62 SLAV TALES

discovered; he had vanished as completely as if he had never
existed.

Many years later the unhappy nobleman learnt that in one
of the most beautiful rooms of the castle, footsteps, as of
some one walking up and down, and dismal groans, were
heard every midnight. Anxious to follow the matter up,
for he thought it might in some way concern his lost son, he
made known that a reward of three hundred gold pieces would
be given to any one who would watch for one whole night
in the haunted room. Many were willing, but had not the
courage to stay till the end; for at midnight, when the dismal
groans were heard, they would run away rather than risk their
lives for three hundred gold pieces. The poor father was
in despair, and knew not how to discover the truth of this
dark mystery. :

Now close to the castle dwelt a widow, a miller by trade,
who had three daughters. They were very poor, and hardly
earned enough for their daily needs. When they heard of
the midnight noises in the castle and the promised reward,
the eldest daughter said, ‘‘As we are so very poor we have
nothing to lose; surely we might try to earn these three hun-
dred gold pieces by remaining in the room one night. I
should like to try, mother, if you will let me.”

The mother shrugged her shoulders, she hardly knew
what to say; but when she thought of their poverty and
the difficulty they had to earn a living she gave permis-
sion for her eldest daughter to remain one night in the
haunted room. Then the daughter went to ask the noble-
man’s consent.

“‘Have you really the courage to watch for a whole night