Certainly," he said.

"Well then, Your Highness, I'd like that pair of clubs I see under the
oven."

Lucifer gave him the clubs and wished him a pleasant journey home.

When the shoemaker got back to the gate, the little devil of a guard
wagged his head and blinked his eyes.

"Shoemaker," he said, "those are fine clubs! You don't know how fine
they are! Why, they'll do anything you tell them! If you point to a man
and say to them: 'Tickle that fellow!' they'll jump about and tickle him
under the ribs. If you say: 'Strike that fellow!' they'll hit him. And
if you say: 'Beat him!' they'll give him a terrible drubbing. Now I want
you to try these clubs on that landlord and his wife for they have been
playing tricks on you. They stole your tablecloth and your rooster. When
you reach the tavern tonight, they'll be entertaining a wedding party
and they'll say they haven't any room for you. Don't argue but quietly
take out your clubs and order them to knock about among the wedding
guests. Then order them to beat the landlord and his wife and those two
will soon cry for mercy and be more than willing to return you your
property."

The shoemaker thanked the little devil of a guard for his good advice
and, putting the clubs in his bag, climbed back to earth. When he
reached the tavern, sure enough he found a wedding party feasting and
dancing.

"Get out of here!" the landlord cried. "There's no room for you!"

Without a word the shoemaker took out his clubs and said:

"Clubs, knock around among the wedding guests!"

Instantly the two clubs went knocking about among the wedding guests,
tickling some and throwing down others, until the place was in an
uproar.

"Now beat the landlord and his wife!" the shoemaker cried.

At that the clubs hopped over to the landlord and his wife and began
beating them over the head and shoulders until they both dropped on
their knees before the shoemaker and begged for mercy.

"Are you ready to give me back my tablecloth and rooster?" the shoemaker
asked.

"Yes, yes!" they cried. "Only call off your clubs and we'll give you
back your tablecloth and rooster--we swear we will!"

When he thought he had punished them enough, the shoemaker ordered the
clubs to stop and the landlord and his wife tottered off as fast as
their trembling legs could carry them. Presently they returned with the
tablecloth and the rooster.

So the shoemaker, when he got home, had all three of the Devil's
pres