"'I have no fear in regard to it. I know what I can do. Now you can leave me to myself, and to-morrow I will leave this martyr cage and be as free as the birds of the air.'
"'Winkelsee, I advise you not to take the affair so lightly. If you fail, your last chance for life fails with it.'
"The news of the trial of his skill spread through the city and the next day at twelve a great crowd assembled to witness the test of skill.
"When Hans was escorted to the spot by one of his associates, his rifle was put in his hand. He pressed it to his breast as if it were a long lost friend, examined it carefully to see that it had not been tampered with, then said, 'I am ready. Shall I shoot?'
"The burgomaster nodded and Hans took aim at the weather-vane and fired.
"Stillness reigned in the great multitude, then hunters and marksmen shouted and cheered, for there was a bullet hole in the weather-vane, plainly visible to the spectators. Hans loaded the rifle, took aim, a second bullet whizzed through the air, and a second hole appeared in the weather-vane close to the first.
"'He is in league with satan,' cried a voice in the crowd. 'No mortal being could do that without the evil one's help.'
"'He is satan himself,' cried another, 'and could shoot a hole through the moon if his rifle would reach that far.'
"Shot after shot followed, each one leaving a bullet hole in the vase, until the whole nine were there, and anyone having good eyes can see them to-day."
"Fritz, Franz, I see them!" cried Paul. "Oh, he was a wonderful marksman. I wonder if anyone is living now who could do it?"