“Well, by my father’s strap—and the buckle on its end—never saw I such a lot of ninnikins, Nicht!”
“It came from yonder vessel,” said Nicht. “Be careful; it contains the magic.”
Ruhet laughed once more.
“Why, Nicht, here is another secret,—the last one I shall tell you: it is bigger than the little vessel. Aha, ha, ha!”
“That is the magic of it, master.”
“However, it may be light,” said Ruhet. “Lift it. Nothing but a tin can, perhaps a present—hah! a tin can sent to us with provisions! Open it. They are very prettily put up, if they are to eat.”
Ruhet touched it.
“It is hot. And that suggests the soup-spring. Open it. Wahr, is this the soup-spring, you rogue?”
Wahr looked wise.
Weiss Nicht withheld the men solemnly.