parties, so that in a few years the property was heavily mortgaged,
the old factor advancing the money.

"Things went apace, until one day the factor informed the young
spendthrift that he had spent everything, and the estates were no
longer his, so he gave him a few pounds, and turned him out.

"When the news spread round the countryside his old friends began to
drop off, until at last the spendthrift found every door closed
against him.

"When he had spent his last penny, the prodigal thought of the key
which his father had given him, saying, 'When you have spent
everything, take this key, and go to the hut.'

"But he had lost the key long before.

"Nevertheless, he went to the hut. It had a deserted appearance,
being overgrown with moss and lichens.

"He managed to squeeze himself under the door, and when he stood up
he saw a rope, with a noose hanging from the centre of the roof.
Pursuing his investigations, he found a parchment nailed to the back
of the door, and in one corner stood an old three-legged stool.
There was nothing else in the damp, mouldy room, so he began to read
the parchment.

"'Thou art come to beggary; end thy miserable existence, for it is
thy father's wish,' he read.