his smithy, for he is dead." Then she put the three shoes she had
removed into a bag with some other trifles; and while she did so the
King took what remained of the gold and made it into two rings. This
done, they got on to Pepper's back, and with her three shoes of gold
and one of iron she bore them the way the King had come. When they
passed the Bush Hovel they saw the Wise Woman currying her
broomstick, and Viola cried:

"Great-Aunt, give us a blessing."

"Great-Niece," said the Wise Woman, "how can I give you what you
already have? But I will give you this." And she held out a
horseshoe.

"Good gracious," said the King, "this was once Pepper's."

"It was," said the Wise Woman. "In her merriment at hearing you ask
a silly question, she cast it outside my door."

A little further on they came to the Guess Gate, but when the King,
dismounting, swung it open, it grated on something in the road. He
stooped and lifted--a horseshoe.

"Wonder of wonders!" exclaimed the King. "This also was Pepper's.
What shall we do with it?"

"Hang--it--up--hang--it--up--hang--" creaked the Gate; and clicked
home.

In due course they reached the Doves, and at the sound of Pepper's