Although startled and taken aback by the strange apparition, Kuno
hearkened eagerly to its words as showing an avenue of escape from the
dilemma in which he found himself.

"Assuredly I do," he replied, "but how do you propose I should
accomplish it?"

"Cease to persecute me and my brethren, Kuno, and we shall help you to
realize your wishes," was the reply.

"Persecute you!" exclaimed Kuno. "In what manner do I trouble you at
all, strange being?"

"You have opened up a silver mine in our domain," said the earth-spirit,
"and as you work it both morning and afternoon we have but little
opportunity for repose. How, I ask you, can we slumber when your men
keep knocking on the partitions of our house with their picks?"

"What, then, would you have, my worthy friend?" asked Kuno, scarcely
able to suppress a smile at the wistful way in which the gnome made his
complaint. "Tell me, I pray you, how I can oblige you."

"By instructing your miners to work in the mine during the hours of
morning only," replied the gnome. "By so doing I and my brothers will
obtain the rest we so much require."

"It shall be as you say," said Kuno; "you have my word for it, good
friend."

"In that case," said the earth-spirit, "we shall assist you in turn. Go
to the castle of Falkenstein after dawn to-morrow morning, and you shall
witness the result of our friendship and gratitude."

Next morning the sun had scarcely risen when Kuno saddled his steed and
hied him to the heights of Falkenstein. The gnome had kept his word.
There, above and in front of him, he beheld a wide and lofty roadway
leading to the castle-gate from the thoroughfare below. With joy in
his heart he set spurs to his horse and dashed up the steep but smooth
acclivity. At the gate he encountered the old Lord of Falkenstein and
his daughter, who had been apprised of the miracle that had happened
and had come out to view the new roadway. The knight of Sayn related his
adventure with the earth-spirit, upon which the Lord of Falkenstein told
him how a terrible thunderstorm mingled with unearthly noises had raged
throughout the night. Terrified, he and his daughter had spent the
hours of darkness in prayer, until with the approach of dawn some of the
servitors had plucked up courage and ventured forth, when the wonderful
avenue up the side of the mountain met their startled gaze.

Kuno and his lady-love were duly united. Indeed, so terrified was the
old lord by the supernat