resses, 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," and related how it had come to pass, and brought out
the tokens.  The King then summoned his daughters, and asked them if
the soldier had told the truth, and when they saw that they were
betrayed, and that falsehood would be of no avail, they were obliged
to confess all.  Thereupon the King asked which of them he would have
to wife?  He answered, "I am no longer young, so give me the eldest."
Then the wedding was celebrated on the self-same day, and the kingdom
was promised him after the King's death.  But the princes were
bewitched for as many days as they had danced nights with the twelve.

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