Yet it was a difficult thing to explain.
'What is it?' he asked. 'Mr'--he named the name which I will never
reveal--'is out. Can I do anything?'
'Inner sanctuary,' murmured the Phoenix.
'I beg your pardon,' said the nice gentleman, who thought it was
Robert who had spoken.
'We have something to tell you,' said Cyril, 'but'--he glanced at
the porter, who was lingering much nearer than he need have
done--'this is a very public place.'
The nice gentleman laughed.
'Come upstairs then,' he said, and led the way up a wide and
beautiful staircase. Anthea says the stairs were of white marble,
but I am not sure. On the corner-post of the stairs, at the top,
was a beautiful image of the Phoenix in dark metal, and on the wall
at each side was a flat sort of image of it.
The nice gentleman led them into a room where the chairs, and even
the tables, were covered with reddish leather. He looked at the
children inquiringly.
'Don't be frightened,' he said; 'tell me exactly what you want.'
'May I shut the door?' asked Cyril.
The gentleman looked surprised, but he shut the door.
'Now,' said Cyril, firmly, 'I know you'll be awfully surprised, and
you'll think it's not true and we are lunatics; but we aren't, and
it is. Robert's got something inside his Norfolk--that's Robert,
he's my young brother.
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