It was well into the night before Nick gave up the chase and called his men together. “It wasn’t necessary to go after them so far, I guess,” he said. “But I wanted to make sure that they were fairly on their way. We are not quite into their country. But I think we may go there at some future time, if we can get a force together large enough to make sure that we shall be able to get back. For the present, we must be satisfied with having rescued Leslie Arnold.” “That’s enough for me,” interposed Jefferson Arnold, as he put an arm over his son’s shoulder. “But what about William Pike?” objected Leslie. “I don’t like the idea of his getting away with all that money.” “We’ll nail him some time, my boy,” was Jefferson’s cool response. “He can’t stay over there in that wild country always, you know. It is a good place to get to when a man is running away from the law, I have no doubt. But a white man wants to get back to his own kind of people sooner or later.” “Nevertheless, I’d like to get my hands on William Pike,” replied Leslie. “I’d choke that money out of him before he could spend much of it, I’ll stake anything on that.” “We are pretty sure to get Pike some day,” put in Nick Carter. “If you say so, Carter, I’m sure of it,” said Jefferson Arnold. “But, say, what is that thing you have in your hand, that scared them all and sent them flying back just when they seemed to be on top.” “Here it is,” answered Nick, opening his hand. “It seems to have the most marvelous power I ever heard of in a small, ordinary-looking thing like this.” “I don’t think it is very ordinary looking,” remarked Chick. “But it certainly has the ‘punch.’ It is the ear of some idol, isn’t it?” “Yes. It is the thing that fell from the hand of that snake charmer. I never supposed it would serve us such a good turn as it has now.” “When the priests and wise men of Bolongu find that the ear of the great Mashonu is in the hands of a white man, it will most likely mean the death of all those.” It was Jai Singh speaking, and he swept his arm in all-embracing fashion to include all the men who were racing away in a cloud of dust a mile or more away. “The ear of the idol Mashonu, eh?” observed Nick Carter musingly. “I have heard of that idol. I did not know I held such a precious relic. Well, I’ll take care of it. Now, everybody! Right about face! Our cue is to get back to the lower country before we have any more trouble.” “Thank Heaven I am taking my boy back with me!” said Jefferson Arnold, in a voice that trembled with gratitude. THE END. “The Secret of Shangpore; or, Nick Carter Among the Spearmen,” will tell you more about the adventures of the famous detective and his assistants in India. This story will be found in the next issue of NICK CARTER STORIES, No. 134, out April 3d. * * * * * ON A DARK STAGE. By ROLAND ASHFORD PHILLIPS.