els were
ascending the outside stair singing:

"Three Kaisers sang on high--the Heavenly Hosts among;
And glorious the melody, and glorious the song.
Awake ye, awake ye,
Come hither to me;
For this is the home
Of the brave and the free."

Joseph slipped quietly in behind the singers, scarcely daring to
breathe, far less to call out--above all not to call out, or the angels
would be sure to fly away again. He went with them into the room, and
the three angels sung the song of the "Three Holy Kings" to the end.
They were quietly listened to, and got plenty to eat and drink, and
presents into the bargain; and the angels ate, and drank, and spoke
their thanks very properly. Joseph soon found out that these were not
angels at all, but three boys dressed up as the Three Holy Kings. They
went away, and Joseph remained alone; and now, for the first time, he
was remarked by those present.

"Who are you?--where do you come from?--what are you doing here?" These
were the questions that quickly assailed him from the Roettmaennin, and
the miller's wife, and Tony.

"Eat something first to warm yourself; you are quite wet, and have no
cap," said Tony, kindly. "There, my boy, eat and drink, and we will
talk to you afterwards. Come, I will take off your jacket and hang it
near the stove. Don't sit so close to the stove--it is not good for
you."

"A handsome boy," said the miller's wife, while Joseph was drinking
some mulled wine.

"The angels guided me famously. This is what they drink in Heaven, I
suppose," said Joseph.

There was a strange flash in the eyes of the Roettmaennin when she heard
these words and that voice. She pushed aside the large jug, and stared
at the boy very much as the fox had done in the wood.

"Where are you from?" asked the bride.

"From Waldhausen."

"Who is your father?"

"He does not live with us."

"What's your mother's name?"

"Martina, and my grandfather is Schilder-David."

"So, I have got you at last!" cried the fierce old Roettmannin. "Good
Lord! this is Adam's son." So saying, she started up and grasped the
child with eagle's talons.

"Yes, my father's name is Adam. Do you know him?"

"Come along with me; I will take you to my room and put you to bed,"
said the Roettmannin.

"No, I won't go with you," said Joseph. "You will stew me in a kettle,
like the witches. Let me go, or I'll bite."

"Oh! I'll show you w