[Illustration: The Philosophers were able to hear each other thinking all day long (page 5)] THE CROCK OF GOLD By James Stephens WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR BY THOMAS MACKENZIE CONTENTS BOOK I THE COMING OF PAN 1 BOOK II THE PHILOSOPHER’S JOURNEY 91 BOOK III THE TWO GODS 135 BOOK IV THE PHILOSOPHER’S RETURN 151 BOOK V THE POLICEMEN 185 BOOK VI THE THIN WOMAN’S JOURNEY AND THE HAPPY MARCH 253 ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR The Philosophers were able to hear each other thinking all day long (page 5) _Frontispiece_ FACE PAGE “Will you never be done talking?” shouted the Thin Woman passionately 26 He stood waist-deep in greenery fronting her squarely 42 “Do you remember,” said Seumas, “the way he hopped and waggled his leg the last time he was here?” 58 He saw Caitilin Ni Murrachu walking a little way in front with a small vessel in her hand 74 At that moment the Philosopher’s cake lost all its savour 97 A swift shadow darkened the passage 109 A young woman came along the road and stood gazing earnestly at this house 129 “Tell me where the money is?” he hissed 166 He . . . wept in so loud a voice that his comrades swarmed up to see what had happened to him 200 When they topped a slight incline they saw a light shining some distance away 212 Caitilin danced in uncontrollable gaiety 222 BOOK I. THE COMING OF PAN CHAPTER I