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The Alhambra

Chapter 11: THE ADVENTURE OF THE MASON
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About This Book

The text interleaves evocative descriptions of a famed Moorish palace—its courts, gardens, and architectural detail—with historical sketches, travel reminiscences, and imaginative tales drawn from local legend. The author records impressions as a visitor, recounts romances and ghostly or treasure-related folklore tied to the site, and summarizes episodes from the region's past. Chapters alternate between topographical and antiquarian essays and short narrative vignettes, blending archival research, anecdote, and personal reflection to recreate atmosphere rather than to deliver a single continuous narrative.

Mosque.

THE ADVENTURE OF THE MASON

There was once upon a time a poor mason, or bricklayer, in Granada, who kept all the saints' days and holidays, and Saint Monday into the bargain, and yet, with all his devotion, he grew poorer and poorer, and could scarcely earn bread for his numerous family. One night he was roused from his first sleep by a knocking at his door. He opened it, and beheld before him a tall, meagre cadaverous-looking priest.

"'Hark ye, honest friend!' said the stranger; 'I have observed that you are a good Christian, and one to be trusted; will you undertake a job this very night?'

"'With all my heart, Señor Padre, on condition that I am paid accordingly.'

"'That you shall be; but you must suffer yourself to be blindfolded.'