olzenfels and a wealthy and powerful Churchman, was
an amateur of the hermetic art, while his Treasurer, who was by no means
rich, was also by way of being an alchemist. To indulge his passion for
the bizarre science the latter had extracted many a golden piece from
the coffers of his reverend master, always meaning, of course, to pay
them back when the weary experiments should have crystallized into the
coveted philosopher's stone. He had in his daughter Elizabeth a treasure
which might well have outweighed the whole of the Archbishop's coffers,
but the lust for gold had blinded the covetous Treasurer to all else.

One night--a wild, stormy night, when the wind tore shrieking round the
battlements of Stolzenfels--there came to the gate a pilgrim, sombre of
feature as of garb, with wicked, glinting eyes. The Archbishop was not
at that time resident in the castle, but his Treasurer, hearing that the
new-comer was learned in alchemical mysteries, bade him enter without
delay. A room was made ready in one of the highest towers, and there the
Treasurer and his pilgrim friend spent many days and nights. Elizabeth
saw with dismay that a change was coming over her father. He was no
longer gentle and kind, but morose and reserved, and he passed less time
in her company than he was wont.

At length a courier arrived with tidings of the approach of the
Archbishop, who was bringing some noble guests to the castle. To the
dismay of his daughter, the Treasurer suddenly turned pale and,
brushing aside her solicitous inquiries, fled to the mysterious chamber.
Elizabeth followed, convinced that something had occurred to upset her
father seriously. She was too late--the door was locked ere she reached
it; but she could hear angry voices within, the voices of her father
and the pilgrim. The Treasurer seemed to be uttering bitter reproaches,
while ever and anon the deep, level voice of his companion could be
heard.

"Bring hither a virgin," he said. "The heart's blood of a virgin is
necessary to our schemes, as I have told thee many times. How can I give
thee gold, and thou wilt not obey my instructions?"

"Villain!" cried the Treasurer, beside himself. "Thou hast taken my
gold, thou hast made me take the gold of my master also for thy schemes.
Wouldst thou have me shed innocent blood?"

"I tell thee again, without it our experiments are vain."

At that moment the door was flung open and the Treasurer emerged, too
immersed in his an