whatever the risk with leave or without it i would try to find him by this time i could walk well and indeed was almost strong again so about midnight when the moon was up for i had no other light i crept from my bed threw on my garments and a knife which was the only weapon i possessed opened the door of my room and started now when i was carried from the rock chamber where and i had been together i took note of the way first reckoning from my sleeping place there was a passage thirty paces long for i had counted the of my then came a turn to the left and ten more paces of passage and lastly near certain steps run the first ordeal to some place unknown another sharp turn to right which led to our old chamber down the long passage i walked stealthily and though it was pitch dark found the turn to the left and followed it till i came to the second sharp turn to the t that of the gallery from which rose the stairs i crept round it only to retreat hastily enough as well i ought for at the door of s room which she was in the act of on the outside as i could see by the light of the lamp that she held in her hand stood the herself my first thought was to fly back to my own chamber but i abandoned it feeling sure that i should be seen therefore i determined i� she discovered me to face the matter out and say that i was trying to find and to learn how he so i crouched against the wall and waited with a beating heart i heard her sweep down the passage and � yes � begin to mount tile stair now what should i do to try to reach was useless for she had locked the door with the key she held go back to bed no i would follow her and if we met would make the same excuse thus might get tidings or perhaps � a dagger thrust so round the comer and up the steps i went as a snake they were many and winding like those a church tower but at length i came to the head of where was a little landing and opening from it a door it was a very ancient door the light streamed through cracks where its had and from the beyond came the sound of voices those of the and the have you learned aught my niece i heard bid also heard her l little a very little i my thirst for knowledge i grew bold j to the door looked through one of the cracks in opposite to mc in the full flood of light i net thrown by a hanging lamp her hand resting on a table at which was seated stood the truly she was a sight for she wore robes of royal purple and on her brow a little of gold beneath which her curling hair streamed down her neck and bosom seeing her i guessed at once that she had arrayed herself thus for some secret end her loveliness by every art and grace that is known to woman was looking at her earnestly with fear and doubt written on even his cold features what passed between you then he asked peering at her i questioned him closely as to the reason of his coming to this land and wrung from him the answer that it was to seek some woman � he would say no more i asked him if she were more than i am and he replied with courtesy � nothing else i think � that it would be hard to say but that she had been different then i said that though it me not to speak of such a matter there was no lady in men held to be so fair as i moreover that i was its ruler and that i and no had saved him from the water aye and i added that my heart told me i was the woman whom he sought have done niece said impatiently i would not hear of the arts you used � well enough doubtless what then then he said that it might be so since he thought that this woman was bom again and studied me a while asking me if i had ever passed through fire to this i replied that the only fires i had passed were those of the spirit and that i dwelt in them now he said show me i your hair and i placed a lock of it in his hand presently f he let it fall and from that which he wears about his neck drew out another of hair � oh my uncle the loveliest hair that ever eyes beheld for it was soft as silk and reached from my to the ground the first ordeal moreover no s wing in the sunshine ever shone as i did that fragrant yours is beautiful he said but see they are not tiie same i answered since no woman ever wore j locks you are right he replied for she whom i seek was more than a woman and then � and then � though i tried him in many ways he would say no more so feeling hate against this unknown rising in my heart and fearing lest i should words that were best i left him now i bid you search the books which are open to your wisdom and tell me of this woman whom he seeks who she is and where she dwells oh search them swiftly that i may find her and � kill her if i can aye if you can answered the and if she lives to kill but say where shall we begin our 