seized the queen and the young man by the girdle, and in an instant
transported them to the garden and to the treasure-house.

"Thou art where thou commandest to be," said the Demon.

The young man immediately drew a circle upon the ground with his
finger-tip. He struck his heel upon the circle. The ground opened,
disclosing the steps leading downward. The young man descended the steps
with the queen behind him, and behind them both came the Demon Zadok.

The young man opened the door of adamant and entered the first of the
vaulted rooms.

When the queen saw the huge basin full of silver treasure, her cheeks
and her forehead flushed as red as fire.

They went into the next room, and when the queen saw the basin of gold
her face turned as white as ashes.

They went into the third room, and when the queen saw the basin of
jewels and the six golden statues her face turned as blue as lead, and
her eyes shone green like a snake's.

"Are you content?" asked the young man.

The queen looked about her. "No!" cried she, hoarsely, pointing to the
closed door that had never been opened, and whereon were engraved these
words:

"Behold! Beyond this door is that alone which shall satisfy all thy
desires."

"No!" cried she. "What is it that lies behind yon door?"

"I do not know," said the young man.

"Then open the door, and let me see what lies within."

"I cannot open the door," said he. "How can I open the door, seeing that
there is no lock nor key to it?"

"If thou dost not open the door," said the queen, "all is over between
thee and me. So do as I bid thee, or leave me forever."

They had both forgotten that the Demon Zadok was there. Then the young
man bethought himself of the Talisman of Solomon. "Tell me, O Talisman,"
said he, "how shall I open yonder door?"

"Oh, wretched one!" cried the Talisman, "oh, wretched one! Fly while
there is yet time--fly, for thy doom is near! Do not push the door open,
for it is not locked!"

The young man struck his head with his clinched fist. "What a fool am
I!" he cried. "Will I never learn wisdom. Here have I been coming to
this place seven months, and have never yet thought to try whether
yonder door was locked or not!"

"Open the door!" cried the queen.

They went forward together. The young man pushed the door with his hand.
It opened swiftly and silently, and they entered.

Within was a narrow room as red as blood. A flaming lamp hung from the
ceiling above. T