ead than
alive.' And with a bound the thief jumped out of his coffin and the
liar from his niche, and the robbers were so terrified that they ran
helter-skelter out of the crypt, leaving all their gold behind them, and
vowing that they would never put foot inside the haunted place again.
So the partners divided the gold between them, and carried it to their
homes; and history tells us no more about them.

Fortunatus and His Purse

Once upon a time there lived in the city of Famagosta, in the island of
Cyprus, a rich man called Theodorus. He ought to have been the happiest
person in the whole world, as he had all he could wish for, and a wife
and little son whom he loved dearly; but unluckily, after a short time
he always grew tired of everything, and had to seek new pleasures. When
people are made like this the end is generally the same, and before
Fortunatus (for that was the boy's name) was ten years old, his father
had spent all his money and had not a farthing left.

But though Theodorus had been so foolish he was not quite without
sense, and set about getting work at once. His wife, too, instead of
reproaching him sent away the servants and sold their fine horses, and
did all the work of the house herself, even washing the clothes of her
husband and child.

Thus time passed till Fortunatus was sixteen. One day when they were
sitting at supper, the boy said to Theodorus, 'Father, why do you look
so sad. Tell me what is wrong, and perhaps I can help you.'

'Ah, my son, I have reason enough to be sad; but for me you would now
have been enjoying every kind of pleasure, instead of being buried in
this tiny house.'

'Oh, do not let that trouble you,' replied Fortunatus, 'it is time I
made some money for myself. To be sure I have never been taught any
trade. Still there must be something I can do. I will go and walk on the
seashore and think about it.'

Very soon--sooner than he expected--a chance came, and Fortunatus, like
a wise boy, seized on it at once. The post offered him was that of page
to the Earl of Flanders, and as the Earl's daughter was just going to
be married, splendid festivities were held in her honour, and at some of
the tilting matches Fortunatus was lucky enough to win the prize. These
prizes, together with presents from the lords and ladies of the court,
who liked him for his pleasant ways, made Fortunatus feel quite a rich
man.

But though his head was not turned by the notice taken