Page:Eminent Authors of Contemporary Japan.pdf/128

112 idea over in his mind, there suddenly appeared from somewhere an old man with one squint eye, who stopped in front of him. The setting sun, falling aslant on the body of the latter, cast a long shadow upon the gate. For a moment he looked intently at Tu Tzuchun, and then said abruptly:

“What are you thinking about?”

“I?” said Tu Tzung, looking up, “I am thinking of what I shall do, for I cannot find a place to lay my head or pass the night.”

Being questioned so suddenly, Tu Tzuchun could not but give an honest answer, and he at once hung his head.

“I understand. I am very sorry for you,” replied the old man, and for a while he seemed deep in thought. After a few moments he raised his finger and pointed to where the sun’s rays were slanting.

“I will tell you what. When you are standing here in the sunshine, mark carefully where your head casts its shadow. Come to that place at midnight, dig, and you will find a cart-load of gold.”

“Is what you tell me true?” the young man answered in astonishment, but when he looked, to his great surprise, the old man had disappeared, nor could he find a trace of him anywhere. He only saw the moon shining whiter and more silvery than before, and, as the crowd surged past him, several restless bats flapped their grey wings across his vision.