"Wot's that!" the two exclaimed, almost in a word. The Chinaman shrugged and smiled enigmatically. "'Nother one uh yer Chink bluffs," mumbled Shorty. "I ain't so sure," joined his partner meditatively. "But we better get movin'. Com' on! Stick 'er where she'll be safe, Shorty. Get that shotgun. Get both them water bags. That's it--both uv 'em. It's hot an' we'll need 'em," he added with a chuckle of grim significance. "All right," announced Shorty, lowering his gun and grinning at the Chinaman with lips that twitched. "We'll toddle on, Ole Timer. Sorry can't have yer company." "You may need it," tranquilly replied Prince Chu, commencing deftly to pick up his scattered things. "I shall not be far behind." The gunman laughed unpleasantly. "I guess yuh'll keep outa gun range," he retorted, backing away a few steps. "Which way?" inquired Shorty, loaded with the appointed articles. They contemptuously turned their attention from their late victim, now that they had rendered him harmless, they thought, and disabled by lack of water. "Wait uh minute," the Squint interjected. "Let's see the rock. I wanna look at it close." Shorty dug the great black opal from an inner pocket and was about to hand it to the other, when he halted suspiciously. "Yuh ain't startin' nothin', Squint, are yuh?" he inquired. "Com' on, yuh boob," protested the other. "How could I? We're t'gether, ain't we? Ain't there enough in it fer both uv us, anyhow? I jus' wanna see how the thing feels. Gee, she's some rock!" he exulted, as Shorty released the great jewel unwillingly. He allowed his attention to be consumed by the fascinating opal for a moment, and then he slipped the stone into an inner vest pocket. "Hey, you! Wot're yuh comin' on me?" challenged the ragged one. "Yer pockets're apt t' have holes in 'em, Shorty----" At this point they were interrupted by the even-toned, dispassionate voice of the Chinaman. He had stood up from his patient reassembling, and there was such a contempt, such an impalpable foreboding in his voice, that both bad-men were impressed with a vague apprehension. "Mr. Shorty, you have made your third mistake today," came the veiled, slowly articulated words. Then addressing them both, "You have never seen such a stone, before, have you?" "Com' on--cut it short," interrupted the squint-eyed. "There is only one such stone in the world," continued Prince Chu, unhastened. "It has ruled empires for ten thousand years. Before this, thieves have stolen it; yet none have kept it long, except its rightful owners." He paused impressively. [Illustration] Despite their callousness, the two thugs were getting a little nervous. Each had been speculating on the almost impossible value of the jewel. How could they dispose of it? Perhaps he was right. Maybe it wasn't intended for such as they. Still they should be able to realize something out of it.