"Yes, Herr."
"And did you not take eight groschen of the Frenchman's property?"
"I only paid myself back eight groschen of my own," said Friedrich and he told them the story.
"You took them contrary to law and right, and what is he called who does that?"
Friedrich looked boldly at the old Herr, but said not a word.
"Bailiff Besserdich, what is such a man called?"
"By your leave, Herr Amtshauptmann, a thief!" the Bailiff broke out. "And he is one. Herr, it was only to-day he stole one of Bullfinch's sausages off the smoking-stick,--and the fellow wants to marry my Hanchen!"
"What does he want to do?"
"My Hanchen, Herr, who is in your service, he wants to marry her."
"Oh! ho!" said the Herr Amtshauptmann, and he looked at Friedrich from top to toe; "that's quite another thing.--You can go out now, my son, but I shall remember you."