“By the great poker we’ve got it at last,” cried Kitwater, in a voice that echoed and reechoed through the silent halls.

“And about time, too,” cried Hayle, upon whom the place was exercising a most curious effect.  “If you’ve found it, show us your precious treasure-chamber.”

“All in good time, my friend, all in good time,” said Kitwater.  “Things have gone so smoothly with us hitherto, that we must look for a little set-back before we’ve done.”

“We don’t want any set-backs,” said Hayle.  “What we want are the rubies as big as pigeon’s eggs, and sapphires, and gold, and then to get back to civilization as quick as may be.  That’s what’s the matter with me.”

As I have already observed, the courtyard in which they were standing was considerably larger than any they had yet entered.  Like the others, however, it had fallen sadly to decay.  The jungle had crept in at all points, and gorgeous creepers had wreathed themselves round the necks of the statues above the gateway.

“I don’t see any sign of steps,” said Hayle, when they had examined the place in silence for some minutes.  “I thought you said a flight of stone steps led up to where the king’s throne was placed?”

“Codd certainly read it so,” Kitwater answered, looking about him as if he did not quite realize the situation.  “And how are we to know that there are not some steps here?  They may be hidden.  What do you think, little man?”

He turned to Codd, who was looking about him with eyes in which a curious light was shining.

“Steps must be somewhere,” the latter replied.  “We’ve got to find them—­but not to-night.  Sun going down.  Too late.”

This was undoubtedly true, and so, without more ado, but none the less reluctantly, the three travellers retraced their steps to their camp upon the hillside.  Hayle was certainly not in a good temper.  The monotony of the long journey from civilization had proved too much for him, and he was ready to take offence at anything.  Fortunately, however, Kitwater was not of the same way of thinking, otherwise there would probably have been trouble between them.

Next morning they were up and had breakfasted before the sun was in the sky.  Their meal at an end, they picked up their arms and tools, bade their servants have a care of the camp, and then set off on their quest once more.  There was a perceptible change, however, in their demeanours.  A nervous excitement had taken possession of them, and it affected each man in a different manner.  Kitwater was suspicious, Hayle was morose, while little Codd repeatedly puckered up his mouth as if he were about to whistle, but no sound ever came from it.  The sky overhead was emerald-blue, the air was full of the sweetest perfumes, while birds of the most gorgeous plumage flew continually across their path.  They had no regard, however, for nature’s beauties.  The craving for wealth was in their hearts, rendering them blind to everything else.  They crossed the stone bridge, passed through the outer portion of the city, proceeded over the second moat, and at last, with the familiarity of old friends, made their way up the steps towards the courtyard of the king’s palace.