They were standing on the slope of a high, rocky mountain. Down below, they saw deep, verdant valleys, whence the sound of babbling brooks and waterfalls ascended. In the distance was the dazzling, blinding glitter of sunshine upon a sea of deepest, darkest blue. They could see the strand, and every now and then it grew white with the combing surf. But there was no sound; it was too far away. Overhead, the sky was clear, but Johannes could not see the face of the sun. It was very still all around, and the blue and white flowers among the rocks were motionless. Only the rushing of the water in the valleys could be heard. "Now, Johannes, what do you say to this? It is more beautiful than the dunes, is it not?" said Wistik, nodding his head in complete satisfaction. Johannes was enchanted at the sight of that vast expanse before him, with the rocks, the flowers, the ravines, and the sea. "Oh, Wistik, where are we?" asked he, softly, enraptured with the view. "My new cap came from here," said Wistik. Johannes looked at him. The pretty cap that had appeared black in the twilight proved to be bright red. It was a Phrygian cap. "Phrygia?" asked Johannes, for he knew the name of those caps well. "Maybe," said Wistik. "Is not this a great find? And I know, too...." Here he spoke in whispers again, very importantly, behind the back of his hand, in Johannes' ear: "Here they know something more about the little gold key, and the book, which we are both trying to find." "Is the book here?" asked Johannes. "I do not know yet," said Wistik, a trifle disturbed. "I did not say that, but the people know about it--that is certain." "Are there people here?" "Certainly there are. Human beings, and elves, and all kinds of animals. And they know all about it." "Is Windekind here, too, Wistik?" "I do not doubt it, Johannes, but I have not seen him yet. Shall we try to find him?" "Oh, yes, Wistik! But how are we going to get down there? It is too steep. We shall break our necks." "No, indeed, if only you are not afraid. Just let yourself float. Then you will be all right." At first Johannes did not dare. He was wide awake, not dreaming; and if any one wide awake were to throw himself down from a high rock, he would meet his death. If one were dreaming, then nothing would happen. If only he could know, now, whether he was awake or dreaming! "Come, Johannes, we have only a little time." Then he risked it, and let himself drift downward. And it was splendid--so comfortable! He floated gently down through the mild, still air, arms and legs moving as in swimming. "Is it only a dream, then?" he asked, looking down attentively at the beautiful, blooming world below him. "What do you mean?" asked Wistik. "You are Johannes, just the same, and what you see, Johannes sees. Your body lies asleep, in Vrede-best, at your aunt's. But did you ever in the daytime see anything so distinct as this?" "No," said Johannes.