“Are you mad?” interrupted the mountaineer, with a laugh; “the Devil change himself into a bear, indeed! Into a cat or a monkey, I grant you; but to a bear! Oh, by Saint Eldon the exorciser, you’re worse than any child or old woman, with your superstition!” The poor woman hung her head. “Brother, you were my lord and master before my revered husband cast his eyes upon me; do as your guardian angel bids you.” “But,” the fisherman asked the mountaineer, “where did you meet with this bear?” “Between Lake Miösen and Walderhog.” “Walderhog!” said the woman, crossing herself. “Walderhog!” repeated Ordener. “But, brother,” rejoined the fisherman; “I hope you were not travelling toward Walderhog.” “I! Heaven forbid; it was the bear.” “Shall you go there to-morrow in search of him?” broke in the terrified Maase. “No, truly; how can you suppose, friends, that even a bear would venture to take refuge in a cave where--” He stopped short, and all three made the sign of the cross. “You are right,” replied the fisherman; “wild beasts would be warned away by their instinct.” “My good friends,” said Ordener, “what is there so frightful about this Walderhog cave?” They looked at one another in stupid surprise, as if they could not understand such a question. “Is that where King Walder’s tomb is?” added the young man. “Yes,” replied the woman; “a stone tomb which sings.” “And that’s not all,” said the fisherman. “No,” she added; “the bones of the dead dance there by night.” “And that’s not all,” said the mountaineer. All were silent, as if they dared not go on. “Well,” asked Ordener, “what else is there that is supernatural?” “Young man,” said the mountaineer, gravely, “you should not speak so lightly; when you see an old gray wolf like me, shudder.” The young man answered, with a gentle smile: “Still, I should like to know all the marvels which occur in this Walderhog cave; for that is exactly where I am going.” These words seemed to turn his three hearers into stone. “To Walderhog! Heavens! are you going to Walderhog?” “And he says that,” rejoined the fisherman, “just as I might say I’m going to Loevig to sell my codfish, or to Ralph’s meadow for herring. To Walderhog! Great Heavens!” “Poor young man!” cried the wife; “were you born without a guardian angel? Have you no patron saint? Alas! it must be so; for you do not even seem to know your own name.” “And what motive,” broke in the mountaineer, “can lead your worship to that fearful spot?” “I have a question to ask,” answered Ordener. The astonishment of his hosts grew with their curiosity. “See here, stranger; you do not seem to be familiar with this part of the country. Your worship is doubtless mistaken; it cannot be to Walderhog that you wish to go.” “Besides,” added the mountaineer, “if you want to speak with any human being, you will find none there.” “None but the demon,” rejoined the woman. “The demon! What demon?”