then , without waiting for a reply , she conducted him into the palace , and he bathed in a marble bath , and all the dirt that the fairies had put upon him disappeared like magic , and when he had dressed himself in the fine garments the princess had sent to him , he looked a match for any king 's daughter in erin . he went down into the great hall where she was awaiting him , and they had much to tell each other but little time to tell it in , for the king her father , and the princes who were visiting him , and all the people of the kingdom were still in their places expecting her return . ' how did you find me out ? ' she whispered as they went down the passage . ' the birds in the box told me , ' answered he , but he could say no more , as they stepped out into the open space that was crowded with people . there the princes stopped . ' o kings ! ' she said , turning towards them , ' if one of you were killed to - day , the rest would fly ; but this man put his trust in me , and had his head cut off three times . because he has done this , i will marry him rather than one of you , who have come hither to we d me , for many kings here sought to free me from the spells , but none could do it save ian the fisher 's son . ' 
how did ian know where to find the princess ?
the birds in the box told him .
the birds in the box .