these seven
years!

_3rd Prince_: What way did you get in?

_Ogre_: It's easy for me to get in any place. If
I had a mind I could turn into a house fly and come
through the lockhole of the door. It's much if I
don't change the whole lot of ye into small birds,
and myself to a hawk going through you! Or, into
frightened mice, and I myself into a starving cat!
It's much if I don't skin you with this whip, and
grind your bones as fine as rape seed!

_4th Prince_: I will call for help! (_Tries to shout_.)

_Ogre: (Putting hand over his mouth and lifting
whip.)_ Shout now and welcome, and it is bare
bones will be left of you! If it wasn't that I need
you to search out the golden-handled sword for me
I'd throttle the whole of ye as easy as I'd squeeze
an egg! Come on now! Show me where the
treasure is hid.

_5th Prince_: How would we know?

_Ogre_: Didn't I send ye spying it out, and if it
fails ye to make it out, I'll boil and bake you!

_1st Prince: (Looking about and pointing to end
of room_.) It might be there.

_Ogre_: What way would it be on the bare floor?
Search it out.

_2nd Prince: (Looking under a bench_.) It might
be here.

_Ogre_: It is not there.

_3rd Prince: (Looking up chimney_?) This would
be a good hiding-place.

_Ogre: (Looks up_.) There is nothing in it, only
an old nest of a jackdaw,--a bundle of bare twigs.
Trying to deceive me you are and to lead me astray.

_4th Prince_: It might be on the shelf.

_Ogre_: Stop your chat unless you have something
worth saying.

_5th Prince: (Sitting down on step under which
sword is hidden_.) Are you certain there is any
treasure at all?

_Ogre_: You are humbugging and making a fool
of me! _(Lashes whip and seizes him_.) Get up
now out of that! _(Drags him up and taps board.)
_ There is a hollow sort of a sound.... That is
a sort of place where a treasure might be hid.
_(Drags up board_.) I see something shining. _(Pulls
out sword_.) Oh, it is a lovely sword! And the
handle of pure gold. The best I ever seen!

_1st Prince: (To the others_.) I'll make a run now
and call out and awaken all in the house! _(Is going
towards door_.)

_Ogre: (Seizing him_.) You'd make your escape
would you?

_1st Prince: (Calling out_.) Ring the big bell,
ring the bell! I forgot it till now.

(_They pull a bell-rope and bell is beard clanging_.)

_Ogre: (Rushing at them as they ring it_.) I'll stop
that!

_(Voices are heard, at door to right. Ogre r