That evening, when Johannes was in his little room, looking at the moon-shadows cast by the ivy leaves which covered the window-panes--there seemed to be a tapping on the glass. Johannes thought it was an ivy leaf fluttering in the night wind. Yet it tapped so plainly--always three taps at a time--that Johannes very gently opened the window and cautiously looked about. The ivy against the house gleamed in the blue light. Below, lay a dim world full of mystery. There were caverns and openings into which the moonlight cast little blue flecks--making the darkness still deeper. After Johannes had been gazing a long time into this wonderful world of shadows, he saw the form of a mannikin close by the window, half hidden by a large ivy leaf. He recognized Wistik instantly, by his great, wonder-struck eyes under the uplifted brows. A tiny moonbeam just touched the tip of Wistik's long nose. "Have you forgotten me, Johannes? Why are you not thinking about it now? It is the right time. Did you ask Robin Redbreast the way?" "Ah, Wistik, why should I ask? I have everything I could wish for. I have Robinetta." "But that will not last long. And you can be still happier--Robinetta, too. Must the little key stay where it is, then? Only think how grand it would be if you both should find the book! Ask Robin Redbreast about it. I will help you whenever I can." "At least, I can ask about it," said Johannes. Wistik nodded, and scrambled nimbly down the vines. Before he went to bed, Johannes stayed a long time--looking at the dark shadows and the shining ivy leaves. The next day he asked the redbreast if he knew the way to the golden chest. Robinetta listened, in astonishment. Johannes saw the robin nod, and peep askance at Robinetta. "Not here, not here!" chirped the little bird. "What do you mean, Johannes?" asked Robinetta. "Do you not know about it, Robinetta, and where to find it? Are you not waiting for the little gold key?" "No! no! Tell me--what is that?" Johannes told her what he knew about the book. "And I have the little key. I thought you had the golden chest. Is it not so, Birdie?" But the bird feigned not to hear, and fluttered about among the fresh, bright beech leaves. They were resting against a slope on which small beech and spruce trees were growing. A narrow green path ran slantingly by, and they sat at the border of it, on thick, dark-green moss. They could look over the tops of the lowest saplings upon a sea of green foliage billowing in sun and shade. "I do believe, Johannes," said Robinetta, after a little, "that I can find what you are looking for. But what do you mean about the little key? How did you come by it?" "Why! How did I? How was it?" murmured Johannes, gazing far away over the green expanse. Suddenly, as though fledged in the sunny sky, two white butterflies met his sight. They whirled about with uncertain capricious flight--fluttering and twinkling in the sunlight. Yet they came closer.