He opened it, and beheld before him a tall, meagre,
cadaverous-looking priest.
"Hark ye, honest friend!" said the stranger; "I have observed that
you are a good Christian, and one to be trusted; will you undertake
a job this very night?"
"With all my heart, Senor Padre, on condition that I am paid
accordingly."
"That you shall be; but you must suffer yourself to be blindfolded."
To this the mason made no objection; so, being hoodwinked, he was
led by the priest through various rough lanes and winding passages,
until they stopped before the portal of a house. The priest then
applied a key, turned a creaking lock, and opened what sounded like
a ponderous door. They entered, the door was closed and bolted, and
the mason was conducted through an echoing corridor, and a spacious
hall, to an interior part of the building. Here the bandage was
removed from his eyes, and he found himself in a patio, or court,
dimly lighted by a single lamp. In the centre was the dry basin of
an old Moorish fountain, under which the priest requested him to
form a small vault, bricks and mortar being at hand for the purpose.
He accordingly worked all night, but without finishing the job. Just
before daybreak the priest put a piece of gold into his hand, and
having again blindfolded him, conducted him back to his dwelling.
"Are you willing," said he, "to return and complete your work?"
"Gladly, Senor Padre, provided I am so well paid.
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