. So he left her without further talk, for it was already
the night of the second day.

He then kicked the ground, and found himself in front of another huge
rock, which he opened. Here the third princess greeted him. After
asking him several questions as to how he had come there, she begged
him to go away, for she said that it was time for the twelve-headed
monster to come home. But he did not go away. He asked for the sword
of the monster, but of course he could not move it. So the princess
gave him three pails of water to drink. When the monster came home,
the prince cut his heads off one after another, as he had done to the
other two. The main head was now the only one left. Then the prince
removed his hat, and presented himself before the monster, who thought
that he could easily kill him, now that he could see him. He said,
"Wait, I'll go and get my sword." But he could not find it, for the
prince had already taken it. When he returned, he said to the prince,
"You have my sword." He had scarcely spoken these words when Alberto
cut off his remaining head. When Alberto told the princess that he had
already saved her two sisters, she jumped with joy and embraced him.

Alberto now took the princess in his arms, kicked the ground, and
they were brought to the palace of the second sister. Then the prince
kicked the ground again, and all three were carried to the palace of
the youngest sister. But there was no time for delay, as the third
day was nearly gone. So he quickly brought all three princesses back
to their father's kingdom. When they arrived at the palace, King
Luis was overjoyed to see his daughters again. He told the prince to
decide which one he wanted for a wife. While the three princesses
were talking about their life with the monsters, Alberto managed,
without being noticed, to give his handkerchief to the youngest.

The next day Alberto called at the palace. "Have you decided whom you
are going to take for a wife?" said the king. The prince answered,
"The one who has a handkerchief just like mine shall be my wife." Now,
all three were anxious to have the brave prince for their husband, so
they hastened to their rooms to get their handkerchiefs. The two older
sisters first presented theirs, but neither resembled Alberto's. Then
the youngest showed the one which Alberto had given her the day
before, and so she was married to him. For three days banquets of
thanksgiving were held, and the marriage festivit