Part 12 (1/2)

”What time is it? Where are we?” Mark asked drowsily

”Near ht, and we are at Gunjyal,” answered Torumbled Mark as he scrambled down

In half an hour the servants and a ca--had started for the Doctor's destination, a place on the Salt Range some twelve miles away

At daybreak three horses arrived, and the Doctor and his two companions started for their camp

After breakfast the Doctor took his son and Tom Ellison, accompanied by a servant, to a small valley about a quarter of a mile from the camp

”Here you are,” said the Doctor; ”this is the exact spot where I found the pieces of slab”

”Then I should say the rest can't be far away,” re around with the ends of iron-shod sticks They had been twenty oats planted himself on a rock not far away and keenly watched the Sahibs at work

”Don't you think it would be a good plan, Doctor, if we got a few coolies to loosen the subsoil and turn over some of these loose stones about here?--it would be easier for us to search,” suggested Toh search noe are at it,” replied the Doctor, who at once sent the servant to the village near the camp for some coolies and tools

The boy had disappeared before the coolies arrived, for he had received a signal fro the search-party from the top of a cliff so at hen one of theari pitched off exactly on to the spot where the next coolie had turned over a stone The ari and ain, and aloat-boy appeared and asked hioat

Toe fossil he had found, and as he casually glanced at the boy he saw the coolie hand hi, which he pro over his shoulder

In a moment a suspicion flashed into Tom's mind, and he rushed forward and seized the boy before he could make off, and no sooner had he felt the lad's kupra (cloth) than he discovered that the youngster had hidden a newly found piece of the slab which had been picked up by the coolie

The Doctor and Mark were at once by To to Toot about the boy, and when they looked round became aware that both he and the coolie had disappeared

The sides of the hills all about were covered with low shrubs, large stones, and nullahs, or ravines, and, although a quick search was made, neither man nor boy could be seen

When the day was over they hadparts of the slab, but they took away several other stones which they thought ht possibly prove to be of so after dinner was spent in discussing the reason which prompted the theft fro the day

”There can be no doubt I was seen examents I found,” said the Doctor ”I re to place the several pieces together in e that these natives should take so keen an interest in an old, broken slab, for the piecesthere for years”

”I expect we shall have to keep a sharp eye on this piece, for they are sure to have a try for it, judging by what they have already done,” said Tom

”They seem to have a sharp eye on us I shouldn't be surprised if they thought we came here purposely to hunt for the stones,” said Mark

”Well, I will take a copy of the letters on it at once, in case anything happens to the stone,” said the Doctor

Next day an official letter arrived which necessitated either the Doctor or To to Lahore for a few hours, and it was decided the letter should go

”Now listen,” said the Doctor as Tom was about to start on his journey