when our departure was to take place; indeed there was no reason why a move should not be made now, so far as I could see, for the bridge was complete and the water had fallen below the opening in the wall on the opposite side of the canon. Padma informed us, however, that nothing could be done until a certain holy day, and declined to tell us when this would come or how the bridge was to be thrown across the cañon. Indeed all his communications to us were involved in so much mystery that our anxiety became intense; yet we were powerless to do anything and tried to be as patient as circumstances would permit.
“There's something wrong about it all, George!” the Doctor kept saying. “With all his mildness and pretended fatherly interest in our welfare, I don’t trust Padma. We are foreigners, and the old fellow has all the prejudices of his race. Be very sure we shall never leave Thibet alive."
And such were some of the sayings and doings of the dreary days during which we remained prisoners underground.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE RETURN.
“Good evening, my children! The day is spent at last, but the sunlight will soon come again. Our time in this gloomy retreat grows short, and before we leave it forever, I would show you more of the mysteries of Nature; I am about to consult my spirit guides as to the proper steps to be taken in your case. Would it please you to be present and increase your store of wisdom? I do not urge it, I only suggest that wisdom, no matter how acquired, must ever assist in the progress of the soul toward that blessed Nirvana where we shall be in Buddha and his all-pervading essence more fully in us."
“By all means let us join him, George," said the Doctor. “Anything to break this infernal monotony. Shall I say yes?"
“Ask him if he cannot go through his ceremony right
