But the fellaheen absolutely refused to enter the valley at such a time, alleging that they might be caught by the night before they could emerge from the other end.

At first they would give no reason for their fear.

They had hitherto gone anywhere I wished, and at any time, without demur.

On being pressed, however, they said that the place was the Valley of the Sorcerer, where none might come in the night.

On being asked to tell of the Sorcerer, they refused, saying that there was no name, and that they knew nothing.