"I will put a stopper--plug--what you call it, in your leaky lake,
grand monarch," said the prince.

The king was in such a rage that before he could speak he had time
to cool, and to reflect that it would be great waste to kill the
only man who was willing to be useful in the present emergency,
seeing that in the end the insolent fellow would be as dead as if
he had died by his Majesty's own hand. "Oh!" said he at last,
putting up his sword with difficulty, it was so long; "I am obliged
to you, you young fool! Take a glass of wine?"

'No, thank you," replied the prince.

"Very well," said the king. "Would you like to run and see your
parents before you make your experiment?"

"No, thank you," said the prince.

"Then we will go and look for the hole at once," said his Majesty,
and proceeded to call some attendants.

"Stop, please your Majesty; I have a condition to make," interposed
the prince.

"What!" exclaimed the king, "a condition! and with me! How dare
you?"

"As you please," returned the prince, coolly. "I wish your Majesty
a good morning."