De Morin had made the mistake, and on him fell the responsibility of repairing it.
"She will certainly return," said he, "if we find our father, and he allows her to marry you."
"Do you think he will?"
"I do not know, and I cannot say. To make a statement, without being sure about its truths is to tell a lie, and I have already said that we never lie."
A lengthy silence ensued.
"You wish, therefore," resumed Munza, "to visit the people you call Maleggas, and we Maogoos? I can take you there without any fighting, for the King, Kadjoro, is my ally. But suppose your father has left his kingdom?"
"We must go on."
"I cannot go so far away from my country."
"Not even to win our sister?"
"If I were only sure of winning her I would give up my kingdom!"