To Black Meg accordingly he went, disguised, secretly and by night, for he loved mystery, and in truth it was hardly safe that he should visit her by the light of day.  Seated in a shadowed chamber he poured out his artless tale to the pythoness, of course concealing all names.  He might have spared himself this trouble, as he was an old client of Meg’s, a fact that no disguise could keep from her.  Before he opened his lips she knew perfectly what was the name of his inamorata and indeed all the circumstances connected with the pair of them.

The wise woman listened in patience, and when he had done, shook her head, saying that the case was too hard for her.  She proposed, however, to consult a Master more learned than herself, who, by great good fortune, was at that moment in Leyden, frequenting her house in fact, and begged that Adrian would return at the same hour on the morrow.

Now, as it chanced, oddly enough Black Meg had been commissioned by the said Master to bring about a meeting between himself and this very young man.

Adrian returned accordingly, and was informed that the Master, after consulting the stars and other sources of divination, had become so deeply interested in the affair that, for pure love of the thing and not for any temporal purpose of gain, he was in attendance to advise in person.  Adrian was overjoyed, and prayed that he might be introduced.  Presently a noble-looking form entered the room, wrapped in a long cloak.  Adrian bowed, and the form, after contemplating him earnestly—­very earnestly, if he had known the truth—­acknowledged the salute with dignity.  Adrian cleared his throat and began to speak, whereon the sage stopped him.

“Explanations are needless, young man,” he said, in a measured and melodious voice, “for my studies of the matter have already informed me of more than you can tell.  Let me see; your name is Adrian van Goorl—­no, called Van Goorl; the lady you desire to win is Elsa Brant, the daughter of Hendrik Brant, a heretic and well-known goldsmith, who was recently executed at The Hague.  She is a girl of much beauty, but one unnaturally insensible to the influence of love, and who does not at present recognise your worth.  There are, also, unless I am mistaken, other important circumstances connected with the case.

“This lady is a great heiress, but her fortune is at present missing; it is, I have reason to believe, hidden in the Haarlemer Meer.  She is surrounded with influences that are inimical to you, all of which, however, can be overcome if you will place yourself unreservedly in my hands, for, young man, I accept no half-confidences, nor do I ask for any fee.  When the fortune is recovered and the maiden is your happy wife, then we will talk of payment for services rendered, and not before.”

“Wonderful, wonderful!” gasped Adrian; “most learned senor, every word you say is true.”

“Yes, friend Adrian, and I have not told you all the truth.  For instance—­but, no, this is not the time to speak.  The question is, do you accept my terms?”