hat his soul was at stake. But he was crafty enough not to let her
notice his emotion, and not to refuse her, but asked carelessly what
were the properties of the ring.

The maiden answered, "No one living has been able to fathom the whole
power of this ring, and no one can completely explain the secret signs
engraved upon it. But, even with the imperfect knowledge of its
properties which I possess, I can perform many wonders which no other
creature can accomplish. If I put the ring on the little finger of my
left hand, I can rise in the air like a bird and fly whithersoever I
will. If I place the ring on the ring-finger of my left hand, I become
invisible to all eyes, while I myself can see everything that passes
around me. If I put the ring on the middle finger of my left hand, I
become invulnerable to all weapons, and neither water nor fire can hurt
me. If I place it on the index finger of my left hand, I can create all
things which I desire with its aid; I can build houses in a moment, or
produce other objects. As long as I wear it on the thumb of my left
hand, my hand remains strong enough to break down rocks and walls.
Moreover, the ring bears other secret inscriptions which, as I said
before, no one has yet been able to explain; but it may readily be
supposed that they contain many important secrets. In ancient times, the
ring belonged to King Solomon, the wisest of kings, and in whose reign
lived the wisest of men. At the present day it is unknown whether the
ring was formed by divine power or by human hands; but it is supposed
that an angel presented the ring to the wise king."

When the youth heard the fair one speak in this way, he determined
immediately to endeavour to possess himself of the ring by craft, and
therefore pretended that he could not believe what he had heard. He
hoped by this means to induce the maiden to take the ring out of the
casket to show him, when he might have an opportunity of possessing
himself of the talisman. But he did not venture to ask her plainly to
show him the ring. He flattered and cajoled her, but the only thought in
his mind was to get possession of the ring. Presently the maiden took
the key of the casket from her bosom as if to unlock it; but she changed
her mind, and replaced it, saying, "There's plenty of time for that
afterwards."

A few days later, their conversation reverted to the magic ring, and the
youth said, "In my opinion, the things which you tell me of the