Crittenden press., 1902-03-13

lnt VI Ilt-
plants. Now what we've got to do is
to find that courtyard, and find II we
will"
But how do you know that. the
treasure hasn't been taken away
years ago? Do you think they were
such fools as to leave IL behind when
they went elsewhere7 Not theyl"
Though they were well out of ear
shot OF the land, and alone upon the
boat, Kitwater looked round him sus-
piciously before he answered Then
a pleasant smile played over his face.
IL was as II he were recalling some
happy memory.
How do / know it?" he asked, by
way of preface. "If you'll listen for
a moment, I'll tell you. II you want
more proof, when I've done, you
must be difficult TO please. When /
was up at Moulmein six months ago,
| came across a man hadn't met for
several years. He was a Frenchman,
who knew had spent the most of his
life away back in Burmah. He was
very flush of money at the time, and
kept throwing out hints, when we
were alone, of a place he knew of
where there was the biggest fortune
on earth, to be had for the mere pick
ing up and carrying away. He had
brought away as much Of IL as he
could, but he hadn't time to get IL all,
before he was chased out by the Chi
nese, who, be said, were strong in
the neighborhood."
Kitwater stopped and rubbed his
hands with a chuckle. Decidedly the
recollection was a pleasant one.
WELL" he continued, "to make a
long story short. took advantage of
my opportunity, and got his secret
out OF him by well, never
mind how | managed IL. 1t is SUM-
cient that / got il. And the conse-
quence is, l know all that is to be
known"
That's all very well, but what be-
came of the Frenchman2 How do you
know that he isn't back there again
filing his pockets?"
81 don't think he is" Kitwater re-
piled, slowly. 1T put me to lot of
inconvenience, and came just at the
time when i was most anxious TO
leave. Besides, IL might have meant
trouble" He paused for a moment.
"As n matter Of fact. they brought il
in suicide during temporary insanity.
brought on by excessive drinking
and that got me out of the difficulty.
II must have been insanity, think.
for he had no reason for doing away
with himself IL was proved that he
had plenty of money left. What was
more, Coddy gave evidence that, only
the day before, he had told him he
was tired of life"
Hayle looked at both with evident
admiration.
"Well, you two, taken together.
beat cock-fghting," he said. enthusi-
astically. Then he added: "But
what about the secret? What did you
get out OF him?"
"Here IL is" said Kitwater, taking
an old leather case from his pocket,
and producing from il a small piece
OF parchment. There's no writing
upon IL. but we have compared Il with
another plan that we happen to have,
and find that IL squares exactly"
He leaned over Hayle's shoulder
and pointed TO certain portion of
the sketch.
That's the great temple" he said;
"and what the red dot means we are
going TO find out"
"Well. suppose IL is. what makes
you send for me?" Hayle inquired,
suspiciously.
...o
good man with u.s." Kitwater replied.
I'm very well, but you're better.
Codd's head piece is all right, but IL
il comes TO fighting. he might just as
well be in Kensal Green. Isn't that
SO. little man?"
Mr.. Codd nodded his head
81 said, send for Hayle," he re-
marked in his quiet little voice. "Kit
sent, and now. you're here, and it's
all right"
"Codd speaks the TRUTH" said Kit
water. NOW, what we have TO do is
TO arrange the business part of the
matter, and then to get away as
quickly as possible"
The business portion Of the matter
was soon settled, and Hayle was
thereupon admitted n member of the
syndicate for the exploration of the
ancient town of Sengkor-Wat in the
hinterland OF Burmah.
For the remainder of the day Hayle
was somewhat more silent than usual.
"If there's anything in their yarn
il might be managed" he said to him
self that night, when he was alone in
his bedroom. 'Kitwater is clever, I'll
admit that, and Coddy is by no man
ner of means the fool he pretends to
be. But I'm Gideon Hayle, and that
counts for something. Yes, l think
IL might be managed"
What IL was he supposed might be
effected he did not say, but from the
smile upon his face, il was evident
that the thought caused him consid-
cradle satisfaction.
Next day they set sail for Rangoon.
PART H.