"Listen," said Mrs. Toymaker. "The notes of a violin!"
Mr. Toymaker stood up. The music, sweet and lively, came to them more clearly. Slowly the forms of the people grew more distinct as they drew closer.
"Why, it is a Pied Piper!" exclaimed Mrs. Toymaker. "It must be the joke of some children."
But all the time Mrs. Toymaker thought she knew who it was. She thought she knew that it was really—Yes, now there could be no doubt about it!
"It is Fritz!" cried Mrs. Toymaker. "It is our own little Fritz!"
[CHAPTER XVII]
THE MUSIC MASTER
The strange procession stopped before the wagon of the toy maker. The Pied Piper continued his playing. The crowd stood listening. When the piece was finished, they clapped and threw coins and shouted, "Hoch!"