When he had finished they picked up their tools and set off on their return journey to the camp.  The sun had disappeared behind the jungle when they left the courtyard of the Three Elephants’ Heads and ascended the stone steps towards the inner moat.  They crossed the bridge, and entered the outer city in silence.  The place was very dreary at that hour of the day, and to Codd, who was of an imaginative turn of mind, it seemed as if faces out of the long deserted past were watching him from every house.  His companions, however, were scarcely so impressionable.  They were gloating over the treasure they had won for themselves, and one, at least, was speculating as to how he should spend his share.  Suddenly Hayle, who was looking down a side street, uttered an exclamation of surprise.

“Did you see that?” he inquired of Kitwater.  Then, without waiting for a reply, he dived into the nearest ruin and disappeared from view.

“What on earth is the matter with him?” inquired Kitwater of Codd.  “Has he gone mad?”

Codd only shook his head.  Hayle’s doings were more often than not an enigma to him.  Presently, however, the runaway made his appearance before them.  His face was flushed and he breathed heavily.  Apparently he had been running, and for some distance.

“Didn’t you see him?” he inquired of his companions in some surprise.

“See who?” asked Kitwater, with elevated eyebrows.  “Who do you think you saw?”

“A man,” Hayle replied.  “I am ready to take my oath I saw him cross that narrow street back yonder.”

“Was it one of our own men do you think?” said Codd, referring to the two Burmen they had brought with them.

“Not a bit of it,” Hayle replied.  “I tell you, Kitwater, I am as sure as I am of anything that the man I saw was a Chinaman.”

“Gammon,” said Kitwater.  “There isn’t a Chinaman within fifty miles of the ruins.  You are unduly excited.  You’ll be seeing a regiment of Scots Guards presently if you are not careful.”

“I don’t care what you say, it was a man I saw,” the other answered.  “Good Heavens! won’t you believe me, when I say that I saw his pigtail?”

“Believe you, of course I will,” replied Kitwater good-humouredly.  “It’s a pity you didn’t catch hold of him by it, however.  No, no, Gid, you take my word for it, there are no Chinamen about here.  What do you think, Codd?”

Mr. Codd appeared to have no opinion, for he did not reply.

By this time they had crossed the last bridge and had left the city behind them.  The jungle was lulling itself to sleep, and drowsy croonings sounded on every hand.  So certain was Hayle that he had not been mistaken about the man he declared he had seen, that he kept his eyes well open to guard against a surprise.  He did not know what clump of bamboo might contain an enemy, and, in consequence, his right hand was kept continually in his pocket in order not to lose the grip of the revolver therein contained.  At last they reached the top of the hill and approached the open spot where their camp was situated.