Above them, clear of the trees, and towering up into the blue, were the multitudinous domes and spires of the king's palace, to which the gateway above the steps was the principal entrance.

Some of the spires were broken, some were covered with creepers, others were mutilated by time and by stress of weather, but the general effect was grand in the extreme.

From courtyard to courtyard they wandered, but without finding the particular place of which they were in search.

It was more difficult to discover than they had expected; indeed, they had walked many miles through deserted streets, and the afternoon was well advanced, before a hail from Codd, who had gone on ahead of them, informed them that at last some sort of success had crowned their efforts.

When they came up with him they found themselves in a courtyard somewhat larger than those they had previously explored, the four corners of which were decorated with three united elephants' heads.
"By the great poker we've got it at last," cried Kitwater, in a voice that echoed and reechoed through the silent halls.
"And about time, too," cried Hayle, upon whom the place was exercising a most curious effect.