gh the wood. After they had gone a little way he
turned round and asked his rider where he wanted to go to, and the
Prince proceeded to tell him the whole story of the golden apples that
had been stolen out of the King's garden, and how his other two brothers
had set forth with many followers to find the thief. When he had
finished his story, the wolf, who was in reality no wolf but a mighty
magician, said he thought he could tell him who the thief was, and could
help him to secure him. 'There lives,' he said, 'in a neighbouring
country, a mighty emperor who has a beautiful golden bird in a cage, and
this is the creature who steals the golden apples, but it flies so fast
that it is impossible to catch it at its theft. You must slip into the
Emperor's palace by night and steal the bird with the cage; but be very
careful not to touch the walls as you go out.'

The following night the Prince stole into the Emperor's palace, and
found the bird in its cage as the wolf had told him he would. He took
hold of it carefully, but in spite of all his caution he touched the
wall in trying to pass by some sleeping watchmen. They awoke at once,
and, seizing him, beat him and put him into chains. Next day he was led
before the Emperor, who at once condemned him to death and to be thrown
into a dark dungeon till the day of his execution arrived.

The wolf, who, of course, knew by his magic arts all that had happened
to the Prince, turned himself at once into a mighty monarch with a large
train of followers, and proceeded to the Court of the Emperor, where he
was received with every show of honour. The Emperor and he conversed on
many subjects, and, among other things, the stranger asked his host if
he had many slaves. The Emperor told him he had more than he knew what
to do with, and that a new one had been captured that very night for
trying to steal his magic bird, but that as he had already more than
enough to feed and support, he was going to have this last captive
hanged next morning.

'He must have been a most daring thief,' said the King, 'to try and
steal the magic bird, for depend upon it the creature must have been
well guarded. I would really like to see this bold rascal.' 'By all
means,' said the Emperor; and he himself led his guest down to the
dungeon where the unfortunate Prince was kept prisoner. When the Emperor
stepped out of the cell with the King, the latter turned to him and
said, 'Most mighty Emperor, I have been