“Yes,” says the landlord, “one part of what has been promised is mine.” “And one part of it is mine,” says John. “Stop a bit, brother,” says James; “remember, one part of it is mine too.” At this the king could not help laughing, and that broke the back of his anger. First of all he sent the landlord for his share, and if his back did not smart after he had it, why, it was not the fault of those who gave it to him. By and by he came back again, but he said nothing to the others of what had been given to him; but all the same he grinned as though he had been eating sour gooseberries. Then John went, and last of all James, and what they got satisfied them, I can tell you. After that the king told Caspar that he might go into the other room and fill his pockets with money for what he had given up to the others; so he had the cool end of that bargain, and did not burn his fingers after all. But the three rogues were not satisfied with this. No, indeed! Caspar should have his share of the smarting, see if he shouldn’t! So back they went to the king’s house one fine day, and said that Caspar had been talking about the lord king, and had said that he was no better than an old hunks. At this the king was awfully angry. And so off he sent the others to fetch Caspar along so that he might settle the score with him. When the three came home, there was Caspar lying on a bench in the sun, for he could take the world easy now, because he was so rich. “Come along, Caspar,” said they, “the king wants to see you over at his house yonder.” Yes, yes, but there was too much hurrying in this business, for it was over-quick cooking that burned the broth. If Caspar was to go to the king’s house he would go in fitting style, so they would just have to wait till he found a horse, for he was not going to jog it afoot; that was what Caspar said. [Illustration: The three rogues lend Caspar sundry things so that he may go to the king’s castle.] “Yes,” says the landlord, “but sooner than you should lose time in the waiting, I will lend you my fine dapple-grey.” But where was the bridle to come from? Caspar would have them know that he was not going to ride a horse to the king’s house without a good bridle over the nag’s ears. Oh, John would lend him the new bridle that he bought in the town last week; so that was soon settled. But how about the saddle?—that was what Caspar wanted to know—yes, how about the saddle? Did they think that he was going to ride up to the king’s house with his heels thumping against the horse’s ribs as though he were no better than a ploughman? Oh, James would lend him a saddle if that was all he wanted. So off they went, all four of them, to the king’s house. There was the king, walking up and down, and fussing and fuming with anger till he was all of a heat. “See, now,” says he, as soon as he saw Caspar, “what did you call me an old hunks for?” “I didn’t call you an old hunks,” said Caspar. “Yes, you did,” said the king.