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eyes for Handa,” he said to himself, “only then I should not be able to see her at all.”

The evening wore away, and when twelve—o’clock came, he went back to the place where he had left the Owl, and there, on a large bare spot under the trees, were heaped in a pile all the boots and shoes that the old man had sold since he came to the village.

Most were nearly worn out ; some, indeed, were nothing more than old soles with little bits of leather hanging to them; but there they all were. There was the pretty pair of blue shoes that had first tempted Lisbeth, with the rosette torn off and worn quite white, and with great holes in the sides, and there also was the pair which Alys had bought like them.

On one side of the heap was the Owl, and the Hare sat beside him.

“There they all are,” said the Owl. “Now let me be paid.”

Siegfrid sighed, but he would not break his promise ; so he took out his right eye and gave it to the Owl, who flew away with it, hooting in triumph.

“I hope Handa will know me,” he thought;