"It has never really been explored," she said. "The excavators who
imagine they have fathomed its secrets are completely in error.
The upper chambers are mere deceits to the investigator; they were
built and planned purposely to mislead, and the secrets they hide
have never even been guessed at, much less discovered."

"Are you sure of that?" inquired the Doctor, eagerly. "If so,
would you not give your information. ..."

"I neither give my information nor sell it," interrupted the
Princess, smiling coldly. "I am only a woman--and women are
supposed to know nothing. With the rest of my sex, I am judged
illogical and imaginative; you wise men would call my knowledge of
history deficient, my facts not proven. But, if you like, I will
tell you the story of the construction of the Great Pyramid, and
why it is unlikely that anyone will ever find the treasures that
are buried within it. You can receive the narrative with the usual
incredulity common to men; I shall not attempt to argue the pros
and cons with you, because I never argue. Treat it as a fairy-
tale--no woman is ever supposed to know anything for a fact,--she
is too stupid. Only men are wise!"

Her dark, disdainful glance flashed on Gervase and Denzil; anon
she smiled bewitchingly, and added:

"Is it not so?"

"Wisdom is nothing compared to beauty," said Gervase. "A beautiful
woman can turn the wisest man into a fool."