The little bird went over it two or three times, and the father said,—
“You are right, my dear child. That is the melody—not a note is wanting. This is truly wonderful. I do believe that this bird has been taught to sing that song by Carl and your good mother. O, Richard, can you not find out how this bird came here?”
Richard said in reply,—
“I will do all I can, but I am afraid that it will be very difficult.”
He made inquiries of the man who owned the bird, and who had furnished them with the dinner, as to where the bird came from. The Tyrolese replied,—
“I don’t know where it came from, except that a young man who passed along the road, and who lives about three miles from here, sold it to me for a trifling sum one day. I was pleased with its appearance, because it was a beautiful bird, and the price was very low.”
Then Richard said,—
“Can you not see that young man, and find out where he got it from?”
“I will do so if you wish,” he answered.
Richard then told him to report as soon as possible what he had learned.