At last, our hero gave a shout of triumph:
"Hurrah! They're giving way! Victory! Victory! The door is shut!"
At the same time, he dropped on the steps, utterly exhausted, dabbing his forehead with his poor little hands which shook with terror.
"Well?" asked Night, harshly. "Have you had enough? Did you see them?"
"Yes, yes!" replied the little fellow, sobbing. "They are hideous and awful.... I don't think they have the Blue Bird...."
"You may be sure they haven't," answered Night, angrily. "If they had, they would eat him at once.... You see there is nothing to be done...."
Tyltyl drew himself up proudly:
"I must see everything," he declared. "Light said so...."
"It's an easy thing to say," retorted Night, "when one's afraid and stays at home!"
"Let us go to the next door," said Tyltyl, resolutely. "What's in here?"