The shadows of evening were slowly falling as the little party of which Kitwater, Codd, and Hayle, with two Burmen servants, were members, obtained their first view of the gigantic ruins of which they had come so far in search.  For many days they had been journeying through the jungle, now the prey of hope, now of despair.  They had experienced adventures by the score, though none of them were of sufficient importance to be narrated here, and more than once they had come within a hair’s-breadth of being compelled to retrace their steps.  They rode upon the small wiry ponies of the country, their servants clearing a way before them with their parangs as they advanced.  Their route, for the most part, lay through jungle, in places so dense that it was well-nigh impossible for them to force a way through it.  It was as if nature were doing her best to save the ancient city from the hand of the spoiler.  At last, and so suddenly that it came upon them like a shock, they found themselves emerging from the jungle.  Below them, in the valley, peering up out of the forest, was all that remained of a great city, upon the ruined temples of which the setting sun shone with weird effect.

“At last,” said Hayle, bringing his pony to a standstill, and looking down upon the ruins.  “Let us hope we shall have penetrated their secret before we are compelled to say good-bye to them again.”

“Hear, hear, to that,” said Kitwater; Septimus Codd, however, never said a word; the magic hand of the past was upon his heart, and was holding him spellbound.

They descended the hill, and, when they had selected a suitable spot, decided to camp upon it for the night.

Next morning they were up betimes; the excitement of the treasure-hunt was upon each man, and would not let him tarry.  It would not be long now, they hoped, before they would be able to satisfy themselves as to the truth of the story they had been told, and of the value of the hopes in which they had put their trust.  Having eaten their morning meal, they took counsel together, examined the plan for the thousandth time, collected their weapons and tools, bade their servants keep a sharp lookout, and then set off for the city.  The morning sun sparkled upon the dew, the birds and monkeys chattered at them from the jungle, while above them towered the myriad domes and sculptured spires of the ancient city.  It was a picture that once seen would never be forgotten.  So far, however, not a sign of human life had they been able to discover; indeed, for all they knew to the contrary, they might be the only men within fifty miles of the place.