"Say, thou, hath no man of the _Nasara_ faith ever penetrated as far as to the place of thy birth ?" "_Lah_ (no), _M'alme_, never.

But three did reach an oasis not far to westward of it, fifty years ago, or maybe fifty-one." "Ah, so ?" exclaimed the Master, a touch of eagerness in his grave, impassive voice.

"Who were they ?" "Two of the French blood, Master, and one of the Russian." "And what happened to them, then ?" "They--died, Master." "Thou dost mean, thy people did slay them ?" "They died, all three," repeated Rrisa, in even tones.

"The jackals devoured them and the bones remained.

Those bones, I think, are still there.