“Master it! You must, my lad! Much depends on it. They whisper the room is haunted. Not for you, Renalt, if for anybody. Haven’t I been familiar with it all these years, and yet I lie here unscathed? How can it spare the evil old man and hurt the just son?” He half-rose in his bed and stared with dilated eyes at the wall. “You are there!” he cried, in a loud, quavering voice. “Out of the years of gloom and torture you menace me still! Why, it was just, I say! How could I have clung to my purpose and defied you, otherwise? You will never frighten me!” He fell back, breathing heavily. In sorrow and alarm I bent over him. Suddenly conscious of my eyes looking down upon him, he smiled and a faint flush came to his cheek. “Dreams and shadows--dreams and shadows!” he murmured. “You will take up my task, Renalt?” “Must I, dad?” “Oh, be a man!” he shrieked, grasping at me. “I have defied it--I, the sinner! And how can it hurt you?” “Is it so necessary?” “It’s the key to all--the golden key! Were it to rust and stop, the secret would be open to any that might look, and the devil have my soul.” “Do you wish me, then, to learn the secret--whatever it is?” He looked at me long, with a dark and searching expression. “I ask you to oil the wheel,” he said at length--“nothing more.” “Very well. I will do what you ask.” He gave a deep sigh and lay back with his eyes closed. I saw the faint color coming and going in his face. Suddenly he uttered a cry and turned upon me. “My son--my son! Bear with me a little longer. It is an old habit and for long made my only joy in a dark world. I find it hard to part with my fetish.” “I don’t want you to part with it. What does it matter? I will oil the wheel and you shall rest in peace that your task is being faithfully performed by another.” “Hush! You don’t mean it, but every word is a reproach. I’ve known so little love; and here I would reject the confidence that is the sign of more than I deserve. For him, the base and cruel, to guess at it, and you to remain in ignorance! Renalt, listen; I’m going to tell you.” “No, dad; no!” “Renalt, you won’t break my heart? What trust haven’t you put in me? And this is my return! Feel under my pillow, boy.” “Oh, dad; let it rest!” Eagerly, impatiently, he thrust in his own hand and brought forth a shining key.