oward Lake Maelar had to pass them. The earl suggested that there ought
to be a lock put on the channel which could be opened or closed at will,
to let in merchant vessels and shut out pirates.

"This idea was carried out," said the old gentleman, as he rose and
began to trace in the sand again with his cane. "On the largest of these
islands the earl erected a fortress with a strong tower, which was
called 'Kaernan.' And around the island a wall was built. Here, at the
north and south ends of the wall, they made gates and placed strong
towers over them. Across the other islands they built bridges; these
were likewise equipped with high towers. Out in the water, round about,
they put a wreath of piles with bars that could open and close, so that
no vessel could sail past without permission.

"Therefore you see, Clement, the four islands which had lain so long
unnoticed were soon strongly fortified. But this was not all, for the
shores and the sound tempted people, and before long they came from all
quarters to settle there. They built a church, which has since been
called 'Storkyrkan.' Here it stands, near the castle. And here, within
the walls, were the little huts the pioneers built for themselves. They
were primitive, but they served their purpose. More was not needed at
that time to make the place pass for a city. And the city was named
Stockholm.

"There came a day, Clement, when the earl who had begun the work went to
his final rest, and Stockholm was without a master builder. Monks called
the Gray Friars came to the country. Stockholm attracted them. They
asked permission to erect a monastery there, so the king gave them an
island--one of the smaller ones--this one facing Lake Maelar. There they
built, and the place was called Gray Friars' Island. Other monks came,
called the Black Friars. They, too, asked for right to build in
Stockholm, near the south gate. On this, the larger of the islands north
of the city, a 'Holy Ghost House,' or hospital, was built; while on the
smaller one thrifty men put up a mill, and along the little islands
close by the monks fished. As you know, there is only one island now,
for the canal between the two has filled up; but it is still called Holy
Ghost Island.

"And now, Clement, all the little wooded islands were dotted with
houses, but still people kept streaming in; for these shores and waters
have the power to draw people to them. Hither came pious women of the
Order of Saint