most glorious specimen of old 'Kang He'? An altar vessel, too; a most
perfect, complete, and unique specimen of Chinese enamelled porcelain,
dating from the Kang dynasty? By George!" handling it and turning it
about with tender loving care, "what an astonishing find! I've never
come across such a piece, and I've seen a good few in my time. How did
you get hold of it?"

"Mr. Shafto gave it to me," replied Mrs. Malone, in her stiffest manner.

"And I picked it off a stall in the Caledonian Market," supplemented
Shafto.

"What luck; what incredible luck!" exclaimed the dealer, nodding his
big head; "well, Mrs. Malone, will you please inform your other
customer that I will pay you three hundred pounds down for this
piece--that rather snuffs him out, eh? I'll give you a cheque in the
morning," and carrying the monster as reverently as if it were some
holy relic, Manasseh Levison, expert and connoisseur, marched out of
the room in triumph.




CHAPTER VIII

BOUND FOR BURMA

It was some minutes before Mrs. Malone recovered her breath and
composure, the invasion and purchase had been so startlingly abrupt.
At last she found her tongue and her wits, and after a lengthy and