"The king was in such a rage, that before he could speak he had time to cool, and to reflect that it would be great waste to kill the only man who was willing to be useful in the present emergency, seeing that in the end the insolent fellow would be as dead as if he had died by his majesty's own hand.
"'Oh!' said he at last, putting up his sword with difficulty—it was so long; 'I am obliged to you, you young fool! Take a glass of wine?'
"'No, thank you,' replied the prince.
"'Very well,' said the king. 'Would you like to run and see your parents before you make your experiment?'
"'No, thank you,' said the prince.
"'Then we will go and look for the hole at once,' said his majesty, and proceeded to call some attendants.
"'Stop, please your majesty; I have a condition to make,' interposed the prince.
"'What!' exclaimed the king; 'a condition! and with me! How dare you?'
"'As you please,' said the prince coolly. 'I wish your majesty good morning.'
"'You wretch! I will have you put in a sack, and stuck in the hole.'