The other turned, and with the eye placed against her forehead looked out to the opening of the cave. The youth drew back behind the boulder. “Sister, sister, there is nothing there,” said the one with the eye. Then she said: “Sister, give me the tooth for I would eat my acorns. Take the eye and keep watch.” The one who was eating held out the tooth, and the one who was watching held out the eye. The youth darted into the cave. Standing between the eyeless sisters, he took with one hand the tooth and with the other the eye. “Sister, sister, have you taken the eye?” “I have not taken the eye. Have you taken the tooth?” “I have not taken the tooth.” “Some one has taken the eye, and some one has taken the tooth.” They stood together, and the youth watched their blinking faces as they tried to discover who had come into the cave, and who had taken the eye and the tooth. Then they said, screaming together: “Who ever has taken the eye and the tooth from the Graiai, the ancient daughters of Phorcys, may Mother Night smother him.” The youth spoke. “Ancient daughters of Phorcys,” he said, “Graiai, I would not rob from you. I have come to your cave only to ask the way to a place.” “Ah, it is a mortal, a mortal,” screamed the sisters. “Well, mortal, what would you have from the Graiai?” “Ancient Graiai,” said the youth, “I would have you tell me, for you alone know, where the nymphs dwell who guard the three magic treasures—the cap of darkness, the shoes of flight, and the magic pouch.” “We will not tell you, we will not tell you that,” screamed the two ancient sisters. [Illustration] “I will keep the eye and the tooth,” said the youth, “and I will give them to one who will help me.” “Give me the eye and I will tell you,” said one. “Give me the tooth and I will tell you,” said the other. The youth put the eye in the hand of one and the tooth in the hand of the other, but he held their skinny hands in his strong hands until they should tell him where the nymphs dwelt who guarded the magic treasures. The Gray Ones told him. Then the youth with the bright sword left the cave. As he went out he saw on the ground a shield of bronze, and he took it with him. To the other side of where Atlas stands he went. There he came upon the nymphs in their valley. They had long dwelt there, hidden from gods and men, and they were startled to see a stranger youth come into their hidden valley. They fled away. Then the youth sat on the ground, his head bent like a man who is very sorrowful. The youngest and the fairest of the nymphs came to him at last. “Why have you come, and why do you sit here in such great trouble, youth?” said she. And then she said: “What is this strange sickle-sword that you wear? Who told you the way to our dwelling place? What name have you?”