The constable from the city has come to the village. The man,
who captures the Israelite, will get fifteen florins. Fifteen florins,
good money. The magistrate will count it, all on one board, and the vicar
says. . . ."

"I don't care much for your priests," replied Marx. "I am from Weinsberg,
and have found the Jew a worthy man. No one shall touch him."

"A Jew, and a good man!" cried Jurg, laughing. "If you won't help, so
much the worse for you. You'll risk your neck, and the fifteen florins.
. . . Will you go shares? Yes or no?"

"Heaven's thunder!" murmured the poacher, his crooked mouth watering."
How much is half of fifteen florins?"

"About seven, I should say."

"A calf and a pig."

"A swine for the Jew, that will suit. You'll keep him here in the trap."

"I can't, Jorg; by my soul, I can't! Let me alone!"

"Very well, for aught I care; but the legal gentlemen. The gallows has
waited for you long enough!"

"I can't; I can't. I've been an honest man all my life, and the smith
Adam and his dead father have shown me many a kindness."

"Who means the smith any harm?"

"The receiver is as bad as the thief. If they catch him. . . ."

"He'll be put in the stocks for a week. That's the worst that can befall
him."

"No, no. Let me alone,--or I'll tell Adam what you're plotting. . . ."

"Then I'll denounce you first, you gallows' fruit, you rogue, you
poacher. They've suspected you a long time! Will you change your mind
now, you blockhead?"

"Yes, yes; but Ulrich is here too, and the boy is as dear to me as my own
child."

"I'll come here later, say that no vehicle can be had, and take him away
with me. When it's all over, I'll let him go."

"Then I'll keep him. He already helps me as much, as if he were a grown
man. Oh, dear, dear! The Jew, the gentle man, and the poor women, and the
little girl, Ruth. . . ."

"Big Jews and little Jews, nothing more. You've told me yourself, how the
Hebrews were persecuted in your dead father's day. So we'll go shares.
There's a light in the room still. You'll detain them. Count Frohlinger
has been at his hunting-box since last evening. . . . If they insist on
moving forward, guide them to the village."

"And I've been an honest man all my life," whined the poacher, and then
continued, threateningly: "If you harm a hair on Ulrich's head. . . ."

"Fool that you are! I'll willingly leave the big feeder to you. Go in
now, then I'll come and fetch the boy. There's mo