a few specimens of the crystals found up in the
mountains, and I am convinced that far finer pieces are to be obtained
in the higher parts that have not yet been explored."

The guide was silent for a few minutes as he sat now smoking his pipe.

"The herr is right," he said at last. "I have often seen places where,
such treasures may be found. But you are a stranger--I am a Swiss. Is
it right that I should help you?"

"When I tell you that I am moved by no ideas of greed, but solely as a
discoverer, and that, as I have before said, your country would be the
richer for my find, you ought to be satisfied."

"I should be, herr, only that I do not quite like the secrecy of your
movements. It is not like anything I have done before, and it troubles
me to think that I ought not to tell anybody the object of our
excursions."

"Tell any curious people that we are making ascents because I am
studying the mountains. It will be the truth; for, understand me, I am
not going alone for this search. I want to find out more concerning the
forming of the glaciers, and the gathering of storms on the mountains.
There are endless discoveries to be made, and ascents to be attempted.
You will show me mountains that have not yet been climbed."

"I will show the herr all he wishes, and keep his counsel loyally," said
Melchior. "No one shall know anything about our search. Look, herr:
the Alpen glow!"

A slight rustling sound beneath the verandah had just taken Saxe's
attention, and he was wondering whether any one was in the low stone
cowhouse over which the chalet was built--from the economical ideas of
the people, who make one roof do for both places, and give to their
cattle an especially warm winter house--when the guide's words roused
him from his drowsy state, and he started up to gaze at the rather rare
phenomenon before him.

A short time before the various mountain peaks had stood up, dimly-seen,
shadowy grey and strange, the more distant dying out in the gathering
gloom. Now it was as if a sudden return of the golden sunset had thrown
them up again, glowing with light and colour, but with a softness and
delicacy that was beautiful in the extreme.

"All that's bright must fade," said Dale, with a sigh. "I wonder what
our English friends would say to that, Saxe!"

"What I do,--that it's lovely. Is it like this every night?"

"No," replied Melchior, refilling his pipe; "it is only at times. Some
say it means sto