Told by the Death's Head

senses in the peat bog near the "kempenei"-the thaler my blood-comrade gave me in exchange for Lilith. I remembered what I had heard the witches say about the commandant's visit to

the inn; but light still gleamed from the windows

his fifth wife, recognized me at once. He was not in t

twerp caravan. Every word he said came true! He shall not come into my house again. I dare say," he added, speaking to me from the door-

els and chairs and threatened

t benefit to you-your treatment of me is so unfriendly, I shall not say one word-I want nothing from you b

ay for all this?" de

ve;" and I hand

e sneered, tossing the coin to the ceilin

genuine. Angered by the insolence of the inn-keeper, I s

ou to understand that I am not a

oney? For your impudence I shall keep this thaler, and have it tested in the city tom

into the coop, which was so small I could

ry and thirsty as I had co

nn. I heard horses' hoofs stamping the earth; loud shouts and curses; and

mselves. The soldiers cut down all that came in their way: men, women, old and young. From my hen-coop

ompleted one of the soldiers took it into his head to peep into the hen-coop

self. The inn people took all my money, and penned me in the coop-you c

ll your money?"

inn-keeper said it was c

e truth," said the fellow, begi

und in one of my pockets. "I thought you were lying, you rascal," he adde

about not making 'way with me-that the French recruiting officers would give

searched my pockets. In one of them he found the thaler which had ret

per with the same inqu

to having the thaler

find anything in my pockets; but when, at his command,

or lying. When the fourth, fifth, and sixth trooper

er somewhere about my clothes-just

found tucked under the collar of my coat; another

ere minus the thaler they had taken from me. They accused

o put me into uniform, also searched my clothes. They found nothing; but

pounced on it

comrades!-we'll ha

ey were quartered; and while they were dri

ur face to the clouds, and open your mouth wide-it's raining heavily! Whe

uard; but I did not quench

the soldiers of stealing the thaler given to her by the sergeant for the beer. She sai

tole the thaler?" angri

to flog the men, one after the other, with a bun

what he had loaned them; as each had received six blows,

re the sergeant flogs his men, and the men flog the sergea

nd what do you suppose I found in one of them? The dangerou

g could happen," in a puzzle

breeding-thaler will return to the pocket of its owner, no matter how often he may spend it. If, however,

ooner!" in a tone of deep re