and whispered, "Chur, Chur!" Just at this moment the cock crowed, and the spectre instantly disappeared somewhere beneath the floor.
The farmer went home and related all that he had seen. He and his family considered the matter of the apparition over, and came to the conclusion to consult some "wise-man" about it. The next day they found a wise-man, and told him all the story.
"Ah!" said the wise-man, "you have lost a famous chance, countryman."
"What chance?"
"Why, it was a treasure."
"Is it possible!"
"Yes."
"Could we not get it somehow?"
"You can."
"How, then?"
"Listen, and I will tell you. When the spectre again rises from beneath the floor, and approaches you, permit it to do so. When it is within two steps of you, seize it three times by the head, repeating each time, 'Amen! Amen! crumble thou into pieces.'"
The farmer did as he was told. The spectre crumbled into old copper money of five-copeck pieces.[1] The
- ↑ About twopence.
