"It was," said the Wise Woman. "In her merriment at hearing you ask a silly question, she cast it outside my door."
A little further on they came to the Guess Gate, but when the King, dismounting, swung it open, it grated on something in the road. He stooped and lifted—a horseshoe.
"Wonder of wonders!" exclaimed the King. "This also was Pepper's. What shall we do with it?"
"Hang—it—up—hang—it—up—hang—" creaked the Gate; and clicked home.
In due course they reached the Doves, and at the sound of Pepper's hoofs the Brothers flocked out to meet them.
"Is all well?" cried the Ringdove, seeing the King only. "And have you returned to us for the final blessing?"
"I have," replied the King, "for I bring my bride behind me, and now you must make us one."
The gentle Brothers, rejoicing at the sight of their happiness and their beauty, led them in; and there they were wedded. The Doves offered them to eat, but the King was impatient to reach his Barn by nightfall; so they got again on Pepper's back, and as they were about to leave the Ringdove said:
"I have something of yours which is in itself a thing of no moment; yet, because it is of good augury, take it with you."
And he gave the King Pepper's third shoe.