"I wonder," said Brother Merry, "that the people should all come to you, instead of going to that castle."
"They have good reason for what they do," said the landlord, "for whoever has attempted to spend the night at the castle has never come back to show how he was entertained."
"If others have attempted it, why shouldn't I?" said Merry.
"You had better leave it alone," said the host; "you are only thrusting your head into danger."
"No fear of danger," said the soldier, "only give me the key and plenty to eat and drink."
The hostess gave him what he asked for, and he went off to the castle, relished his supper, and when he found himself sleepy, laid himself down on the floor, for there was no bed in the place. He soon went to sleep, but in the night he was awoke by a great noise, and when he aroused himself he discovered nine very ugly devils dancing in a circle which they had made around him.
"Dance as long as you like," said Brother Merry; "but don't come near me."
But the devils came drawing nearer and nearer, and at last they almost trod on his face with their misshapen feet.
"Be quiet," said he, but they behaved still worse.
At last he got angry, and crying—