"Oh, Buck," he said, "I suppose there is no chance of such a precious thing being in the baggage after all."
"Not it," replied Risley. "I packed every consarned thing with my own hands. I had just enough strength for a job like that."
"And you feel convinced, Risley, that Tom Haydon has been spirited off back to Burmah by a gang who have learned of his wonderful find, and mean to seize it for themselves?" said Mr. Buxton.
"Dead sure of it, sir," replied Buck.
Jack sprang to his feet and paced the room excitedly.
"Then we'll go ourselves, Buck," he cried, "and run them to earth."
"Sure thing," said Buck calmly. "I'm on at once for a look into what's happened to the Professor."
"It will be a dangerous quest," said Mr. Buxton slowly; "a very dangerous quest, among wild lands and savage peoples. I know that much. Do you think the Government authority extends over the district where the discovery was made, Risley?"
"No, it don't," replied Buck. "They're all savage Kachins and Shans up there, as ready for a scrap as any you ever met. It's all the authorities can do to hold 'em off the settlements."
"A dangerous quest indeed!" repeated Mr. Buxton.