they exclaimed , and vowed that everything should be kept dark . `` Indeed , sire , '' said the swordmaker , `` all the rest of us are bachelors . '' `` That is none the worse for my purpose gentlemen , '' said his Majesty ; `` but I trust that you will not long deprive me of sons and subjects worthy to succeed to such fathers . And now , if Herr Schmidt will kindly find his way to the buttery , where refreshments are ready , I shall have the pleasure of conducting you to the scene of your labours . '' Thus speaking , the king , with another magnificent bow , led the way upstairs to a little turret-room , in a deserted part of the palace . Bidding the tradesmen enter , he showed them a large collection of miscellaneous things : an old cap or two , a pair of boots of a sort long out of fashion , an old broadsword , a shabby old Persian rug , an ivory spy - glass , and other articles . These were , in fact , the fairy presents , which had been given to the king at his christening , and by aid of which -LRB- and his natural acuteness -RRB- he had , in his youth , succeeded in many remarkable adventures . The caps were the Wishing Cap and the Cap of Darkness . The rug was the famous carpet which carried its owner through the air wherever he wished to go . The sword was the Sword of Sharpness . The ivory glass showed you anyone you wanted to see , however far off . The boots were the Seven-league Boots , which Hop-o ' - my-Thumb stole from the Ogre about 1697 . There were other valuable objects , but these were the most useful and celebrated . Of course the king did not tell the tradesmen what they were . `` Now , gentlemen , '' said his Majesty , `` you see these old things . For reasons which I must ask you to excuse me for keeping to myself , I wish you to provide me with objects exactly and precisely similar to these , with all the look of age . '' The tradesmen examined the objects , each choosing that in his own line of business . `` As to the sword , sire , '' said the cutler , `` it is an Andrea Ferrara , a fine old blade . By a lucky accident , I happen to have one at home in a small collection of ancient weapons , exactly like it . This evening it shall be at your Majesty 's disposal . ''
`` Perhaps , Herr Schnitzler , you will kindly write an order for it , as I wish no one XXXXX you to leave the palace , if you can conveniently stay , till your business is finished . ''
By about for from if in of that to with