The old man returned with the Pope.
The Pope was taken to the gallows. Says the old man to the Pope:
“Pope! who ate my loaves?”
“Not I, on my word! So help me Heaven, not I!”
The Pope was hoisted on to the second step. Says the old man to the Pope:
“Pope! who ate my loaves?”
“Not I, on my word! So help me Heaven, not I!”
He mounted the third step—and again it was “Not I!” And now his head was actually in the noose—but it’s “Not I!” all the same. Well, there was nothing to be done! Says the old man to the King:
“O King! O free to do thy will! Permit me to cure the Princess. And if I do not cure her, order another noose to be got ready. A noose for me, and a noose for the Pope!”
Well, the old man put the pieces of the Princess’s body together, bit by bit, and breathed on them—and the Princess stood up alive and well. The King recompensed them both with silver and gold.