The Strange Tale of the Snake Ring Read Free

French wars, no friends or relations – just a few pennies would do.”
    This was the dirtiest, raggedest beggar that he had ever seen, and Thomas felt quite sorry for him. Reaching into his pocket he found a few small coins and dropped them into the begging bowl.
    â€œThank you kindly, young gentleman,” said the beggar, “but surely you are a stranger here – what might your business here be?”
    â€œI am looking for work,” replied Thomas, “and I very much wish to work for the nobleman who owns the castle on the hill.”
    â€œHe is the Prince of Schwarzburg,” said the beggar. “I have never set eyes on him, that is, so far as I know. But it is said that he puts on various disguises, and walks about the town listening to what the people are saying about him. If he hears someone speaking disrespectfully, that person will find himself arrested and thrown into a dungeon.”
    Now Thomas had never heard of a prince who did such a thing, and thought it quite a shabby trick for the prince to play on the townspeople. He could not help exclaiming, in quite a loud voice, “What a peculiar prince!”
    â€œHush!” cried the beggar, “do not say such things. The prince himself might be hiding in yonder doorway or round the next corner. You should not even say such things to me, as it’s said that he sometimes disguises himself as a beggar.”
    â€œThank you for warning me!” said Thomas, and looked in the doorway and round the corner, but there was no one in sight except an old woman sweeping the doorstep of the house opposite. He said goodbye to the beggar and set off again up the steep hill to the castle. When he explained to the sentry at the gate that he was looking for work, he was directed to the door of the castle kitchens. The chief cook was a fat, jolly man who invited Thomas into the kitchen.
    â€œLooking for work, are you?” asked the cook. “Well, the only work I have is washing the dishes, but I suppose that a bright young man like you might be too proud to do work like that!”
    â€œI’m not at all proud,” said Thomas, “and I will do any work you ask.”
    â€œVery well,” said the cook. “You are hired as third dishwasher. Now go and wash yourself at the pump in the yard, and come back here. I’ll find you some leftovers to eat, and you can start work straight away.”
    The leftovers turned out to be a large piece of game pie, several pieces of bread and a small mug of beer. Thomas was so hungry that this seemed to him like a wonderful banquet. He congratulated himself on his good fortune, and did not mind working as hard as he could, washing what seemed like a mountain of dirty vegetable pans and dishes. At last all was finished, and the two other boys who were the first and second dishwashers showed Thomas the small attic room, furnished with three narrow beds.
    â€œOur beds are hard and not very comfortable,” said one of the other boys.
    â€œWhen you have been sleeping on the ground any bed is better than none,” answered Thomas.
    He stretched out as comfortably as he could and was soon fast asleep.
    Next morning Thomas and his two companions were up at dawn, and were soon in the kitchen washing the first of the day’s dirty dishes.
    â€œNow, listen to me you three,” said the cook, looking rather worried. “I have just heard that the prince is coming to inspect the kitchens this morning. When he arrives, do not stop work until you are told. Do not say a word unless the prince addresses you, which is unlikely. But if he should happen to do so, bow, answer politely, and call him ‘Your Highness’.”
    The boys went on with their work, and sure enough, later in the morning, the prince strode into the kitchen, followed by his steward and two soldiers with drawn swords. Thomas continued to wash dishes, as he had been told. The prince walked all around the