"After they had traveled about for a long time, they came to a
town in which was a beautiful but proud princess, who had made it
known that whosoever should set her a riddle which she could
not guess, that man should be her husband. But if she guessed
it, his head must be cut off. She had three days to guess it
in, but was so clever that she always found the answer to the
riddle given her before the appointed time."

"Nine suitors had
already perished in this manner, when the king's son arrived, and
blinded by her great beauty, was willing to stake his life for
it. Then he went to her and laid his riddle before her. What
is this, said he. One slew none, and yet slew twelve."