They reached Zellerfield with their wealth, agreed to keep all a secret, and began to live in luxury, each taking to himself a wife.
The two elder brothers soon squandered all, but the youngest avoided their extravagance.
The two elder, having lost all, determined to return to the treasure in the mountains, and compelled the youngest to go with them.
They entered the familiar chamber with the table and chairs, but all was changed.
Every object was draped in black, and on the table stood three mourning lamps.
The three ladies entered, now coal-black, and silent, and sad; they were followed by three men, who cried, pointing to the eldest brother, "Thou perjured rascal!" seized him, quartered him, and packed him in a barrel, likewise the second.
The youngest looked on in terror; but the ladies exclaimed, "Thou art a true friend, and innocent. Take what thou wilt and go home. But we must remain here until we find three rescuers."
The Raven of Clausthal.
A gentleman in Clausthal had a raven and a maid-servant.