TWILIGHT LAND

It was a dreadful battle between the master and the cock.
Up and down they fought, and here and there. Some-
times the student could see the wise man whirling and
striking with his sword; and then again he would be
hidden in a sheet of flame. But after a while he made a
lucky stroke, and off flew the cock’s head. Then, lo and
behold! instead of a cock it was a great, hairy, black
demon that lay dead on the floor.

But, though the master had conquered, he looked like
one sorely sick. He was just able to stagger to a couch
that stood by the wall, and there he fell and lay, without
breath or motion, like one dead, and as white as wax.

As soon as Gebhart had gathered his wits together he
remembered what the master had said about the other
room.

The door of it was also of iron. He opened it and
passed within, and there saw two great tables or blocks
of polished marble. Upon one was the dagger and a
goblet of gold brimming with water. Upon the other lay
the figure of a woman, and as Gebhart looked at her he
thought her more beautiful than any thought or dream
could picture. But her eyes were closed, and she lay like
a lifeless figure of wax.

After Gebhart had gazed at her a long, long time, he
took up the goblet and the dagger from the table and
turned towards the door.

Then, before he left that place, he thought that he
would have just one more look at the beautiful figure.
So he did, and gazed and gazed until his heart melted
away within him like a lump of butter ; and, hardly know-
ing what he did, he stooped and ligeed the lips.

Instantly he did so a great humming sound filled the

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