Thus it happened that when the sun rose not a single soldier was alive in the village . Of course this news soon reached the king 's ears , and he was very angry , and summoned the Wise Man to take counsel with him . And this was the counsel of the Wise Man -- that he should invite all the people in the countryside to a ball , and among them the bold and impudent thief would be sure to come , and would be sure to ask the king 's daughter to dance with him . ` Your counsel is good , ' said the king , who made his feast and prepared for his ball ; and all the people of the countryside were present , and the Shifty Lad came with them . When everyone had eaten and drunk as much as they wanted they went into the ballroom . There was a great throng , and while they were pressing through the doorway the Wise Man , who had a bottle of black ointment hidden in his robes , placed a tiny dot on the cheek of the Shifty Lad near his ear . The Shifty Lad felt nothing , but as he approached the king 's daughter to ask her to be his partner he caught sight of the black dot in a silver mirror . Instantly he guessed who had put it there and why , but he said nothing , and danced so beautifully that the princess was quite delighted with him . At the end of the dance he bowed low to his partner and left her , to mingle with the crowd that was filling the doorway . As he passed the Wise Man he contrived not only to steal the bottle but to place two black dots on his face , and one on the faces of twenty other men . Then he slipped the bottle back in the Wise Man 's robe . By-and-by he went up to the king 's daughter again , and begged for the honour of another dance . She consented , and while he was stooping to tie the ribbons on his shoe she took out from her pocket another bottle , which the Wizard had given her , and put a black dot on his cheek . But she was not as skilful as the Wise Man , and the Shifty Lad felt the touch of her fingers ; so as soon as the dance was over he contrived to place a second black dot on the faces of the twenty men and two more on the Wizard , after which he slipped the bottle into her pocket . At length the ball came to an end , and then the king ordered all the doors to be shut , and search made for a man with two black dots on his cheek . The chamberlain went among the guests , and soon found such a man , but just as he was going to arrest him and bring him before the king his eye fell on another with the same mark , and another , and another , till he had counted twenty -- besides the Wise Man -- on whose face were found spots . Not knowing what to do , the chamberlain hurried back with his tale to the king , who immediately sent for the Wise Man , and then for his daughter . ` The thief must have stolen your bottle , ' said the king to the Wizard . ` No , my lord , it is here , ' answered the Wise Man , holding it out . ` Then he must have got yours , ' he cried , turning to his daughter .
` Indeed , father , it is safe in my pocket , ' replied she , taking it out XXXXX she spoke ; and they all three looked at each other and remained silent .
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