t; there certainly can not any thing be wanting!" cried the dwarf
trembling.

"You lie, you knave!" exclaimed the duke, giving him a kick, "or my
guest would not say that some ingredient was wanting. I will have you
cut up in small pieces and made into a pastry yourself!"

"Have pity!" cried the dwarf, falling on his knees before the guest,
and clasping his feet. "Tell me what is wanting in this dish that it
does not suit your palate? Do not let me die on account of a handful of
meat and meal."

"That wouldn't help you much, dear Nosey," answered the prince,
laughing. "I felt pretty sure yesterday that you couldn't make this
dish as my cook does. Know, then, that there is an herb wanting, that
is not known at all in this country, called _Sneeze-with-pleasure_,
and, without this, the pastry is tasteless and your master will never
have it as good as mine."

The last words aroused the anger of the duke to the highest pitch. "And
yet I will have it!" exclaimed he, with flashing eyes. "For I swear on
my princely word, that I will either show you the pastry just as you
require it, or----the head of this fellow impaled on the gate of my
palace. Go, dog! Once more I grant you twenty-four hours' time."

The dwarf went back to his own room, and complained to the goose of his
fate, for as he had never heard of this plant, he must die. "Is that
all that is wanted?" said she. "I can help you in that case, for I
learned to know all vegetables from my father. At any other time you
might have been doomed; but fortunately now there is a full moon, and
at this time the plant blooms. But tell me, are there any old chestnut
trees in the vicinity of the palace?"

"Oh, yes," replied the dwarf, with a lighter heart; "by the lake, two
hundred steps from the house, there is a large group of them; but what
has that to do with it?"

"Well, at the foot of old chestnuts blooms this plant," replied Mimi.
"Therefore, let us lose no time in our search. Take me under your arm,
and set me down when we are in the garden, and I will assist you."

He did as she said, and went with her to the palace entrance. But there
he was stopped by the guard who extended his weapon, and said: "My good
Nosey, it's all up with you; I have received the strictest orders not
to let you out of the house."

[Illustration]

"But there can't be any objection to my going into the garden," urged
the dwarf. "Be so kind as to send one of your comrades to the steward,
a