When they had gone through several dark, gloomy passages, they entered a wonderfully lighted chamber, in the centre of which stood a chest filled with gold and treasures, from which the maiden's companion, at her command, must take as many pieces of money as were sufficient for relief from his embarrassment.
At the same time he must solemnly promise that at the expiration of a year, at a certain hour, he will return the same sum to the same place, because, as a result of his failing to do so, she herself would suffer great injury.
He promised, and the maiden dismissed him.
Of course he was now freed from his anxiety and distress, and from this day everything he undertook prospered.
Not only was he able to satisfy all the demands of his creditors, but also at the stated time, agreeably with his promise, to return the received loan.
But he could not go in his every-day dress to his benefactress, and the untruthful tailor neglected to deliver the red Sunday coat as promised.
At last he determined, though he had failed to reach the spot at the fixed hour, not to fail in the day.
As he climbed the Burgweg—castle road—it seemed to him that the tops of the beeches sighed mournfully. He drew near to the cave with painful apprehensions.
No maiden was to be seen. He entered the cave, and found himself at last in the lighted chamber.
But what must he see? The benevolent maiden lay on the ground dying, her countenance distorted with sorrow and pain.