human
Gold? stammered the major, and fell to gnawing his mustache, as he stared at the incredible sight.
gpt
By God--gold? Sure, it can't be _that_!
human
It not only can be, but is! the Master answered.
gpt
The old legend is coming true, that's all. Have you no eyes in your head, Major? If that shine isn't the shine of gold, what is it?
human
Yes, but the thing's impossible, sir! cried Bohannan.
gpt
Why, man alive! If that's gold, the whole of Arabia would be here after it! There'd be caravans, miners, swarms of--
human
It's obvious you know nothing of Moslem severity or superstition, the Master interrupted.
gpt
There is no Mohammedan beggar, even starving, who would touch a grain of that metal. Not even if it were given him. There's not one would carry an ounce away from the Iron Mountains. This whole region is under the ban of a most terrific _tabu_, that loads unthinkable curses on any human being who removes a single atom of any metal from it!
human
Ah, that's it, eh?
gpt
Yes, that's very much it! And what is more, Major, no word of this ever gets out to the white races--or hardly any. Nothing more than vague rumors that barely amount to fairy stories. Even though I forced Rrisa to tell me the location of this city, he wouldn't mention its being gold, and I knew too much to ask him or try to make him. Why, he'd have been torn to bits before he'd have betrayed _that_ Inner Secret. So now you understand!
human
I see, I see,