صفحة 464 من 626

They had been unable to decide whether they would keep together

and have the things in common, or whether they would separate. On

hearing this, the man said, 'I will give you something in

exchange for those three things; not money, for that I have not

got, but something that is of far more value. I must first,

however, prove whether all you have told me about your three

things is true.' The robbers, therefore, made him get on the

horse, and handed him the stick and the cloak, and when he had

put this round him he was no longer visible. Then he fell upon

them with the stick and beat them one after another, crying,

'There, you idle vagabonds, you have got what you deserve; are

you satisfied now!'