turned her back, he scratched and scratched till he had made a
hole in the box. Then he took the watch between his teeth, and
waited quietly till the Princess came back. Scarcely had she
opened the door when the cat was outside, and the watch into the
bargain.

The cat was no sooner beyond the gates than she said to the dog:

'We are going to cross the sea; be very careful not to speak to
me.'

The dog laid this to heart and said nothing; but when they
approached the shore he could not help asking, 'Have you got the
watch?'

The cat did not answer--he was afraid that he might let the
talisman fall. When they touched the shore the dog repeated his
question.

'Yes,' said the cat.

And the watch fell into the sea. Then our two friends began each
to accuse the other, and both looked sorrowfully at the place
where their treasure had fallen in. Suddenly a fish appeared near
the edge of the sea. The cat seized it, and thought it would make
them a good supper.

'I have nine little children,' cried the fish. 'Spare the father
of a family!'