"'Now, Winkelsee, do you really imagine that you could shoot to the top of the tower from the ground?'
"'I don't imagine it. I know it, and it would be a joy to me to have revenge upon it for robbing me of sleep.'
"'Hans Winkelsee, the burgomaster and the judge who condemned you would believe you a boaster, or out of your mind did they hear you say this, for it is simply impossible.'
"'You can go and tell them, and say that if I lose my life upon the gallows, they lose the best marksman in the kingdom.'
"The jailor shook his head, then turned the key in the lock and went slowly down the steps. He believed that the judge and the burgomaster would laugh at him should he give them Winkelsee's message. Yet he feared that if the imprisoned man died upon the scaffold, he would feel self-reproach and remorse for not giving him the one chance for his life.
"He went to the judge and told him, and a council was called to discuss the question. As in most cases, part were in favor of giving him the chance for his life, and the other part believed that he was planning a flight, and his associates would gather about to help him escape.
"But there were huntsmen among them who were eager to see what Winkelsee could do and argued that if he failed, it would then be time enough to have him executed, so they decided that as soon as the clock struck twelve the next morning they would allow him the trial of his skill.
"A deputation was sent to tell him of the decision.
"'I am not afraid of the gallows,' he said, 'but am willing to have a chance for my life on condition that I have my own rifle and one of my comrades accompany me to the spot where I take my stand. Can you agree to this?'
"They assured him that both requests should be granted, and hoped that the trial would be a success.