aw a tiny man sitting there, without a head. 'Ho! ho! my little
fellow, what are you doing there?' asked Hans, and, without waiting for
an answer, gave him a kick which sent him flying down the stairs. Then
he climbed higher still, and finding as he went dumb watchers sitting on
every landing, treated them as he had done the first.

At last he reached the top, and as he paused for a moment to look
round him he saw another headless man cowering in the very bell itself,
waiting till Hans should seize the bell-pull in order to strike him a
blow with the clapper, which would soon have made an end of him.

'Stop, my little friend!' cried Hans. 'That is not part of the bargain!
Perhaps you saw how your comrades walked down stairs, and you are going
after them. But as you are in the highest place you shall make a more
dignified exit, and follow them through the window!'

With these words he began to climb the ladder, in order to take the
little man from the bell and carry out his threat.

At this the dwarf cried out imploringly, 'Oh, brother! spare my life,
and I promise that neither I nor my comrades will ever trouble you any
more. I am small and weak, but who knows whether some day I shall not be
able to reward you.'

'You wretched little shrimp,' replied Hans, 'a great deal of good
your gratitude is likely to do me! But as I happen to be feeling in a
cheerful mood to-night I will let you have your life. But take care how
you come across me again, or you may not escape so easily!'

The headless man thanked him humbly, slid hastily down the bell rope,
and ran down the steps of the tower as if he had left a fire behind him.
Then Hans began to ring lustily.

When the minister heard the sound of the midnight bells he wondered
greatly, but rejoiced that he had at last found some one to whom he
could trust this duty. Hans rang the bells for some time, then went to
the hay-loft, and fell fast asleep.

Now it was the custom of the minister to get up very early, and to go
round to make sure that the men were all at their work. This morning
everyone was in his place except Hans, and no one knew anything about
him. Nine o'clock came, and no Hans, but when eleven struck the minister
began to fear that he had vanished like the ringers who had gone before
him. When, however, the servants all gathered round the table for
dinner, Hans at last made his appearance stretching himself and yawning.

'Where have you been all this time?'