“I command you,” said the young man, “to carry the queen and myself to the garden where my treasure lies hidden.” Zadok laughed aloud. “I hear thee and obey thee, master,” said he. He seized the queen and the young man by the girdle, and in an instant transported them to the garden and to the treasure-house. “Thou art where thou commandest to be,” said the Demon. The young man immediately drew a circle upon the ground with his finger-tip. He struck his heel upon the circle. The ground opened, disclosing the steps leading downward. The young man descended the steps with the queen behind him, and behind them both came the Demon Zadok. The young man opened the door of adamant and entered the first of the vaulted rooms. When the queen saw the huge basin full of silver treasure, her cheeks and her forehead flushed as red as fire. They went into the next room, and when the queen saw the basin of gold her face turned as white as ashes. They went into the third room, and when the queen saw the basin of jewels and the six golden statues her face turned as blue as lead, and her eyes shone green like a snake’s. “Are you content?” asked the young man. The queen looked about her. “No!” cried she, hoarsely, pointing to the closed door that had never been opened, and whereon were engraved these words: “_=Behold! Beyond this door is that alone which shall satisfy all thy desires.=_” [Illustration] “No!” cried she. “What is it that lies behind yon door?” “I do not know,” said the young man. “Then open the door, and let me see what lies within.” “I cannot open the door,” said he. “How can I open the door, seeing that there is no lock nor key to it?” “If thou dost not open the door,” said the queen, “all is over between thee and me. So do as I bid thee, or leave me forever.” They had both forgotten that the Demon Zadok was there. Then the young man bethought himself of the Talisman of Solomon. “Tell me, O Talisman,” said he, “how shall I open yonder door?” “Oh, wretched one!” cried the Talisman, “oh, wretched one! fly while there is yet time--fly, for thy doom is near! Do not push the door open, for it is not locked!” The young man struck his head with his clinched fist. “What a fool am I!” he cried. “Will I never learn wisdom? Here have I been coming to this place seven months, and have never yet thought to try whether yonder door was locked or not!” “Open the door!” cried the queen. They went forward together. The young man pushed the door with his hand. It opened swiftly and silently, and they entered. Within was a narrow room as red as blood. A flaming lamp hung from the ceiling above. The young man stood as though turned to stone, for there stood a gigantic Black Demon with a napkin wrapped around his loins and a scimitar in his right hand, the blade of which gleamed like lightning in the flame of the lamp. Before him lay a basket filled with sawdust.