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 When Peter arrived, his brothers were there already, and the king now asked them to show how much they had managed to gain.

The oldest son had been clever enough to gather his money in copper coin, thinking that he would have most, both in regard to weight and to number. He had so much that he covered nearly one-half of the floor in the largest room with his money.

The second oldest son came next. He had silver coin enough to cover the remaining part of the floor.

Finally, Peter came in. "Well, Peter Humbug," cried they, "can you bid higher?"

Peter thought he could not, and he who had the silver money began already to rejoice. Soon, however, Peter had opened his chest and emptied its contents upon the floor. He spread it over the copper and the silver, and when he had finished this work—behold! no copper or silver piece was visible, but the whole floor glittered and sparkled with Peter Humbug's gold.

"Peter is the victor this time as well," declared the king, "and now it is certain that he will inherit the throne."

Peter's two brothers were not pleased to hear this; they objected that he was not competent enough for this responsible position, and finally they proposed that their father should allow them to seek a wife: He who returned within one year