skets with food and
provisions of various kinds, which he intended to give to the old man
at the cottage.

When all was ready they set out, and soon reached the wood, but what
was Daimur's surprise to find the cottage door broken down and the poor
old man lying upon the floor.

Daimur ran forward and attempted to raise him.

"Tell me what has happened, my poor old friend," he cried, "who has
done this?"

"Alas, my enemy has found me," whispered the old man, "and I am dying."

Then he motioned to Daimur to send the servants away from the room, as
he had something he wished to tell him. As soon as Daimur had shut the
door the old man said:

"Prince Daimur, I am not merely the old man you see lying here; I am
also a fairy, and am called the Good Old Man of Sunne. By my powers I
have been able to keep away all evil and unhappiness from this island,
and at one time from all the other islands in this Land of Brightness.
But I have had for the last two hundred years a very powerful enemy who
is known as the Evil Man of Despair. He makes his home now upon the
Island of Despair, and wicked men consult him when they have deeds of
treachery to do.

"He has a great many chemical secrets which he learned in foreign
lands, and as I am older than he and not so clever he has outwitted me
many times upon the other islands, and evil times have followed, with
wars and bloodshed. I have always lived upon this island, and of late
took refuge in your father's wood, as I had a warning that he was going
to seek me out and kill me.

"Last night when it was very dark a tremendous wind sprang up and the
fury of it burst my door open. I knew it was he, although he did not
speak, but in a moment the cottage was filled with a sweet smell of
spices which soon became overpowering and I lay like one stupefied, too
weak to move. I heard him moving around searching for my treasures.
He did not find them, however, and I am going to give them to you, as
in a few moments I will be dead, and then I do not know what will
become of this Land of Sunne. Alas! Alas!"

Prince Daimur was greatly moved, and tried to tell him that he might
get better if he sent back and fetched the Court doctor, who was very
wise, but the old man shook his head feebly.

"No, it is of no use," he said, "I am very old, and the poison has
killed me. My brain is already growing numb, and I must act quickly,
Look on that nail behind the door and you will find the doo