or is split up
into great holes."

Feeble as the light of the match proved, it was bright enough to show
that; and, when nearly burned out, Dale threw it from him, and it fell,
still burning, down and down till it was a tiny spark and it was
impossible to say at last whether it went out or disappeared still
burning in the great depth below.

"Why, Saxe, we have hit at last upon a veritable crystal mine," said
Dale, as he held up a fresh match above his head, whose light was
reflected from the facets of hundreds upon hundreds of crystals
depending from the roof and sides, and, as far as they could see for the
tiny glow, encircling the whole place; while Saxe now found that the
projection by which he held was a hexagonal piece as clear as glass.

"Yes, herr," said the guide triumphantly: "this is what you wished for."

"No," said Dale, throwing away the end of the match again. "Very
interesting, Melchior; but not what I meant."

"Then I have not understood the herr," said the guide, in a disappointed
tone.

"Oh yes; and brought us to the part of the mountains where these wonders
of Nature are to be found. These are beautiful, but, as far as I can
see, all very small."

"But there may be big ones, herr," cried Melchior.

"May be; but it is doubtful here. There, it does not matter, for in the
other cave--that to which you climbed--there are splendid specimens."

"Is the herr quite sure?"

"Yes, for we brought one away, and Saxe hid it somewhere, and has
forgotten the place."

"Mr Dale!" cried Saxe indignantly.

"Well, then, I did," said Dale, laughing. "There, both of you, I am
quite content. I should not have murmured about these, but we have at
our command some that are incomparably better; and to-morrow we will
come properly prepared with lights, chisels and hammer, and see what we
can do."

"I am very glad, herr; and I have one peak I can take you up--the
Blitzenhorn--where I am nearly sure we can find the finest yet."

"Good: we will try it. Now let's get back and dine."

"Yes, that will be wise," said the guide, as Saxe pricked up his ears at
the suggestion. "I journeyed nearly all last night, herr, so as to get
back soon; and I hurried on as soon as I found your letter with the pine
skewer through it."

"Under the stone, Melchior."

"No, herr: stuck down into the crack between two pieces of rock."

Dale said no more; and Saxe thought it strange, for he remembered the
incident of securin