ot to be trifled with, and he assured him he might rely
upon his friendship and good will to do everything in his power for
his deliverance.

"'I trust to a motive more powerful than friendship,' said the
soldier.

"He pointed to a ponderous iron coffer, secured by locks inscribed
with Arabic characters. 'That coffer,' said he, 'contains countless
treasure in gold and jewels and precious stones. Break the magic
spell by which I am enthralled, and one half of this treasure shall
be thine.'

"'But how am I to do it?'

"'The aid of a Christian priest and a Christian maid is necessary.
The priest to exorcise the powers of darkness; the damsel to touch
this chest with the seal of Solomon. This must be done at night.
But have a care. This is solemn work, and not to be effected by the
carnal-minded. The priest must be a _Cristiano viejo_, a model of
sanctity; and must mortify the flesh before he comes here, by a
rigorous fast of four-and-twenty hours: and as to the maiden, she
must be above reproach, and proof against temptation. Linger not in
finding such aid. In three days my furlough is at an end; if not
delivered before midnight of the third, I shall have to mount guard
for another century.'

"'Fear not,' said the student, 'I have in my eye the very priest
and damsel you describe; but how am I to regain admission to this
tower?'

"'The seal of Solomon will open the way for thee.'

"The student issued forth from the tower much more gayly than he
had entered. The wall closed behind him, and remained solid as
before.

"The next morning he repaired boldly to the mansion of the priest,
no longer a poor strolling student, thrumming his way with a
guitar; but an ambassador from the shadowy world, with enchanted
treasures to bestow. No particulars are told of his negotiation,
excepting that the zeal of the worthy priest was easily kindled at
the idea of rescuing an old soldier of the faith and a strong box
of King Chico from the very clutches of Satan; and then what alms
might be dispensed, what churches built, and how many poor
relatives enriched with the Moorish treasure!

"As to the immaculate handmaid, she was ready to lend her hand,
which was all that was required, to the pious work; and if a shy
glance now and then m