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 cartload 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.