“And the ruts?”

“There are not any.”

“Am I blind?” asked Vitalis in a low voice, as he passed his hands across his eyes; “walk straight along by the trees, and give me your hand.”

“Here is a wall.”

“No, it’s a heap of stones.”

“No, I am sure it’s a wall.”

Vitalis took a step aside to see if it really was as I said. He stretched out his two hands and touched the wall.

“Yes, it’s a wall,” he murmured. “Where is the entrance. Look for the track.”

I stooped down to the ground and felt all along to the end of the wall, but I found no entrance; then, turning back to where Vitalis stood, I continued to feel along the wall on the other side. The result was the same; there was no opening, no gate.

“There is nothing,” I said.