صفحة 327 من 626

Meanwhile the miser crept out of the bush half-naked and in a

piteous plight, and began to ponder how he should take his

revenge, and serve his late companion some trick. At last he went

to the judge, and complained that a rascal had robbed him of his

money, and beaten him into the bargain; and that the fellow who

did it carried a bow at his back and a fiddle hung round his

neck. Then the judge sent out his officers to bring up the

accused wherever they should find him; and he was soon caught and

brought up to be tried.

The miser began to tell his tale, and said he had been robbed of

his money. 'No, you gave it me for playing a tune to you.' said

the countryman; but the judge told him that was not likely, and

cut the matter short by ordering him off to the gallows.