Count and his boon companion sat down on two empty casks, and a
third served them for a table. They plied the brimming beakers with
right goodwill; they drank with all their might and main. The Count
became communicative, and talked about his private affairs, as men in
liquor will. The pilgrim, however, preserved a very discreet silence,
only interrupting by an occasional interjection of delight, or an
opportune word of encouragement to his garrulous friend.

"I'll tell you what," began the pilgrim, when the Count had concluded
his tale,--"I'll tell you what. Listen: I know a way to get you out of
your difficulties, to rid you of all your embarrassments."

The Count looked at him incredulously for a moment; his eye could not
keep itself steady for a longer space of time. There was something in
the pilgrim's glance as it met his that greatly dissipated his
unbelief, and he inquired of him how these things could be brought
about.

"But, mayhap," continued the pilgrim, apparently disregarding the
manifest change in his companion's impressions regarding him,--"mayhap
you would be too faint-hearted to follow my advice if I gave it you."

The Count sprang on his feet in a trice, and half-unsheathed his sword
to avenge this taunt on his manhood, but the pilgrim looked so
unconcerned, and evinced so little emotion at this burst of anger,
that the action and its result were merely momentary. Ulric resumed
his seat, and the pilgrim proceeded--

"You tell me that you once heard from your father, who had it from his
father, that your great-grandfather, in the time when this castle was
beleaguered by the Emperor Conrad, buried a vast treasure in some part
of it, but which part his sudden death prevented him from
communicating to his successor?"

The Count nodded acquiescence.

"It is even so," he said.

"In Eastern lands have I learned to discover where concealed treasures
are hidden," pursued the pilgrim; "and----"

The Count grasped him by the hand.

"Find them," he cried,--"find them for me, and a full half is thine!
Oh, there is gold, and there are diamonds and precious stones of all
kinds. They are there in abundance. My father said so! 'Tis true, 'tis
true! Find them, find them, and then shall this old hall ring once
more with the voice of merriment. Then shall we live! ay, we shall
live! that we shall."

The pilgrim did not attempt to interrupt his ecstasies, or to
interpose between him and the excess of his gle