The king turned to his mother-in-law, and said—­

“Some one should reward my tale.  I should like to know what punishment the taking of such an innocent life deserves.”

The false hag did not know that her own treachery was aimed at, so she said boldly—­

“For my part, I certainly think she should be put into boiling lead.”

The king then turned himself to Foxtail, and said—­

“I should like to have your opinion; what punishment is merited by one who takes so innocent a life?”

The wicked woman answered at once—­

“For my part, I think she deserves to be put into boiling tar.”

Then the king started up from the table in a great rage, and said—­

“You have pronounced doom on yourselves.  Such punishment shall you suffer!”

He ordered the two women to be taken out to die as they themselves had said, and no one save Swanwhite begged him to have mercy on them.

After that the king was married to the beautiful maiden, and all folk agreed that nowhere could be found a finer queen.  The king gave his own sister to the brave young man, and there was great joy in all the king’s palace.

There they live prosperous and happy unto this day, for all I know.

TALES OF TREASURE.

There are still to be seen near Flensborg the ruins of a very ancient building.  Two soldiers once stood on guard there together, but when one of them was gone to the town, it chanced that a tall white woman came to the other, and spoke to him, and said—­

“I am an unhappy spirit, who has wandered here these many hundred years, but never shall I find rest in the grave.”

She then informed him that under the walls of the castle a great treasure was concealed, which only three men in the whole world could take up, and that he was one of the three.  The man, who now saw that his fortune was made, promised to follow her directions in every particular, whereupon she desired him to come to the same place at twelve o’clock the following night.

The other soldier meanwhile had come back from the town just as the appointment was made with his comrade.  He said nothing about what, unseen, he had seen and heard, but went early the next evening and concealed himself amongst some bushes.  When his fellow-soldier came with his spade and shovel he found the white woman at the appointed place, but when she perceived they were watched she put off the appointed business until the next evening.  The man who had lain on the watch to no purpose went home, and suddenly fell ill; and as he thought he should die of that sickness, he sent for his comrade, and told him how he knew all, and conjured him not to have anything to do with witches or with spirits, but rather to seek counsel of the priest, who was a prudent man.  The other thought it would be the wisest plan to follow the advice of his comrade, so he went and discovered the whole affair to the priest, who, however, desired him to do as the spirit had bidden him, only he was to make her lay the first hand to the work herself.