Here the prince's voice faltered, and he very nearly grew
sentimental, in spite of his resolution.

"Why didn't you tell me before what your condition was? Such a fuss
about nothing!" exclaimed the king.

"Do you grant it?" persisted the prince.
"Of course I do," replied the king.

"Very well. I am ready."

"Go and have some dinner, then, while I set my people to find the
place."

The king ordered out his guards, and gave directions to the
officers to find the hole in the lake at once. So the bed of the
lake was marked out in divisions and thoroughly examined, and in an
hour or so the hole was discovered. It was in the middle of a
stone, near the centre of the lake, in the very pool where the
golden plate had been found. It was a three-cornered hole of no
great size. There was water all round the stone, but very little
was flowing through the hole.


14.This Is Very Kind of You.


The prince went to dress for the occasion, for he was resolved to
die like a prince.