even as the shining Beautiful Sea.

The Pilgrim, hesitating, spoke: "You are?"

The other answered in a voice that was even as the soft wind that
stirred the leaves of the forest: "I am Thyself."

Then the Pilgrim--"And your office?"

"I am the appointed Keeper of the Temple of Truth; save by my permission
none may enter here."

Cried the Pilgrim eagerly: "But I? I may enter? Surely I have fulfilled
The Law! Surely I have paid The Price!"

"What law have you fulfilled? What price have you paid?" gently asked he
in the garments of white.

Proudly now the other answered: "I have accomplished alone the long
journey through the Desert of Facts. Alone I have endured the days under
the sky of brass; alone I have borne the awful solitude of the nights. I
was not drawn aside by the lovely scenes that tempted me. I was not
turned back by the dreadful Shapes that threatened me. And so I have
attained the Outer-Edge-Of-Things."

"You have indeed fulfilled The Law," said he of the shining face. "And
The Price?"

The Pilgrim answered sadly: "I left behind all things dearest to the
heart of man--Wealth of Traditions inherited from the Long Ago, Holy