"Although Arthur wanted to inquire further about 'Beauty Valley,' for he had never heard its name mentioned before, his inquisitive nature was silenced; for, scarcely had 'Aunt Twaddles' finished telling about the wonderful places to be found in the enchanted cave, when they came to its end and found themselves stopped by the presence of a great stone door. "For a moment, 'Aunt Twaddles' stood before this door, waving her fat arms in a strange, frantic manner, as if she had entirely gone out of her mind. In a low tone she uttered many strange words, which the children did not understand; and you can imagine their surprise as they beheld the stone door move quickly but silently to one side, and a flood of golden sunlight sweep into the cave. "They were now very anxious indeed to know what new wonder might lie before them. "As the stone door rolled away, the enchanted cavern again became dark and the children wanted to hasten out into the sunshine at once; but the voice and hand of 'Aunt Twaddles' caused them to stay their steps, as in earnest tones she exclaimed: "'Wait, darlings! We must wait until the Red Bird comes back with a message before we dare step upon this sacred soil.' "And before she had finished speaking, a beautiful Red Bird flew into the mouth of the cavern and lighted upon 'Aunt Twaddles' shoulder. She whispered some strange words into its ear and it darted rapidly away. "And now while 'Aunt Twaddles' and the children are waiting the return of the magical Red Bird in the mouth of the great cave, we will wait here for a moment of rest while the boys bring some fresh water from the well, for I know some of you are quite thirsty." And the Vagabond, wiping the perspiration from his dusty brow, sank into silence and began fanning himself with his tattered black hat. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER V THE VILLAGE OF HIDE AND SEEK As the Vagabond ceased speaking, a murmur passed completely around the party, and it was easily seen that the children were delighted with the story so far as it had gone. Three of the boys arose, and bidding their near-by companions hold their places in the charmed circle, dashed away to the well for water. The rest of the children closed in about the now smiling wanderer and sat silently gazing upon him, thinking, no doubt, how fortunate they were in having given him a drink of water when he first paused in the roadway. By this time they were almost willing to give him the well itself if he desired it. The three boys hastened back with the water, and the Vagabond, having passed it around to the children, dampened his brow with the remainder, and wiping it dry on his coat sleeve, waited for the boys to be seated.