The woman took the money, pointed to the yawning chasm behind them, and said—
"We are on the very spot."
The man looked around him with some surprise, then, jingling the purse from which he had been doling out the ducats in the old woman's ear, he said—
"All in this purse is yours if our plan succeeds, but if you betray us, this dagger will surely reach you. I'd hunt you down even if you took refuge in hell itself!"
The hag grinned.
"No threats, please! I know something which will not only make you hand over that purse of gold to me instantly, but will also fill you with such insane joy that you'll be ready to cover me with kisses. I have about me a letter which, if once your master reads, he would cover me with gold from head to foot."
"Who wrote it?"
"That is a very dear question. If you paid for the answer down, I'm afraid you would not have enough money left to carry you home."
"I want to know who wrote that letter. I'm not going to buy a pig in a poke."
"Then farewell! If you want to know anything more, you must pay for it." And she prepared to go.