culars, I suppose," she said as the boys
gathered them up and put them on the table.

She put on her glasses, took one up, broke the seal and read:

"In reference to your notice in the 'Intelligencer' that you offer a
reward for the recovery of your dog, I write to say that it can be found
at 395 New street. If you send ten marks between twelve and one o'clock,
and a rope, you can have your dog.

"Respectfully,

"M.R."

"Now just hear that, boys! Whoever heard the like of this? If he asks
two marks for catching the dog, then he asks eight marks for one day's
feed. He must have fed it on pound cake and champagne."

"It would take my gold-piece to pay it, if the dog were really Pixy,"
remarked Fritz.

"Yes, but it is not Pixy. Let me see what this one says."

"We have your dog, and you can have it, if you will put a notice in the
paper that you will put twenty-five marks in our hand for it. If you
agree to this, then you can come to the Hessen statue with the money,
and take your dog.

"P.P."

"Wonderful that P.P. promises to bring a dog that we already have and
who is lying comfortably on his piece of carpet by the window. Now here
is a stylish looking letter. Let us see who is the writer.

"Highborn gentleman (or lady).

"I see that you speak of having lost your dog. Do not imagine that it
was lost; it was stolen. It is evident that you like dogs, so I write to
say that I have a fine Spitz which I will sell you. His brother sold for
twelve marks and I think you will be willing to give that sum. If so,
bring the money to Roderberg square at four o'clock. With due respect,

"Euphrosine Sauerbier."

"Fritz! Fritz! Your dog has shown me that there is more rascality in
Frankfort than I ever imagined," exclaimed Aunt Steiner; "or, upon
second thought, I believe they are foreigners. I am sure that no
Frankforter would do such tricky things."

"Here is a postal, Aunt, that you have not seen," said Fritz.

"Read it, my boy. Of course it is from another swindler," and Fritz
read:

"To No. 37 Bornheimer street:

"I have found your dog, and will bring it to you if you will tell me
through the paper how much the reward is.

"H.Y.R."

"Will bring us Pixy, and Pixy sitting by looking at us! Well, well, I
would never have believed it! But just see, it wants ten minutes of our
dinner hour. Franz, do you and Paul wash your hands and set the table,
and Fritz can help clear off when we have finished."

"But Aun