It was a large place, a good many acres in
extent indeed, and kept with some care, for there were paths in it and
flowers that seemed to have been planted. Also here grew certain of
the mighty cedar trees that they had seen from far off, beneath those
spreading boughs twilight reigned, while beyond, not more than half a
mile away, the splendid river-fall thundered down the precipice. For
the rest they could find no exit to that garden which on one side was
enclosed by a sheer cliff of living rock, and on the others with steep
stone walls beyond which ran a torrent, and by the buildings of the Gold
House itself.
For a while they walked up and down the rough paths, till at last
Jeekie, wearying of this occupation, remarked:
"Melancholy hole this, Major. Remind me of Westminster Abbey in London
fog, where your uncle of blessed mem'ry often take me pray and look at
fusty tomb of king. S'pose we go back Gold House and see what happen.
Anything better than stand about under cursed old cedar tree."
"All right," said Alan, who through the eyeholes of his mask had been
studying the walls to seek a spot in them that could be climbed if
necessary, and found none.
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