step for
step, and did not move until they had built up the wall again.

"If you have it whitewashed to-morrow, sir, no one will find the place."

"I am quite satisfied with the work," said Gregorics. "Here is the
promised reward, and now you may go."

The elder of the two masons was surprised at being let off so easily.

"I've heard and read of this sort of thing," he said, "but they did
things differently then. They used to put the masons' eyes out, so that
even they could not find the place again, but of course they got a
hundred times as much as we do."

"Ah, that was in the good old times," sighed the other.

Gregorics troubled his head no more about them, but closed the heavy
oaken door of the house, and went home to bed.

The next morning the cramp returned, and was only partially relieved by
the medicine Anna gave him. He was frightfully weak, and only now and
then showed interest in what was going on around him.

"Give us a good dinner, Anna," he said once, "and make dumplings, the
boy likes them."

And half an hour afterward:

"Make the dumplings with jam, Anna, the boy likes them best so."

The only thing he would take himself was mineral water. Toward afternoon
the cramp was much worse, and he began to spit blood. Anna was
frightened, and began to cry, and ask if he would not have a doctor or a
priest. Gregorics shook his head.

"No, no, I am quite ready to die, everything is in order. I am only
waiting for Gyuri. What time is it?"

The church clock just then struck twelve.

"It is time the coach arrived. Go and tell Matyko to wait outside by
the gate, and carry Gyuri's bag in when he comes."

Anna wrung her hands in despair. Should she own she had not sent off the
telegram? No, she dare not tell him; she would carry on the deception,
and send Matyko out to the gate. But the sick man got more and more
restless.

"Anna," he said, "take the horn out, and tell Matyko to blow it when the
boy arrives, so that I may know at once."

So Anna took down the horn, and had less courage than ever to own the
truth.

The sick man was quieter after that, and listened attentively, raising
his head at every sound, and feeling for his umbrella every now and
then.

"Open the window, Anna, or I shan't hear Matyko blow the horn."

The sunlight streamed in through the open window, and the perfume of
acacia blossoms was borne in on the breeze.

"Put your hand on my forehead, Anna."

She did as she was t