e, agonized whisper.

The devotees lifted their voices in a triumphant chorus--

"She is within!"

But the giant, his hands hanging limp now, and his eyes staring into
vacancy, repeated in the same hoarse voice:

"She is gone!"

CHAPTER XXVII

HOW EVIL DAYS CAME UPON THE CASTLE

As they left the temple behind them, on their return journey,
Everychild could not help thinking that it was a very good thing to
have found that the giant's mother was not in the temple. To his way
of looking at it, this argued that she had escaped from the terrible
creatures who surrounded the temple. And if so, why should they not
hope to find her elsewhere?

But when at length he suggested this to his companion, the giant only
replied, scarcely above a whisper, "I fear she has been slain."

And so Everychild walked by the giant's side, glancing at him anxiously
from time to time, and seeing despair written so plainly on his
countenance that he did not venture to utter another word.

When they approached the great entrance to the castle there was hurried
running to and fro on the ramparts, about the doors and windows, and in
the halls. Eager eyes looked down from the watch-tower. But soon all
eagerness changed to alarm. They could all see that the giant had been
smitten dreadfully: that the proud yet kindly head had been brought low.

Silence reigned in the great reception hall when the giant entered.
His friends all waited for him to speak, to relate the tale of his
adventure. Many eyes rested upon him curiously, yet pityingly. And
when Everychild, following the giant into the hall, placed a warning
finger on his lip, the wonder grew and deepened to consternation.

For an instant the giant stood among them, his trembling hands clasping
his head. He saw none of his friends. Then he suddenly tottered. He
would have fallen had not certain of the king's courtiers sprang to his
aid. They helped him to a chair; and there he sat with lowered eyes
like one who would never lift his head again.

The physician was sent for in haste. He came and looked down upon the
giant. He questioned him, but received no reply.

Then he looked upon those who surrounded him and touched his own
forehead significantly. "The malady is here," he said. "This is no
case for herbs and cordials."

They put the giant to bed and sent for the greatest physicians in the
kingdom, including those who were skilled in ministering to the
afflict