`` Go towards the little mountains , '' said he , `` and ask there for the Black King 's Valley , and when you come to a tiny brook follow the stream till you reach the stone bridge beside the saw-mill . Do not cross the bridge , but keep to your right along the bank till a high rock stands before you . A bow-shot from that you will discover a little hollow like a grave . When you find this hollow dig it out ; but it will be hard work , for the earth has been pressed down into it with care . Still , work away till you find solid rock on all sides of you , and soon you will come to a square slab of stone ; force it out of the wall , and you will stand at the entrance of the treasure house . Into this opening you must crawl , holding a lamp in your mouth . Keep your hands free lest you knock your nose against a stone , for the way is steep and the stones sharp . If it bruises your knees never mind ; you are on the road to fortune . Do not rest till you reach a wide stairway , down which you will go till you come out into a spacious hall , in which there are three doors ; two of them stand open , the third is fastened with locks and bolts of iron . Do not go through the door to the right lest you disturb the bones of the lords of the treasure . Neither must you go through the door to the left , it leads to the snake 's chamber , where adders and serpents lodge ; but open the fast-closed door by means of the well-known spring-root , which you must on no account forget to take with you , or all your trouble will be for naught , for no crowbar or mortal tools will help you . If you want to procure the root ask a wood-seller ; it is a common thing for hunters to need , and it is not hard to find . If the door bursts open suddenly with great crackings and groanings do not be afraid , the noise is caused by the power of the magic root , and you will not be hurt . Now trim your lamp that it may not fail you , for you will be nearly blinded by the flash and glitter of the gold and precious stones on the walls and pillars of the vault ; but beware how you stretch out a hand towards the jewels ! In the midst of the cavern stands a copper chest , in that you will find gold and silver , enough and to spare , and you may help yourself to your heart 's content . If you take as much as you can carry you will have sufficient to last your lifetime , and you may return three times ; but woe betide you if you venture to come a fourth time . You would have your trouble for your pains , and would be punished for your greediness by falling down the stone steps and breaking your leg . Do not neglect each time to heap back the loose earth which concealed the entrance of the king 's treasure chamber . '' ` As the apparition left off speaking my dog pricked up his ears and began to bark . I heard the crack of a carter 's whip and the noise of wheels in the distance , and when I looked again the spectre had disappeared . '
So ended the shepherd 's tale ; and the landlord who was listening XXXXX the rest , said shrewdly : ` Tell us now , Father Martin , did you go to the mountain and find what the spirit promised you ; or is it a fable ? '
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