Pagina 449 di 626

Next morning the king had the entire town searched for his

daughter's shoe. It was found at the soldier's, and the soldier

himself, who at the entreaty of the dwarf had gone outside the

gate, was soon brought back, and thrown into prison. In his

flight he had forgotten the most valuable things he had, the blue

light and the gold, and had only one ducat in his pocket. And now

loaded with chains, he was standing at the window of his dungeon,

when he chanced to see one of his comrades passing by. The

soldier tapped at the pane of glass, and when this man came up,

said to him: 'Be so kind as to fetch me the small bundle I have

left lying in the inn, and I will give you a ducat for doing it.'

His comrade ran thither and brought him what he wanted. As soon

as the soldier was alone again, he lighted his pipe and summoned

the black manikin. 'Have no fear,' said the latter to his master.