But the wind seemed to feel pity for him and blew steadily on . With each step the country became more and more dreary , but at nightfall the child could see behind the dark and bare rocks something darker still . This was the tower in which dwelt the witch ; and seizing the knocker he gave three loud knocks , which were echoed in the hollows of the rocks around . The door opened slowly , and there appeared on the threshold an old woman holding up a candle to her face , which was so hideous that the boy involuntarily stepped backwards , almost as frightened by the troop of lizards , beetles and such creatures that surrounded her , as by the woman herself . ` Who are you who dare to knock at my door and wake me ? ' cried she . ` Be quick and tell me what you want , or it will be the worse for you . ' ` Madam , ' answered the child , ' I believe that you alone know the way to the castle of Come-and-never-go , and I pray you to show it to me . ' ` Very good , ' replied the witch , with something that she meant for a smile , ` but to-day it is late . To-morrow you shall go . Now enter , and you shall sleep with my lizards . ' ' I can not stay , ' said he . ' I must go back at once , so as to reach the road from which I started before day dawns . ' ` If I tell you , will you promise me that you will bring me this jar full of the many-coloured water from the spring in the court-yard of the castle ? ' asked she . ` If you fail to keep your word I will change you into a lizard for ever . ' ' I promise , ' answered the boy . Then the old woman called to a very thin dog , and said to him : ` Conduct this pig of a child to the castle of Come-and-never-go , and take care that you warn my friend of his arrival . ' And the dog arose and shook itself , and set out . At the end of two hours they stopped in front of a large castle , big and black and gloomy , whose doors stood wide open , although neither sound nor light gave sign of any presence within .
The dog , however , seemed XXXXX know what to expect , and , after a wild howl , went on ; but the boy , who was uncertain whether this was the quarter of an hour when the giant was asleep , hesitated to follow him , and paused for a moment under a wild olive that grew near by , the only tree which he had beheld since he had parted from the dove .
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