"
"Well, then, to-morrow at midnight I will call again."
He did so, and the vault was completed.
"Now," said the priest, "you must help me to bring forth the
bodies that are to be buried in this vault."
The poor mason's hair rose on his head at these words: he followed
the priest, with trembling steps, into a retired chamber of the
mansion, expecting to behold some ghastly spectacle of death, but
was relieved on perceiving three or four portly jars standing in one
corner. They were evidently full of money, and it was with great labor
that he and the priest carried them forth and consigned them to
their tomb. The vault was then closed, the pavement replaced, and
all traces of the work were obliterated. The mason was again
hoodwinked and led forth by a route different from that by which he
had come.
After they had wandered for a long time through a perplexed maze
of lanes and alleys, they halted. The priest then put two pieces of
gold into his hand. "Wait here," said he, "until you hear the
cathedral bell toll for matins. If you presume to uncover your eyes
before that time, evil will befall you." So saying, he departed.
The mason waited faithfully, amusing himself by weighing the gold
pieces in his hand, and clinking them against each other. The moment
the cathedral bell rang its matin peal, he uncovered his eyes, and
found himself on the banks of the Xenil; whence he made the best of
his way home, and revelled with his family for a whole fortnight on
the profits of his two nights' work; after which, he was as poor as
ever.
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