"Then" replied the hermit, "I beg, sire, that you will order the head of the monster to be brought here." And the horrid thing was brought, and held up in the sight of all.

"Open its jaws," said the hermit. And they opened its jaws. "But where is its tongue?" They looked: there was no tongue!

Then at a signal Caesarino and his companions came forward. The bystanders looked with wonder and admiration at the fine young man, so tall and fair and noble of bearing--though they drew back at the sight of his hairy friends.

"I bring what is missing, your Majesty," said the youth; and from his wallet he drew forth the great tongue. Then opening the jaws, he put it into the horrid mouth; and, lo, it fitted exactly!

By this time Grechio, who had been standing near, trembling the while, saw that his falsehood was discovered; and now he made a sudden movement towards the door. But the King cried, "Seize him, guards! Do not let him go!" And they seized him, and flung him into prison, where he was given time for repentance.

After the guards had borne away the false pretender, the King ordered Caesarino to tell them how it came about that he, a stranger, was the champion of the Princess and the deliverer of their land. He told his story modestly, adding, "But for all this I should have no praise. It was not I killed the dragon, but my three faithful friends here." And he dragged forward the three beasts and showed them to the King, who caressed them with smiles and tears of gratitude.

So Caesarino, not Grechio, was the bridegroom at the wedding next week, and if the King rejoiced over so goodly a son-in-law, Dorothea rejoiced a great deal more.