k from the town just as the
appointment was made with his comrade. He said nothing about what,
unseen, he had seen and heard, but went early the next evening and
concealed himself amongst some bushes. When his fellow-soldier came with
his spade and shovel he found the white woman at the appointed place,
but when she perceived they were watched she put off the appointed
business until the next evening. The man who had lain on the watch to no
purpose went home, and suddenly fell ill; and as he thought he should
die of that sickness, he sent for his comrade, and told him how he knew
all, and conjured him not to have anything to do with witches or with
spirits, but rather to seek counsel of the priest, who was a prudent
man. The other thought it would be the wisest plan to follow the advice
of his comrade, so he went and discovered the whole affair to the
priest, who, however, desired him to do as the spirit had bidden him,
only he was to make her lay the first hand to the work herself.

The appointed time was now arrived, and the man was at the place. When
the white woman had pointed out to him the spot, and they were just
beginning the work, she said to him that when the treasure was taken up
one-half of it should be his, but that he must divide the other half
equally between the church and the poor. Then the devil entered into the
man, and awakened his covetousness, so that he cried out--

"What! shall I not have the whole?"

Scarcely had he spoken when the figure, with a most mournful wail,
passed in a blue flame over the moat of the castle, and the man fell
sick, and died within three days.

The story soon spread through the country, and a poor scholar who heard
it thought he had now an opportunity of making his fortune. He therefore
went at midnight to the place, and there he met with the wandering white
woman, and he told her why he was come, and offered his services to
raise the treasure. She, however, answered that he was not one of the
three, one of whom alone could free her, and that the wall in which was
the money would still remain so firm that no human being should be able
to break it. She also told him that at some future time he should be
rewarded for his good inclination; and, it is said, when a long time
after he passed by that place, and thought with compassion on the
sufferings of the unblest woman, he fell on his face over a great heap
of money, which soon put him again on his feet. The wall still re