About noon he came to a great mountain-side covered with a forest. Thinking that he was as likely to find what he sought in one place as another, and preferring the shade to the sun, he entered the forest, and walked for some distance along a path which gradually led up the mountain. Having crossed a brook with its edges lined with water-cresses, he soon perceived a large cave, at the entrance of which sat an aged hermit. 'Ah,' said the Stranger to himself, 'this is indeed fortunate! This good and venerable man, who passes his life amid the secrets of nature, can surely tell me what I wish to know.' Saluting the Hermit, he sat down and told the old man the object of his quest.
'I am afraid you are looking for what you will not find,' said the Hermit. 'Most people are too silly to be truly interested in anything. They herd together like cat-
