pompously. "A minister from His Highness." (In announcing their own
importance Arabs very seldom err in the direction of under-estimate.)
"I speak about the ivory, which I am informed you propose to set out on
a journey to discover."

"Where did you get your information?" Yerkes countered.

"Don't be absurd!" ordered Lady Safrren Waldon. "I gave it to him!
Where else need he go to get it?"

"Where did you get it, then?" he retorted.

"Never mind! Listen to what Hamed Ibrahim has to say!"

The Arab bowed his bead slightly a second time.

"The ivory you seek," he said, "is said to be Tippoo Tib's own, and he
will not tell the hiding-places. It does not belong to him. Such
little part of it as ever was his was long ago swallowed by the
interest on claims against him. The whole is now in truth the property
of His Highness the Sultan of Zanzibar, and whoever discovers it shall
receive reward from the owner. His Highness is willing, through me his
minister, to make treaty in advance in writing with suitable parties
intending to make search."

"You mean the Sultan wants to hire me to hunt for ivory for him?" Will
asked, and the Arab made a gesture of impatience. At that Lady Saffren
Waldon cut in, very vinegary once more.

"You two men are prisoners! Show much more sense! Come to terms or