"Yes," replied Moung San. "Do much trade with the miners for many years."
"Do you know a man named Saya Chone?"
"Yes," said the trader. "Know him. Don't like him."
"Who is he with now?"
"With U Saw, the man they call the Ruby King."
"U Saw," murmured Dent reflectively. "He's jumped into notice since I was up here last. What sort of character has U Saw, Moung San?"
The Burman lowered his voice and looked uneasily round to see if any of his crew were within earshot.
"Very dangerous man," he said, shaking his head, "if he hears of one of the hill-miners finding good ruby, that man sure to lose it, perhaps lose his head same time. U Saw has many Kachins who follow him, and every Kachin carry strong, sharp dah (native sword)."
"Have the police been on to him, Moung San?" asked Buck.
"The police!" Moung San laughed disdainfully. "What do the police know about the hills and the jungle, and what goes on there? But we know. The word goes from Kachin to Shan, and from Shan to Burman, over the country, up and down the river. We know."