But the knight shook his head. ‘I have sworn never to lie in a bed as long as my work in the castle remains standing.’ And the princess again sighed, and was silent.
Early next day the young man started for the castle, feeling sure that some terrible thing must have happened to his brother.
At the blast of his horn the long nose of the old woman appeared at the grating, but the moment she caught sight of his face, she nearly fainted from fright, as she thought it was the ghost of the youth whose bones were lying in the dungeon of the castle.
‘Lady of all the ages,’ cried the new comer, ‘did you not give hospitality to a young knight but a short time ago?’
‘A short time ago!’ wailed the voices.
‘And how have you ill-treated him?’ he went on.
‘Ill-treated him!’ answered the voices. The woman did not stop to hear more; she turned to fly; but the knight’s sword entered her body.
‘Where is my brother, cruel hag?’ asked he sternly.
‘I will tell you,’ said she; ‘but as I feel that I am going to die I shall keep that piece of news to myself, till you have brought me to life again.’
The young man laughed scornfully. ‘How do you propose that I should work that miracle?’