Bring us, we pray you, into the presence of Harut." Everyone wheeled round and stared at us standing there in the shadow of the gateway tunnel, for the sun behind us was still low.

My word, how they did stare! A voice cried: "Kill them! Kill these strangers who desecrate our temple." "What!" I answered.

"Would you kill those to whom your high-priest has given safe-conduct; those moreover by whose help alone, as your Oracle has just declared, you can hope to slay Jana and destroy his hosts ?" "How do they know that ?" shouted another voice.

"They are magicians!" "Yes," I remarked, "all magic does not dwell in the hearts of the White Kendah.

If you doubt it, go to look at the Watcher in the Cave whom your Oracle told you is dead.