then I can help you, for my father taught
me to know all plants and herbs. Luckily this is a new moon just now,
for the herb only springs up at such times. But tell me, are there
chestnut trees near the palace?'

'Oh, yes!' cried Long Nose, much relieved; 'near the lake--only a couple
of hundred yards from the palace--is a large clump of them. But why do
you ask?'

'Because the herb only grows near the roots of chestnut trees,' replied
Mimi; 'so let us lose no time in finding it. Take me under your arm and
put me down out of doors, and I'll hunt for it.'

He did as she bade, and as soon as they were in the garden put her on
the ground, when she waddled off as fast as she could towards the lake,
Jem hurrying after her with an anxious heart, for he knew that his life
depended on her success. The goose hunted everywhere, but in vain. She
searched under each chestnut tree, turning every blade of grass with her
bill--nothing to be seen, and evening was drawing on!

Suddenly the dwarf noticed a big old tree standing alone on the other
side of the lake. 'Look,' cried he, 'let us try our luck there.'

The goose fluttered and skipped in front, and he ran after as fast as
his little legs could carry him. The tree cast a wide shadow, and it was
almost dark beneath it, but suddenly the goose stood still, flapped
her wings with joy, and plucked something, which she held out to her
astonished friend, saying: 'There it is, and there is more growing here,
so you will have no lack of it.'

The dwarf stood gazing at the plant. It gave out a strong sweet scent,
which reminded him of the day of his enchantment. The stems and leaves
were a bluish green, and it bore a dark, bright red flower with a yellow
edge.

'What a wonder!' cried Long Nose. 'I do believe this is the very herb
which changed me from a squirrel into my present miserable form. Shall I
try an experiment?'

'Not yet,' said the goose. 'Take a good handful of the herb with you,
and let us go to your rooms. We will collect all your money and clothes
together, and then we will test the powers of the herb.'

So they went back to Jem's rooms, and here he gathered together some
fifty ducats he had saved, his clothes and shoes, and tied them all up
in a bundle. Then he plunged his face into the bunch of herbs, and drew
in their perfume.

As he did so, all his limbs began to crack and stretch; he felt his head
rising above his shoulders; he glanced down at his nose, and sa