“Bertha! Bertha!” she called. But Bertha could not hear.
When almost ready to give up in despair, she heard, not far off, a sound like the warbling of a bird, and could very clearly distinguish these words:—
“Courage, maiden, never fear,
All is well, no danger near;
To the left now turn the key,
Three times three, three times three.”
With new courage Rosebud began turning the key to the left, and at the ninth turning the door swung slowly open.
But there was yet a long way to travel. A long, long way it seemed to Rosebud. But she thought of her promise to the sorrowful maiden, and kept bravely on.
Presently she heard voices singing, and knew then that the end of the long passage was near. She called aloud, “Bertha! Bertha!”
“Is it you? Is it Rosebud?” cried a voice. “Hasten, there is yet another iron door.”