`` Without doubt . I met him in a distant town reduced to carrying away dust and rubbish from the houses . I had pity on him and engaged him as one of my servants . '' `` It is impossible ! '' cried the King . `` Do you wish me to prove what I say ? This young man returned in a vessel which I fitted out for him , an unseaworthy ship with a black battered hull , and the sailors were infirm and crippled . '' `` It is quite true , '' said the King . `` It is false , '' cried the minister 's son . `` I do not know this man ! '' `` Sire , '' said the young captain , `` order your daughter 's betrothed to be stripped , and see if the mark of my ring is not branded upon his back . '' The King was about to give this order , when the minister 's son , to save himself from such an indignity , admitted that the story was true . `` And now , sire , '' said the young captain , `` do you not recognize me ? '' `` I recognize you , '' said the Princess ; `` you are the gardener 's son whom I have always loved , and it is you I wish to marry . '' `` Young man , you shall be my son-in-law , '' cried the King . `` The marriage festivities are already begun , so you shall marry my daughter this very day . '' And so that very day the gardener 's son married the beautiful Princess . Several months passed . The young couple were as happy as the day was long , and the King was more and more pleased with himself for having secured such a son-in-law . But , presently , the captain of the golden ship found it necessary to take a long voyage , and after embracing his wife tenderly he embarked .
Now in the outskirts of the capital there lived an old man , who had spent his life XXXXX studying black arts -- alchemy , astrology , magic , and enchantment .
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