. "Be patient with him, and comfort him, whatever
may befall. And Everychild--take this with you."

As she spoke she produced quite magically the slim, shining sword she
had lent him once before. "Carry this," she said. "When it is drawn a
certain door which would otherwise remain shut will open wide. And be
of good cheer."

He took the sword mutely, wonderingly. How should it cause a door to
open? he mused.

When he had reached the outer door he turned to look again upon the
Masked Lady. She was smiling a little oddly--almost sadly, he thought.
She was holding forth her hands toward the open window. She was not
paying heed to him now. White doves were entering at the window and
alighting on her hands.

CHAPTER XXVI

THE HIDDEN TEMPLE

Everychild paused in the court long enough to explain to the Sleeping
Beauty and his friends that he was setting forth on an important
mission with Will o'Dreams; and then the two companions set forth from
the castle and began the descent of the road which led down into the
valley.

Soon they came upon the road which they had formerly traveled--the Road
of Troubled Children. And before the day was spent they had covered a
great distance, since the giant, in his impetuous mood, set a very fast
gait.

Toward sundown they turned a little away from the road and entered a
forest of a nature so confusing and forbidding that Everychild paused
in dismay. But the giant kept straight on, saying he was very sure of
the way, and after a moment's halt, Everychild followed him.

In the very heart of the forest they paused, and Everychild's eyes
opened wide with wonder: for before them was an amazing sight.

On a fair plateau a temple of white marble stood forth brightly in the
light of the setting sun. It was the most perfect temple ever seen.
It had a broad flight of steps, at the top of which there were pillars
which almost resembled glass, so great was their purity. In the midst
of the pillars there was a broad door set with precious gems. Here and
there were alabaster urns.

No one was stirring about the temple. The door was closed. But at a
little distance, on a perfectly kept lawn, there were numerous square
blocks of marble, and on these certain extraordinary-appearing persons
were seated.

We may as well know at once that the temple was the Temple of Truth;
and the persons who sat on the blocks of marble, or pedestals, were
known as Truth's devotees. The