a high thin voice, like an evening wind, called
from within, "Come in and fear not, thou that tarriest on the
threshold." Ralph, with a strange stirring of the blood at the silver
sound of the voice, unlatched the door and entered. He found himself
in a low dark room, with a door opposite him; in the roof hung bundles
of herbs; there was a large oak table strewn with many things of daily
use, and sitting in a chair, with his back to the light, sate a very
old thin man, with a frosty beard, clad in a loose grey gown. Over the
fireplace hung a large rusty sword; the room was very clean and cool,
and the sunlight danced on the ceiling, with the flicker of moving
leaves.

"Your name and errand?" said the old man, fixing his grey eyes, like
flint stones, upon the boy, not unkindly. "Ralph," said the boy.
"Ralph," said the old man, "and why not add Birne to Ralph? that makes
a fairer name."

Ralph was so much bewildered at this strange greeting, that he stood
confused--at which the old man pointed to a settle, and said, "And
now, boy, sit down and speak with me; you are Ralph from Birnewood
Parsonage, I know--Father John is doubtless away--he has no love for
me, though I know him to be a true man."

Then little by little he unravelled the boy's desire, and the story
of the treasure. Then he said, kindly enough, "Yes, it is ever
thus--well, lad, I will tell you; and heed my words well. The treasure
is there; and you shall indeed find it; but prepare for strange sounds
and sights." And as he said this, he took the young hand in his own
for a moment and a strange tide of sensation seemed to pass along the
boy's veins. "Look in my face," the old man went on, "that I may see
that you have faith--for without faith such quests are vain." Ralph
raised his eyes to those of the old man, and then a sensation such as
he had never felt before came over him; it was like looking from a
window into a wide place, full of darkness and wonder.

Then the old man said solemnly, "Child, the time is come--I have
waited long for you, and the door is open."

Then he said, with raised hand, "The journey is not long, but it must
be done in a waking hour; sleep not on the journey; that first. And of
three things beware--the Snake, and the Leper, and the Grey Frost; for
these three things have brought death to wiser men than yourself.
There," he added, "that is your note of the way; now make the journey,
if you have the courage."

"But, sir," sai