Fame And Fortune Weekly (no. 1075) (1926 05 07)

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NEW YORK, MAY 7, 1926 No. 1075 PA MIE Price 8 Cents 4a IN ES ors W AFTER TIBIG BLUE 5 is ie - AR, Te REASURE ¢ OF THE JUNGLE: > papieia sn! ss sivs sprang eagerly forward a puff of greenish smoke eetealy issued from under the gem and enveloped his face. Its overpowering odor staggered the boy. He threw up his arms wildly and foll back into the arms of his companion.

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FAM 23d Street, New York, N. Y. JNA. No. 1075 the Post-Office at New York, N. NEW YORK, MAY 7, 1926 ~ . AND FORTUNE WEEKLY * Imaned weekly—Subscription price. $4.00 per year! Canada, $4.50: Foreign, $5.00. Harry E. Wolff, Publisher, «nc., 166 West 8 Entered as Second-Class Matter, Se ee 4, 1911, at Y., under the Act of March Price 8 Cents. After the Big Blue Stone OR, THE TREASURE OF THE JUNGLE > a CHAPTER I.—Which Treats of the Big Blue Stone. “Then ye never heard about that there big blue stone in the stummick of the bronze idol in the temple of Jumna?” ejaculated William Flint, a thick-set seaman, his mahogany-hued countenance beaming upon two good-looking, stalwart Amer- ican boys who sat facing him on the forecastle of the schooner “Gleam.” The vessel rode at anchor at the northern extremity of the Strait of Ma- naar, on the famous pear! fishing grounds of Cey- On her port bow lay the ‘coast of Madras, In- dia—a thread of low, white sandhills, dotted with the dark-brown ‘thatch of fishermen’s huts and the vivid green of cocoanut palms. The hour was three in the afternoon of a cloudless July day; ~ the fitful land breeze had died away, leaving the whole surface of the sea like a sheet of undulat- ing silver. An eighth of a mile distant on the échooner’s starboard quarter a score or more of native diving-boats rose and dipped to the regular motion of the long ground-swell. The boys, whose names were Clif Halliday and Ben Wade, had come down from the town of Madras, which lies - on the southeastern coast of the Indian penin- sula, to see how the pearl fishery was conducted. Clif’s father was the American consul at Madras, He had held the post for some years, and Clif, having been left at a Long Island military acad- emy to prepare for college, had not seen him nor = his mother for many moons, as he termed it. His graduation from the academy offered Clif the opportunity to pay his father and mother a flying visit, and he had taken immediate advan- tage of the fact. Ben Wade’s father, mother and = sister having arranged to spend the summer in Europe, Ben found no pe itaeey permis- . sion to accompany his chum, Clif, to India for his vacation instead of ging with the family on their continental tour. if and Ben went as far as with the Wades. After spending a week seeing the sights, Mr., Mrs. and Miss ied the two boys to Southam c a. ‘ in ea } Medi : aur Os Isthmus of Suez to the Red Sea, yn that long narrow body of water to the Gulf By A SELF-MADE MAN of Aden, which they reached through the Strait of Bab-el Mandez, and thence across the edge of the Arabian Sea to the city of Bombay on the western coast of India. From there they took passage on a steamer bound for Calcutta, but which stopped a few hours at Madras. Clif was tickled to death to meet his mother and father again after a sepa- ration of nearly three years, and, as a matter of course, they were just as pleased to see him. The boys put in a whole week in Madras and its en- virons, and were fascinated with the manners, customs and habits of the strange people they met there. Then the opportunity presenting itself for them to visit the pearl fisheries, of which they had read and heard so much, Clif persuaded his father to allow them to go down to the grounds under the protection of Captain Glaze, the master of the schooner “Gleam,” which was one of the vessels engaged in the trade. Clif and Ben soon made themselves great. fa- vorites aboard the schooner with the captain, the mate, and William Flint, an able seaman who bossed the lascars. They took a particular fancy to Flint, because he proved an inexhaustible store- house of wonderful adventures in Indian waters, and along the coast, as well as the interior of the big peninsula. On the afternoon our story opens he had been telling them about an astonishing adventure he had participated in during the pre- vious year. He and a small party had started on business for a town fifty miles inland from the

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2 AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE stomach. This stone was an enormous sapphire of exceptional purity which had been cut with astonishing skill to resemble the human eye. There wasn’t a native, however ignorant, who had not heard about this great blue stone, and marvelous properties ascribed to it. It was said that on the annual festival of the god Jumnus, which was observed with many religious rites at the temple, the blue eye of the idol would wink with great solemnity a number of times. No in- telligent foreigner-believed any such yarn as that, but the natives put absolute faith in the alleged fact, and hundreds of them asserted with every evidence of sincerity that they had seen the eye move in its socket. Probably it did move through some chicanery of the priests in charge of the emple, for it was to their interest to keep up the reputation of the god. Clif and Ben had not been long enough in India to learn about this big blue stone with its mysterious qualities, and consequently showed their ignorance about it when Flint spoke of it. That led to his query with which this chapter 0 about it. It must be a fine stone, and I’d give a whole lot to see it.” : , “JT reckon ye are not likely to see it, my hearty,” replied Flint. “Why not? Couldn’t Ben and I hire a guide at one of those villages alongshore to take us to the temple of the Jumna?” “Ye couldn’t hire a guide to do that for love nur money,” replied the sailor, wagging his head _in a very positive manner. . “We couldn’t?” “No, ye couldn’t. It’s ag’in their religion to do it. ig are not allowed to inspect that there idol. ; Z : - But you and your friends inspected it,” said Clif. “That was an accident, and we came near losin’ our lives. The priest told us we had committed a sacrilege, but one of the party squared him by the present of a fin e owned. That there have got out alive, pearl or no pearl. I believe a rnillio he priests, who are high Socteed rascals, play ’em for all they’re worth.” “What does that Jumma idol look like, any- way: 5 : “You’ve seen a tailor, haven’t ye, squattin’ with crossed legs on a table?” _ “Sure I have,” said Clif. cabes ; “So have I,” chiped in Ben. “Does it look like _a tailor?” . _ “No. It only has the attitude of a tailor, other- wise it looks like a Chinese joss with a small pa- valuable gems hangin’ from its shoulders, and a 2% of the finest pearls you ever seen in your fife. ung around its neck close under the chin. hole thing is made of dark bronze with ed Ben. sl w! it’s real gold, for I didn’t pens. ; “No,” replied Clif, “neither of us ever heard make-sure of it, but it looks enough like gold to be taken for it.” “The big blue stone is worn on the idol’s stom- ach, you say?” said Clif. “Yes. It’s the center-piece of a large blue star.” “Does it look like a human eye?” asked Ben. “It looks enough like it to give you the shivers.” “What does the idol stand on?” “On the top of three solid blocks of some kind of stone, each smaller than the lower one, like a pair of steps.” “How much do you suppose that blue stone is worth?” “T should reckon it’s worth a mighty big sum of money.” “Isn’t the door of the temple locked?” “Tt hasn’t got no door to it, jest a big openin’ facin’ the jungle.” “T suppose it’s guarded all the time?” said Clif. “We didn’t see no guard. All we seen was the priest, who came put of a small room to one side. He turned black with fury when he seen us in that there temple, and began sayin’ somethin’ that only one of our party understood. It was a good thing he did understand the fellow’s lingo. If he hadn’t——” “Well?” said Ben, as the sailor paused. “We'd have been angels long afore this.” “How many were there in your party?” “Four.” “You had some kind of arms, didn’t you?” asked Clif. ~ “We had our knives, and the fellow who was expert at Hindoo had a revolver.” “Then why need you have been afraid of a single priest?” “He had his hand on a bell-rope. Had he pees it, as he easily could have done, he would ave had help enough around him in two min- utes to have done us up, all right. The chap who understood and spoke the same dialect as the io had presence of mind enough to chip in a ittle palaver at the right minute. The priest lis- tened with his hand on the bell-rope. Then he offered to let us off if we’d swear to keep our visit to the temple a secret and come up with enou to satisfy his greed. The pearl was the o thing we had worth his notice, and he let the mat- ter go at that.” “How did you escape from the jungle?” “The priest furnished us with a guide and so we reached our destination.” Pot But you had a hot time of it,” laughed “I reckon we did, my hearty,” replied Flint, starting to fill his pipe. At that moment Ben, who glanced in the direc- tion of the diving-boats, jumped on his feet with an exclamation. “Look, Clif, look!” he cried, pointing across the water. “There’s something doing among the boatmen.” ; Clif got on his feet, and so did Flint, and the three walked over to the starboard rail to get a better look. CHAPTER Il.—How the Shark-Charmer Is Made to Walk the Plank. : <= << “Looks like a row,” suggested Clif, after tale old thing to ings good view of the ‘scene of the disturbanes. =< ~ 4 4 ~~ i ppm teae 3 oe

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se AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE 3 “That’s what it does,” coincided Ben. “Hello! They’ve started for the schooner. There’s some- thing wrong for fair.” “I thought the boats were not permitted to leave the diving until the signal gun is fired?” said Clif, looking at Flint. “They hain’t, but them chaps seem to be so excited over somethin’ that’s happened that —— overlooked the regulations,” replied the lor. “It’s probably lu for them that Captain ashore,” said Bere Mr. Robertson, the mate, will make it attracted the attention of those on the schooner’s deck had exchanged by the boatmen for a weird chant to which every oar kept time. Erect in the stern of the foremost boat an old white- Deaged man led the song, while at the end of measure the voice of every boatman raised chorus that seemed to fairly lift the boats out th Although Clif and Ben were un- fact the song was made up the i boats e on, the refr or chorus being the same the way through. The to some incident which had hap- at the diving ground, and was the cause of present manifestation. All that the boyg could make out of it was something about a diver and a shark, and then something about a charm- coe a ng however, seemed to understand the oars were babel of voices, the boatmen came the side, until the deck culating, dusky humanity. The white-headed nea Heo towered head and shoulders above his comrades, pushed his way to the front, and commanding silence among his followers, ad- himself to the mate of the schooner. Es » said he in pigeon English, “one year back hg sa’b Smsg 1 Captain Glaze) ordered Salambo eat plenty blows for sellin’ charm to diver-man. All same, this season he come back and sell plenty charm, tellin’ diver-man to put charm ’round neck. shark no eat him up. He tell ame + a one shark done come, eat et him stand forward,” replied Mrs. Robert- with difficulty suppressing a grin. "The culprit, a sleek old f w with shaven same rascal,” admitted the fellow, salaaming is shaven head almost touched the deck. rooster, upon my word,” re- to say that I admire his nerve,” what the mate will do with him?” know I'd do with him,” chuckled Ben. “What would you do with him?” asked Clif ~ heey eG rd : “T’d make. him walk the plank in regular pirate style.” “What! You'd give him to the sharks!” almost gasped Clif. “He boasts about the efficacy of his . shark charms that he sells to the boatmen, why not compel him to give.a public test of their value? If a shark comes along and fails to gobble him up it will give his business a boom, I believe in encouraging a “Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Clif. “Why don’t you suggest your idea to the mate?” *“T will if you back me up.” “T’'ll do it on one condition,” replied Clif. “What is your condition?” “That you also that two of the lascars take a boat and lie under the schooner’s quarter in readiness to pick the rascal up as soon as he comes to the surface after his plunge. It would be carrying the joke altogether too far to let the old sinner be actually caught by, a shark, for of course his charm is a pure fake. ‘ “TI accept your amendment,” replied Ben. “All I want to do is to give the rascal a good scare.” Accordingly the two boys walked over to the spot where the mate and the charm-seller stood. “What did = think of doing to this man?” asked Ben of Mr. Robertson. “Give him three dozen lashes on the back.” pas | w a better punishment for him,” said Ben. Salambo heard his words, which he readily un- derstood, and favored the boy with a wicked look. The mate looked at Ben in some surprise, and ~ then said: “What is it?” “Come this way and.I’ll tell you.” Mr. Robertson and the two boys retired a few steps and then Ben outlined his scheme for giv- ing the charm-seller the shock of his life. The idea appealed to the waggish side of the mate and he to put it into execution. He mo- tioned to Flint and ordered him to have the boat lowered and in positicn to pick Salambo up. —— he A nce up to - old ae gl © you happen to have one of those charms about you?” ‘ “One here got, sa’b,” replied the rascal, pro- ducing from the folds of his waist-cloth a frag- ment of p leaf covered with cabalistic charac- ters. “Sa’b like to buy? Sell cheap. Sure ’tec- No eat pusson got one dese "bout replied the mate, “ tion ’gin shark. him.” “Keep it yourself,” .

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4 AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE ing wretch was seized and dragged to the schoon- er’s side. His rolling orbs met the. laughing glances of the two boys.’ Ascribing his present unhappy predicament to them he favored them with a look so diabolical that they shuddered in <3 spite of themselves. “Lord!” palpitated Ben. “If there isn’t mur- der in that fellow’s eye I don’t know what the look is like.” The rascal was placed upon the plank. “One, two, three—let him slide!” cried the * mate. The deck end of the plank rose high in the air, then descended with a crash, and with a scream of ‘terror the charm vendor disappeared over the side, A tremendous shout rose from the natives on the deck, and with one accord they all rushed to the schooner’s side, which they reached just .as . Salambo’s head reappeared above the . surface. Another moment.and he was dragged into the boat by the two lascars, where, catching ape of the laughing countenances of the two-boys. at the rail » above, he shook his fist at them in,mute menace, and was rowed ashore. “I guess that will teach him a lesson that he won’t forget in a hurry,” said Ben as he and his companion watched the boat recede. “Maybe it will,” replied Clif. “However, we’re not likely to see him again.” But in this forecast of the future he was mis- taken, as events speedily proved. CHAPTER IIL—In Which Clif Discovers a Small. Fortune in Pearls. s Ben, let’s ask permission of Captain Glaze to go ashore,” said Clif on the following ! afternoon. “I’m tired of monkeying around the - deck of this schooner.” 3 a “I’m with you,” replied Ben. “Any kind of a I change will suit me.” BE | it’s up to me to ask the skipper,” sai “Yes. ” Your father put us in his charge. He won't let us go alone, you can bet.” : “Flint will be just the man to go with us.” “But he’s busy t of it? "The captain can let him off Well, run along and make your application. Mir teed ao here till you get back.” Clif walked aft and entered the cabin. It was a fine day, es a cloudless sky. ‘The breeze was so light and fitful that - barely ruffled the sur- -. face of the sea ‘about the schooner. The boys _ had been over to the ses ir all- morning Ms now Pras they had had their dinner they were or some fresh kind of excitement. Cap- edie listened to Clif’s request and did not fs to quite approve of it. Ra! haat Baybody to send with you,” he said, tting his "t Flint go?” asked Clif. re him,” replied the captain. I i trust you with.” take vce boat “ row a. weaken ‘ nace and. SEES ina gbareapeet “You could do that if you will promise not to go further than the beach.” “All right, sir. Is it dangerous for us to visit one of the villages alone?” “Not particularly; but you might get into trou- ble in some way, and I can’t afford to take any chances. I am responsible for your safety and return to Madras.” So Clif returned to the deck and his friend, and = Ben the result of his interview with the skip- “Well go as far as thé shore, anyway,” said Ben. “It will be a good idea to carry our re- volvers along and a pocketful of cartridges. I don’t expect we’ll have any occasion to use them unless we see a shark en route, and then we can take a pop at him. I wouldn’t mind killing a good-sized man-eater if only to get revenge for the death of that diver who was eaten up yester- day afternoon because he put too much faith in that charm Salambo sold him. I wouldn't feél so awfully bad if. I heard that a shark got hold-of the old villain himself. He’s a fakir of the first water.” “What kind of water?” “Sea water, of course,” grinned Ben. “If we had liberty to go ashore we might meet the rascal again.” “I’m not anxious to meet him. He’s got it in ‘or us, for he holds us responsible for the plank- walking incident.” “What of it?” replied Clif. “He wouldn’t dare Look play any trick on us.” “You can’t tell wWat he might dare to do. at the nerve he had to come back to the grounds to sell his bogus charms after having been whipped for the same offense last year.” “T must admit that he’s a sly old codger.” “Sly isn’t the word. He’s a past-master in wickedness. You saw the look he gave us just be- cause the lascars' shoved him on the plank.” “T did. It was a bad one.” “A sort of concentrated essence of hate. after the boat picked him up he shook his fist us. He means to get square if he can.” “How = he? We’re under Captain Glaze’s rotection.” “We wouldn’t be under the captain’s protec- tion ashore—that is, only so far as his influence obtains in this neighborhood.” “Well, in broad daylight, with a revolver apiece in our clothes, T guess there is ilttle fear of Sa- lambo doing us.’ The boys got into the small boat alongside, took up the oars and began to row toward the near-by shore. They took their time, for it was mighty hot. Finally they reached the beach, got out of the moat and secured it to the shore by means of a stake. “These sands are like an oven,” remarked Clif, lifting his helmet to cool his dripping forehead. “Yes, the shore feels hotter than blazes,” coin- cided Ben, lifting his helmet, too. “Come on, there’s a row of banyan trees yonder. We can sit in the shade and look around.” There was a small village near by of thatched huts. A crowd of natives were gathered around _ a dusky-looking man who was standing on an = " vation in the middle of the mob apparen em dressing the others. The enic nd oat. = : a of — ae as = wa fs ‘yar 2 i

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, SNA. * water, take ti AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE 5 “J wonder what’s going on there?” Clif. said curiously. “Ask me something easier, Clif.’ Maybe they’re holding a political meeting.” : “They are—like fun! They seem to be buying something. See those chaps walking out of the crowd with their arms full of brown things.” “Let’s go over and see what’s on foot,” sug? “The captain made me promise that we wouldn’t go very far from the shore.” “That isn’t far. Only about a couple of hun- dred yards,” replied Ben. Clif allowed himself to be persuaded, so .the boys got up and approached the group. They soon discovered that the black man in ‘the centre of the crowd was auctioning off some pearl] oys- ters. The boys had heard about these sales, which were eagerly patronized by the natives, who sometimes got great bargains, though most of the time nothing to speak of. “Tt’s a kind of lottery, like the sales held once or twice a year by the express companies in the States,” said Clif. “The natives bid on a lot of oysters on the chance of finding some valuable pearls in them. They’re crazy over the game ever since one of the natives found over sixty big pearls in some oysters he had bought in, and made his fortune for life. Although these chaps seldom find a pearl of any great value they all hope that some day luck will come to them, and that they’ll get rich right off the reel.” ’ “There is always the chance,” repiled@ Ben. “I'd like to have_a go myself, just for the fun of the .. ” “We couldn’t bid. We don’t know what to er.” — old price would.do as long as it’s low.” “The auctionéer wouldn’t understand us.” Ask one of the natives to do it for us.” “How could we? We can’t speak their roa lh Ben had to admit that there appeared to be in- surmountable difficulties in their way, and re- luctantly gave up the idea. At that moment he spied a native who had been aboard the schooner, and whom he knew could speak English after a fashion. On the spur of the moment he rushed up to the fellow and told him what they wanted to do. The native grinned, nodded and pushing his way forward bid in a batch of oysters for the bsurdly low figure. Clif handed him the aE with another for himself. The native ‘gathered up the oysters and handed them to the They were dirty-looking objects, and smelt horribly, for they had been several days out of standing in the sun in a small pyramid. “Gee! But sper Ree like a S congte? pat cried , holding his nose. “ Bens cif? "To the boat?” “No, under the palms where .we were sitting down a while ago.” ‘They began to open them, one at a time. “Don’t be a quitter,” laughed Clif. your idea to buy them.” “T know it was, but I didn’t expect to buy some- thing that smells like a morgue.” “Well, let’s-divide them up and try our luck. There are twenty of them. T’ll let you have first pick, then if there’s a fine pearl in one of them we won’t have any excuse to quarrel over it. It will belong to the one who selected the oyster.” Accordingly they each picked ten oysters alter- nately, and then, with no very great enthusfasm, The opening of the bivalves was attended with a more acute smell that almost turned the boys’ stomachs. “Say, no more of this for me,” said Ben, hold- ing up his slimy and foul-smelling fingers after tossing away his tenth and last oyster. “This isa regular sell. Not a solitary pearl have either of us found for our filthy work.” “T’ve got one oyster left,” said Clif. “You’d better fire it away without letting out any more skunk odors,” said Ben. “It might contain a handsome pearl.” “Tf it does I'll eat the oyster.” “Yes, you would. I think I see you doing it. You wouldn’t even make a bluff at doing it for a hundred-dollar bill.” “You bet I wouldn’t. There’s poison enough in _ of these rotten oysters to depopulate a vil- age.” Clif picked up the last oyster, which was a° good-sized fellow. “How much am I offered for this last bivalve?” he grinned. “Hold on there! Don’t shove it in my direction. I know when I’ve had enough of anything,” ob- jected Ben. “I’m going down to the water to wash ‘my hands.” “Wait till we see if there’s anything in this fel- low and then Ill go with you.” Ben waited, but without any great display of interest. The chances of their finding a pearl in “Tt. was “the last oyster did not strike him as being very favorable. Clif, after a flourish of his’ arm, forced open the shell of the bivalve. As his eye caught a glance of the interior of the shell he uttered a shout. It contained a magnificent pearl. CHAPTER IV.—How Fortune Plays the Boys a Slippery Trick. _“Gracious!” gasped Ben, while Clif regarded his’ prize with staring eyes. So taken up were they with the good fortune which had come to Clif through the putrid oyster that neither of them observed a black face with a clean shaven head thrust through® the thick ver- dure around the foot of the palm tree behind them. A r of snaky eyes, glittering with craft red cautiously at them and the opened oyster shells containing the pearl. The i. intruder was Salambo, the shark-charmer, who — had been sleeping in the gr and who had been 's shout. he had recovered from his “Bet a a3 “There’s no flies on this oyster,” said Clif after surprise.

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6 | AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE “A beauty!” he said. “I'll bet Captain Glaze will open his eyes when he sees this.” “I should remark,” replied Ben. “Let me see ie? “Sure.” ; ; “Thanks,” said Ben in a tone of satisfaction. “Hold on,” he added as Clif was about to throw the shell away. “I see something yellow in one corner. Stick your knife in the meat, that side.” With the point of his knife Clif prodded the substance of the oyster at the point indicated, and presently laid bare a large pearl shaped like a pear, a luster of the purest pale yellow. “A gold Lnccsar exclaimed Clif. “I never saw ike that before. E on A neck pearl!” repeated Ben. “You’re in great luck, old man. Don’t you remember that the captain told us at dinner the other day that a gold pearl was a great rarity, found. about once in twenty years? He said that though they were in no particular demand among foreigners, the wealthy natives, more particularly the Indian priests, were always anxious to obtain them, and were ready to pay an enormous price for a pure ” it for ys Pieces cncéealled behind the trunk of the banyan tree within a few feet of them, leaned eagerly forward. So close was he to the boys that he could hear every word of their conver- sation. As he listened an avaricious glitter shone ‘in his crafty eyes, and he rubbed his hands un together. He knew the value of a golden 1 as well as any person in India. The ossession of such a gem would mean a fortune to him. for he had in his mind’s eye a priest who was very eager to obtain a yellow pearl of pure water. He would be able to name his own price. So he resolved by hook or by crook to get that gold pearl away from Clif Halliday. That would be as good as any revenge he could take upon the aboard the schooner. moi covering from his watch and put’the pearls in it “as a temporary receptacle until they returned aboard the chooner. He now took the chamois out of his pocket so that he and Ben could examine the silver globule with its solitary yellow mate at their leisure. When the boys went down to the water Salambo gritted his teeth with sav- age disappointment, for he thought they were about to take to their boat and go back to the schooner. H bility, have hands, and return to Clif rubbed off each pearl s handkerchief, and then he and their inspection. At length he returned them to the chamois bag and wrapped the bag in his handkerchief, which he knotted. “Nobody would dream that there’s a king’s ransom in that little bundle,” he said, holding it up lightly. As he spoke aglusky, naked arm was thrust for- ward through the leaves, sinewy fingers grabbed the handkerchief, and it was wrenched from his grasp. Clif and Ben were both too astonished to make a move for a moment or two, then they eprene. to their feet to make things warm for the thief. “There he goes!” cried Ben, pointing to the rascal, who was running in the direction of the village as hard as he could go. Both recognized the old villain on the instant. “It’s that scoundrel, Salambo!” ejaculated Clif. “He'll get away with the goods if we don’t look lively,” said Ben. The boys started after the shark-charmer as fast as they could. They found to their mortifi- cation that the ‘old man could run as fast as they. “He'll escape us. Let us fire at him,” said Ben, drawing his revolver. “No, no,” returned Clif. “We might hit one of the villagers, and then we’d get into trouble. We must try to catch him somehow.” Salambo, however, soon vanished behind one of the thatched houses, and when the boys reached the hut there was no sign of him. “We'll have to hunt him out,” said Clif. “This village isn’tiso large.” ; The hunted the shark-charmer in vain, and were subjected to the stares of the native men, women and children. “There’s the man who bought the oysters for us,” said Ben. “He speaks English pretty well. Let’s hire him to help us.” . Clif was willing to do anything that promised to bring him back his pearls, so the native was stopped and interviewed. “Salambo, eh?” grinned the man, whose name was Kurhora. “Him big rascal.” ¢ your life he is,” replied Ben. “We want to catch him.” » “What for, sa’b?” ’ “He stole something from us.” “Me seen him makin’ tracks for village down dat way,” said Kurhora, pointing. “You help us catch him and we’ll pay you well,” said Clif. “Me help. No like Salambo. Much big rascal.” “Lead the way then, and step lively,” said Ben impatiently. Stepping out lively was hot work for the boys, but, under the circumstances they did not mind it so much, as their thoughts were centered in the stolen pearls. “Y’'m breaking my word to Captain Glaze, but I guess we’ve a good excuse,” said Clif as they hur- ried along toward the-next village, which they _ could see in the distance. “Oh, shoot Captain Glaze! I guess we can take care of ourselves,” replied Ben. “ * “ts ting on to sundown. I hope this chase will end at yonder village.” the rascal has gone on further? Are you to follow him?” ” replied Clif doggedly. “I don’t mean - that he shall have the laugh on us, as well as the

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_AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE 7 profit of those pearls. The fellow would be made for the rest of his life.” “T’d like to fill him full of holes for giving us all this trouble,” said Ben. “He deserves some kind of punishment, but I'll be satisfied if I get the pearls back.” The perspiration was running off them when they reached the village. Kurhora led them hither and thither, making inquiries in the native tongue. Finally a man was found who knew Sa- lambo. He furnished the unpalatable informa- tion that the shark-caarmer had gone on to an- other village in the interior. “Gee! That’s bad,” said Ben. ‘What shall we do about it?” “Follow him,” replied Clif tersely. “He may have friends there who are likely to stand up for him, and we may get into all kinds of trouble,” said Ben. “Ym ready to chance that,” replied Clif. “I can’t afford to let that rascal get away with my Sigerty. : “Tt will be dark before we can get back to our - boat, and later still when we reach the schooner. - then entered the village on Captain Glaze will have fits over our absence. He won’t let us come ashore alone any more.” “J don’t care as long as I recover those pearls.” The promise of an additional rupee induced Kurhora to lead the way to the village Salambo was reported to have made for. " “J’ve an idea we'll catch him there, for he'll be- lieve he has thrown us off his track,” said Clif. “I hope so,” responded Ben. ; A kind of roadway led to the village in ques- tion, and the three followed it. The boys were compelled to stop and rest several times as the heat told heavily on them. The guide didn’t seem to mind it, but then he was accustomed to the cli- mate, In the course of two hours, or about sun- down, they reached the village. Clif decided that ‘they would attract too much attention by showing themselves in the place, and this would put Sa- Jambo on his guard if he was there. Kurhora was therefore instructed to enter the village alone and investigate the whereabouts of the shark- charmer. If he succeeded in finding where the rascal had taken refuge he was to return at once and rt to the boys. : f “We'll wait at the foot of this tree till you get back,” said Clif to the guide. “Understand? “Me understandin’, sa’b,” replied Kurhora, who his mission. “Gee! We're having quite an adventure after all, Clif,” said Ben, lying down on the grass and fanning his heated brow with his helmet. f “That’s what we are. On the whole, I’m begin- ning to feel sorry that we found those pearls. It goes against my grain to lose them to that rascal above all others. I wonder how he.knew we had o>. “He must have seen us buy the oysters and then followed us, and hid himself in the grass under banyan ” eon could he guess that we were likely to find : in th ers? We didn’t suspect the 5 one. obody could possibly tell what 2 those oysters contained besides putrid meat until be Pa ar and inspected.” 5 = - he followed us to play some trick on us in revenge for yesterday afternoon ’s incident, " “That's more like it, When he saw we had - joke, too. found valuable pearls, particularly that gold one, he made up his mind to steal them and suc- ceeded.” The boys gradually cooled off while awaiting their guide’s return. “It will soon be dark,” said Ben. “Even if we started back at once it would take us about three hours to reach the place where we left our boat. Pi vet the skipper has sent-Flint ashore by this time to look us up.” . “A number of the natives of the village there saw us start for the other village with Kurhora, and that will give Flint, if he comes ashore after us, a clue to the direction we’ve taken,” said Clif. “Oh, what’s the odds? We'll get back all right. Our guide knows it’s money in his pocket to treat us right.” A noise behind them at that moment attracted their attention. Turning to look they were sud- denly seized, each by a sinewy pair of arms, and thrown on their faces. In that position they were quickly bound by thongs and turned over again on their backs. Then they were raised into a sitting posture. They were so surprised by the . attack made upon them, as well as taken at sud- den disadvantage, that-they were able to make but slight resistance in their own behalf. When they looked to see who their enemies were their eyes » lighted on the very individual they were in quest of—the shark-charmer, Salambo, and there was a look of gratified malice on his crafty counte- nance that did not augur well for the future of the two boys. CHAPTER V.—A Startling Occurrence “How do you feel now, eh, sa’bs?” grinned Sa- lambo, making a mock bow to them. “What do you mean by treating us in this man- ner, you villain?” cried Clif angrily. “S’pose you tell why make Salambo walk plank yesterday af’noon, eh?” he replied. “That was only a joke. It didn’t hurt you any.” “Salambo no see joke. S’pose shark come up, catch him, bite him in two. What then, eh?” “You had a charm with you to protect pourself, didn’t you?” . Salambo grinned unpleasantly. It was clear ag 8 he Lontipe no ome — “J his own charms. ou play your joke, sa’b. ow Salambo pl How like dat?” a “Where are those pearls you stole from me, you rascal? You'd better hand them over or Cap- tain Glaze will make it hot for you.” “No care for big sa’b. Me shore. Him on arn 4 3 “He’ll send a party on shore to hunt you down.” “No find Salambo. Me go way long distance. No need sell more charm. Me well fixed. . No work more. Live like prince.” “I see what. you mean, you scoundrel. You in- tend to sell those pearls, and go to some other — par ot a to live.” make good . Heh i te: Se EE conside situation “T tell you what Ill do with you,” io! eek: “Hand over you may keep the gold one.” ; “No good do dat,” the rascal answered. “When me done wid sa’bs you do’nt need anyt’in’.” the white pearl and release us and

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wane. . 8 AFTER THE BIG Salambo’s remark sounded rather ominous. The boys wondered what his intentions were to- ward them. Did he mean to kill them in revenge for the fright their trick had given him? The outlook was certainly not a pleasant one. Sa- lambo gave some directions to his comrades. A rude wagon was brought forward, in the shafts of which was a one-eyed, sorry-looking horse. The boys were shoved -into it as though they were logs, two of the natives followed, while a third got on the seat, with the shark-charmer beside him, and started the horse ahead. The course they took skirted the village, and when they reached the other side they went on into the in- or. : oUt his is a nice fix we’re in now,” said Clif to his friend, eg lay stretched out beside him in e bottom of the wagon. ; ar should say so,” ee Ben. “If we don’t our finish we'll be lucky. er can’t imagine what the old rascal means to with us.” se dose doesn’t mean us any good, that’s certain.” “He seems to hold all the cards in his hands. “He’s taken two tricks so far, and the next may finish the game.” . “And us as well.” 3 “J hope not, but things look pretty blue. The wagon was a rickety affair, and the road full of ruts, so that the boys got an unpleasant shaking up during the ride. Ben growled every time he got a good bounce, and finally said that he was getting as sore all over as a healthy boil. Tt came on dark, but the sky was bright with nu- merous stars. Salambo and his companions talked among themselves in their native dialect, and the shark-charmer appeared to be in an ex- cellent humor. “No wonder,” thought Clif, “when he’s got the r hand of us, as well as a fortune in pearls is possession. It seems as if we’ve been rid- ing hours in this wagon, and yet I see no indica- tions of a stoppage for the night.” Another hour went by and the country grew wilder and more lonesome. The boys were not } _ aware of this fact, as they couldn’t see anything : EE but the high wooden sides of the cart. By and moon rose, making the night a gorgeous one. Occasionally the wagon passed a solitary hut by the wayside. There were no signs of life habited dwellings, but they seemed to be in- The ery of some wild animal could occa- lly be heard in the distance, but otherwise was still. At length the wagon entered traveling for some distance came to a i earing. ‘The natives jumped down them began gathering the material a The fire was lighted and wood put on it became quite a ruddy blaze. The boys could its reflection on the leaves and branches of Salambo and his gang gathered about fire and produced some food from the folds about their waists. — : y & ? : on an animated o attention was BLUE STONE “You don’t wish it any more than I do,” re- plied Clif. We made a mistake in chasing Salambo. It might be bad enough te lose those pearls, but they didn’t cost anything worth men- tioning. It would be a great sight worse if w> lost our lives. These chaps could. put us out cf the way and bury us in this wood so that our parents would never get the slightest clue as to our fate.” Ben didn’t feel easy over his com- panion’s suggestion. Salambo’s words that wheh he was done with them they wouldn’t need anything, and the fact that they were wholly at the rascal’s mercy, furnished the boy th unpleasant food for thought. After Salambo and his companions had finished their al fresco meal the fire was replen- ished. The shark-charmer and two of the natives lay down to rest while the fourth sat upon watch. The boys lay awake for hours, tortured by anxiety and hunger, and then fell into an un- easy slumber. The awoke at intervals during the night to find no change in the situation. The fire continued to burn brightly, and the natives took turns in watching the encampment. The moon went down and finally morning dawned. Soon ‘afterwards all hinds were astir and the journey was resumed without any particular at- tention being paid to the prisoners. After an hour’s travel the wagon came to a stop before a native hut. Salambo interviewed the Hindoo who lived there and secured some provisions of a simple kind. A portion of this was alloted to Clif and Ben, and they were partially unbound and told to eat. They were very Sar to do so, though the food was not particularly to their liking. They ate the cakes and drank the sweetened water with a relish and were then tied again. Salambo and his bunch ate their breakfast, then the horse and cart were started on again. Then fact that they were still alive when Salambo had such an excellent chance to put them out of the way during the preceding night somewhat revived the drooping spirits of the boys. “T guess he doesn’t intend to kill us,” Clif said to his friend as the cart jogged along across the country; “but I’d give something to know where the rascal is taking us, and why he is carrying us so far away from the coast, “It wouldn’t do us any good to know,’ returned Ben. “He’s bent on getting square with us in some measly way. I wouldn’t be surprised if he intends to leave us in some far-away and’ secluded lace to starve to death, or maybe hand us over a band of thugs to be strangled.” The latter suggestion sent a shiver through Clif. Both he and Ben had read enough about the murderous fraternity to fear contact with the. While it was true these religious scoundrels were not near so numerous in India as they had once been, there were still enough of them scat- tered around the country to make the name feared. Murder for plunder was their and they lived chiefly upon the property i from their victims, who were invariably strangled by a rope or cloth at a moment when they were “ uu . ti ot batnghag Sesame W Valijeet ux that?” Sana é ad :

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AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE 9 “The idea occurred to my mind, and I couldn’t help mentioning it,” answered Ben eoge duit did not reply, and the boys remained silent for some time, during which the cart continued on its way at the same old pace. Along about noon a stop was made at another solitary habi- tation. Here more food was obtained, and the boys received a share as before. The meal, how- ever, was not eaten near the dwelling, but in a lonesome spot a mile distant where the party rested for perhaps an hour when the journey was renewed. , ; : “Captain Glaze is in a big stew over us by this time,” said Clif. “Tl bet he is.” , “T1l wager he has several parties out scour- ing the country.” = bly elaine has a pretty good idea of what course the captain would pusue as soon as we were missed, and that is why he is carrying us so far inland.” “T wish we could get our hands loose. We could make it mighty hot for these rascals with our revolvers. It’s a wonder they didn’t search us when they captured us.” © _ “Salambo couldn’t have considered us worth searching.” : “He’d have found a fine gold watch on you if he had, and some rupees on both of us.” “Probably he'll search us later on when we reach our destination.” “Kurhora is bound to rt that we disap- peared on the outskirts of village he piloted us to. Don’t you think that the captain will send a search party into the interior after us?” “There is little doubt that he will. The ques- tion is, will he hit the direction Salambo has o” “I'm afraid his attempt to find us will be like hunting for a needle in a haystack. India is a big country, and there are jungles and other «lonesome places to burn in it. Flint said a jungle _was little better than a labyrinth, and I’m will- ing to believe him, though I never was in one. “Captain Glaze will leave no stone unturned to find us,” said Clif hopefully. “He'll employ the most ced guides he can find. He can’t afford to return to Madras and report to my father that we have disappeared until he has exhausted every possible effort to find us. “There isn’t much doubt of that, but he has a mi foxy old rascal to deal with. Salambo sine a grudge, anyway,/for the whipping he got last season. It will give him a whole lot satisfaction to make the captain as much these dwellings just before sunset, got more food, and went on to a secluded spot to eat it. This kind of provender was not at all to the boys’ Hiking. They were not. used to it, besides their on was very scanty, anyway, so that they Pett half starved by this time. c It was just dark when the party entered the gloomy precincts of a dense jungle. For an hour the cart continued on its way and then a halt was called at an open space where a fire was lighted and preparations made to pass the night as the previous one had been spent. Hardly was the fire under way when a blood-curdling screech awoke the silence of the glade. Some- thirie- struck the cart with such force that it toppled over on one side, dumping the boys. out toward the fire. “Good, Lord!” cried Clif, as his eyes roved back to the cart. “It’s a tiger!” It was a tiger, and a big one. It carried éon- sternation to Salambo and his associates. Pretty soon, to the dismay of all hands, the tiger pounced upon one of the natives and seized him in his mouth and walked-off with him. Al during the night animals of all kinds prowled arcind the camp, and the boys were glad when dawn appeared. CHAPTER VI.—In the Grasp of Sure Death. Daylight came soon after Clif went on watch for the third time. and he crawled out from under the cart and looked around it was a strange scene that met his eyes. They were evi- dently in the midst of a dense tropical looking forest, and Clif at once decided that it was an Indian jungie. At.any rate it co mded with on of ‘jungles he had read about in OKS. _“Perhaps it's the very jungle that Flint and his party were“last in. In that case Ben and I may happen to run across the temple of Jumna, where the god is that wears the famous big blue stone on his stomach. Gee! But I’d give a whole lot and take some risk to be able’ to say that I saw that god and the big blue stone face to face. It would be a big feather in our caps, bet your life. Hello! What’s this?” Clif stooped and. hee ee. a er eames y rge! it isn’t my handkerchief, and Ill bet the pearls are insite, Salambo have lost it last night when he skipped out in He hastily unknotted the handkerchief and, as ~ with He was so overjoyed that he rushed over to the wagon, awoke Ben and showed him the “Where were in a jungle as y “We're not very far in it,” he said. “We hag

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10 not reached it when Salambco stopped to get something to eat last night about synset.” “How do you know we weren’t in it then?’ “Because there weren’t so many trees around and above us as there are now. We could see that much from the bottom of the cart,” “We could see precious little from the bottom of the cart except the sky,” said Clif. “Say, I think we’d better get away from here soon. Salambo will be back here looking for those pearls, you can gamble on it.” “There isn’t any doubt of it he wasn’t gobbled up by some wild beast last night.” “No such luck. Those kind of chaps always light on their feet like a cat, and they have just as ‘many lives. Where’s the horse? Up Salt Creek?” : % “Ves. lies yonder half eaten. Some ani- mal] put him out of business.’’ “T- heard him screech during the night, and thought he was in for it. Well, the cart is no - good to us now. We'll have to do our traveling on foot.” “Tf don’ mind, if we can reach the coast all right,” 5 . “T’d rather reach a restaurant or a-hotel first,” said Ben with a sickly grin. “My stomach feels awfully empty.” : “It’s likely to remain so for awhile, I’m afraid. I don’t see any indications of breakfast coming our way.” “Well, what direction shall we go in? That’s a very important point. If we take the wrong one——” . “The sun rises in the east, doesn’t it?” “That’s what my geography said.” “The coast lies to the east. If we aim in the direction of the rising sun we ought to reach some part o fthe coast in time. I don’t know _ any better course to follow.” Whatever “Go , then, and I'll follow. you say goes with me.” - pa “Then I’m the leader of this expedition?” “You are. You’re elected by unanimous vote.” “Then come on.” The boys started off in the direction of the glow of the rising sun and were soon threading their way through the jungle. “Say Ben,” said Clif, “how would you like to yun across the temple of Jumna—where the idol is with the big blue stone ” “Tip tcp; but I’d rather run across a square meal first.” : “Same here, but I wouldn’t mind whether it ty was , round or oblong, so long as it was . am ; “Say, what the deuce is that thing yonder?” said Ben, pointing at an object showing above the grass on their right. ‘ “As I’m not a mind reader or an Indian fakir I eouldn’t tell you. We'll go over and find out.’ SE “Why, it’s a pair of saddle bags!” exclaimed _ Ben, as they drew near it. “So it is, and a modern one, too. what it’s doing here?” said Clif. Hello! I wonder SS die Here's a fine rifle and a catridge belt on alongside of it: This must be our lucky Clif.” Ben picked up the gun, which bore name of a noted Enelish manufacturer and ; the belt around his waist. 'Salambo monkeys with us now I'll make he peri Clif hauled the saddle- é ee at WwW : gun he never could explain afterward AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE bags toward him and began to investigate the pockets. The first thing he brought to light was - ~ a flask of brandy, with a Bombay trademark. Then out came several small packages. Opening one of them, Clif’s eyes glistened as he saw that it contained some sandwiches made of meat and _ bread. - “Howling dervishes!” ejaculated Ben. “Grub ?’’ “That’s what it is. Take one and get busy,” said Clif. flopping down on the grass and dig- ging his teeth into a sandwich. “Gosh! But this tastes good,”’ mumbled Ben, with his mouth full. “Don’t choke yourself, old man.” There were four of the sandwiches, and they disappeared in an incredibly short time. “TI wish I had a drink,” said Ben. “If that brandy was only water, or even a light wine, I'd tackle it.” An investigation of the second saddle-bag resulted in the discovery of two flasks i soda. The boys finished one of them between them. “T feel like a fighting cock, b’gee!”’ said Ben, throwing out his chest. “I could eat a whole lot more, thought.”- “We can’t afford to eat everything up at once. I'll carry these saddle-bags while you wrestle with the rifle,” said Clif. “Some English traveler owned this rifle and those bags,” said Ben. “Something must have happened to him, for he wouldn’t have volun- tarily abandoned them.” “Yes, it is very odd that we should find them here in the jungle,” replied Clif. “It was a fortunate thing for us that we found the saddle- bags, at any rate. Might be the means of saving us from starvation.” “Those sandwiches did us a whole lot of good, bet. your life,” nodded Ben. “I felt as empty as a bag of wind.” “That rifle ought to come in very handy, Ben,” said Clif. “We should be able te shoot some game that we can cook and eat on our way té the coast.” “Great idea,” said Ben. “What game are we likely *to find? Elephants?” “Don’t be furny. We’H find monkeys, for one thing.” “Oh, Lord! I couldn’t eat a monkey.” “How do you know you couldn’t if you were hungry enough?” °— . “T’d_ sooner shoot birds.” : “Well, we’ll shoot anything that looks good enough to eat when cooked.” : After that Ben kept his weather eve lifting = for some kind of game. He saw a mon= keys, but he wouldn’t throw a on one. Finally he wounded a’ bird of gay ‘3 like a quail in plumage that looked somethin size and build. Putting a fresh “cartridge in rifle he tossed the gun to Clif and then dashed into the underbush after the wounde bird. E hy he paused to put that i in the not done it, it is probable he ' have left the jungle alive. Clif heard him beat- ng around among the 1 his efforts to locate the bird. passed, and then Clif heard his com a cry of terror, and immediately ™y,

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AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE 11 began shouting for help in a tone that showed something serious had happened to him. Clif lost not a moment in hurrying to his assistance. Ben’s cries continued and directed his friend to the spot where he appeared to be making a desperate struggle with some deni- zen of the jungle. It took but a brief time to reach the scene of the trouble, and then a sight met his gaze that fairly staggered him. Ben was in the grasp of a huge boa constrictor, which was trying to get its tail around a big tree in order to secure the necessary purchase to squeeze its victim into a pulp. CHAPTER V1I.—Saved. Clif uttered a gasp of consternation and then woke up to the necessity for instant action if Ben’s life was to be saved. The unfortunate boy’s cries suddenly ceased. The horror and apparent hopelessness of his situation had proved too much for him, and he relapsed into unconsciousness. @ The noise made by Clif attracted the notice of the huge snake, and suspecting the presence - @f an enemy it stopped its movements and held up its hideous looking head in a wary manner. Instantly Clif sank on one knee, took careful aim at one of the gleaming eyes and fired. The ball the serpent’s eye and brain, and the great reptile began to thresh the ure of the jungle in its death gles. winding folds held Ben in a close embrace, and the boy was rolled around and from side to side, while the snake’s body whipped it- a self about like a live electric wire on a rampage. Clif could do nothing further to finish the boa constrictor. The serpent was practically dead, for its head followed the movernents of the body in a limp and aimless fashion. The vitality of the reptile, however, was great, and therein nz Ben’s peril. tightened its went straight through on a tree before he was shot Clif’s chum would in op. pechalal’y have been squeezed to death. , began * @way at ‘its body where it encircled his frien He had rt ge e of his life trying to make head- way, though his knife was sharp but as he cut through one fold after another of the three e strain on Ben was eased up till Clif was : lly able to release him from his terrible 7 i oS mouth poured some a er omy lips. This encouraged him to rserve i treatment. A second dram snmatomesd to the ~ sensible boy brought on a spasmodic fit of cough- ing, at the end of which Ben opened his eyes. How do you feel, old man?” asked Clif eager- y. Ben looked up into his face in a dazed way that showed he did not realize the situation. ‘After a moment or two Clif repeated the question. Ben tried to raise himself, but fell back on the grass. He was dizzy and weak, and it was some little time before he remembered what had happened to him. Then he shuddered and uttered a frightened ery. “The snake! The snake!” he palpitated. “Out of business,” replied Clit ae “Out of. aed “Dead.” “Dead?” “As a coffin nail.” “How. ” “T shot it.” “You shot ®! Exactly. Through the head. Had 1 missed Baraat - a missed,” repeated Clif, “I’m af could not have saved you. I never saw but .3 other serpent like that and it was a dopy loo’ thing in the Greatest Show on Earth at the - son Square Garden two years ago. This one was a holy terror to look at in his native wilds. To Setes | epee teln’s ialllion atiane Gea wouldn ea on d ‘run the risk you did.” = Ben shuddered again. “It was awful,” he whispered in a weak tone. ‘ “I believe you. I hope we won’t meet another.” One is enough to frighten a year’s growt a Pep. ae eR you run ~ of it?” oe ‘was coiled up among the bush ped right on it when searching for thet baa “ley = a. bef was around me ore I could reach. The squeeze it gave me sche Ben Ei sha’n’t fo t in a hurry. I could feel my bones aeett it hed. “Tf j got a hold on one of ’ have understood how it feels to B- betas tee eed ap ike ee See Your ribs would have ike so much paper, and been a fit subject for an sodertaker? oo Don’t talk about it any more. I’ll see that " snake in my sleep f ” it =. eep for a month. *t be surprised. How do you feel « pS A ze you able ” Fe on a bit?” me up, an i can’t do any better.” will make a bluff at it if I i ar soater mouthful of the brandy. It will “Gee! But I feel as weak as a cat,” said Ben i threw the saddle-bags over his shoulder rifle. EX. , a as ae ” ha Ya

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5% % 12 be getting dopey. I guess your helmet is in the bushes where the dead snake is.” He threw down the bags and the rifle and went to hunt up his friend’s headgear. As he approach- the spot where the dead snake lay he heard a chattering going on. Not knowing exactly what it meant he advanced with some caution. When he reached the edge of the spot a comical sight met his view. Four monkeys—father, mother, and two youngsters, were amusing themselves with Ben’s helmet. The one Clif took for the mother, because it was a little smaller than the largest, had the helmet on her head. Being much too large for her it hid her head and shoulders from view, and she was making desperate efforts to escape from it. She was balked in this by the two little ones, who, seemingly impressed by the idea that their parent was lost in-the helmet, were searching for her on the outside of it, sitting on top of it and feel- ing all over it, with such a series of grimaces and -chatterings that Clif couldn’t help laughing - heartily at the odd sight. : : The old chap made no effort to relieve his em- barrassed spouse, but sat at one side scratching his tail and grinning like a fiend, as if he were ’ tickled at his wife’s dilemma and her frantic contortions to get rid of the helmet. Fi- ; the female monk got out of the helmet, and the article in both hands flung it in the di- “fection that Clif stood. He stooped and picked it Phe he straightened up the four sapnheys had retreated to a near-by tree and were mak- ing all kinds of grimaces at him. Clif laughed again and returned to Ben, whom he regaled with the monkey incident. : “It was the funniest thing I ever saw in my life,” he said, chuckling at the recollection. Ben said he wished he had been a spectator H feeling ; nd Boose He ag their 2 hie rset f re = - CHAPTER VIII.—In the Grip of a Thug. The on by slow stages during the morning but 1b pith Be improved, and oben the stop- t some more of the rations in the bag he ‘ped to ea - ohared he felt almost as well as ever, barring a soreness of the ribs. In the afternoon they struck a kind of trail through the jungle, and they de- cided to follow it, though it took them a bit off their course. : 3 “This path may lead us right out of the ” said + Ps eee ey aS ee AB gy Se ay ee AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE that foreigners are not permitted to enter the temple he and his friends would never have got back alive. I’m satisfied that he was joshing us, with the idea of making himself out as some pumpkins.” “That might be so,” admitted Clif. “Sailors like to spin tough yarns.” “He’s treated us to some hard ones, all right. You remember that one about the grizzled ma- riner- he said his ship met crossing the Indian Ocean ona hen-coop?” “Do I? I should smile! He told that yarn as solemnly as if it were gospel truth. I wonder if he really expected us to swallow such a lie?” “Sure he did. He said he saw that sailor and that hen-coop as plain as he saw us while he was telling thestory. The captain hailed the chap and asked him how long he’d been knocking about on that craft.” “And the fellow replied six weeks,” grinned Clif, “at the same time claiming that he felt as jolly as a sand-boy, whatever that is.” “He refused to be picked up, saying he = ed to make the coast of Java in a month. en the captain asked him what he lived on he point- ed at three hens in the coop and remarked that he® pared cite ae montanes at the same time ng a couple up to- ipper to prove the fact. If Flint can get off such a yarn as that we are justified in taking his story about the risk he and his friends ran in the temple of Jumna with a large grain of salt.” “I guess so. If we run across that temple, I, for one, am going to see the big sapphire a that winks once a year.” “That’s another yarn as bad as Flint’s.” “T reckon it is.” The boys followed the trail until they reached a clearing about sundown. : “We'd better camp here for the night,” said Clif. “I don’t see any chance of our getting out of this jungle before dark.” “I’m willing,” agreed Ben. “You can see it has been used as a camping- ground by somebody, for there are the ashes of several fires.” ; Clif threw down the saddle bags in the center of the clearing, and then both he and Ben started to gather a bountiful supply of fuel to make a couple of fires for the purpose of keeping at bay the tigers, hyenas, jackals, leopards, and other beasts that made night vocal with their cries and preyed upon the unwary. While thus engaged Clif discovere@a wild tur- key perched on a neighboring tree, The bird fell a victim to his accurate aim. “How shall we cook it?” asked Ben. “Roast him on a spit?” “We haven’t any spit. fashion.” “How is that?” “Cover it, feathers and all, in a casing of mud. Then dig a hole, fill it with hot embers, Lee | the bird on top of them, and cover all well wi dry earth.” : “Who showed you how to cook that way?” “Nobody. I read it in a story book.” “Where are you going to get the mud?” “There’s a irivulet of fresh water yonder. can get all the mud we want there.” : “Well, you can boss the job. Well cook it gypsy We Tl devote my > i

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AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE 18 energies to making a fire and digging the hole,” replied Ben. : Clif carried the turkey to the little stream and soon had a thick coating of mud around it. By - that mite the fire burning in fine shape and Ben was just finishing the hole. In the course of time the dinner was cooked to a turn. The feath- ers came off clean, and then an incision in the ab- domen got rid of the entrails. “Gee! This is bang-up,” said Ben as he began on a drumstick. “It knocks spots out of some tur- keys I’ve eaten at home: Who’d have thought it could be cooked so fine in such primitive style?” “Tt takes the gypsies to do things up brown in the cooking line,” replied Clif. = “Tt’s a fine thing to know when a fellow goes out camping with a frjend or two in the woods.” “It’s beginning to get dark. We must replenish the fire and get a second ready to light. I hope they will protect us against the beasts of prey. You haven’t forgotten what we heard last night at the other camping spot.” : “Bet your life I haven’t. I’m sorry we haven’t the cart here. It was as good as a fort.” “J’ve heard it said that even tigers have a strong objection to venturing too close to a fire. One of us must keep awake at a time to keep the fires going.” Darkness, as usual in tropical countries, came on quite suddenly. The second fire was lighted, and Clif, after a survey of the fuel remaining, decided to get some more before the wild animals began to get busy. He started off into the bushes, keeping a sharp eye out for a possible snake. Hardly had he departed before a dusky form ap- red at the opposite edge of the clearing. Ben - fad lain down to rest himself, and from all indi- cations he seemed to be asleep. The dark = ody worked around till Ben’s back was toward him, then he began crawling out toward the boy. He made his way so noiselessly across the dry grass that Ben was not cognizant of his stealthy approach. At last he got quite close to the recum- bent boy, who by that time had grown drowsy be- tween the heat of the fires and the climate, added - to the fatigue of the day and the rough handling he had received from the boa constrictor. The in- truder listened carefully to Ben’s breathing. Sat- isfied that the boy was asleep he came closer still till he actually bent over him. —. “A white boy and alone in pp lve he mut- tered in Hindoostance. “He will do as well as another to fulfill my vow to Kali.” : Those words proclaimed the man to be a thug. Why he was alone was not apparent. It was prob- able that he had friends at no great distance. To discover a lone white boy in the clearing was a - great surprise to him, but as he needed a victim to propitiate the goddess he served in common with his fanatical sect he greeted the stranger's presence with extreme satisfaetion. Indeed, his superstitious mind actually conceived the idea that Kali had herself provided the victim that he — lose no more time in making the sacrifice. lowly and cautiously he drew from about. his effectively as he wished, so the boy and frighten rc =i : >. ; > > hep ight b ee ee a a immediately while the. victim was somewhat dazed by being suddenly awakened. Ben started into wakefulness with more alert- ness than the thug had bargained for, but he was. not to be deterred from his murderous act on that Hello! Wh ? ; _ “Hello ‘ho are you?” demanded Ben, n - ishing the wicked look reflected by the fire Sn the fellow’s eyes. “Look out! Snake! Snake!” cried the thug in Hindoo language. Ben didn’t understand his meaning, but he fol- lowed the direction that the rascal pointed. That was what the-thug wanted. With a swift move- ment, born of long experience, he whisked the cloth around Ben’s neck and drew it tight. The boy struggled violently, but the villain had him at a disadvantage. It would have been all up with Ben in a few seconds but for the fact that at that crucial moment Clif issued from the shrubbery with an armful of wood. He saw the thug bend- ing over his companion and Ben struggling in his grip. He dropped the wood, drew his revolver and sprang forward. He fired straight at the black face that looked strange and uncanny in the glow- of the fire... With a cry of agony the thug fell back, writhed for a moment on. the grass and then lay still. CHAPTER IX.—Clif and Ben Meet With an Adept and Get. Evidence of Occult Forces. _Clif sprang forward as Ben tore the cloth from his neck and gasped for breath. He looked down = ne ae eS i ee by any means, as e ad not en is brain, but h: off his thick skull. = soi “What was he doing to you, Ben?” Clif in- er to chok th tha rying oke me wi t - “What! A thug?” re. * ay Uess! That’s what he must be,” replied Ben. I was dozing here waiting for you to get back when I felt a hand on my shouderl. I started up and saw the fellow’s villainous countenance peer- ing into mine. I think his eyes were worse than Salambo’s, and that’s saying a good deal. He said something in his outlandish language and pointed at the grass beyond this fire. When I looked to see what he was getting at he put the cloth around my neck and started to choke’ me with it. If you handn’t shot him he’d have done me up. Is he dead?” : yee F asin breathing.” “He déserves to be finished. - der me, all right.” He meses tear “I’m not sorry I didn’t kill him, bad as he is. _ Tm not anxious to h hand s ave human blood on my elf-defense is the first law of i we let him get away he soxtes tone cue ¥ pe upon us later on. He’s like a snake in the “Phere’s a strag in that . We’ i hands behind him,” said Chr. Se Bho better lose no time doing it, then,” said eee eS

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14 duty fell to Ben. Clif had been asleep perhaps thirty minutes when he was awakened by a shriek. “Good Lord!” he ejaculated. “What was that?” _ “Some beast crept up and nabbed the thug,” said Ben in a tremor of excitement. “What! In spite of the fire?” “Yes.” ; “Why didn’t you shoot?” “Couldn’t if I’d wanted to. I didn’t see the ani- mal till he had the rascal and was dragging him away. Serves the chap right. We’re well rid of him.” The air was full of animal cries, and the boys could see glaring eyes circling in the darkness around the edge of the clearing. Clif seized the rifle and fired directly at a pair of fiery orbs. A snarling whine followed, then a rush of other ani- mals to the spot, a tussle in the gloom of the jungle, growls, yelps and other hideous sounds, and after that a temporary silence. . “You killed or wounded some beast and _ the rest of the prowlers have made short work of his body,” said Ben, “I'll bet there isn’t much left of him now.” — The night passed in constant alarm, and the boys were glad when daylight drove the beasts back to their lairs. After a good breakfast of the remains of the turkey and a drink of water from the stream they proceeded onward, still following the trail. Once more midday overtook them still in the jungle. : They made a meal off the rest of the provender in the saddle-bags and finished the soda. They still had a good part of the brandy and one of the soda water bottles filled with water they had taken from the rivulet that morning. ‘ “No use carrying these bags ang further,” said Clif. “They’re a nuisance. The stuff that’s in them is of little value to us.” : Accordingly when they moved on again the bags were left hanging on a low branch of a tree for some wandering native to appropriate if he saw fit. An hour later the boys saw a cave a short dis- tance from the trail. : ; “Let’s go over and see what it looks like in- side,” suggested Ben.~ : Clif had no objection. As they’drew near the lace the entrance was suddenly filled by a me- See re ee 9 i of dark skin, with a weird and uncanny look. “ 4 “Welcome, sa’bs,” he said in good English. “Tye been expecting you. Enter my habitation, < where you may rest and refresh yourselves. It is written be ne I on to Fess hospitality to two young sa’bs lately from erica.” . Clif y nh de at Ben in some astonishment and his friend returned his gaze. How was it possible : _ for this old man to know that they were coming & that way; and, more wonderful still, how did he _-~- ‘Yearn that they were fresh from the United States? They regarded him with awe and some little trepidation. : “Be not alarmed, young sa’bs. I am Feringeea, the Mahatma. I have reached that degree of en- , pepntentoent that has placed me on the spiritual plane. What is hidden from those of material old is as plain to me as the sunlight. Enter and behold much that is not often acoerded fo mortal eves.” “sist the bors followed the adept fnte the cave. The % 4 A eee te At AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE Mahatma led the way into an iner cavern of some size, and as soon as Clif and Ben were able to dis- tinguish objects they saw, to their consternation, that the place was peopled by a collection of snakes, birds and a tiger. @ “Keep close to me and be not afraid,” said the Hindoo. He took a brass vessel from a stone shelf and sprinkled a portion of its contents about. He alse took down a long staff and placed it across the cavern. The effect astonished the boys. The rep- tiles recoiled from the spot as if in great fear. The tiger receded to the darkest corner and crouched against the wall. The birds flew as high as they could go and perched about in various nooks in the rocky walls. “You are perfectly safe as long as you do not pass across that staff,” said the strange man in soft tones. “Be not disturbed by any sights or sounds that may appear to be incomprehensible to you. My power is.absolute over all living and inanimate objects. This power I have acquired by a lifetime of self-denial and contemplation.” “You say you were expecting us?” said Clif. “How did you know we were coming this way?” “By the power I possess. You were brought to the jungle by a man who is a great rascal.” “That isn’t any lie,” replied Clif in surprise. “He intended to turn you both over to a soci of phansigars, who would have murdered robbed you.” “Phansigars!” exclaimed Clif. “You know them as thugs.” “Ah!” said the boy. “T saved you.” “You.” “I sent the tiger you see yonder to scatter the man and his companions.” “Gracious!” “The saddle-bags and rifle I placed in your way for your sustenance and protection.” Ben gasped and looked at the Mahatma. ‘“Had you not shot and wounded one of the sacred birds of India you would have come hither unmolsted.. Had you killed the bird,” he con- tinued, looking at Ben, “your death by the ser- pent would have been certain. As it is you were punished for the sacrilege.” “You. seem to know all we've gone through,” said Clif. “I do. You wish further evidence of my | power?” asked the adept, fixing the boy with his dark, liquid eyes. “T don’t know,” replied »Clif hesitatingly. “At this moment there is an adept talking to your father in his office at Madras,” said the Hahatma. 2 “There is?” ; “He is asking him to send you a brief message.” Clif had his doubts about that. “That message will reach me in a few minutes,” said the man solemnly. Clif and Ben looked at each other in some in- crerulity. “I see you doubt it. Be silent and wait.” a As the Mahatma spoke he grew rigid and his es assumed a stony stare, like one in a trance. boys regarded him with growing fear, as the light from the suspended brazier fell upon his dark, set countenance. They asked themselves what was going to happen, and did not dare break

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the injunction of the adept to remain silent... Not a sound broke the stillness of the cavern. Not even a move from the reptiles, the birds and the tiger, all of whom seemed to be carved in stone. It was a thrilling moment for the boys, and one they never forgot. Suddenly the man’s features and limbs relaxed. He was himself again. “Tt is coming,” he said in solemn tones. As the boys gazed at him spellbound something white fluttered into his lap. The Mahatma picked it up and handed it to Clif. » “Open,” he said laconically. : Clif obeyed the injunction. This is what he read in his father’s well-known hand-writing: “CONSULATE OFFICE, MADRAS, 3 P. M., July 20. “My Dear Boy: Your mother and I are quite well and eagerly awaiting your return. I write this at the request of a religious enthusiast known in this coufttry as an adept. He says he will see that you get it. It will no doubt be easy for him to send it down the coast to the schooner, as the natives will do anything for these men. Hoping it will come to hand all right, I will close with a God bless you, and the wish for your speedy re- “Your affectionate father, “GEORGE HALLIDAY.” -Clif uttered a gasp of amazement. There was no getting away from the fact that this was his father’s handwriting. A brief mental retrospect told him that this day was July 22. Mechanically he pulled out his watch. The time indicated, ac- cording to his own guess-work setting two nights before as he sat under the cart after the breaking up of Salambo’s pa by the tiger, was 3:30. It was probably at least half an hour out of the way, one way or the other, Here was a note writ- ten by his father in his office at Madras two ‘days previous and the distance between the cave and the town was—well, he did not know, but it was more than 100 miles, he could swear to that. By that kind of hocus pocus had that note come to his hand? Clearly here seemed proof of the occult powers claimed by the adepts of India. But the real fact was that this fakir had stolen the note from a messenger who was carrying it to the ship, and learning who the boys were he had been trying to mystify them. ; reply a succession of piercing the cave from the outside. Dashing forward he struck e face that dislodged his turban and AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE 15 caused a part of it to fall over his eyes. Partly releasing the girl he grasped the cloth to raise it from his eyes so that he could make out who his assailant was, at the same time uttering maledic- tions in Hindoostanee that Clif did not understand nor care for. , _ “Save me! Save me!” cried the girl frantically, in Bir saseun if gave-the native another staggering blow and tore the girl from His grasp. The Hindoo pulled the cloth from his face and glared at his young aoa sa _ He was evidently astonished to see two white boys before him. That fact, however, did not de- ter him from seeking to recover the girl, who was now clinging to Clif as hard as she could and pene ee ve pat her. “Don’t fear, I'll protect you,” replied Clif. _The Hindoo drew a long knife ya a sheath in his waistband and advanced menacingly on Clif. “Stand back or I’ll shoot you full of holes!” cried Ben covering the man with his revolver. The native may not have understood his words, but the pointed weapon was an object lesson he was too prudent to disregard. He muttered some threatening words and pointed at the girl. “Take her into the cave, Clif,” said Ben. “I’ll keep this fellow at bay.” Cliff took the hint and carried the girl into the outer cave, At that moment he heard the crack of Ben’s revolver, and a moment after Ben made his appearance. banat did you do—shoot the man?” asked if, “I chased him away. Where is the fakir?” “In the inner cave, I suppose. I haven’t seen him. Cheer up, miss, I guess you’re safe enough The girl gradually stilled her hysterical so ae finally took her arms from. dround Clits neck. “Thank you, ah, thank you for savin that man,” she said gratefully. oe “Don’t mention it. You’re welcome. What’s ~ your name, miss? And how is it you are out in this janaies . y name is Elise Holt. I am Englis father is consul-general at Bombay. We te yo the suburbs of the city. One night a week ago was in our garden quite alone, looking at the new moon. Two natives came upon me suddenly from behind, and stifling my cries, hurried me to a palanquin outside. I fainted in their arms ,an when I came to myself I was being carri through a mountain pass many miles from my home. My screams caused the men to stop and one of them came to me and threatened knife unless I kept quiet. I was recognized him as a servant who: A discharged a short time before. ~ pees Po = all night through the mountains. In the morni Bes they stopped at a hut where I was put in charge : of a Hindoo woman. That night I was rem # further into the interior to another dwelling. ie night at a house and tered this jungle in the | =. morning. We h Taare toe éling ® ave n véling tw resting last night in a whece I sleep on account of the wild’ ‘ that ened me. Awhile ago when : were Pee

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16 find a place of refuge. Anything was better than the fate designed for me by that man.” “What fate was it?” . “He intended to take me to te temple of Jumna and marry me.” “How did you know that?” “T heard the man explain his plans to his com- panion.” “Then you understand the Hindoo language?” “Almost perfectly,” the girl replied. “You have been some time in India, then?” “Since I was a little girl. You will take me wk to my parents, won’t you?” she said plead- ingly. “T’ll take you to Madras, where my father is the American consul. That is the best I can do, Miss Holt.” “You are American?” “Yes.” “What is you name?” eee Halliday, and this my friend, Ben =" Ben nodded and the girl smiled at him. “Your father will return me to Bombay, I am sure,” she said. se “He'll see that you get there. My mother is in Madras, too, and you shall remain with us until my father communicates with your folks.” - “Thank you. I am very grateful to you, Mr. Halliday. T’ll never forget what I owe you, nor take me from him. Oh, I should have died had he taken me to the temple.” ey ae wee temple of Jumna is in this jungle, is it?”, (Be : “How far from Here?” “Five miles.” ; “Does that path outside lead to it?” - “Tt does.” ~“Ben and I thought of going there.” “You must not.” : “Why not? We want to see the idol and the great blue stone.” i : “The Treasure of the Jungle!” she exclaimed with a look of fear. “You would not be permitted _ to see it. No foreigner is allowed to enter the temple.” : . oa “T know several who did it,” said Clif. eee The girl shook her head. $ ; “No foreigner who may have entered that tem- > ple has lived to tell the story.” __ : “That’s where you’re wrong, Miss Holt. A sail- or named Flint, attached to a schooner in the Cey- lon pearl fishery trade, was_in that temple with ts three companions. He described the idol and the big blue stone fully to us.” The girl seemed to be incredulous. : “At any rate, you mustn’t go there,” she said ‘ Clif and Ben looked greatly disappointed. Hav- ; ing learned that the temple of Jumna was only _ five miles away by a beaten track they were more 3 ous than ever to visit it. : told that they — not go there was not how brave you were to attack that big native and- 25 aE AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE girlish beauty and engaging ways, and both wished to make a good impression on her. It needed no great astuteness to see that Elise Holt was particularly attracted to Clif. He performed a —s and gallant act in her behal and that alone ‘pee isposed her in her favor. His manly ways and good looks had their effect on her, too. Therefore, before long Ben had to admit that Clif had the pull with the handsome English girl, and he metaphorically threw up the sponge. uddenly Clif recollected the adept. “Go into the inner cave, Ben, and see what the oaks is doing. Look out for the tiger and the snakes.’ Ben entered the cavern and was gone but a | moment or two. “He isn’t in there,” he told Clif. “He isn’t?” “No, nor his menagerie, either. empty of living things. There is a gsupply of rice and fruit laid out in bowls on a rug. Prob- ably it is meant for us, for the old fellow told us it was written we were to enjoy his hospitality.” “As he and his animals couldn’t have left the cavern this ise. 4 without our seeing them go, there must be a back entrance to the place.” “No doubt there is, but I didn’t notice it.” “Are you hungry, Miss Holt?” asked Clif politely. “Yes,” she answered with a little rueful smile. “Then you shall dine with us. Is that brazier alight, Ben?” es. “Then we'll go inside and eat. I wouldn’t mind a myself. We haven’t any fruit since we left the schooner.” “Nor rice, either,” said Ben. The girl looked doubtfully at the entrance to the inner cavern, and h close to Clif, as her protector, as Ben led the way inside. There was a bountiful supply of provisions displayed on the eT he fakir figured on Miss Holt,” said Clif, pointing at three smal] mats placed about the rug, and three bowls of cooked rice in front of each of them. “The fakir is alf to the mustard in my opinion,” said Ben a; rovingly. “T wonder what’s in those little stone bottles?” “Taste it and see,” said Clif. “Some kind of a sweet drink, like light wine,” replied Ben, after taking a sip. The three made a hearty meal on the good things, and while eating Clif told the gir! all about their experiences since leaviug the schooner on the afternoon of the third day previous. Miss Holt shuddered at the story of Ben’s narrow es- cape from the boa constrictor and regarded Clif more admiringly than ever. It was easy to see that she was already more than half in love with her rescuer. As for Clif, he was about dead gone on the fair girl himself by this time. Ben began to realize that he was de trop, which is French for being in the way. couldn’t very well efface himself under the cir- cumstances, so he contented himself with putting in a word once in a while. Clif wound up his narrative with the remarkable performance of the 2 “Why, he actually produced a letter from father to me out of the air.” he said. “I cane gk Jn ae The cave is. ee > ta ee Lae ay ae oe ae C= oe ee ae Sg) ae ee ee ee ee oe However, he.« wf’:

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AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE yf must have hypnotized us first and we imagined e = “No,” said the girl. “those Mahatmas are gifted with wonderful powers.” = “You don’t mean that, do you?” cried Clif in eo “T do, for I’ve seen them do tricks.” “What did you see them do?” “We had an old and peculiar jar with a crack in it which we left in our London home where my aunt lived. As an evidence of his power, an adept, who enjo' = father’s hospitality one day, agreed to bring:that jar to India inside of twenty- four hours.” “Did he do it?” asked “Inside of the stipulated time he seemed to pro- duce that jar in our sitting-room in Bombay,” replied the girl with a positive nod of her head. ‘Did Sec see it?” “J did, and held it in my hands. We all agreed that it was the jar, for the crack was in the right place. But when the man departed the jar van- ished and papa said he hypnotized us and that we imagined we saw the jar.” “We'll take your word for it,” said Clif. “Then fa think that letter was from my father, and awa lif incredulously. it came from Madras, 100 or more miles “You can easily prove it by asking your father on your return if he wrote such a letter.” “That’s so,” replied Clif. “If he did—well any I'l be willing to believe those fakirs can do all they claim.” “Where is the letter?” Elise asked. “The letter!” ejaculated Clif, tching his ear. “Blessed if 1 know. I had it in my hand when we heard you scream outside and then I for- got all about it and rushed to your aid. Look around, Ben, and see if it-is on the floor here.” Both boys looked, but the letter was not around. * “Its gone. The fakir must have picked it up and put it somewhere.” - talked together till it grew dark and then Clif said they would remain at the cave until Morning, as it wasn’t safe to travel through the jungle at night. tase : ou can sleep in here, Miss Holt, and we'll lie down near the entrance. Ben and I will take turns watching.” As the girl felt tired and sleepy they left her and went into the outer cave. CHAPTER XI.—What Happened in the Night. Soon after Clif went on watch the wind rose outside in the jungle. And with the wind came ,a terrible thunder and lightning storm. For an hour it raged with a fearful violence. The thunder seemed to shake the very earth, while the ne wee the brightest the boys had ever seen in ir lives. Ben couldn’t sleep in such an uproar, and he sat up during his watch. Just as the storm seemed to be passing away a terrific ‘ : struck the. outer cave and: laid the out unconscious on the stony floor. The bolt came with the tail end of the storm, which passed _ gway toward the coast. Twenty minutes later _- geveral forms crept to the mouth of the - eave. Entering the places with great caution they en found the scious forms of the two boys. A The leader of the party was the big Hindoo from whom Clif had wrested Elise Holt. He ordered the boys to be bound hand and foot. This was quickly done, and they were carried to the back of the cave. The Hindoo and his companions then went into the inner cave. In a few moments the place resounded with Elise’s cries. “Help! Help! Clifford, save me, oh, save me!” But Clif, like Ben, was dead to the world for the time being, and neither could help her. She was dragged shrieking from the cave and forced into the palanquin, where she fainted and was a away by two natives, the entire party fol- lowing. : _It was close on to daylight when Clif eame to his senses. When he attempted to sit up he found he reas , a “Good gracious! I’m bound hard and f: What’s the meaning of it?” he asked linself tk no little consternation. “Ben! Ben! Where are you, old fellow?” e received no ly, for altho Ben was stretched close behind him he was still insensible to his surroundings. “What the deuce can have happened?” contin- ued Clif in a fever of perplexed impatience. “Who could have bound me, and how could it have been done without my becoming aware of the fact?” From his reflections it was apparent that Clif had no idea that he and his friend had been knocked out by the thunderbolt. “Can this be some crooked work on the part of the fakir? I mery think so. He acted friendly to us. Had he wanted to do us up he had every chance when we first entered the cave, Where can Ben be? Ben! Ben! I say, Ben!” As before, he received no gt no to his shouts. Then he began shouting for Miss Holt, but the girl didn’t appear, as a matter of course. “There is something decidedly wrong. last thing I remember we were having pg thunderstorm. Now the storm is gone. I must have been insensible for some time. What made me insensible? That’s what I want to know.” Daylight came on quickly once it got sta and then Clif discovered Ben within a ona feet of him. His friend was just recovering con- sciousness. “Say, you’re a hard one to wake up,” said Clif. “I see you’re in the same fix I’m in—bound hand and foot. I s’pose you haven’t any idea how this bs rag en hardly heard him, so astoni on discovering his predicament. weet: “What in thunder does this mean, Clif?” he . asked. “That’s the question I’ve been asking you,” re types. Clit. 2 on’t you know anything about it?” “T haven’t the faintest idea.” re “Why, you’re bound, too.” “You bet I am, hard and fast.” “Gee whiz! been made prisoners.” “Looks li thing of our captors since I woke up about an hour ago.” - \ “Do you think it was the fakir who served us Something has happened. We've it, but I haven’t seen ; or heard ~~ :

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18 “Oh, ask me something easy, will you?” “But somebody did it. Sie “Sure thing. We couldn’t have done it in our sl Td Blow about Miss Holt? Call her and get her to cut us “Have called her, but she hasn’t made her ap- ce.” “Then I have it,’ said Ben, as if the mystery had been suddenly selved. “You the chap who carried her from her home; and from whom rescued her?” s } “I remember he was a big fierce-looking ndoo.” “He’s been here with some of his friends. He had us tied up this way and then he went into _ inner ah found Miss Holt there, and carried off A “By | on eg I never thought of that. I be- lieve you’ve hit the. nail on the head,” said Clif excitedly. ; “With your didn’t think of that right off.” “If she’s really gone that rascal has come on us unawares and nab her. He has taken her to the temple of Jumma as sure as you're alive.” ““Sure, for that’s where she told us he was bound for in the first place.” Ie -“We must follow and rescue her. “Sure, but it will be necessary for us to get rst. “Then let’s see what we can do in that line. I have made two or three attempts on my bonds, but hold as fast as giant cement.” - Nothing more was said for a few minutes, dur- _ ing which the boys tried to free themselves. At last Ben gave a shout of satisfaction. “ve got one hand free; yes, and the other, too!” he added joyfully. “¢my knife is still in T'll have my legs out of limbo in a | aknute, and then I'll get you out of your fix.” __ Ben found his ge oy a see weees is r he was hacking at Clif’s s. e. sharp K- knife made short work of the thongs, and Clif was soon free, too. - ; “They didn’t take my revolver. ae “Nor mine, either.” : “I don’t miss a thing.” ; : aoe “Nor I. They must have been in a great hurry when they failed to elean us out. Wait a minute; = going to make sure that Miss Elise is gone.” f the outer cave and held a Ben. * the temple of Jumma at rushed into the inner cave a soon saw tha’ was ing. was no longer any tan foub Cine ned eets what had ha ed to her, | “It won’t be well for that rascal if I meet him, ? gritted the boy. “There’s our rifle, which they Bye ® great head it’s a wonder that you - AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE “I wonder where the fakir went?” he said. pre > phe were here now he might be able to help us.’ “As he isn’t here we must help ourselves,” re- ied Ben ° pli R “We'll eat a bite or two and then make a start,” said Clif. “We left enough last night to make a r table breakfast.” he boys re-entered the inner cavern, got away with the remainder of the rice and fruit, and then, there being nothing more to detain them, % left the fakir’s:cave en route for the temple of Jumma. CHAPTER XII.—The Treasure of the Jungle. The sun was well up above the horizon when the boys spied a small village in the distance. . “We are yore close to the temple,” said Clif. “This must be the village that Flint said lay with- in half a mile of the building.” Ben nodded. “They left the beaten track and plunged in among the trees. At length, after half an hour’s bt trys they came in sight of a curious looking uilding rising in the very midst of the jungle. “I believe that’s the temple,” said Clif in a low tone. “Tl bet it is,” coincided Ben. “There does’nt seem to be a soul about.” “Then this is our chance to get a glimpse of the idol.” “There’s. the wide open door Flint spoke about,” said Ben, points. “T see it. Come on.” They made their way with extreme caution to a point within a few feet of the opening, and then — to reconnoiter. Not a sound was to be eard either in the building or around the im- mediate vicinity. To all appearances the temple was deserted. Entering the building, which was illuminated by the glow from a swinging brazier, the boys found themselves in the presence of the famous idol of Jumma. It was a tall, hideous- looking figure made out of dark bronze, with gold i and ropes of precious stones of every ind.. In every respect it was exactly as Flint had described it, which proved that the sailor had either seen it, as he claimed, or had got a correct description from some person who had viewed it ai close quarters. A huge blue star, constructed of innumerable small sapphires, covered the pit of its and in center of this blazed the Treasure o the Jungle—the big blue stone—whieh in shape resembied a human eye. The boys stood trans- fixed and gazed open-mouthed at a sight few for- Sena SO Se Se Eeees Oe, tmo- — ment a curtain at the end of the temple opposite » the door was drawn noiselessly back and the priest of the ane seeeorat. Saree in the openi His - dark ied countenance grew forbidding as his eyes lighted on the intruders. Neither of the was aware of his presence. “Gee “This is i

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= morrow. Then head come off ’fore Great Jumma. AFTER THE BIG > and;enveloped his face. Its overpowering odor ee e . He threw up his arms wildly and fell back into the arms of his companion. The smoke evidently came from some ignited drug which had been blown through a hole in the idol by a hidden helper of the Hindoo priest. The _ priest glided forward between the boys and the idol and raised his arm in a threatening manner, at the same time uttering some words in Hin- doostanee. Clif ed once or twice and then pulled himself together. The priest spoke again and his manner was so menacing that the boys realized that they were in a tight fix. Ben picked up the rifle he had dropped to catch Clif and both lads backed toward the door. Their escape, however, was blocked by the sud- den appearance of three natives from the jungle. ing a command from the priest, they flung themselves on the bors and secured them in spite of their struggles, taking the rifle from Ben. The priest uttered” another order and the prisoners were ig | om around to a hut at the back of the temple. Here the boys were bound without cere- mony and thrust inside the peste where they were’ left to meditate over what they were up against. “Gee! We’re in a fix this time for sure,” said “Looks like it, but we mustn’t give up the ship,” ied. Clif. about half an hour the boys heard a noise at the door, which opened, admitting two dark-skin- ned persons. The one in advance was the priest, the other was Salambo, the shark-charmer. The door was left open to admit the light. The priest stood back while Salambo advanced and stood over the prisoners. “Young sa’bs, much bad fix, eh?” he grinned malevolently. “How get ’way other night when tiger come? P’haps explain.” sa ‘Why didn’t you kill that tiger, you lobster? replied Bene “He might have ate us up.” "3 i no easy kill. How you got loose dat casion?” “We made —— with the tiger and he let us ” a n. “Sa’b tell much big lie,” said the shark-charmer with a frown. “Where you been dese two, t’ree day, eh?” ‘ se “We've been trying to get out of the jungle, replied Clif. “Why come here?” : : “Because it was on our way,”. said Clif, who did not consider it necessary to explain their intentions to the old rascal. “Why walk in temple?” “To see what was in there.” s- “You see Great Jumma, s’pose? 2m we ra ote — so: ‘or sa’bs. : “You Leak shies,” replied Clif in a tone of dis- Sta e “Never see schooner gain. to say that we’re going to be 3 ile oe looked at that idol? os *eordin’ to law of Great Jumma. No help for it.” : . : _ . “Tell the priest that oy father, who is Ameri- n consul at Madras, ransom us at any rea- BLUE STONE 19 “Try him.” Salambo turned and said something to the pulsar whether the rascal was really translat- ing Clif’s request, or eg tgs to do so, the boys had no idea, for his lan was Greek to them. The priest shook his fread and stamped his foot angrily. “Much sorry, sa’b. Must lose head. Salambo see ya one bgt to ane young sa’bs.” “Oh, you see a chance, do you?” Li with interest. “What is it?” i pentied Se “Me lose pearls me take from sa’b. S’pose you know where put finger on them so me get ’em back, then Salambo do what he can for you on quiet. Understandin’?” The shark-charmer favored Clif with a signi- ficant and eager wink. Clif felt, however, that the rascal was not to be trusted. “How should I know where those pearls, are?” he said. “You have them.” “Then sa’b no found them, eh?” “Where would I find them?” “Round place where tiger come.” “Did you lose them there?” The k-charmer nodded. one I can’t tell you where they are,” replied The shark-charmer t down and to feel of Clif’s body, evidently in search of gh Is. He struck a protuberance that felt Pre artiel but it was in an inside et, and on account of the cord around the s arms he couldn’t at it. Instantly he ed out his knife and cut the cord. As the old rascal started to pull open his jacket th aod-atwade the Tie ¢ prea + a maf a Blow that the confusion he set Ben at liberty. Ben seized a stool that was in = and knocked the price insensible with it, then they both attacked alambo, and threatening him with his own own knife, bound and ga him with the cloth of the priest’s turban. They then bound and gagged the priest. Shoving the pair into a corner they covered them with dried vegetable fiber that had done duty as a bed. } “Now to escape if we can,” said Clif, starting for the open door. % -_—_—_— CHAPTER XIIL—In Which Ben Takes Pos- session Of The Big Blue Stone. Peering out cautiously the boys could not see * Finke as hws hath daa a as if we h a chance t into the jungle without attracting icctane said Ben. “But before we go we can strip the idol of the jewels and the big blue stone.” Be we came here to save Elise Hoult,” said “I'm afraid we can’t do anything f Z der a — i aes “+ or “We mu and do something. Onl vee ee. a a Feb geo m distress.” - veer e don’t Ww t she was bru ‘es objected Ben. preggers around on a chance and lose our:lives. into the temple.” " “We can’t afford to monkey Without waiting Vor his .companinn to eet F ve Wess so I ga

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- pulsively throwing her arms around 120 any objection he crossed the open space to. the back door of the Hindoo building and disappear- ed inside. Clif was obliged to follow. Enteri the temple he found himself in a small room, wi a couch, sundry other: articles, and a ladder in one corner leading to the conical roof above. Ben was not there. Walking over to the curtain which divided the room from the idol apartment he looked in and saw Ben removing the big rope of diamonds and other precious stones from the shoulders of the statue. Instead of joining him something impelled him to run up the ladder and see what was above. Tiny slits in the roof flood- ed the loft with sunshine. His roving eyes lighted on a crouching female figure in one corner. “Elise—Miss Holt!” cried Clif joyfully. “Clifford!” she ejaculated, with a scream of delight. e rushed over to her. «She tried to raise her arms to him, but could not, for they were bound to a ring in a post. : “You have come to save me?” she said, eagerly. ; “JT have,” he replied, as he cut her loose with the shark-charmer’s knife, which he carried in his_ hand. : . ; “You are a brave, noble boy!” she cried, im- is ni “Come! We have no time to lose,” he said. “We were captured ourselves, and only escaped by accident. We are in great danger of our lives, but whatever happens, you can rely on me, Elise. I will save you, or die py ti iy Se your behalf.” Clif was about to lead her down the stairs when they heard a noise below. “Clif! Where are ?” came Ben's voice. “Here I am, old fellow! I’ve found Miss Holt. We'll be right dcwn.” “Don’t stir, on your life!” came back from Ben. “T’m coming up there!” In another moment he came scrambling up the ladder. C “Glad to see you, Miss Holt,” he said. “Silence ' 4s the word now, for there’s a crowd of natives coming this way from the village.” _ Then, with a grin of satisfaction, he held up his rifle in one hand and in the other the big blue stone, the Treasure of the Jungle, while one of his pockets bulged with the jeweled rope. Elise uttered a gasp of terror. “You have robbed the idol of Jumna,” she quivered. “We will never escape from here alive. Even if we could get away in safety, we should be followed to the world’s end by Hin- ~ doos sworn to recover that stone or lose their - ealled to the —_— but, of course, received no , as the reader knows he i bound AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE tured into the room where the protector of the temple lived. Seeing that the priest was not there, he seed the villagers. At a sign from him they squatted down and began a solemn chant to Jumna. A period of silence followed, during which the white-haired man looked anxi- ously around for the priest. “I wonder how long they intend to stay?” ask- ed Ben, impatiently. “They are waiting for the priest,” said Elise. “Tt is funny he should be away from here. He is not supposed to leave the temple at all.” “He’s not very far away,” grinned Ben. Then Clif told her how they had been captured while looking at the idol; how they had been bound hand and foot, and left in the hut yonder, and how they had been visitd by the priest and the rascally shark-charmer, with the result the reader knows. “Then the priest is at this moment a prisoner in that hut?” said Elise, regarding the nerve of the boys as something wonderful. “That’s where he is,” replied Ben, “and where he’s likely to remain, unless some of these chaps look in there and release him.” a“ Hardly were the words out of his mouth before there. was a sudden commotion among the natives. Looking to see the cause, the three young people saw Salambo dragging the senseless form of the priest out of the hut. CHAPTER XIV.—Encompassed By Peril. Salambo held up the helpless form of the*priest’ and spoke excitedly to the white-haired old chap. He, in turn, addressed the natives in a quick and authoritative way. In a few minutes the entire assemblage scattered through the jungle, a dozen or so taking the path back in the direction of the Mahatma’s cave. - . “The fat is in the fire now,” said Ban. “Those fellows have gone in search of us. Somebody is bound to come up here to look after you, Miss Holt, and then Clif and I will be discovered. How- ever, they won‘t get us without a fight. This rifle and our revolvers will keep them at bay a while. Can you use a pistol, Miss Hélt?” “I can.” “Not afraid to shoot to save your life, eh?” . be have fired a revolver more than a hundred times.” we have since remembered that the cave was struck by a lightning bolt which knocked us un- conscious. We were undoubtedly in that state when the cave was visited by those who took eae away. We figured it out that the man who kid- napped you from your home was at the of the matter.” ~ “Yes, he was. His name is Sahib Khan. He . to him at once.. When I told ' father was, and all the circumstances -bre me here, and-wanted the priest to. =

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AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE 21 case, he told Sahib Khan that he could not solem- -mize the marriage until after he had consulted Great Jumna as to the advisability of it. He told Sahib Khan that he would take me a, ees under his protection, and guaranteed that I should not escape in the meanwhile.” , While they were talking, in guarded tones, Salambo and the white-haired old man succeeded in restoring the priest to his senses. The three held a brief conversation together, then Salambo started off down the trail, while the white-haired man went toward the village. “I wonder what this is for?” said Ben, laying hold of a rope that ran up through the loft from a corner of the idol room to the roof. -He dis- covered that it was attached to a bell. “[’ll bet it’s an alarm bell,” he said, after a moment’s thought. . es “Better cut_it, then,” said Clif. ~. . Ben did so, and made .a huge knot in the -» severed end, so that. it would still the same as usual. The priest entered the room below, and they heard him moving around there for a while. . he went into the idol room. In a moment -, he discovered the desecration of the idol. He was _- simply frantic.. He seized the bell-rope and pull- ed it vigorously, but the bell did not ring out. With a malediction he sprang up the ladder to ' see what the cause was, and came face to face with the three young people. He also found him- self covered by the rifle and the two revolvers. ¥ ee him up the rest of the way, Elise,” said - The girl addressed the priest in his own language. He hesitated to obey, but finding that he had no show against the trio, reluctantly com- _- plied with the mandate. Ben and Clif then pound and him so that he was helpless. It was now after midday, and the boys began to realize _ .that they were hungry, a sensation that Elise al- _ 80 icipated in. RES downstairs and _ fora about,” said Chig, “othe there’s no one in sight.” — slise him, with much anxiety, to be careful of lf for her sake, and he yoyo _ that he would. He didn’t have to go further than the room below, where he found a bountiful supply of rice and fruits, which he brought upstairs to _ his companions. They made a good meal, which _ they washed down with a cordial prepared by the priest himself for his own use. $ ; “The question is, how are we going to get — away?” said Clif. “We can’t start out in broad _ daylight, for the jungle is full of the natives, ; king for us.” ; “If we sneak after dark the jungle will be alive with animals, ready to pounce on us,” said Ben, dubiously. ee 2 : “Tf we can start just as soon as darkness sets in, keep to the beaten track as far as the cave, five miles away, we may escape the beasts. They don’t really get about much before a couple of *™ said Clif. it anyhow, for we here undiscovered -for The priest will be missed will be made for him. Some ) here, and then id be Tim Flynn beyond any doubt.” happened to them until close when Salambo and had - a party of na- tives appeared. The shark-charmer stood out- side the back door and called the priest. ; Naturally, he recieved no answer. Finally he came back and sat down to wait. He was not a very good waiter, and he decided to look into the temple building, though this was against the regu- lations. He chased the natives around front fore he attempted it. Then he entered the back rcom. Not finding the priest, h¢ ventured to as- cend to the loft. As his head rose above the ficor he saw the girl first, then the priest, lyi bound and g in the corner. e rushed wu to release him, and then found himself confron by Clif and Ben with drawn revolvers. “Utter a sound, and you’re-a dead shark- charmer!” said Clif sternly, pressing the cold — of his revolver against the old rascal’s temple. e fellow was an arrant coward at heart, and he collapsed. He was bound, gagged, and placed beside the priest. As the sun set, the young peo- ple ate some more of the fruit and finished the rice. “We will start as soon as night sets in to cover our movements,” said Clif. In half an hour it was dark enough for their purpose, and they were on the point of when more natives turned up and called for the priest. This crowd. cut off their retreat from the rear. “Now what are we going to do?” asked Ben, in a nervous voice. ‘ CHAPTER XV. —Conclusion. Salambo’s party in front came around and joined the latest arrivals, and a powwow took place between them. “The natives all seem to be at the back now,” said Clif. “Well try and make our way out through the idol room.” Le Clif, they descended to the room below, which was as dark as pitch. . Clif and Elise were passing the curtain that divided the two rooms, when Ben encountered a creeping object, which proved to be a native who had ventured into the priest’s living-room. Knowing he had no right to be there, the native let out a yell and fied into the night. That startled both the natives outside and the three young people. “Come on! We have no time to lose!” whisper- ed Clif, hastily forcing the girl toward the front door. “Where are you, Ben?” “Here I am! I ran against one of those na- tives, who was crawling about the room in the dark,” he said. “Hold your weapons handy for instant use,” warned Clif as they issued into the jungle. that moment they heard the voice of Salambo shouting. He had managed to get rid of his gag, and was taking instant advantage of it. ace calling for help,” said Elise. “Let us run!” Clearly they had not a moment to lose, and they prtle retina | as fast as they could go to-. ward the trail. ey were still struggling along jn their efforts to find the beaten track when a 2 ome great hubbub filled the air the te “They've found Salambo and the priest, 7 earn PY - i. ot a eT a ae

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22 AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE bet,” said Ben. “We'll be in for it hot and heavy in a few minutes.” In a few minutes, to their great satisfaction, they hit the.road to the cave, and started for it on a jog trot. It wasn’t long before they were aware that the natives were in pursuit. There was little doublt that they would be soon overhaul “There’s only one chance now for us,” said “Something must be done to distract their The exchange was ag made. “Now run along with Elise, and I will cover your retreat,” Clif said. “No, no!” cried the girl; throwing her arms hiaeendl his neck. “You must not stay behind!” Elise clung to Clif hysterically until he was i to tear her arms from his neck, Then peared in rkness, and presently ey of his rifle was heard a hundred feet mingled with the scream of a badly wound- Ben, understanding the wisdom of friend’s bed the weeping Elise rushed ber down check: Salam agg trail in the gloom. The ed by Clif’s shot, and the Hin- bo, quickly surrounded the big lucky had taken refuge, be- lieving they cut off three fugitives. As the natives closed in, Clif kept up a continuous fire as he perceived their white turbans moving in the jungle. Every shot br t down a Hin- doo, and they grew cautious and held @loof. In the silence that succeeded Clif slipped away from the tree and crawled into the jungle, as silently as an Indian on the war-path. . He had scarcely got a dozen feet from the tree when he ran against @ creeping native, advancing with t caution. The fellow uttered a and gra the boy. Clif used his rifle. let out another yell, and released his hold of the boy. Clif glided away darkness as the man’s companions again and spell down it like a runner try- Gradually he left the pursuers for Salambo and his crowd, believing the fugitives almost in their grasp, remained in the vicinity of thé tree where Clif had done the shooting, beating the brush in every In the meantime the priest, who had remained behind at the temple, succeeded in reaching the of the severed bell-rope, and the fugi- tives could hear the clang, ag | of the bell - raising the echoes of the jungle. Ben urged the » disconsolate girl on faster. ‘ = “They have caught and perhaps murdered him,’ vered, as she permitted herself to be onward. “I don’t-care if I die now! I _ don’t want to live if he is dead!” she sobbed. * “] don’t believe they’ve caught him,” said Ben, reassuringly, th he had his doubts ever since the rapid crack of the rifle had eeased. “If they haven't, they will. They are sure to . At length they came in sight of the Mahatma’s cave, and made a quick dash for it. Ben led Elise into the rear cavern, and then they sat-down to rest and await the appearance of Clif, if he was so fortunate as to escape from their enemies. Thus twenty minutes of anxious suspense to Ben and Elise passed. Ben had gone to the main en- trance to watch, when he saw a dark figure rush- ing toward the cave. With drawn revolver he awaited the approach of the person, hoping it might be Clif, but fearing that it wasn’t. At length the figure eased up, stopped, and appeared to listen; then approached the cave more leisurely. Ben’s heart beat fast. “I believe it is Clif!” he said excitedly. In a few moments there was no doubt of the fact. Ben rushed forward and gripped him by the hand. “Glory! but I’m glad to see you, old man! I was afraid you were done for. Elise is all broke up about you. She’s in the inner cave. Go in and comfort her.” . Clif ran inside, calling to the girl. With a scream of joy she flew to his arms, and they were soon loc in a close embrace. “Oh, Clif! Clif! “Never mind what you thought, dearest. I got away from the crowd, though not without | up Fa of them, and here I am, safe an soun _ “I’m so happy!” she cried, nestling close to him in her joy and contentment. We will not dwell on what passed between them during the next few minutes, but they were soon interrupetd by the appearance of Ben. “The natives are coming toward the cavel There’s a big mob of them. Let’s see if there isn’t a rear exit from this place. There must have been a way for the fakir to leave, for he away presy without our seeing how he aa it,” said Ben. Accordingly they made for the back of the in- ner cavern, and soon found a tortuous that led to the outer air. Climbing a tree, they awaited the next move on the part of the natives. At that moment they saw lights ap- proeshing in the distance, from tne di ad originatly come. . Three wagons, full of na- tive constabulary, drawn by stout horses, came’ dashing up the beaten way. In the front wagon were Captain Glaze and William Flint. Clif rec- ognized their faces in the light of the flaring torch and gave a shout of joy. “There’s the captain and Flint!” he cried to Ben. “Fire your revolver, and yell as hard as you can!” Some of the natives issuing from the rear en- tranre to the cave rushed toward the tree on hearing the noise. Clif, Ben and Elise oj fire on them at once. The wagons stop the constables alighted, and soon a + lee was on, during the progress of which boys and Elise ran up to Captain Glaze and Flint. “What in thunder brought you e away out here in the jungle?” cried Captain Glaze. “And who is this iz lady with you?” : - “We'll : you everything when we're out of danger,” replied Clif. 4) ~¢t 4 —— s “ . ~~". do > many of th and the treat- “de here are Sanyo thems and he reat a na fox Clif's life will with the restued boys and. Mise Holt, beq “we'll hope for the Best. | Clif's with t ae se ee - 7 st them dear, in any case,” said

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« AFTER THE BIG BLUE STONE the first clearing they came to, and there Clif told the captain and Flint all about their adven- tures since leaving the schooner that afternoon for what they supposed would be a brief trip to the shore. Needless to say, Captain Glaze and Flint as well, were amazed at what they had gone through. : “You'll have to give up that big blue stone and <= that rope of gems,” he said to Ben. “We'll be -_ surrounded before morning and a demand will be 4 made on us for them. You’ve foolishly committed on a great sacrilege in Hindoo eyes.” Ben kicked against this, however. Then the captain held a consultation with the leader of the constables. The result was camp was broken at ‘once, and the journey through the jungle contin- ued. After that the trip was pushed toward the | coast by a short route known to the constables, a and the party finally reached the shore. The cap- * atin then hurried the boys and the girl aboard 3 the schooner, got up anchor, and started at once for Madras, where they arrived the next-day. We will not dwell on the astonishment of Mr. and ie ’ Mrs. Halliday on hearing about their son’s and a * his friend’s astonishing adventures in the Indian se jungle. The consul shook his head when Ben =. produced the big blue stone and the rope of ~ ‘jewels. “They must be returned,” he said. “You never would reach America alive with them in your pos- 2 session. You’d be dogged from the moment you wt - left the protection of the consulate by Hindoos, Sai whose one mission would be to recover those gems.” * The truth of the consul’s words were shown .: _ that afternoon, when the priest of the Jumna temple appeared and demanded the return of the = big blue stone and gems. Ben reluctantly gave them up. Then Clif showed the priest the yellow = pearl, The man’s eyes glistened when he saw Se what a fine specimen it was, and he offered Clif ~ a large sum of money for it. Clif held ont for ‘more and got it. Altogether he received $5,000 for the silver pearl and the gold one. Of this sum he gave Ben $500. Mr. Halliday sent word _ to the consulate office at Bombay that Elise was safe at ‘his home in Madras, having been rescued _ from her abductor by his son. _ The next steamer brought the girl’s father to Madras. He could not thank Clif enough for Saving his child. The parting between Elise and Clif was a tearful one, but each swore eternal _ constancy to the other. A few weeks later Clif and Ben, returning to New York, were the guests _ hikes you'll certainly feel the results of th 23 course had been finished, and Mr. Holt con- sented to their engagement. In due time Elise - and Clif were married, in London, with Ben as best man, and the newspapers not only chroni¢led their marriage, but gave much space to a descrip- tion of their romantic meeting in the Indian jun- gle when the bridegroom and his friend were after the big blue stone. Next week’s issue will contain “LITTLE JA PERKINS, THE BROKER; OR, SHEAROIG THE WALL STREET LAMBS.” —60u—uq0LY;:0ci_—NMNSs————IoZZ TWO NOTED CAVES So far as is now known, the Uni lay claim to having oa largest este org the world, and first among these is, naturally, Mam- moth Cave, Kentucky. - It. is only about ‘eighty- five miles from Louisville. Upon visiting its depths it is easy to see how the word mammoth is coupled with its naturab name, for parts of it have been explored for a distance of over 150 miles and maps made so that the guides them- a selves can’t get lost. The main body of the cave = is only about three miles long, yet parts of this section furnish the famous halls and domes, some of which are 175 feet wide and 124 feet high. This great cavern has many small lakes ang rivers, the best known of these being Echo River which reverberates an echo to an untold distance, repeating the sound of your voice until only a ~~ whisper is heard at the last. The fish in this and the other bodies of water are white and havé no eyes. There are also crickets, bats, flies, beetles, spiders and other queer blind creatures to be found here, and it is interesting to watch them when they are taken out ifito the light. Being blind, their movements are quite slow and cau- « tious when compared to their kind that live out am in the open. In taking a hike through this world’s largest cave the guides light up the way so that many beautiful things can be seen, such as the Star Chamber, where the lofty ceiling is studded with snowy crystals that glisten like diamonds. When white men first discovered Mammoth Cave "4 they found many stone arrowheads, pieces of torches and other relics which indicated that it had once been a meeting” place for the Indians, and for all bss. sae Ri numbers of war neces may have en i ee just ee thereat ete aMate ence 3 yandotte Cave is another on grea ; caverns and ranks next to Mastnoan’ Sack th ‘ both size and interest. It is in Crawford County Ind., and so far has been explored for more than twenty-three miles: In its depths are found many formations similar to those of its bigger sister. one of the chambers being 200 feet high and 300 ~ feet broad. The temperature and moisture in the _ air are so even that you can walk a great distance. without feeling the least fatigue until coming out. into the open once more. But if you happen to __ be one of those few folks who do re a a oe walk after sitting around for star ei - = és < - Me es St a ee ey f

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' minute behind. _ Td better TRUE GRIT or _ An Engineer at Eighteen By Gaston Garne (A Serial Story.) CHAPTER XXIV. True Grit Reaps Its Own Reward. “Don’t worry; I’ve forgotten all about it,” said Bob generously. ; “I don’t know what you think of me,” said Abe, in a penitent tone, “but if you believe we can ever be friends again I’d like to know it.” ’ “T think it will depend entirely on yourself.” “All I want is a show,” said Pindar. “Chet King may have the dust, but hasn’t got the manli- ness or bone you have. I’m done with him for I’ve beer a chump to knuckle down to bis views as I’ve done. I never used to hang around the Exchange till I got thick with him, and now my folks won’t stand for it any longer, and I’m glad of it. A good many nice people have begun to fight shy of me. I find it doesn’t pay to bea second-hand sport and all that. I’m going to quit smoking and drinking for keeps.” “I hope you will,” said Bob, “and to help you along I'll call off the past and let things between us ae as they used to.” = ill jour” said Abe, eagerly. “Then I swear to that I’ll keep my word.” The two boys shook hands and Pindar started once more upon the right road. After Abe Pindar had taken his leave, Bob dressed himself in a new suit, which had come home that day, and started for the handsome resi- dence of Judge Kent, who had sent a note to the cottage that afternoon, asking him to call that evening. He wondered what the judge wished to see him about. . As he passed the building in which the Rush- ville Bicycle Club had its rooms he almost ran against Bruce Hardy. old man, where are you rushing to rf gait? ‘ “I’m bound for Judge*Kent’s.” “Oh, I see,” said Bruce, with a grin, “that ac- counts for the new suit pared by urry. Afraid Miss Somebody’ll have a conniption fit if you’re a “You're ‘away off. My business is with the a om th Agtbme . ink; “ ang h, I see,” with a mischievous wink; “going him for the hand of his only child. later with a shovel to loves on with you at 's a good thing for you that M ‘ge a big brother to do up r size.” f ,J catch you at our . FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY “If she had I’d have to call on you to help me t. ” out. “Well, by-by; don’t forget the meeting Friday night if you’re in town.” “Dear old fellow!” thought Bob as he hastened along. “I do hope he and Bessie will make a match of it. It would be so fine to have a double wed- ding.” Then Bob began to wonder if he wasn’t counting his chickens before they were hatched. As he passed the Exchange, with its brilliantly lighted rooms holding fully a dozen billiard and pool tables, and a fine mahogany bar, with polish- ed brass trappings, while the walls were decorated with fine paintings, he was happy that his tas did not run in that direction. Time spent in tha gilded pleasure resort seemed to him thrown away. It might be well enough for a man who had already achieved a position in life to drop in there occasionally and while away an hour, but for the average young man, with his life work still be- fore him, it was putting a mortgage on his future. Bob didn’t know it, but at the very moment he went by Chet King was ts age y a new vice—the vice of gambling with cards, led on by his father’s ier, a man with very little principle,-it would seem, who hoped by his superior knowledge of the game to rob the ———— ut foolish outh out of his money he obtained so easily at ome. , Bob rang the bell at the Kent residence, and was shown into the library, where the judge was expecting him. “Good-evening, Robert,” said the owner of the use, “Good-evening, Judge Kent. I received your note and——” “Yes, I wished to see you on a little matter of business in which I am acting on behalf of the company. Take the easy-chair. Mrs, Kent and Myrtle will be here presently.” ob seated himself as directed and awaited de- velopments with some curiosity. Judge Kent began as follows: = “The Board of Directors of the Round Top Rail- road held their regular quarterly meeting two or ts ago at the company’s offices in Denver. A full statement of the attempt.of what is now known as the Bunker gang to wreck the eastbound night express ‘at Lone Tree Point about two months ago was placed before the directors, to- bether with the account of the way in which you saved that train at the extreme peril of your life. Further, the directors were furnished by the su- perintendent of the mountain division with an ac- count of what befell you on engine Thirty-three after the regrettable death of Joseph ey, the engineer, and how you m remarkable presence of mind and grit to avoid a collision with the night express that evening. Whereupon a res- olution was unanimously passed by the said board, praising your conduct on the two occasions men- tioned and awarding you as a substantial token of the company’s appreciation of your services sum of ten thousand Se ee _— : J Kent handed Bob the completely Thus check. To say was taken by

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY surprise would but midly express his feelings as he mechanically acce the oblong bit of paper. ' “Judge Kent, I hardly know what to say,” he said, with some little confusion. “Then thousand dollars is a lot of money; at least, it is to my mother and I. I hope I have earned it, but it does not seem possible that I have.” _ “Take my word for it, Robert, you have earned it twice over.” ; “But, sir, you know I’ve already received nearly _ two thousand dollars from the passengers of the night express.” “That was a free gift, entirely independent of _ what the company has very properly seen fit to do - for you.” = % “% “Well, sir, I am very grateful to the company _ for——” ne “You needn’t be. As a mere matter of business you saved the company thousands of dollars that night. Had that wreck occurred, it would have cost the Round Top Railroad at least half a mil- lion for damages, not speaking of the rolling _ Stock, which would have been r uced to kindling wood and old iron. Then, my dear boy, think of the lives your noble action saved. Mrs. Kent would to-night have been a widow and childless,” and as the judge spoke the tears came in his eyes. | “My dear lad, you have won our ligating gratitude, without any reference whatever to what you did for Myrtle on Decoration Day.” ; “Tt will make mother very happy,” he said, as he put the check in his pocket. | “One thing more,” said the judge, beamingly. “How old are you, Bob?” “Righteen, sir.” “You will be the youngest engineer on the ” “What do you mean, sir?” * ; “T mean,” said the judge, rising and placing hand on the boy’s shoulder, “you have been pointed one of the regular engineers of the Top mountain division, the appointment to take effect from yesterday. Report to Mr. Single- _ ton to-morrow morning at 7:30 for instructions. _ .. “Judge Kent, is that a fact?” said the aston- ished and delighted lad. zo “I think you, will find it so.” 3 “It is the height of my ambition, sir." _._ “You have won it entirely on your merits. Here _ is Mrs. Kent and Myrtle.”: Ne “We have come to congratulate you, Robert, as vets promotion,” said the good lady of the use. Be “Thank you, Mrs. Kent, and you, too, Myrtle.” “I think I have a little speech to make, also,” arch look. “Mr. ‘said the young lady, with an : Blake, on behalf of my father and mother, permit Me to present you with this slight token of their ” “Bate handed Bob a small morocco case. : ion’t be afraid to open it,” she said, mis- ously, as he looked helplessly at her. “It t bite you.” 3 ) : ecordin, gl cad the case and found a our story y, or night, rather, of more, the greatest and © = ae Bis oe = Fer ts See is almost” 25 most pleasurable of all, awaited him on his arrival home. Nothing more nor less than the absent and long supposed dead husband and father who had turned up at last to bring a holy joy to the faith- = little household which had mourned for him so ong. On-a business trip to.China he had bee . tured in the China Sea ten years before, cna Sad — Ric Age ne re ae by. the howe i Ss until rescue si y wha Rene a few weeks since by an Bob is as frequent a visitor at the Kent i as Bruce Hardy is at the Blake cottage, Ge whe can say but that double wedding of his dreams may not be yet realized! At any rate, Myrtle Kent believes Bob Blake is the one boy of Rush- ville who possesses rare courage and true grit. The End. Next week another new serial, titled \ | WILL, THE WAGON BOY or, The Diamonds that Came by Express By GASTON GARNE Will appear in this Library. It i ; i teresting. Be sure te read it. 2 sage Bam : NEXT WEEK 4 SaaS ANIMALS THAT USE OTH WEAPONS OR TOOLS ie There is a species of crab, indigenou: : Island of Mauritius that habitually holds = Sn anemone in each claw, using them presumably as -« weapons of defence—one animal using another as a utensil! There are, however, somewhat similar instances quite as curious. One is that of an an ko fee cages Indies aa builds shelters of Ss are i sil bres ge astened together with e origin of this silk had long pu mologists. The ant has no poe Bae llr ie any kind at adult age. Holland, ot Balangoda, and Green, of Parodeniya, Ceylon, verifying old and incomplete observations made in India, have ; proved that the working ants, in order to spin the thread that fasteng the edges of the leaves. make use of the larvae of their own species, which they hold in“their jaws, moving them about with skill in all directions and afterward return- ing ae to the nest when they have finished with Chun has shown, in a study of the to. these larvac, .iat they possess sphivieters abe . The origin of such differentiated instinc schoge manifestations pare so closcly those of | intelligence, is one o e difficul blems or easenal psychology. bis eg wes ¥: usual size serving the adults as distaff to speak. They use these organs to spin as rns cocoon. ” ~ ae x amis to oe

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26 Fame and Fortune Weekly NEW YORK, MAYL% 1926 TERMS TO SUBSCRIBERS Due Copy Wares’ Manthe’ 2.12712 ere” Pag, oh Cone One Copy Six Months .......... ‘Oa ~- 2.00 One Copy One Year. ............ be a 4.00 Canada, $4.50; Foreign, $5.00. HOW TO SEND MONEY—At our risk send P. 0. any other way are at your risk. We accept Postage > be any Order, Check or Registered Letter; remittances is ? = aa Ser: mps the same as cash. When sending silver wrap the Coin iu a separate piece of paper to avoid cutting the envelope. Write your name and address plainly. Address letters to HARRY E. WOLFF, Publisher, Inc., 166 W. 23d St., N. Y. Harry E. Wolff, Pres, Charles E. Nylander, Sea L. EF. Wilzsin, Treas. ITEMS OF INTEREST POTATOE-TOMATOE VINE Growing tomatoe and potatoes on the same vine is the stunt that is being pulled off in Hutchison, Kan. H. E. Turner has a plant on display in a local bank’s window. He claims that the two varieties are being grown without artificial help and no grafting has been done. : OLDEST BELL IN USE The oldest known bell still in use is in the par- ish church of St. Mary of Loretto, at Villalago, in the Abruzzi Mountains, Italy. Following the in- scription “Ave Maria” is “Anno Domini 600.” Bells were invented, sncanding to church authori- ties by Pope Rabianian, who died in 606, - _ FLOATING ISLANDS There are many floating islands. These are sometimes caused by a detachment of a portion of e bank, in which the roots are strong enough to hold the soil compact and solid. Others are formed by an accumulation of driftwood in tropical rivers and bays. Many lakes in England, France and Prussia are noted for their floating islands. THE BRAIN BRINGS SLEEP ; The brain is more active while he Pe in dreaming than when not thus engaged. The only perfect sleep is that which is dreamless. The mo- ment the sleeper begins to dream he begins to work, and the more vivid and protracted the the more intense, naturally, becomes the work. It is possible that at no time during the waking hours of life is the brain so active as it is fn the strange business of dreaming. INTERESTING ITEMS A sleek and oily preacher of the Holy Roller : in Alabama permitted a rattlesnake to bite five times, to show he was immune from harm. A vast crowd attended his funeral. The wasp adopts the methods of the highway- man.” These insects have often been observed to 2 Phage rob bees while the latter, laden with fruits of an expedition, were returning to the ve. : FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY It is generally agreed among naturalists that the tortoise is longest-lived of all animals. There are many instances of their attaining the extra- ordinary age of two hundred and fifty years, while one is actually mentioned as reaching the unparalleled age of four hundred and five years. Doctor H. L. Ross, of Canaan, Connecticut, took a Maltese cat with him on an automobile trip to Lake Chatiemac, in the Adirondacks. The cat was lost at the lake, but appeared in Canaan twelve days later, thin and almost starved to death after its one-hundred-and-eighty-mile walk._ An automatic camera for judging races has, proved successful in France and will be used at the next. Paris international race meeting. The camera is placed in line with the winning post, and the winning horSe, by breaking a thread, re- leases the electrically-controlled shutter, and a photograph of the finish is taken. LAUGHS “What’s the row over on the next street?” “Only a wooden wedding.” “Wooden wedding?” “Yes, a couple of Poles are getting married.” Host—Must you leave so soon, Mrs. Tootles? I thought you were very fond of good music. Mrs. Tootles—I am. (Mrs. Tootles exits during blank silence.) Jim—They say it cost no one anything to be polite. Do you believe it? Tim—It may true in some cases, but it cost me a seat in a movie show to day. “Prisoner, have you anything to say?” “Only this, Your Honor; I’d be mighty sorry if the young lawyer you assigned to me was ever called upon to defend an innocent man.” * Bix—I see there’s a report from Holland that concrete bases for German cannon have been © found there. Dix—Don’t believe a word you hear about Holland. The geography says it is a low, lying country. “The man who can drive with one hand is the man for me,” answered Edna, gayly. “You’re’ easily satisfied,” replied her friend, Ruth. “For my part, I prefer the man who asks me to drive.” With but three minutes to catch his train the traveling salesman inquired of the street car con- ductor, “Can’t you go faster than this?” “Yes,” the bellringer replied, “but I have to stay with my car.” ; “What is in the mail from daughter?” asked mother eagerly. “A thousand kisses,” answered father, grimly, “and sixteen handkerchiefs, two = and four batches of ribbons for you to wash and mend.” “Aren’t you ashamed of your indolence?” “In- deed I am!’’ answered Meandering Mike. “I’ve been tryin’ to do something for it.”” “What?” been takin’ the faith cure. I've been choppi make-believe wood wit’ an imaginary ax.”

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¥ wet had some minutes Se ? x @ Pa FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY WHY I SUSPECTED HER By Col. Ralph Fenton. i ears since I one day received a call “pt pepe on the Hudson River that shall be nameless, nor shall I describe it, further than to say that it is a favorite place of residence for many wealthy men doing business in the City of New York. : The dispatch that took me to the depot in such a hurry bore the signature of Hiram Hardwick, a gentleman whom I,knew well, and who had en- gaged me on several cases, and who had always treated me in the best possible manner. Hence it was a source of satisfaction to be now hurrying to his assistance in response to a re- quest reading: started to walk to and knew of a 2 Lene ony more quickly than an ordinary hack would con- rri road around. me there by the“ tetore caught sight of the ee Pia t a ee rom 4 t I had straye Ca ey turreted realized 27 “T must leave it to others to break the news I will go to the town and send the coroner to take charge of the body.” I had not yet succeeded in finding this individ- ual when I was abruptly halted by a young and handsome lady. “They tell me you are a detective,” she cried. “If you are, I want yon to find Philip Hardwick for me.” Philip Hardwick! The mention of the name caused me to glance quickly and keenly at her. “Pardon me,” I said pointedly, “but what may Philip Hardwick have been to you?” She looked confused, turned her eyes down, and lowly answered: “He—he was—was—a very dear friend.” “And why are you concerned about him?” “Because—because—he had promised to call on me last evening, and failed to do so. He had never broken his word with me at any time be- fore, and when I heard today that his father was worried over his absence, and that he had not been seen in some hours, I—I—thought some- thing dreadful must have happened.” I inwardly called myself a brute for thinking that this girl was a coquette. Yet that was the way her words impressed. me. I could not feel that they were prompted by an unselfish love for the subject of the conversation, whose dead white face was constantly before my mental eye. It was an impulse, a strange and unaccountable whim, that led me to suddenly say: “Come with me. I would like to take a walk through the felds while I ask you some questiont i ing not cal gh f rb ~— vio La laren I was, at the of ae ck, about whose disappearance I worst, only a short distance from the house, and must confess qh a may eey : would not be compelled to more than cross a field The mystery I hinted at ave forced her dn i thinking I suddenly came or two. While thus oe pe) ge 8 ra upon a scene that i in an opening, s grew les 'thiek than at m This murdered f Hi ick, who had sent for me. I soon Soun the aay Mr. Hardwick met me at the door “| Jad to see you!” he exclaimed. “I - am nes much distressed over an occurrence ari {cannot explain. Perhaps my fears may be fool- ish, and if they are I trust that you will do me to accompany me even had there been no stronger motive. As we went out of the village I let her talk as she would, on my own part uttering no word save to lead her on. Inwardly I commented: “She rattles on at a great rate for a person who at first professed to be profoundly distressed over the disappearance of a lover. She is heartless, of that I am certain, and it remains to be seen if - there is anything back of that.” It appeared to me that frequently when she came to a halt she groped mentally for words to continue. In other words her conversation was forced, yet did not appear to me to be forced in that manner which might be expected from one who is trying to rise superior to a great sorrow. I saw from the movements of her eyes that she was conscious-of our vicinity, > th never to repeat that I sent for you.” | 235 A ah Se depend on me, sir. Now what is this + strange occurence of which es Sie we ‘ i i a’ care fe ne ag ge Fa absented himself and that we were approaching the home of Philip Hardwick; but she made no comment thereon, as I expected she would. At last we were close to the spot. I drew “ i. tful son, and he never pacar en de ~ from hom ‘ i iving me some word— her attention in another~direction until her feet J Needles ring ita sh f, , after supper, had almost touched the body of the murdered ‘and not since returned, nor have I agers . Bo5- Shee, eee a ins deckion, I cried: word i isgi . I wan “Just see there!” g own a nsf him. My beat a iptapeese pallid face, and a great change came over her : | n that I had own. But it was not horror nor anguish that ‘> a the boar: of wae eee Neb pdvon od er pgelets5 that murdered utterly impossible for su mi at having a a et Ee ns aah. trick played upon one. And it was due to the - expression on her face in that transient space ‘ ; y ‘ “* 2 myself: _ time that I suspected her. ee > ee

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5 my ‘mond and myself. et hat? ta 28 FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY t ' Suspected her of what? I hardly could have said myself of what I suspected her, further than that I believed her profession of love for Philip Hardwick was a sham. An instant, and then falling on her knees beside the corpse she bent her face down, spoke to him, called his name, then ° ing her hands above her head, turned a drawn face toward me and cried: ““Joe Raymond did this!” And then she hid ‘her face in her hands and began to sob convul- sively. I lifted here, supported her from the hor- rid spot, and must confess to a feeling of pity uhtil it forced itself on me that her sobs were too — too dry, too acrobatic, if I may so ex- i “Do not grieve so, little lady,” I said, mustering a kindly tone for the occasion. Quiet these sobs. Remember you will soon be in the village. And now tell me who is Joe Raymond?” “He—he was a sort of rival of—of—Mr. Hard- “A rival?” “Yes.” “In what?” : “For—for my favors,” she hesitatingly, coyly said. “Mr. Hardwick was inclined to be jealous, and I couldn’t eo teasing him a little, and—and —it made hard feelings between them.” Having seen the lady to her my nen, 4 pisee—nbe was a comparative stranger in town, I learned—I sought ‘out the coroner and sent him to take charge of the body, then went in quest of Joe Raymond. I was not long in finding him—a well-formed pleasant-faced man of nearly thirty—at sight of ‘whom I told myself that he could not be the | murderer. : | “Are you Joseph Raymond?” I inquired. Pi Tm know Philip Hardwick?” i “Well, he has been murdered, and suspicion is directed against you. It seems that you were /both paying attention to a young lady, and that | the ool a produced some hard feeling.” “There was no rivalry worthy of the name,” was the prompt response. “As a matter of fact, both were amusing ourselves by paying attention ‘to a lively and bright young lady who came into }town, but I am sure that Phil would no more ‘have married her than I would.” I gave him a quick glance. : as her reputation Seow 2” I inquired. “J would not wish to say that,” was the re- inder, “but she chose to envelop herself and antecedents in a mystery that augured no So it is absurd——” 4ndicating an individual whom 1 nad noticed dog- Oh, that is my cousin.” * 2 g Well, I must ask you to consider your- arrest for the present. It is only but until something further develops I comes in the charge being proved, and. that it will not be in this instance.” The name of Ray- mond’s cousin. was Peroy, and -his. face struck me as being familiar. But I could not say where or when I had seen it. " “Does he live here?” I inquired. “No. He only came up from New York re- cently. I have never liked the fellow, perhaps because”—with a laugh—“I give him credit of a desire to see me placed under ground.” “Why should he desire that?” _ “Money. If I should die without heirs he would inherit the estate that came to me conditionally.” My eyes opened a trifle, but I made no com- ments. Less than an hour later I was talking with Peroy, commiserating with him over Ray- mond’s unpleasant position. He has got himself into a pretty bad box,” he rejoined. “I am sorry for him, for he is a first- rate fellow, barring a little hotheadedness. I have seen him “é , Something dropped through the bottom of a defective pocke* and struck the ground at our feet. It was a photograph. It fell face upward, and before he could pick it up I caught a glimpse of it. The picture comprised a little group of three—a man, a woman, and a baby. He was the man, and Minnie Gay, as she called herself, was the woman. Click! click! “Mr. Peroy, you are my prisoner!” The hand- cuffs were on his wrists even as I made the an- nouncement. Despite his protestations, I con- veyed him to the jail, and-inside of half an hour Minnie Gay was also a ninmate in the guise of a ee The woman soon broke down, stubbornly refused to admit a knowledge of the dark crime. “See here,” I argumentatively said, “I can gather the evidence to send both you and Peroy to the gallows, but am willing to afford you an opportunity to turn State’s evidence. I am well informed of the nature of the crime. You are Peroy’s wife, or worse, and came here to help him steal a fortune. You coquetted with Hard- wick and Raymond to breed ill feeling between them, and to cast the murder of one on the other. It was intended that Hardwick should be accused of the murder of Raymond, but in an unforseen exigency Peroy was forced to murder Hardwick. It was not what you had planned for, but if Raymond could be sent to the gallows Peroy would inherit the estate now in possession of that gentleman. You see, I am familiar with the points. Now tell me all or not,\as you please.” enough of what to comprehend the villain- ous plot afoot. e instant Peroy saw Hardwick there he snatched out a ver and shot him

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FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY 29 INTERESTING ARTICLES ——— TURKHENS—NEW BIRD _Mrs. Henrietta Crossman of Temple, Tex., ex- hibited at the Bell County Poultry Show a pen of turkhens. This breed of poultry is the result of a cross between turkeys, pheasants and chickens. Known as Russian Orloff turkhens, they resem- ble a chicken more than a turkey, although they are heavier and have heads like turkeys. The meat is more tender than either chicken or tur- shot and, attributing the non-resistance to fear or lack of arms, he was the first man to leap on board. But the rope with which the captured ship had been carelessly lashed to his own broke under the strain, and he found himself rapidly borne away from his comrades on what he soon discovered to be a floating coffin. A stiff breeze filled the sails of the derelict, and before his own vessel could overtake it night descended on the lonely ocean, and the pursuing ship lost sight of it altogether. Left alone in darkness on the gruesome craft, the pirate went mad with terror and, seizing the wheel, raced away before the wind. According to the legend, he was condemned to the seas forever thus,.in command. of his horri prize, a just retribution for his sims. “ : Woe to the ship that encountered the death ship scudding along by moonlight or in the glare of the lightning, manned by skeletons and steered by a shouting, gesticulating madman, for she never saw her home port again. When on several ocea- sions the vessel was said to have been sighted in the fog off Medford, it .was always the herald of storm and disaster and the loss of many ships. ~ . key, and they are said to“be the most wonderful layers in existence, a community _ Moccasin fastened its ibn his pocket knife in one hand and grasping the other severed The mouth of the de- ~ mediate medical attention and suffered but little | from the effects of his experience. + SCORPION IN GIFT EASTER EGG STINGS oa HAND OF PARISIAN SINGER : Hastre, a young Argentine Aires, now residing in ‘the opened a fine, big chocolate FAST TRANS-ATLANTIC PLANE Estimating that a speed of 200 to 250 miles an hour would be necessary to make trans-Atlantic airplane flights commercially attractive, Walter G. Brenner, a German inventor, has prepared given at a friend’s house, plans for a giant ship which would utilize the revelers turned to shrieks © d air resistance at very high altitudes to oS make such — _ — bine os aaa 4 resist- “Instead of being filled with sweet liquor or soft | ance encountered at low a s at high speed _ melting sugars. egg, all tied up in pretty rib- would require engines out of all proportion to the 2 contained half a dozen big tropical cock- . plane to overcome it, he believes, but by ascendin scorpion, which struck to between 26,000 and 3,000 feet, the density o d with its poisonous dart the air would be so reduced that its resistance would be correspondingly lessened. ' At such heights the passengers, and the mo- tors, too, would have to have air supplied at nor- mal sea-level pressure, so the entire ship as de- signed is air-tight, the atmosphere being supplied the merry cries of the of horror. Rees ot ob ae _ The egg, which was delivered at the artist’s Mons residence while she was dressing for dinner, was es the gift of Mlle. Van Hong Lu, an Eastern wo- ~ Man now living in India. z ; |. The pr hg this daseerous practical joke re- by pumps. His plan calls for a light dura-~ - ceived medical aid instantly and is progressing luminum body and wings, designed along the same lines as those of the all-metal Junkers plane but greatly magnified. ; The passenger cabins would be located in the wings, now utilized in many metal ships for gaso- lme tanks. The leading edge of the wings would _ Satisfactorily. The police o ned an inquiry into the origin of the outrage. Friends of Mlle. Van 0 z iu unanimously declared she could have ~ had nothing to do with putting the scorpion in the 7 iM : hace sam abet ig ES mag and crew quarters, t st HIP OF MEDFORD freight space and additional passenger rters d The in ae ned ee SS has a] dof a would’be located in the hull. The e plan ¥ “phantom ship beside which the Flying Dutchman differs from the usual flying boat type in that it * was only a peaceful freighter. The Medford is fitted with two wing-like metal pontoons, one se. runs ‘that a ship laden with gold and silver on either side. Although the ship is designed as ~ 2s $ ¢ rum put out from a monoplane, in the air the set of pontoons would thee thai ain was inf give additional supporting surface. me th was headed for West Indian Herr Brenner’s design is based on the fact that — =k becalmed that water and a la part of the power developed by a flying ae ~ perished. machine’s motors is used to overcome the air re- sistance. Without increasing the ion of eee fuel, he believes he can double the speed at high =~ altitudes, so that ordinary motors would be large ee enough to power it.) i we

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LITTLE ADS Write to Riker & King, Advertising Offices, 580 Broadway, New York City, or 29 East Madison Street, Chicago, for particulars about advertising in this magazine. AGENTS WANTED NEW WONDERFUL SELLER. Cost 10c, profit $1.40. Monograming Autos. Lifetime opportunity. Free samples. MONOGRAM 0., Box 124, Worcester, Mass. AGENTS, 14 HOSIERY STYLES. Guar- anteed. Best commission, 28 colors. We de- liver. Samples furnished. 8. Q. 8., Lexington, Kentucky. AGENTS: WRITE FOR FREE SAMPLES. Sell Madison “Better-Made shirts for large Manufacturer, direct to wearer. No capital, e experience required, Many earn wd week- ood. —— Madison Mfgrs., 564 Broadway, ‘ew Yor! HELP WANTED QUALIFY for $150-$300 railroad jobs. Fire- men, Brakemen, Pasgegemen, jeeping Car 4 Train Porter. 238 Iway Bureau, Hast Louis, LiL $1,800.00 MADE BY ALLEN also Mater in 30 days selling START RITH SWITCH for rds. To start car just retard spark. tarts easier, saves bendix also starter trou- ble. Secure demonstrator. Write today for lan. Dept. 1217, National Sales. Co., Inc., oin, Iowa. DETECTIVE: NEEDED EVERYWHERE. Work home or travel, experience unneces- sary. Write George.R. Wagner, former Govt. Detective, 1968 Broadway, N. Y. PERSONAL EXCHANGE LETTERS. Make new friends. Private introductions. Satisfaction guar- anteed. Particulars free. Good Fellowship Club, Reading, Penna. MARRY—Business girl, 27, worth $73,000; widow, Sooo girl, 19, $40,000. 'De- ptions and photos free. Mrs. Warn, 8634 Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, Calif. LONELY HEARTS—I have a sweetheart for ou, Exchan letters; make new friends. Efficient, confidential and dignified_service. Members everywhere. Eva Moore, Box 908, Jacksonville, Florida. BE A DETECTIVE Earn Big Money. Work home ortravel. Make secret inveutigenou- Fascinating work. Ex- cellent oppo re. Experience unnecessary. Particulars free. rite, GEORGE R. WAG- NER, former Government Detective, 1969 Broadway, New York. OLD MONEY WANTED Do you know that Coin Collectors pay up to $100:00 for certain U. 8. Cents? And high remiums for all rare coins? We buy all Kinds. Send 4c for Large Coin Folder. May mean much profit to you. CHARMING LADY worth $50,000, will marry. Write, Eva, B-1022, Wichita, Kan. but oh so lone- xford, Fla. PRETTY GIRLIE, wealth some. League, Box 39, ATTRACTIVE YOUNG WIDOW worth - 000, will marry. Club, 1022, Wichita, - Bas. MARRY—Pretty maiden, wealthy. Please write today. C-Box 39, Oxford, Fla. MARRY — Sweethearts everywhere. Man wealthy pretty girls. Ladies, gents Lor 4 (Stamp) Doris Dawn, East Cleveland, Ohio, CHARMING YOUNG WIDOW—Worth $33,- 000 will marry. Write Eva, B-1022, Wich- ita, Kansas. MARRIAGE PAPER—20th year. Big issue with descriptions, photos, names and ad- dresses, 25 cents. No other fee. Sent led. Box 2265, R. Boston, Mass. MARRY—Free photographs, directo and descriptions of wealthy” saembern. Pa when married. Co., Dept 3. Kansas City, Mo. New Plan PRETTY GIRL, bmg romantic, craves t ac Please write. L-Box 39, Ox- ‘ord, Fla. M A R RY — MARRIAGE DIRECTORY with photos and descriptions free. Pay when ere The Hxchange, Dept. 545, Kansas y; 0. MARRY—Write for big new directory with photos and descriptions. Free. National ge . Dept. A. 4606. Station E., Kansas y, Mo. GET A Write me enclosing stamp. Dennison, Ohio. SWEETHEART—Exchan letters. Violet Ray. MAEKBY—Lonely Hearts, join our club, we have a companion for you, many worth from $5,000 to $50,000. Descriptions, photo: introductions free. Send no money. Standar Cor. Club, Gravslake, TL MISCELLANEOUS TOBACCO OR SNUFF HABIT CURED OR no pay. $1.50 if cured. Remedy sent on trial. Superba Co., N4, Baltimore, Maryland. YouCan / Play It sa Buesche! We give 3 free lessons with cach new They start you. Teach yourself. It's 5

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~ FAME AND FORTUNE WEEKLY GOOD READING SIMPLEST WET BATTERY THAT CAN BE MADE Perhaps the most simple wet cell which can be rode, says Experimental Science (Washington), +. vom a copper wire previously heated in a blue += flame, and a silver wire, both held in running > water. The copper wire in the gas flame be- © =‘es coated with a film of copper oxide. ; : varied effect can be produced by separating copper and silver wires by blotting paper and “npping them with thessame material, and then » uring one of the common electrolytes upon the whole. Sal ammoniac or sulphuric acid can be used, HIS CIGAR MONEY Many stories are told of fortunes being made by feonomy in little things, but here is one which is _eaite new. An elderly New York broker began to nee tobacco when a mere boy. Becoming con- vineed of the folly- of this habit when he became elder, he one day threw away his cigar and never Lought another. He had been a moderate smoker, 2a-d it was in the old days when cigars were cheap, so that six cigars a day cost only thirty- seven and a half cents, for they were six and a quarter cents apiece. That sum of thirty-seven and a half cents he put aside every day, and at intervals deposited it in a savings bank. He dis- covered that in round numbers it amounted to one hundred and thirty-six dollars and fifty cents a year. He never abandoned the habit of laying _ this money aside, and it brought him seven per cent. interest. At the end of fifty-eight years it -_ amounted to ninety-six thousand, seven hundred and nineteen dollars and forty-nine cents. With that money he purchased a fine estate, consisting of two acres and a home. With it he has edu- oy feted his children and spent occasional sums for act evolent purposes. __-—He tells of fruit and shade trees, and cow and calf and chickens, and of merry days beside the beautiful sound, so that there are hints upon which a duller fancy than mine can rear a picture of a splendid property and home. A table which he has prepared is prefaced ~ ‘th the stute- Ment that “friends have expres® + doubts in re- ‘gard to the correctness of his asscrlion. He ad- ‘Mits that it seems incredible, and therefore he Bi the exact figures of each year's Savings. ’ hundred and thirty-six dollars and fifty cents 2S ee the first year, and ae + ahonid ‘be each ceeding year, e ; << that has taken an unfair of a horse pbove three or four t surely a mere inable will not de- breaking off ful shark: The marauding, dreaded shark, al- ways rife in tropical climates, is so common here as to deprive us of the luxury of open sea bath- ing. The negro shell divers disregard these monsters, and some of the planters bathe after sending a negro further out into the sea as a sentinel. We had a rare frolic with a shark a few days since. A Spanish schooner came in here with cat- tle. The cattle had been several days upon short allowance of water, and, in swimming them ashore in their weakened condition, two of them died. One of the carcasses was taken by the ne- groes and anchored half a mile from the shore to bait sharks with. The rascals soon made their appearance. The harpoon was sent with sure aim into a huge fellow, who darted off wtih such force as to break the line. But three of the school soon returned, one of which was struck with better for- tune. This one, aftér powerful but unavailing strug- gles to escape, rose to the surface of the water, and then the negfoes got a round hitch upon his tail, when they pulled for the shore. The word was passed through the streets that a shark was coming in. This drew a large concourse of white, “ringed, speckled and gray” spirits to the beach. When the boat approached the shore a negro landed with a line to which the shark was fast, and which was seized by men, women and boys, who, with infinite glee, drew the common enemy struggling and floundering, with the blood streaming from his side and nostrils, high and dry upon land. This shark was eight feet long, and though the harpoon had gone deep into his vitals, he displayed an activity and strength which admonished us to keep at a respectful dis- tance. Its skin is smooth and sleek like that of a seal, or porpoise, and, but for its enormous mouth, you would suppose it quite as harmless. After forcing its mouth open,with a handspike, and thrusting a large stone into its maw, it was cut open for its liver, which yielded seven gal- lons of lamp oil. But the shark had with him the evidence of having feasted bountifully upon unroasted beef before the harpoon had done its offiée.. Not less than thirty pounds of beef dropped from under his gasket. Among other delicate bits was a sirloin weighing twelve or fif- teen pounds, with two entire and still unbroken ribs. During this process the shark floundered with prodigious strength, and even after its v‘tals were all out the body retained a spasmodic ac- tion; and finally when the negroes rolled the trunk back into the sea, its native element seemed to impart a sort of galvanic life, for the contor- tions continued until it sank out of sight. =

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t Fame and Fortune Weekly — LATEST IssvuEs —— 1027 The Path. te, Gooa Luck; or, The Boy Miner of allev. : 1028 “Se Money; or, A Corner in Wall Street ocks. 1029 Famous at Fourteen; or, The Boy Who Made a Great Name. 1030 Tips To Fortune; or, A Tincky Wall Street Deal. ' 1031 Striking His Gait; or, The Perils of a Boy En- neer. 1032 From Messenger to Millionaire; or, A Boy’s Luck In Wall Street. 1033 The Boy Gold Hunters; or, After A Pirate’s ‘Treasure. 1034 Tricking the Traders; or, A Wall Street Boy’s Game of Chance. 1035 Jack Merry’s Grit; or, Making a Man Of Himself. 1036 A Golden Shower; or, The Boy Banker of Wall Street. 1027 Making a Record; or, The Luck of a Working Boy. 1038 A Fieht For Money; or, From School to Wall Street. 1039 Stranded Out West: or, The Boy Who Found a Roat™an. 1040 Ben Passford’s Luck; or, Working on Wall Street Tips 1041 A Young Gold King; or, The Treasure of the Secret ‘ave. 1042 Bound To Get Rich; or. How A Wall Street Boy Mande Money. 1043 wage Frank; or, The Boy who Became amous, 1044 A $30.000 Tip; or, The Young Weazel of Wall Street. 1045 Plucky Beb; or, The Roy Who Won Success. 1046 From Newsboy to Banker; or, Rob Lake’s Rise in Wall St 1047 A Golden Stake; or, The Treasure of the Indies, 1048 A Cus On the Market; or, A Hot Time In Wall t 1049 atin His Chance; or, From Ferry Boy to Cap- ain. 1050 A = a Gold; or, The Young Ring of Wall ree 1051 A Wizard for Luck: or Getting Ahead in the World. 1052 A Fortune at Stake; or, A Wall Street Messenger’s Deal. 1053 His Last Nickel: or. What It Did for Jack Rand. 1054 Nat Noble, the Little Broker; or, The Boy Who Started a Wall Street Panic. 1955 A pereaie for Fame; or, The Gamest Boy in the w orld. 1056 The Young Money Maenate; or, The Wall Street Boy who Broke the Market. - 10ST A Leay Contract; or, The Boy Who Made a Raft of Mone Vv. 5S A Bie Risk; or, The Game That Won. 1080 On Pirnte's Isle; or, The Treasure of the Seven Craters. 1060 A Wall Street Mystery: or, The Boy Who Beat the Syndicate. 1061 Dick panes: ® Mine; or, The Boy Gold Diggers of Mexico. 1062 A Fey Stock Broker; or, From Errand Boy to Millionaire. : 1063 Facing the World: or, A Poor Boy’s Fight for Fortune, 1064 A Tio Worth Z bina or, How a Boy Worked t In Wall Street. ’ 1065 Billy, the Cabin Boy; or, The Treasure of Skelton I d land. . 2. 1066 Just His Luck: or, Glimbing the Ladder of Fame ‘and Fortune . 1067 Out With His Own Circus; or, The Success of a Young Barnum. 1068 Playing For Money; or, The Boy Trader of Wall Ss Street. 5 1069 The Roy Copper Miner; or, Ted Brown's Rise to Riches 1070 Tips Off the Tape; or, The Boy Who Startled Wall 1071 Striking It Rich; or, From Office Boy To Mer- chant Prince 1072 ra Wall Street; or, The Boy Who Trimmed Brokers. e 1073 In a Class by Himself; or, The Plueky Boy*Who t to the Top. 3 1074 B the Marke; or, The Messenger Who Worked a Corner. will be sent to any copy 166 West 23d Street OUR TEN-CENT HAND BOOKS Useful, Instructive, and Amusing. They contain ~ Valuable Information on Almost Every Subject. No. 1. NAPOLEAN’S ORACULUM AND DREAM BOOK.—Containing the great oracle of human destiny, also the true meaning of almost any kind of dreams fopather with charms, ceremonies and curious games of cards. No. 2. HOW TO DO TRICKS.—The great book of magic and card ticks, containing full instructions on all leading card tricks of the day, also the most popular _—— illusions as perform by our leading ma- gicians; every boy shonld obtain a co y of this book. No. 3. HOW TO FLIRT.—The and wiles of flirtation are fully explained by this little book. Be- sides the various methods of handkerchief, fan, glove, parasol, window and hat flirtation, it contains a full list of the language and sentiment of flowers. 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HOW TO BECOME AN INVENTOR.—Fve boy should know how inventions originated. This eek explains them ail. giving examples in electricity, hy- draulics, magnetism, optics, pneumatics, mechanics. ete. No, 30. HOW TO COOK.—One of the most instructive. books on cooking ever published. It contains sompes for cooking meats, fish, game, and oysters; also p puddings, enkes and all kinds of pastry, and a gran collection of recipes. No. 37. HOW TO KEEP HOUSE.—It contains infor- matidn for everybody, boys, girls, men and women; it will teach you how to make almost anything around the heuse, such as parlor ornaments, make almost any- thing around the house. such as parlor ornamen brackets, cements, Aeolian harps, and bird lime for eatching birds. No. 38, HOW TO BECOME YOUR OWN DOCTOR.— A wonderful book, containing useful and practical in- formation fn the treatment of ordinary diseases ailments common to every family. Abounding in and effective recipes for general complaints. No. 40. 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