Having arrived at the spot where the pines grew thickest, he dismounted, tied his horse to a tree, and then strode swiftly to the summit of the hill, and taking his stand before the great pine, he repeated the old rhyme: "Guardian of gold in the pine-tree wold. Art many hundred ages old; Lord of all lands where pine trees grow, Thee only Sunday's children know." And then the Glassmanikin appeared, but not friendly and cordial as before, but sad and mournful. He was clad in a little coat of black glass, and a long mourning band trailed from his hat; and Peter knew well enough for whom he mourned. "What do you want with me, Peter Munk?" he asked in a hollow voice. "I have still one wish left, Master Guardian," replied Peter, casting down his eyes. "Can stone-hearts wish for anything?" said the other. "You have everything that your evil mind desired; and I shall be very reluctant to grant you anything." "But you promised me three wishes; and one of them still remains to me." "But I can reject it, if it is foolish," the forest spirit replied. "Yet, speak out, I will listen to what you have to say." "Then take this dead stone away, and give me my living heart," said Peter. "Did I make the bargain with you?" the Glassmanikin demanded. "Am I Dutch Michael, who gives away riches and cold hearts? To him you must go if you want your own heart again." "Alas, he will never give it back to me," answered Peter, dejectedly. "I am sorry for you, bad as you are," said the little man, after a moment's reflection. "And as your wish is not a foolish one, I can at least, not refuse to help you. Listen, therefore. By force you can never regain possession of your heart, but you can do so by cunning; and by such means you may achieve your purpose without much difficulty; for Michael is still the stupid Michael, although he deems himself so clever. Go straight to him, therefore, and do exactly as I tell you!" Saying which, he gave him full instructions how to proceed, and handed him a little cross of transparent glass. "He cannot take your life, and if you hold this up in front of him, saying your prayers meanwhile, he will have to let you go unharmed. And if you succeed in obtaining that which you go for, return to me here immediately." Peter Munk took the little cross, and trying to remember all that he had been told to do, he proceeded to Dutch Michael's abode. Having called him thrice by name, the giant stood before him. "And so you have slain your wife?" asked the Dutchman, laughing horribly. "I should have done the same, for she was squandering all your fortune on beggars. But you must leave the country for a time, for there will be trouble when they find she is missing; and you want money, of course, and have come to me for some?" "You have guessed aright!" replied Peter; "and a substantial sum this time, for it is a long way to America."