We are far from our home and we sought tidings through those who could give it to us, and we have won those tidings, that is all.

We are worshippers of the Heavenly Child that is eternal youth and all good things, but of late the Child has lacked a tongue.
Yet to-night it spoke again.

Seek to know no more, you who in due season will know all things." "Seek to know no more," echoed Marut, "who already, perhaps, know too much, lest harm should come to you, Macumazana." "Where are you going to sleep to-night ?" I asked.
"We do not sleep here," answered Harut, "we walk to the great city and thence find our way to Africa, where we shall meet you again.

You know that we are no liars, common readers of thought and makers of tricks, for did not Dogeetah, the wandering white man, speak to you of the people of whom he had heard who worshipped the Child of Heaven?
Go in, Macumazana, ere you take harm in this horrible cold, and take with you this as a marriage gift from the Child of Heaven whom she met to-night, to the beautiful lady stamped with the sign of the young moon who is about to marry the great lord she loves." Then he thrust a little linen-wrapped parcel into my hand and with his companion vanished into the darkness.
I returned to the drawing-room where the others were still discussing the remarkable performance of the two native conjurers.
"They have gone," I said in answer to Lord Ragnall, "to walk to London as they said.

But they have sent a wedding-present to Miss Holmes," and I showed the parcel.
"Open it, Quatermain," he said again.
"No, George," interrupted Miss Holmes, laughing, for by now she seemed to have quite recovered herself, "I like to open my own presents." He shrugged his shoulders and I handed her the parcel, which was neatly sewn up.