So they must still be in their hiding place, and Inga believed they would prove of great assistance to him and his comrades in this hour of need.

But the palace was a mass of ruins; perhaps he would be unable now to find the place where the pearls were hidden.
He said nothing of this to Rinkitink, remembering that his father had charged him to preserve the secret of the pearls and of their magic powers.

Nevertheless, the thought of securing the wonderful treasures of his ancestors gave the boy new hope.
He stood up and said to the King: "Let us return to the other end of Pingaree.

It is more pleasant than here in spite of the desolation of my father's palace.

And there, if anywhere, we shall discover a way out of our difficulties." This suggestion met with Rinkitink's approval and the little party at once started upon the return journey.