pain, and the king was in agonies of anxiety about her. Briones presented himself with the effrontery of a man who knows that the devil is helping him. The king accepted his service on one condition, which was, that if he did not cure the princess in three days, as he positively promised to do, the presumptuous doctor should be hanged.
Briones, certain of success, agreed to these terms, put unfortunately the devil heard the agreement and jumped with joy when he saw a chance to revenge himself on the soldier. The devil's jump gave the princess so much pain that she screamed for the doctor. The next day the same scene occurred, and Briones saw that the devil intended to let him hang. But the soldier kept his wits about him, and the third day when the pretended physician arrived, they were busy erecting a gallows in front of the palace door. When he entered the princess' apartment, her sufferings were redoubled, and she cried out to her attendants to take way the imposter.
"My resources are not exhausted," said Briones, gravely. "I beg your royal highness to have patience a moment."
Then he went out and gave his orders, in the princess' name, that all the bells in the city should be rung. When he returned to the royal chamber, the devil, who had a mortal hatred of bells, and who is, besides, very inquisitive, asked Briones:
"What saint are they ringing the bells for?"
"I sent for your mother-in-law," answered
