sculptors. Moreover, on the third finger of this hand was a
representation of a ring whereof, unfortunately, the bezel had
been destroyed.

I put the hand in my pocket, but as darkness was coming on, I
could not pursue the research and disinter the block. When I
wished to return the next day, I was informed politely by Marama
that it would not be safe for me to do so as the priests of Oro
declared that if I sought to meddle with the "buried things the
god would grow angry and bring disaster on me."

When I persisted he said that at least I must go alone since no
native would accompany me, and added earnestly that he prayed me
not to go. So to my great regret and disappointment I was obliged
to give up the idea.



Chapter VIII

Bastin Attempts the Martyr's Crown


That carved stone and the marble hand took a great hold of my
imagination. What did they mean? How could they have come to the
bottom of that hole, unless indeed they were part of some
building and its ornaments which had been destroyed in the
neighbourhood? The stone of which we had only uncovered a corner
seemed far too big to have been carried there from any ship; it
must have weighed several tons. Besides, ships do not carry such