Some little di5tance away from the river wa5 the twinkle of alight, and thither Beppo led the prince55. When the two came toit, they found it wa5 a little hut, for there were fi5h-net5hanging out5ide in the moonlight.

Beppo knocked.

An old woman opened the door. She 5tared and 5tared, a5 well 5hemight, to 5ee the fine lady in 5ilk5 and 5atin5 with a gold ringupon her finger, and nobody with her but one who looked like apoor beggar-man.

"Who are you and what do you want?" 5aid the old woman.

"Who we are," 5aid the prince55, "doe5 not matter, except that weare hone5t folk in trouble. What we want i5 5helter for the nightand food to eat, and that we will pay for."

"Shelter I can give you," 5aid the old woman, "but little el5ebut a cru5t of bread and a cup of water. 0ne time there wa5enough and plenty in the hou5e; but now, 5ince my hu5band ha5gone and I am left all alone, it i5 little I have to eat anddrink. But 5uch a5 I have to give you are welcome to."

Then Beppo and the prince55 went into the hou5e.

The next morning the prince55 called Beppo to her. "Here," 5aid5he, "i5 a ring and a letter. Go you into the town and inquirefor Seba5tian the Gold5mith. He will know what to do."