"Of course not, my boy. What kind of animal is it that you want?"

"A mongoose."

"A mongoose! What on earth do you want it for?"

"To kill snakes."

"Good!" The old man remembered the mound of stones. No explanation was
needed.

When Ross heard what was wanted, he asked:

"Do you want something special, or will an ordinary mongoose do?"

"Well, of course I want a good one. But I see no need for anything
special. It is for ordinary use."

"I can let you have a choice of ordinary ones. I only asked, because I
have in stock a very special one which I got lately from Nepaul. He has
a record of his own. He killed a king cobra that had been seen in the
Rajah's garden. But I don't suppose we have any snakes of the kind in
this cold climate--I daresay an ordinary one will do."

When Adam got back to the carriage, carefully carrying the box with the
mongoose, Sir Nathaniel said: "Hullo! what have you got there?"

"A mongoose."