The Treasure of the Sigmundsburg

At the foot of the Fern Alp, about two miles from Nassereit, lies a

small deep green Alpine See, and on a rock, which overhangs it, stands

the old castle of Sigmundsburg. Beneath the walls of the castle are

deep vaults, hewn in the solid rock, in which is buried an incalculable

treasure, whose guardian has the form of a big hairy black dog.

Sometimes, too, the dog appears like a luminous mass, without, however,

burning; in his mouth he holds a key, which opens the door of the

treasure-room, but the conditions on which the treasure can be got at

are unknown to any one. Besides, the cellar is so well guarded that it

is very difficult to approach it; and people say that most probably the

Sigmundsburg must fall into ruins before the cellar can be entered,

and then only the treasure-guardian may have the chance of finding

the redemptor, for whom he is already so long waiting; but before that

moment arrives, two centuries will perhaps still have to elapse.