The servants made haste to obey, and the bewildered lord of the treasury had taken scarcely a step when, of itself, his coat fell from his back!
“Well, well!” exclaimed the amazed man. “Since you would remain on when I was within the palace, why do you come off now that I am without?”
In anger he threw the coat upon the ground and went to join the others.
Time passed by, and the prince, whose people loved to obey him quickly, became very much excited with wondering what could have become of his messengers. He went out to seek them himself, and presently came upon the three.
“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded. “Why have you all tarried so long?”
At which question the clown made reply: “If the people in the new palace throw a rose to you, do not smell it!”
And the chamberlain added: “If you enter there, remove your turban before you pass the threshold.” [[154]]
While the lord of the treasury murmured: “Leave your coat behind when you go.”
At these strange answers the prince nearly lost his head. He felt that, as their prince, it was his duty to solve the mystery. So he turned and, without one word, went swiftly to the palace and demanded admission.
The moment he stepped inside, the fairy prince, the princess—who could hardly restrain her joy at seeing him—the three children, and all the servants came forward to do him honor.