"Yes, the new town. It's not far away. I can tell by the lights."
It was now, as they reached a moderately level plateau, that they found paths evidently used regularly by the natives.
One of these lay right through a large field of flowers that resembled poppies. These appeared to be under cultivation.
"What's the flower garden for?" asked Bob.
"These are the royal flowers, lad," explained the Irishman. "They use them for royal celebrations and funerals. Bad cess to it! If we should be found here by the natives."
"Why?" inquired Bob.
"Taboo. No one is allowed here except the women who give their life to tending to the flowers, unless by direct permission of the native king."
"Well," observed Bob quizzically, "you had ought to be able to get a free pass, seeing that you was king once."
Stoodles chuckled as if some pleasant idea was suggested to his mind.
"I'll be king again," he observed. "I've got to be. 'Tis only for an hour maybe, but Dave Fearless and I want to make that ten thousand dollars."