The meaning smile on his face broadened. Mr. Haydon slapped his knee with a crack like a pistol shot. There was no need of words between them. "By Jove, Me Dain!" he cried, "I shouldn't be surprised if you are right." "Right, quite right," said Me Dain. "U Saw never leave great stone like that at home. Carry it everywhere. U Saw trust no man." By this time the others had grasped the meaning of this conversation. Was the great ruby in U Saw's girdle? CHAPTER XLIV. HOW THINGS ENDED. All eyes were fixed in breathless excitement on Me Dain. His swift, practised fingers rapidly explored the intricacies of the long, soft band which had been wound twice or thrice round the waist of the Ruby King. "Lump here," grunted Me Dain, drawing his knife. He made a couple of rapid snicks, pulled the silk open, glanced in, then looked up at his old master. "Hold your hand, sahib," he said. Mr. Haydon held out his hand, and the Burman shook the girdle sharply. A cry of admiration and wonder burst from every watcher as an immense ruby fell into Mr. Haydon's palm and lay there glittering with richest, deepest fire. The great expert did not need to take a second glance. "That's my stone," he said. "Me Dain, I am indebted to you for ever. Its value to me is beyond all money, for it represents my honour and the good faith which I owe to those who employ me. Me Dain, my good friend, I shall give you ten thousand rupees." "Oh, sahib," cried the Burman, overcome with the vision of so much wealth, "it is too much for your servant." "Not a penny," said Mr. Haydon earnestly, "not a penny too much. You have rendered me a service which no money can repay." Amid a buzz of wonder and surprise and delighted congratulation, the huge stone was examined and passed from hand to hand. Then Mr. Haydon took it again, wrapped it up in a piece of silk cut from the girdle, and carefully bestowed it in an inner pocket. "I'll have another try to get to London with it," he said. "We ought to manage it this time among us." Jack stood looking at his father with shining eyes, and Mr. Haydon now turned to his son. As he did so, Buck slapped the tall lad on the shoulder. "Say, Jack," he cried, "is this good enough for you? You've got your father and the big pebble. Seems to me you've worked your way through this business pretty successful. I reckon you've been the king pin of this outfit." "Right, Buck, right," said Mr. Haydon in a tone of deep feeling. "I was just thinking of what I owed to my boy."