barrel was filled with the drops which hung on the sieve."

"So he died, without getting rid of the creature?"

"Yes; why didn't he manage the affair better? But I have something more
to tell you. The creature must be well fed, if he is to be kept in
good-humour. A peasant once put a dish of broth under the roof for his
familiar, as he was in the habit of doing. But a labourer saw it, so he
ate the broth, and filled the dish with sand. The familiar came that
night, and beat the farmer unmercifully, and continued to do so every
night till he discovered the reason, and put a fresh dish of broth
under the roof. After this he let him alone. And now you know all," said
the old man.

The farmer sat silent, and at last replied, "There is much about it that
is unpleasant, Michel."

"You asked for my advice," answered the old man, "and I have given it
you. You must make your own choice. Want and misery have come upon you.
This is the only way in which you can save yourself and become a rich
man; and if you are only a little prudent, you will cheat the devil out
of your soul into the bargain."

After some reflection, the farmer answered, "Tell me the words which I
am to repeat on the Thursdays."

"What will you give me, then?" said the old man.

"When I have the treasure-bringer, you shall live the life of a
gentleman."

"Come, then," said the old man, and they entered the house together.

After this Sunday the young farmer was seen no more in the village. He
neglected his work in the fields, and left what little was left there to
waste, and his household management went all astray. His man loafed
about the public-houses, and his maid-servant slept at home, for her
master himself never looked after anything.

In the meantime the farmer sat in his smoky room. He kept the door
locked, and the windows closely curtained. Here he worked hard day and
night at the creature in a dark corner by the light of a pine-splinter.
He had procured everything necessary, even the reels on which a crone of
a hundred years old had spun. He put all the parts together carefully,
fixed the old pot on the broomstick, made the nose of a bit of glass,
and painted in the eyes and mouth red. He wrapped the body in coloured
rags, according to his instructions, and all the time he thought with a
shudder that it was now in his power to bring this uncanny creature to
life, and that he must remain with him till his end. But when he thought
of the ric