"And you haven't seen Sarojini?"
"If I did, it was without my knowledge."
"Or—Chavigny?"
Kerth laughed quietly. "If I didn't know he existed, I'd believe him a myth. No, I haven't seen Chavigny, nor heard of him, for that matter, since I entered the city. But that's not queer, for if he were here he wouldn't advertise the fact."
Trent motioned toward the lamasery. "Do you suppose he had a hand in the jewel affair?"
"Who? Sâkya-mûni? If not, why were the gems brought to Shingtse-lunpo? And remember: a Grand Lama sent Da-yak to Myitkyina."
"But—"
"I agree with you," Kerth cut in, anticipating him. "It is preposterous. It's evident that Chavigny has the alliance of the lamas, but how did he get it? I haven't told you the strongest link in that chain yet. You'll recall that a Grand Lama from a Tibetan monastery emulated the example of the Tashi Lama and made a pilgrimage to the Sacred Bo-tree at Gaya just about the time the gems were stolen?"
Trent's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"Precisely," continued Kerth, reading the other's thoughts. "I believe the lamas who pilgrimaged to Buddh-Gaya carried the jewels out of India. I have foundation for this theory, too. Since my arrival here I've learned that a number of the monks who went on that pilgrimage were from Shingtse-lunpo—and they haven't returned yet!"