"I will return it, if you insist on it," cried Andréas, in a heart-broken voice, placing the purse on the table, "but, oh! do not kill me."
Their only reply was to open both the shutters and the window.
Four of the strongest of the group were selected, to launch the culprit into space.
They approached to seize him, when Andréas suddenly formed the resolution of leaping out himself, made a bound forward through the open window, and, in true gymnastic style, came down on his feet in the street below.
Stunned by his fall, he staggered at first, then hobbling away, he ended by starting off at full speed, to the astonishment of the spectators in the balcony above, who laughed loudly at this serio-comic performance.
When their hilarity was over, they bethought themselves of sharing the contents of the purse which contained all the losses they had experienced during the evening.
One amongst the party was named to arrange the affair, but, as the whole of the money was mixed up in it, together with that of the robber himself, it was agreed that it would be better to give it to the poor.
Wishing to know the amount the purse contained, they emptied it on the table, when what was their astonishment at finding nothing in it but counters.
Andréas, in case of accidents, always carried a second purse, filled with false money; and, even in the critical position in which he had been placed, he had sufficient presence of mind to substitute the false purse for the real one.
In relating this adventure of former days, Andréas always concluded with these words: "I took good care never to be caught again."