'Ask for the High Priest,' said the Phoenix. 'Say that you have a
secret to unfold that concerns my worship, and he will lead you to
the innermost sanctuary.'

So the children went in, all four of them, though they didn't like
it, and stood in a large and beautiful hall adorned with Doulton
tiles, like a large and beautiful bath with no water in it, and
stately pillars supporting the roof. An unpleasing representation
of the Phoenix in brown pottery disfigured one wall. There were
counters and desks of mahogany and brass, and clerks bent over the
desks and walked behind the counters. There was a great clock over
an inner doorway.

'Inquire for the High Priest,' whispered the Phoenix.

An attentive clerk in decent black, who controlled his mouth but
not his eyebrows, now came towards them. He leaned forward on the
counter, and the children thought he was going to say, 'What can I
have the pleasure of showing you?' like in a draper's; instead of
which the young man said--

'And what do YOU want?'

'We want to see the High Priest.'

'Get along with you,' said the young man.

An elder man, also decent in black coat, advanced.