The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-07-02
CHAPTER XXX.

Toward the close OF the following
day the Poonah dropped anchor in the
river roadstead OF Rangoon; and with
in the ensuing hour her passengers
had deserted her, De Hyeres and Miss
Pynsent in their van, O'Rourke among
the last to leave. And nothing him
dered him, not the least hitch delayed
his Decentralization. 1t was curious,
1t was incredible, it was disturbing.
He took away with him no ease Of
mind whatever.
There were tikkagharries waiting,
and without breath's delay the adj
venturer and his servant climbed into
the nearest and desired to be con-
veyed to the Offices of Messrs. Sec
retain and Sypher. The vehicle whirled
them swiftly away and into the main
travelled way of Rangoon, Mogul
street.
In front of a structure of stone and
iron so palpably an office building
that it might have been transplanted
to the Strand without exciting com
ment-save for the spotless cleanli-
ness of it-their tikkagharry drew up
The gharriwallah indicated the Of
fees of Messrs. Secretan and Sypher,
one flight up-and named his fare.
O'Rourke paid him and alighted, with
Danny at his heels and his heart try
ing to choke him. The hour of full
filment was at hand-and all was
we'll, He who had faced death in a
! hundred shapes of terror, unfiinching
found himself in a flutter of nerves
that would have disgraced a school
girl
He lodged into the building, took
the steps three at a stride and
suddenly found himself in the pres
ence of, more than that, closeted with
the man to meet whom he had crossed
| half the world at peril of his life:
Mr.. Lansdowne Sypher.
Colonel O'Rourke? Sypher's man
| ner was very cordial I'm glad to see
you. You are within your time, yet
! had begun to despair of you. Be
seated" He indicated a chair beside
| his desk. And permit me; you OF
all men will appreciate the precau
ton"
He laughed and went to the win
dows, adjusting the wooden shades In
such a manner that the light was
tempered and no portion of the room
could be visible to anyone spying
from window in one Of the adjacent
buildings. The he turned and smiled
cheerfully at the stupefied adventurer
Il have 1t here" said O'Rourke; safe
be the mercy of several highly poten
tial saints!" He laughed uneasily
fumbling in his breast pocket. There
1t u.s." said he, tossing the stone in Its
channels covering upon the solicitors
desk
Sypher himself betrayed some evi
dences of nervousness as he sat for
ward and lifted the case by its leath
ern thongs. He let 1t dangle before
him for an instant. watching 1t with 6
curious, speculative smile.
We'll" he said, really =
And after a pause; Il congratulate
you, Colonel O'Rourke. And l admire
/ you Immensely. You see
when this commission was offered us
considered seriously the project o.
going in search of you in person and
bringing the stone back to Rangoor
myself. But then-although I'm, no
really a timorous mani knew the
circumstances so well-I feared
should never reach Rangoon alive
Yes" He thrust hand into his waist
coat pocket and produced a penknife
with which he began to slit thu
stitches that enclosed the ruby
you've been wondering, no doubt
why so enormous a reward was of
fered.
II have that" assented O'Rourke.
ut was partly because Of the dan
ger" said Sypher. intent upon his oc
cupation. You know, these Burmese
are a curiously pious folk; when on
Of them grows rich he employs tn
major part of his fortune in building
temple-or in some such work. Thi
particular gentleman-a very wealth,
merchant-chose to give half Of VIVA
he had to the restoration of the Poo
of Flame to the Buddha from which
was originally stolen. But he. toe