In his flight he had forgotten the most valuable
things he had, the blue light and the gold, and had only one ducat in
his pocket. And now loaded with chains, he was standing at the window of
his dungeon, when he chanced to see one of his comrades passing by. The
soldier tapped at the pane of glass, and when this man came up, said to
him, "Be so kind as to fetch me the small bundle I have left lying in the
inn, and I will give you a ducat for doing it." His comrade ran thither
and brought him what he wanted. As soon as the soldier was alone again,
he lighted his pipe and summoned the black mannikin. "Have no fear,"
said the latter to his master. "Go wheresoever they take you, and let
them do what they will, only take the blue light with you." Next day
the soldier was tried, and though he had done nothing wicked, the judge
condemned him to death. When he was led forth to die, he begged a last
favor of the King. "What is it?" asked the King. "That I may smoke one
more pipe on my way." "Thou mayst smoke three," answered the King, "but
do not imagine that I will spare thy life.
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