Instead , there lay at his feet a large hole , big enough for two people to pass through . Now what had happened was this . When the princess and Hans had given up hope , and cast themselves down on the ground to die , they fell down this hole , and right through the earth as well , and at last they tumbled into a castle built of pure gold at the other side of the world , and there they lived happily . But of this , of course , the king knew nothing . ` Will anyone go down and see where the passage leads to ? ' he asked , turning to his guards and courtiers . ' I will reward splendidly the man who is brave enough to explore it . ' For a long time nobody answered . The hole was dark and deep , and if it had a bottom no one could see it . At length a soldier , who was a careless sort of fellow , offered himself for the service , and cautiously lowered himself into the darkness . But in a moment he , too , fell down , down , down . Was he going to fall for ever , he wondered ! Oh , how thankful he was in the end to reach the castle , and to meet the princess and Hans , looking quite well and not at all as if they had been starved . They began to talk , and the soldier told them that the king was very sorry for the way he had treated his daughter , and wished day and night that he could have her back again . Then they all took ship and sailed home , and when they came to the princess 's country , Hans disguised himself as the sovereign of a neighbouring kingdom , and went up to the palace alone . He was given a hearty welcome by the king , who prided himself on his hospitality , and a banquet was commanded in his honour . That evening , whilst they sat drinking their wine , Hans said to the king : ' I have heard the fame of your majesty 's wisdom , and I have travelled from far to ask your counsel . A man in my country has buried his daughter alive because she loved a youth who was born a peasant . How shall I punish this unnatural father , for it is left to me to give judgment ? ' The king , who was still truly grieved for his daughter 's loss , answered quickly : ` Burn him alive , and strew his ashes all over the kingdom . '
XXXXX looked at him steadily for a moment , and then threw off his disguise .
Hans day evening fall gold home left night people right