Finn could hear his heart beat. He crept cautiously along and peeped around the stone. There, on a tiny stool, sat the Fairy Shoemaker hammering away at a wee hunting boot of scarlet leather, which he held between his knees. And his bit of a red cap was hanging on a spear of tall grass! Finn leaped to his feet, faced little Leprechaun, seized the red cap, and said, “Good day, sir.”
Instantly the little Elf jumped up and looked sharply through his spectacles at Finn. He was about twelve inches tall and his queer little face was full of wrinkles. A long gray beard reached to the top of a leathern apron which almost covered his brown suit.
“Good day, sir,” repeated Finn.
“Humph!” grunted Leprechaun.
Finn went closer, grasped the little Elf’s shoulder, held him tightly, and stared sharply at him.
“You’d better be off,” said the Fairy Shoemaker; “I have work to do.”
Finn kept his eyes fixed on the wee man, and said, “Come, now, where do you keep your treasure crocks? I shall not let you go until you tell me.”
“Oh! Is that all you want?” laughed the Elf. “Well, come along with me.”
Finn was delighted. The old man seemed very easy to manage. Leprechaun looked up pleasantly and said, “Your pardon, sir.” He pulled out a tiny gold snuffbox, took a pinch and offered some to Finn. “Snuff, sir?” he said with a smile.
“Why, how friendly he seems,” thought Finn, taking a pinch.