they rowed over there, entered, and each prince danced with the girl he loved, but the soldier danced with them unseen, and when one of them had a cup of wine in her hand he drank it up, so that the cup was empty when she carried it to her mouth; the youngest was alarmed at this, but the eldest always made her be silent. they danced there till three o’clock in the morning when all the shoes were danced into holes, and they were forced to leave off; the princes rowed them back again over the lake, and this time the soldier seated himself by the eldest. on the shore they took leave of their princes, and promised to return the following night. when they reached the stairs the soldier ran on in front and lay down in his bed, and when the twelve had come up slowly and wearily, he was already snoring so loudly that they could all hear him, and they said, "so far as he is concerned, we are safe." they took off their beautiful dresses, laid them away, put the worn-out shoes under the bed, and lay down. next morning the soldier was resolved not to speak, but to watch the wonderful goings on, and again went with them. then everything was done just as it had been done the first time, and each time they danced until their shoes were worn to pieces. but the third time he took a cup away with him as a token. when the hour had arrived for him to give his answer, he took the three twigs and the cup, and went to the king, but the twelve stood behind the door, and listened for what he was going to say. when the king put the question, "where have my twelve daughters danced their shoes to pieces in the night?" he answered, "in an underground castle with twelve princes,"