And , so saying , he summoned all the mice in his kingdom together . A countless number of mice , small and big , brown and grey , assembled , and formed a circle round their king , who was a prisoner under Waska 's claws . Turning to them he said : ` Dear and faithful subjects , who ever among you will steal the magic ring from the strange Princess will release me from a cruel death ; and I shall honour him above all the other mice in the kingdom . ' Instantly a tiny mouse stepped forward and said : ' I often creep about the Princess 's bedroom at night , and I have noticed that she has a ring which she treasures as the apple of her eye . All day she wears it on her finger , and at night she keeps it in her mouth . I will undertake , sire , to steal away the ring for you . ' And the tiny mouse tripped away into the bedroom of the Princess , and waited for nightfall ; then , when the Princess had fallen asleep , it crept up on to her bed , and gnawed a hole in the pillow , through which it dragged one by one little down feathers , and threw them under the Princess 's nose . And the fluff flew into the Princess 's nose , and into her mouth , and starting up she sneezed and coughed , and the ring fell out of her mouth on to the coverlet . In a flash the tiny mouse had seized it , and brought it to Waska as a ransom for the King of the Mice . Thereupon Waska and Schurka started off , and travelled night and day till they reached the stone tower where Martin was imprisoned ; and the cat climbed up the window , and called out to him : ` Martin , dear master , are you still alive ? ' ` Ah ! Waska , my faithful little cat , is that you ? ' replied a weak voice . ' I am dying of hunger . For three days I have not tasted food . ' ` Be of good heart , dear master , ' replied Waska ; ` from this day forth you will know nothing but happiness and prosperity . If this were a moment to trouble you with riddles , I would make you guess what Schurka and I have brought you back . Only think , we have got you your ring ! ' At these words Martin 's joy knew no bounds , and he stroked her fondly , and she rubbed up against him and purred happily , while below Schurka bounded in the air , and barked joyfully . Then Martin took the ring , and threw it from one hand into the other , and instantly the twelve youths appeared and asked what they were to do .
` Fetch me first something to eat and drink , XXXXX quickly as possible ; and after that bring musicians hither , and let us have music all day long . '
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