Sayfa 555 / 626

If I could but shudder!' The host who heard this, laughed and

said: 'If that is your desire, there ought to be a good

opportunity for you here.' 'Ah, be silent,' said the hostess, 'so

many prying persons have already lost their lives, it would be a

pity and a shame if such beautiful eyes as these should never see

the daylight again.'

But the youth said: 'However difficult it may be, I will learn

it. For this purpose indeed have I journeyed forth.' He let the

host have no rest, until the latter told him, that not far from

thence stood a haunted castle where anyone could very easily

learn what shuddering was, if he would but watch in it for three

nights. The king had promised that he who would venture should

have his daughter to wife, and she was the most beautiful maiden

the sun shone on. Likewise in the castle lay great treasures,

which were guarded by evil spirits, and these treasures would

then be freed, and would make a poor man rich enough. Already

many men had gone into the castle, but as yet none had come out

again. Then the youth went next morning to the king, and said:

'If it be allowed, I will willingly watch three nights in the

haunted castle.'