Page:Popular Tales of the Germans (Volume 2).djvu/189

 intant aluted his old friend the gaoler of Leignitz. It was now evident that Number-Nip had taken the advantage of his nap to expedite him unperceived to his old lodgings: ‘So, Mr. Curlypate, are you caught again in your cage? how the devil didt thou contrive to get here, man?’ ‘Why at the door to be ure,’ replied the gaol-bird; ‘I am quite weary of rambling, o I thought I would e’en return to you for a quiet birth: I am in great hopes you will be o good as to allow me my old quarters.’ As it was impoible to explain how the prioner had got back into his cell, or who had fatened the irons upon him; Curlypate, feeling no deire to make public his adventure on the mountain, continued boldly to maintain that he had returned of his own accord, as having the gift of going in and out of places, however ecured by locks and bolts, and putting on or off his fetters at pleaure. The magitrates were moved, by this eeming