real truth to be known, invented the story of a ghost in the house.
And since that day no one has ventured to occupy the house after
sundown."

Everychild thanked the old man again; and then, together with all his
companions, he entered the old house which had been pointed out to him.

There was, indeed, no trace of ghostly occupants of the house; but on
the contrary, the rooms, upstairs and down, speedily became the scene
of much jollity. It seemed, also, that the old man had spread the
report among the townspeople that a band of children had taken refuge
in the house for the night; and many kindly-disposed folk came and
brought food and drink, so that there was an abundance for all the
children.

After eating heartily, and looking from the windows to observe the
castle wherein the king dwelt, they all sought a good night's rest.

And now once again we must leave Everychild and his companions for a
little while, and take our place among surroundings at once strange and
cruel.




CHAPTER XVIII

HOW THE HAND OF A CHAMBERLAIN TREMBLED

We are now in a room in the castle of the cruel king, on top of the