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After the departure of Mistafor's messengers, Prituitshkin went to Goria the shoemaker and said: "Now is the time for you to go to Mistafor; listen to what I say: when you come to the courtyard of the palace, and dismount from your steed, do not fasten him up, nor give him to anyone to hold, but only cough loudly, and stamp on the ground with all your might.

Goria was amazed at seeing himself attired in a costly dress, and said: "Without doubt you must be the devil in man's form!" "Certainly I am a devilkin; you called me, and on your summons I came. I will serve you, and marry you to Mistafor's daughter." "How is that possible?" said Goria: "I am known down yonder by every one the very dogs know me." But the stranger replied: "Nay, it is not so.

Then the stranger said: "I know your master well enough; you must be freed from his cruelty; and, if you like, I will marry Mistafor's daughter to you instead of to the Prince to whom she is betrothed." "Are you mad?" said Goria; "what nonsense are you talking?" "Trust me," replied the stranger, "I can bring it all about."

No one, I promise, will recognise you: every one will mistake you for Prince Dardavan, to whom Mistafor's daughter Dogada is betrothed." "Good, very good," said Goria, "if what you say prove true." "It shall all come to pass as I have said," replied the other. And thereupon the stranger desired Goria to go three steps backward and shut his eyes, and then open them again.

Then the supposed Tsarevich Dardavan repeated those words to Mistafor, cut some more slices of brown bread, and called to his servant Prituitshkin to bring him the bag of gold. In the twinkling of an eye Prituitshkin brought the money, which he had stolen from Mistafor's treasury, and Goria desired him to collect a troop of beggars.