to the pastor.

"'I have it, Jacques,' replied the good man; 'these vagrants are after
the treasure; maybe there are others in the cottage; put the child
down, my boy, leave her to walk by the lady, and let us all run
forward.'

"'Nay, nay,' said the lady, 'put the sweet child in my arms and hasten
on.' So it was done, and the gentle lady took the little peasant before
her, whilst she soothed her with her gentle tones and kindly words.

"'And what,' said she, 'was that naughty woman going to do with you?
and who was it that saved you?'

"'Good Wolf came, madame,' said the child, 'and he saved me; but poor
Meeta--they will kill poor Meeta!'

"When Jacques and those who were with him had reached the cottage, they
found the doors all open, but no one below; they went up the stairs,
and there they found Meeta extended on the floor in a deep fainting
fit. The chest stood open, and all its contents scattered about, but no
man was there; he had probably taken alarm at the various cries and
howlings which he had heard, and had made good his escape.

"Meeta was lifted up and laid on the bed, and water being dashed in her
face, she opened her eyes, but for a while could say nothing to be
understood.

"She was soon able to arise, and to come down the stairs with the arm
of the pastor, though her head was still dizzy and she trembled all
over. In the kitchen they found the lady and little Margot; and it was
then that, between Meeta and Margot, they were able to make out what
had happened. Then it was that everyone patted the head of Wolf and
smiled upon him, calling him 'Good dog'; and Margot kissed him, and he
wagged his tail, and went about to be caressed.

"'And so,' said the countess to the little one, 'it was you, my pretty
child, who found the silken net with the golden fish and pretty moons;
and it was through my carelessness in losing it that all this mischief
of to-day is come. I cannot bear to think of what might have happened
to you, poor baby;' and the lady stooped and kissed the child, and it
was seen that she had tears in her eyes.

"'All is now well, lady, through the care of Providence,' said the
pastor, 'and we will rejoice together, and I trust be grateful to Him
from whom all mercies flow; for if we had lost our little Margot, it
would have been a thousandfold worse than the loss of the purse. But
one thing puzzles me: how did these vagrants discover that this
treasure had been found? Who could have t