'Ah, my lord,' said the dwarf, trembling, 'for Heaven's sake have compassion on me; I have made that dish, indeed, according to the proper receipt, and am sure that nothing is wanting.' ''Tis a lie, you knave,' replied the duke, giving him a kick, ''tis a lie, else my guest would not say there was something wanting. I will have you yourself cut up and baked in a pie.' 'Have compassion on me!' exclaimed the dwarf, shuffling on his knees up to the prince, and clasping his feet; 'tell me what is wanting to this pie and why it does not suit your palate: let me not die for a handful of meat or flour.' 'This will not avail you, my good Nose,' replied the prince, laughing; 'even yesterday I thought you would not be able to make this dish as well as my cook. Know there is wanting a herb called Sneeze-with-pleasure, which is not even known in this country. Without it this pie is insipid, and your master will never eat it in such perfection as I do.' At this the duke flew into a rage, and cried with flashing eyes: 'I will eat it in perfection yet, for I swear by my princely honour that by to-morrow I will either have the pie set before you, such as you desire it, or the head of this fellow shall be spiked on the gate of my palace. Go, you hound, I give you once more twenty-four hours!' cried the duke. The dwarf again went to his chamber and mourned over his fate with the goose that he must die, as he had never heard of this herb. 'If it is nothing more,' said she, 'I can help you out of the difficulty, as my father has taught me to know all herbs. At any other time your death, no doubt, would have been certain, and it is fortunate for you that we have a new moon, as the herb is only then in flower. Now tell me, are there any old chestnut-trees in the neighbourhood of the palace?' 'Oh yes,' replied Nose with a lighter heart, 'near the lake, about two hundred yards from the palace, there is a clump of them; but what of them?' 'Why,' said Mimi, 'the herb only flowers at the foot of them. Now let us lose no time but go to fetch what you want; take me on your arm, and put me down when we get out, that I may search for you.' He did as she requested, and went towards the gate of the palace, but here the porter levelled his gun and said: 'My good Nose, it is all over with you; you must not pass; I have strict orders respecting you.'