‘Thank you,’ said Merton simply. ‘And I am to ask for?’
‘Ask first for Dr. Fogarty. You will tell him that you wish to see the Ertwa Oknurcha.’
‘Ah, Australian for “The Big Man,”’ said Merton.
‘I don’t know what it means,’ said Miss Markham. ‘Dr. Fogarty will then ask, “Have you the churinga?”’
The girl drew out a slim gold chain which hung round her neck and under her dress. At the end of it was a dark piece of wood, shaped much like a large
cigar, and decorated with incised concentric circles, stained red.
‘Take that and show it to Dr. Fogarty,’ said Miss Markham, detaching the object from the chain.
Merton returned it to her. ‘I know where to get a similar churinga,’ he said. ‘Keep your own. Its absence, if asked for, might lead to awkward questions.’
‘Thank you, I can trust you,’ said Miss Markham, adding, ‘You will address my father as Dr. Melville.’
‘Again thanks, and good-bye,’ said Merton. He bowed and withdrew.