TWILIGHT LAND

were filled with the wealth and the beauty of King
Solomon’s day—and then, last. of all, came the three old
men.

‘‘In the name of the red Aldebaran,” said he who had
bidden the rock to open, ‘(I command thee to become
closed.” Again, creaking and groaning, the rock shut as
it had opened—like a door—and the three old men,
mounting their horses, led the way from the woods, the
others following. The noise and confusion of the many
voices shouting and calling, the trample and stamp of
horses, grew fainter and fainter, until at last all was once
more hushed and still, and only the fagot-maker was left
behind, still staring like one dumb and bereft of wits.

But so soon as he was quite sure that all were really
gone, he clambered down as quickly as might be. He
waited for a while to make doubly sure that no one was
left behind, and then he walked straight up to the rock,
just as he had seen the old man do, He plucked a switch
from the bush, just as he had seen the old man pluck one,
and struck the stone, just as the old man had struck it.
‘“‘T command thee to open,” said he, “in the name of the
red Aldebaran !”

Instantly, as it had done in answer to the old man’s
command, there came a creaking and a groaning, and the
rock slowly opened like a door, and there was the passage-
way yawning before him. For amoment or two the fagot-
maker hesitated to enter; but all was as still as death,
and finally he plucked up courage and went within.

By this time the day was brightening and the sun
rising, and by the grey light the fagot-maker could see
about him pretty clearly. Not a sign was to be seen of
horses or of treasure or of people—nothing but a square

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