“Indeed! three soldiers, that’s something like, but they may escape you yet.”

The Devil said mockingly, “They are mine! I will set them a riddle, which they will never in this world be able to guess!”

“What riddle is that?” she inquired.

“I will tell you. In the great North Sea lies a dead dogfish, that shall be your roast meat, and the rib of a whale shall be your silver spoon, and a hollow old horse’s hoof shall be your wineglass.” When the Devil had gone to bed, the old grandmother raised up the stone, and let out the soldier.

“Hast thou paid particular attention to everything?”