was covered with wine and fruit, and was laid for four. They
waited a few minutes expecting some one to come, but as nobody did, they
sat down and began to eat and drink, for they were very hungry.

When they had done their supper they looked about for some place to
sleep. But suddenly the door burst open, and the wizard entered the
hall. He was old and hump-backed, with a bald head and a grey beard that
fell to his knees. He wore a black robe, and instead of a belt three
iron circlets clasped his waist. He led by the hand a lady of wonderful
beauty, dressed in white, with a girdle of silver and a crown of pearls,
but her face was pale and sad as death itself.

The prince knew her in an instant, and moved eagerly forward; but the
wizard gave him no time to speak, and said:

'I know why you are here. Very good; you may have her if for three
nights following you can prevent her making her escape. If you fail in
this, you and your servants will all be turned into stone, like those
who have come before you.' And offering the princess a chair, he left
the hall.

The prince could not take his eyes from the princess, she was so lovely!
He began to talk to her, but she neither answered nor smiled, and sat as
if she were made of marble. He seated himself by her, and determined not
to close his eyes that night, for fear she should escape him. And in
order that she should be doubly guarded, Long stretched himself like a
strap all round the room, Broad took his stand by the door and puffed
himself out, so that not even a mouse could slip by, and Quickeye leant
against a pillar which stood in the middle of the floor and supported
the roof. But in half a second they were all sound asleep, and they
slept sound the whole night long.

In the morning, at the first peep of dawn, the prince awoke with a
start. But the princess was gone. He aroused his servants and implored
them to tell him what he must do.

'Calm yourself, my lord,' said Quickeye. 'I have found her already. A
hundred miles from here there is a forest. In the middle of the forest,
an old oak, and on the top of the oak, an acorn. This acorn is the
princess. If Long will take me on his shoulders, we shall soon bring her
back.' And sure enough, in less time than it takes to walk round the
cottage, they had returned from the forest, and Long presented the acorn
to the prince.

'Now, your excellency, throw it on the ground.'

The prince obeyed, and was enchanted to see