And indeed he did hear strange cries, sometimes like the roaring of wild beasts, then shrill sounds like the piping of winds upon sandy beaches, sometimes a cry of pain, and at time as burst of wild laughter. In order to protect himself, he drew his hunting-knife from his girdle, and went in the direction from whence the noises proceeded. When he did this, he found himself descending the stairs, and thought he must now be going to the cellars where the Wicked Baron kept his gold. The noises grew louder and louder as he descended, and at last all dwindled down to one harsh voice, which was singing this song: “The Goblin Golden Here you will find; From ages olden I’ve ruled mankind. Another victim I now will bind; When I have tricked him He’ll sorrow find.” Kelch had by this time come to the end of a long dark passage, and was stopped by an iron door, under which gleamed a line of bright yellow light. He knocked, then suddenly with a loud crash the door flew open, and he saw before him a circular room illuminated with the bright yellow light. In the centre was a great pile of gold coins, on the top of which was seated a funny little man. [Illustration] Such a queer figure he was, with a great fat body like a bag of money tied round the top with a golden cord, so that it made a ruffle for his neck, and above this was an enormous head with two fierce yellow eyes, a great beak of a nose, and a wide mouth, which when open showed long golden teeth. He had short little legs, with long peaked shoes of gold, and in his hands held a golden sceptre, while on top of his great head of yellow hair was a huge crown of heavy gold set with flashing diamonds. He had a yellow skin and yellow clothes,—in fact, he was yellow all over, and he sat cross-legged on the top of the heap of gold, grinning and nodding at Kelch till the diamonds in his crown glittered like great stars. “I am the Golden Goblin,” he cried in a harsh voice, when he saw the lad, “and I know what you come for, so take as much gold as you like and go.” “But where is the Wicked Baron?” asked Kelch. “He has gone to my kingdom below,” said the Goblin, grinning; “he was my servant, and had as much gold as he wanted, on condition he came with me when he died, so he did die last year, and I’ve got him safe in my kingdom.” [Illustration: “I AM THE GOLDEN GOBLIN,” HE CRIED IN A HARSH VOICE] Kelch’s hair arose on end at this, so wicked did the Goblin look, but as he had done no harm, he was not afraid. “Can I take some gold?” he asked; “I want some in order to marry Filina.” “You can take as much gold as you like,” replied the Goblin graciously, “on condition that you put this ring on Filina’s finger as a present from me.”