I have heard tales of how those priests will follow up a temple jewel that has been lost for years, and never give it up until they get it back again.' "'I ought to give it up,' I said.
"'You don't know where it came from, sir,' he replied.

'I was one of a party of convalescents who were sent up just before that fight, and my own regiment was not there: it might have been here, and it might have been in the Carnatic.

Bill never told me, and I have no more idea than a babe unborn.' "The gems were certainly magnificent; and though I knew well enough that these untiring Brahmins would not be long in guessing that the things had come into my possession, I took the bracelet.

I thought, anyhow, that I might have a few hours' start; the fellow I had killed might, of course, have one or two others with him, but I had to risk that.

I got leave an hour later, and went down to Madras, and got them put into a place of safety.