And at last they came home again, and the queen was waiting and watching in the palace, as she had never ceased to do since her son had rode away. She almost died of joy at seeing him again, but after a little she remembered his sick friend, and ordered a bed to be made ready and the best doctors in all the country to be sent for. When they heard of the queen’s summons they flocked from all parts, but none could cure him. After everyone had tried and failed a servant entered and informed the queen that a strange old man had just knocked at the palace gate and declared that he was able to heal the dying youth. Now this was a holy man, who had heard of the trouble the king’s son was in, and had come to help. It happened that at this very time a little daughter was born to the king’s son, but in his distress for his friend he had hardly a thought to spare for the baby. He could not be prevailed on to leave the sick bed, and he was bending over it when the holy man entered the room. “Do you wish your friend to be cured?” asked the new comer of the king’s son. “And what price would you pay?” “What price?” answered the king’s son; “only tell me what I can do to heal him.” “Listen to me, then,” said the old man. “This evening you must take your child, and open her veins, and smear the wounds of your friend with her blood. And you will see, he will get well in an instant.” At these words the king’s son shrieked with horror, for he loved the baby dearly, but he answered, “I have sworn that I would treat my friend as if he were my brother, and if there is no other way my child must be sacrificed.” As by this time evening had already fallen he took the child and opened its veins, and smeared the blood over the wounds of the sick man, and the look of death departed from him, and he grew strong and rosy once more. But the little child lay as white and still as if she had been dead. They laid her in the cradle and wept bitterly, for they thought that by the next morning she would be lost to them. At sunrise the old man returned and asked after the sick man. “He is as well as ever,” answered the king’s son. “And where is your baby?” “In the cradle yonder, and I think she is dead,” replied the father sadly. “Look at her once more,” said the holy man, and as they drew near the cradle there lay the baby smiling up at them. “I am St. James of Lizia,” said the old man, “and I have come to help you, for I have seen that you are a true friend. From henceforward live happily, all of you, together, and if troubles should draw near you send for me, and I will aid you to get through them.” With these words he lifted his hand in blessing and vanished. And they obeyed him, and were happy and content, and tried to make the people of the land happy and contented too. [From Sicilianische Mährchen Gonzenbach.] Clever Maria