"Two of the Feringi--_Nasara_ men like yourself--have indeed touched and kissed it.

Two that we know of.

_Shaytan el Kabir_ (the Great Satan) may have permitted others to do that, but we know of only two who have done it--and lived." "Thou meanest one named Burckhardt, and Sir Richard Burton ?" The Arab shuddered at sound of those names, and silently nodded.

Then he burst out: "Those were their names, _M'alme!_ Those two, disguised as _Hujjaj_, defiled the Black Stone, which was given by Allah to the first Arabs; and they both escaped.

But many others who have tried--" "Have died at the hands of thy people ?" "_Bismillah_! Yea!" A flash of pride irradiated the dark face of Rrisa.