Amram reached at last the temple square, passed through the avenue
of Sphinxes, and stood before a little door in the left pylon. He
knocked seven times with his hand; a servant appeared, took Amram by
the arm and led him in. A young priest tied a bandage round his
eyes, and, after they had searched his bag, they took the
cabinet-maker by the hand, and led him into the temple. Sometimes they
went up steps, sometimes down them, sometimes straight-forward. Now and
then they avoided pillars, and the murmur of water was heard; at
one time there was a smell of dampness, at another of incense.

At last they halted, and the bandage was taken off Amram's eyes. He
found himself in a small room with painted walls, some seats, and a
cupboard. A richly-carved ebony door divided this room from a larger
one which on one side opened on to a broad staircase leading down to
a terrace facing eastward.

The priest left Amram alone after he had shown him that the door
required repair, and had, with an unmistakable gesture, enjoined on
him silence and secrecy.

When Amram was left alone, and found himself for the first time
within the sacred walls which could not overawe a Hebrew's mind, he
yet felt a certain alarm at all the mysteriousness, of which he had
heard since his youth. In order to shake off his fear of the unknown,
he resolved to satisfy his curiosity, though at the risk of being
turned out, if he met anyone. As a pretext he took a fine
plane in his hand, and entered the great hall.

It was very spacious. In the midst was a fountain of red granite,