I do , ' replied Virgilius . ` Then , ' said the voice , ` draw back that bolt , and set me free . ' ` But who are you ? ' asked Virgilius , who never did anything in a hurry . ' I am an evil spirit , ' said the voice , ` shut up here till Doomsday , unless a man sets me free . If you will let me out I will give you some magic books , which will make you wiser than any other man . ' Now Virgilius loved wisdom , and was tempted by these promises , but again his prudence came to his aid , and he demanded that the books should be handed over to him first , and that he should be told how to use them . The evil spirit , unable to help itself , did as Virgilius bade him , and then the bolt was drawn back . Underneath was a small hole , and out of this the evil spirit gradually wriggled himself ; but it took some time , for when at last he stood upon the ground he proved to be about three times as large as Virgilius himself , and coal black besides . ` Why , you ca n't have been as big as that when you were in the hole ! ' cried Virgilius . ` But I was ! ' replied the spirit . ' I do n't believe it ! ' answered Virgilius . ` Well , I 'll just get in and show you , ' said the spirit , and after turning and twisting , and curling himself up , then he lay neatly packed into the hole . Then Virgilius drew the bolt , and , picking the books up under his arm , he left the cave . For the next few weeks Virgilius hardly ate or slept , so busy was he in learning the magic the books contained . But at the end of that time a messenger from his mother arrived in Toledo , begging him to come at once to Rome , as she had been ill , and could look after their affairs no longer . Though sorry to leave Toledo , where he was much thought of as showing promise of great learning , Virgilius would willingly have set out at once , but there were many things he had first to see to .
So he entrusted XXXXX the messenger four pack-horses laden with precious things , and a white palfrey on which she was to ride out every day .
If after by in of than till to under unless