"Don't tease him, Franz, my boy," remarked Uncle Braun in a kind, yet
rebuking tone. "You have not as yet had the opportunity to show us how
you would act if all your money was stolen. Fritz has nothing to be
ashamed of that he was deceived by the smooth-tongued stranger. I will
tell you what happened to a baker, a middle-aged man, who has lived in
Frankfort all his life. He was sitting in his bakery one day when he
heard the footsteps of a man going up the steps of his house, which had
two front doors, one leading into the bakery and the other up the
stairway to the bedrooms.

"He went to the door and looked up and there was a man who appeared to
be going up, but was in reality coming down backwards. He halted when he
heard the sound at the door.

"He had a large bundle tied up in a compact roll, consisting of bed,
pillows and bed clothing and did not appear to be in the least haste.

"'What are you doing there?' called the baker.

"'Isn't this the pawn-broker's shop?' asked the stranger.

"'No, that is on the next square. You go to the corner and turn to the
right, and there you are.'

"'Thank you!'

"The baker returned to his bakery and the man went out and down the
street. When night came and the family went to retire there was no bed
or bed-clothing in the baker's room. The clever thief had made off with
them."