“Now stand in my place, turn half-round, and gather from thy right foot.”

Dee, having cleared the bog, placed himself in the required position.  Stooping down, he groped diligently by his right foot, but was aware of nothing but a crabbed stump, that resisted every attempt they could use for its dislodgment.

“Bring the mattock,” said the Doctor, cautiously uncovering the light.  But though Bartholomew tugged with great energy, the Doctor helping, it was to little purpose, for the stump was immovable.

“We had best try the probe.”  Saying this, the warder drew forth an instrument in shape something like unto a large auger.  He could by this means easily ascertain if anything hard were below, or any symptons of concealed treasure.  As they were thus engaged a hollow voice, to their terrified apprehensions issuing from the ground, cried out—­

“Hold!”

The treasure-hunters came to a full pause.  The wind and rain at the same time beat so heavily they could not ascertain the sequel to this injunction.

“’Tis Nargal, the spirit who guards hidden treasures,” said Dee:  “we can approach him only by prayers and fumigations.”

“Then must we return?” said Bartholomew, apparently unwilling to desist.

“Hark!” said the Doctor, listening.

They heard a moan, as that of some one in great pain.  Presently a faint shriek stole through a pause in the blast.

“’Tis like the groan of a mandrake,” he continued:  “they do ever lament and bewail thus when gathered.  I doubt not but this tree is of that accursed nature.”

Again the voice was articulate.

“To-morrow thou mayest return at this hour; but I will not yield my treasure save thou bring me gold!”

“Who art thou?”

“I am the guardian of the treasure; and

    “Gold I have.  Bring gold with thee;
    Or thou shalt get no gold from me.”

“What is thy demand?” inquired Dee, in a hollow voice, like that of an exorcist.

“Prop thy purse with fifty nobles;—­then dig, and I will tell thee.”

The two worthies were somewhat startled at this demand.  It was more than their joint forces could muster.  Yet two thousand and more broad pieces, besides other valuables, which lay there for the gathering, was too profitable a return to make them easily give up the adventure.  Accordingly, after some further questions which the demon as resolutely refused to answer, they departed, first replacing the earth and other matters they had disturbed, in their former position.

Early on the following morning the eager divine applied to his friend Eccleston for another loan, assuring him it was the last; while from the produce of the treasure he would be enabled to pay his former advances, with a copious interest thereon.  The needy expectant was loath to furnish him with another supply, though in the end he was prevailed on to borrow from his friends, at an exorbitant interest, for one day only.