"Certainly I have not! I have never thought of it since you put it under the pillow."
"Oh, that is too bad!" cried Fritz, flushing with dismay. "We will have to go back to the inn and get it."
"Not I," asserted Franz. "I would be ashamed to go back. Remember how
Mr. Swan laughed because we stacked things against the door."
"Nor will I," echoed Paul stoutly.
"Then we can go no further on our journey to Frankfort; we will have to go back home, for we have no money."
"Now just see!" ejaculated Paul, "you remembered the dog which is of no use to us, and forgot the money that we cannot do without. We must go back for it," and like the sons of Jacob returning to Egypt, they turned their faces toward Umstadt.
A slight coolness reigned among the triplets; a cloud rested upon the brows of Franz and Paul that for the forgetfulness of Fritz they must face the landlord, and more than that the tipless Peter. So with red cheeks and eyes cast down they returned to the Swan inn, and the landlord met them at the door with a smiling welcome.
"I expected you," he said. "You remind me of the story of the traveler who upon his journey came to a cross road, and, not knowing which to take, returned home. But I judge you had a better reason that it will be a great pleasure to you to relate."
On their way back Fritz had said, "If the money is under the pillow we can get it, and there will be no need of telling the hotel people why we came back. Then they will not have a chance to laugh at us."
The others agreed to this, so he was ready with his reply.