Pagina 445 de 626

The soldier returned to the town from which he came. He went to

the best inn, ordered himself handsome clothes, and then bade the

landlord furnish him a room as handsome as possible. When it was

ready and the soldier had taken possession of it, he summoned the

little black manikin and said: 'I have served the king

faithfully, but he has dismissed me, and left me to hunger, and

now I want to take my revenge.' 'What am I to do?' asked the

little man. 'Late at night, when the king's daughter is in bed,

bring her here in her sleep, she shall do servant's work for me.'

The manikin said: 'That is an easy thing for me to do, but a very

dangerous thing for you, for if it is discovered, you will fare

ill.' When twelve o'clock had struck, the door sprang open, and

the manikin carried in the princess. 'Aha! are you there?' cried

the soldier, 'get to your work at once!