* Comparator} or {@link Comparable} type whose comparison behavior is <i>inconsistent with
 * equals</i>. That is, {@code a.compareTo(b)} or {@code comparator.compare(a, b)} should equal zero
 * <i>if and only if</i> {@code a.equals(b)}. If this advice is not followed, the resulting map will
 * not correctly obey its specification.
 *
 * <p>See the Guava User Guide article on <a href=

    if (set.comparator() != null
        && set.comparator() != Ordering.natural()
        && range.hasLowerBound()
        && range.hasUpperBound()) {
      checkArgument(
          set.comparator().compare(range.lowerEndpoint(), range.upperEndpoint()) <= 0,
          "set is using a custom comparator which is inconsistent with the natural ordering.");
    }
    if (range.hasLowerBound() && range.hasUpperBound()) {

      // to be sorted based on the top of each iterator.
      Comparator<PeekingIterator<T>> heapComparator =
          (PeekingIterator<T> o1, PeekingIterator<T> o2) ->
              itemComparator.compare(o1.peek(), o2.peek());

      queue = new PriorityQueue<>(2, heapComparator);

      for (Iterator<? extends T> iterator : iterators) {
        if (iterator.hasNext()) {