“Pardon us,” said Harut with a grave smile, “but if you were to do as you say, Lord Macumazana, many questions would be asked which you might find it hard to answer.  So be pleased to put that death-dealer back into its place, and to tell us before we reply to you, what you know of Set of the Egyptians.”

“As much or as little as you do,” I replied.

Both bowed as though this information were of the most satisfactory order.  Then Harut went on:  “In reply to your requests, O Macumazana, we left England by a steamboat and in due course after long journeyings we reached our own country.  We do not understand your allusions to a place called Abu-Simbel on the Nile, whence, never having been there, we have taken no lady.  Indeed, we never meant to take that lady to whom we sent a necklace in England.  We only meant to ask certain questions of her, as she had the gift of vision, when you appeared and interrupted us.  What should we want with white ladies, who have already far too many of our own?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, “but I do know that you are the biggest liars I ever met.”

At these words, which some might have thought insulting, Harut and Marut bowed again as though to acknowledge a great compliment.  Then Harut said: 

“Let us leave the question of ladies and come to matters that have to do with men.  You are here as we told you that you would be at a time when you did not believe us, and we here to meet you, as we told you that we would be.  How we knew that you were coming and how we came do not matter at all.  Believe what you will.  Are you ready to start with us, O Lord Macumazana, that you may bring to its death the wicked elephant Jana which ravages our land, and receive the great reward of ivory?  If so, your camel waits.”

“One camel cannot carry four men,” I answered, avoiding the question.

“In courage and skill you are more than many men, O Macumazana, yet in body you are but one and not four.”

“If you think that I am going with you alone, you are much mistaken, Harut and Marut,” I exclaimed.  “Here with me is my servant without whom I do not stir,” and I pointed to Hans, whom they contemplated gravely.  “Also there is the Lord Ragnall, who in this land is named Igeza, and his servant who here is named Bena, the man out of whom you drew snakes in the room in England.  They also must accompany us.”

At this news the impassive countenances of Harut and Marut showed, I thought, some signs of disturbance.  They muttered together in an unknown tongue.  Then Harut said: 

“Our secret land is open to you alone, O Macumazana, for one purpose only—­to kill the elephant Jana, for which deed we promise you a great reward.  We do not wish to see the others there.”

“Then you can kill your own elephant, Harut and Marut, for not one step do I go with you.  Why should I when there is as much ivory here as I want, to be had for the shooting?”