"The temples of India! The Himalayas, with Everest the highest mountain in the world! The forbidden land of Tibet! What wonderful sights you will see!"
"Would you like to see Holy India, my son?"
"Would I? Say, I"d like nothing better than to be there with you!"
exclaimed d.i.c.k. "It would be a real adventure to visit that land of mystery."
"The crystal has told me that you shall accompany me," said the Hindu.
"And that before many moons."
"Do you mean it?"
"I have spoken."
"But what about my kingdom? How can I leave these people? They trust me. They need me."
"Raal is a strong warrior," said the Mahatma. "He can rule while you are gone, and Kulki, the clever Gorol can be his chief adviser."
"I hate to go away and leave them to the mercy of Arab slave raiders,"
said d.i.c.k. "After all, being a king, means responsibility. Suppose Jess Slythe should start another raid while I am gone. He could wipe out the whole population."
"That evil man will not trouble your land. Certainly not for a long time. Perhaps never. So you are free to fly in the great plane and see the wonders of Holy India."
"Great!" exclaimed d.i.c.k. "And what about Ray and Dan? Will they come too?"
"My crystal says they will be with us. Also your father and Rex Carter."
"I"d like to take Kurt and Kurul along," said d.i.c.k. "It would be interesting to have Stone-Age men in the party. I"d like to know what they would do in the great world beyond the desert and the jungle."
"What will be, will be," answered the Mahatma quietly. "And now, my son, this is my request to you: say no more to me about the ancient crown and the symbols engraved on it. The image is clear in my mind.
By talking about it, the sharp outline will become dim and cloudy.
Promise!"
"Yes, Mahatma, I promise. Until you speak of it, I remain silent."
"Come then. Let us go!"
With this future of travel and fresh adventure to occupy his mind, the Boy King could hardly wait until Raal and his warriors returned.
Meanwhile preparations were made for the flight to India. Rex Carter had to return with Professor Oakwood to the Pomegranate Oasis to wind up the affairs of the solar eclipse expedition.
"I"m taking Ray and Dan along," he said. "I"ll feel safer to have them in sight."
"But let"s work fast, Dad," cried Ray. "I want to set out for India as soon as we can."
"Patience, kid sister! Patience!" laughed Dan.
"Don"t talk like the Mahatma. It gives me the jitters," Ray exclaimed.
"Something tells me that I"ll be sorry I ever met that man. It"s one thrill after another when he is in the picture. I like it--but it makes me nervous."
A few weeks later the big cabin plane returned to the land of the Boy King to find all in readiness for the take-off to India. Raal had been appointed viceroy, with Princess Veena sharing the honors as his wife.
Professor Oakwood had been hard at work collecting material for a book and specimens for museums, and was reluctant to leave the Stone-Age tribes.
"Don"t worry, Dad. We are all coming back some day," d.i.c.k promised him as the party took off on its search for adventure among the mystics of India.
Far below on the desert the whole population was gathered to wave goodbye to Tahara as the great wings bore their Boy King away. "Tahara hal!" came their farewell shout, growing fainter and fainter in the distance as the plane headed eastward toward the home of mystery and romance.
THE END
Books by
HAROLD M. SHERMAN
IT"S A Pa.s.s INTERFERENCE DOWN THE ICE OVER THE LINE STRIKE HIM OUT UNDER THE BASKET THE TENNIS TERROR CAPTAIN OF THE ELEVEN TAHARA--BOY MYSTIC OF INDIA TAHARA--AMONG AFRICAN TRIBES TAHARA--BOY KING OF THE DESERT TAHARA--IN THE LAND OF YUCATAN THE FUN LOVING GANG--IN WRONG RIGHT THE FUN LOVING GANG--ALWAYS UP TO SOMETHING