steps which seemed to lead into
the bowels of the earth. Down these he went till he came to a silver
door without a bar or key. Then he held up high the flower that laughs,
and the door slowly swung back, displaying a deep cavern, which was as
bright as day from the shining of the golden bowl and the diamond lance.
The idiot hastily ran forward and hung the bowl round his neck from the
chain which was attached to it, and took the lance in his hand. As he
did so, the ground shook beneath him, and with an awful rumbling the
palace disappeared, and Peronnik found himself standing close to the
forest where he led the cattle to graze.

* * * * *

Though darkness was coming on, Peronnik never thought of entering the
farm, but followed the road which led to the court of the duke of
Brittany. As he passed through the town of Vannes he stopped at a
tailor's shop, and bought a beautiful costume of brown velvet and a
white horse, which he paid for with a handful of gold that he had picked
up in the corridor of the castle of Kerglas. Thus he made his way to the
city of Nantes, which at that moment was besieged by the French.

A little way off, Peronnik stopped and looked about him. For miles round
the country was bare, for the enemy had cut down every tree and burnt
every blade of corn; and, idiot though he might be, Peronnik was able to
grasp that inside the gates men were dying of famine. He was still
gazing with horror, when a trumpeter appeared on the walls, and, after
blowing a loud blast, announced that the duke would adopt as his heir
the man who could drive the French out of the country.

On the four sides of the city the trumpeter blew his blast, and the last
time Peronnik, who had ridden up as close as he might, answered him.

'You need blow no more,' said he, 'for I myself will free the town from
her enemies.' And turning to a soldier who came running up, waving his
sword, he touched him with the magic lance, and he fell dead on the
spot. The men who were following stood still, amazed. Their comrade's
armour had not been pierced, of that they were sure, yet he was dead, as
if he had been struck to the heart. But before they had time to recover
from their astonishment, Peronnik cried out:

'You see how my foes will fare; now behold what I can do for my
friends,' and, stooping down, he laid the golden bowl against the mouth
of the soldier, who sat up as well as ever. Then, jumping his ho