"Oh, Aunt, don't remind me of that! I know it too well myself."

"No, dear, and I am sorry for your loss, and hope it will not make you
lose confidence in your fellow-men. For one thief in the world there are
thousands of honest people, but in a strange city and in a crowd one can
be on guard without hurting the feelings of any stranger. Now I will
hurry to the police station and give the information. No doubt you are
not the only one the rascal has robbed, but if I can help it you will be
the last, for a time at least. Franz, my boy, go to the kitchen and stir
the beans. Stir quietly all the time I am gone. The soup and the veal
roast are ready, and we can eat as soon as I come back, which will be in
a few minutes."

She threw a little, fleecy shawl over her head and ran down the steps
as lightly as a girl of fifteen. The boys in the meantime were in the
kitchen, Fritz being so comforted by his aunt's sympathy and help that
he could turn his attention to the dinner.

"This is pea-soup," he said, "and I certainly like it. Do you, Paul?"

"Yes, and the veal and the beans are good."

"But I could enjoy them all more if I had not lost my money. Oh, my
beautiful gold-piece with the--"

"Likeness of Kaiser Frederick upon it," finished Franz. "Oh, Fritz, do
give us a rest! It is gone, and if you tell it a thousand times, it will
not make the thief bring it back and put it in your pocket. No, the
rogue will have many good meals with its help, and the money will find