A burnoosed, turbaned Arab standing inside salaamed profoundly.
The two girls giggled, and there was a stifled, most un-Arab-like echo from the bronzed son of the desert.

Then they paused before a platform about four feet in height on which reposed what appeared to be a gigantic Sphinx, her paws stiffly folded in front of her.
"Ask me a question." This sudden, mysterious croak that issued from inside the great head caused Arline to start and step back.

"Ask me a question.

I am as old as the world.

I am the world's great riddle, the one which has never been solved.