“This is Oriental!” smiled Ned.  “I wish we were well out of this hole in the ground!”

“I see,” began the man with the star on the breast of his dirty gown, “that you are in trouble of mind concerning the loss of two companions.”

“Correct!” shouted the irrepressible Jimmie.  “Come across with them—­ right soon, old hoss!”

“I see,” continued the other, not noticing the interruption, “that you are here in a weighty matter—­a matter affecting the peace of nations.”

Jimmie was primed for another outbreak of conversation, but Ned caught him by the arm and ordered him to remain silent.

“I see,” the alleged seer went on, “that you have met with difficulties and perils on the way.  Is this true?”

“All true,” Ned answered.

“Then approach.  Enter the holy room and receive instruction which shall be of benefit.”

Ned hesitated a moment.

“And my friends?” he asked.

“The spirit speaks to but one,” was the reply.

“What a lot of rot!” whispered Jimmie.  “You go on, an’ I’ll be there in a second if there is anything like rough house.”

With a warning look in the Captain’s direction, the boy advanced to the platform of rock.  From there he was directed to a door cut in what, seemed to be soft earth and framed with timbers.  The timbers were new.  He saw that at a glance, and drew his own conclusions.

Ned was glad to see that the man who had done all the speaking was the only one to accompany him into the side room.  In a contest of muscles, he thought he could hold his own pretty well with this fellow.

Ned was prepared for almost anything, but what took place next filled him with astonishment.  The room was just a hole out in the earth.  It did not appear to have been a part of the old temple.  There were in it a board table, roughly put together, two chairs, and a square box, perhaps five feet in length by one and a half in the other proportions.

As soon as the door was closed the alleged priest threw aside his slate-colored robe, snatched a wig and beard from his head and face, and stood forth a handsome man, dressed in the costume of a modern Englishman or American.  At first Ned did not recognize the smiling face which confronted him.

Then there came to his mind the memory of a time in Canton when he had watched a meeting of men he believed to be in conspiracy against his country.  This face certainly had been there.

The voice was low, smooth, musical.  Ned stood looking at the subtle countenance, but said not a word.

“You are caught at last!” came next.

Still Ned stood silent, saying not a word, only wondering if the time for final action had arrived—­if the Captain outside was in such peril as threatened himself.

“Rather a bright boy,” sneered the other, “only not bright enough to understand that men of the world are not to be defeated in their long-cherished plans by the kindergarten class.  Do you know where your two friends are—­the two who accompanied you here?”