beauty such as none of the great artists of the past had ever been
able to produce.

The priests from the various temples and monasteries of the capital
soon heard the reports that spread through the city about the
marvellous hat and robe, and flocked in large numbers to see these
wonderful things, which the two curious-looking men were displaying to
all who cared to gaze upon them.

"Do you wish to dispose of these things?" asked one of the city priests.

"If any one can pay the price at which alone we are prepared to sell,
we shall be willing to part with them to him," was the re