Also it was necessary to send forward to dig out a certain well in the desert where they must drink.

Hence the delay.

Still, you will admit that we have arrived in time, five, or at any rate four hours before the rising of that sun which was to light you on your homeward way." "Yes, you have, O Prophets, or O Liars, whichever you may be," I exclaimed with pardonable exasperation, for really their knowledge of my private affairs, however obtained, was enough to anger a saint.

"So as you are here at last, come in and have a drink, for whether you are men or devils, you must be cold out there in the damp." In they came accordingly, and, not being Mohammedans, partook of a tot of square-face from a bottle which I kept locked in a box to put Hans beyond the reach of temptation.
"To your health, Harut and Marut," I said, drinking a little out of the pannikin and giving the rest to Hans, who gulped the fiery liquor down with a smack of his lips.

For I will admit that I joined in this unholy midnight potation to gain time for thought and to steady my nerve.
"To your health, O Lord Macumazana," the pair answered as they swallowed their tots, which I had made pretty stiff, and set down their pannikins in front of them with as much reverence as though these had been holy vessels.
"Now," I said, throwing a blanket over my shoulders, for the air was chilly, "now let us talk," and taking the lantern which Hans had thoughtfully lighted, I held it up and contemplated them.
There they were, Harut and Marut without doubt, to all appearance totally unchanged since some years before I had seen them at Ragnall in England.