of the hand, Florian left his accomplice. As he
emerged from the dark house to the sunlight, he staggered like a
drunken man, and was obliged to stand still for a time and steady
himself by the wall. Then he went all through the village, whistling
and singing: Crescence alone he avoided with a sort of terror.

It seemed as if the crime were already perpetrated. He looked at
people's faces, to see whether their features showed any marks of
suspicion; and then, again, "What's the odds?" he said to himself:
"they don't think much of me, anyhow." Still, he was glad to remember
that the thing was not yet really accomplished. Once, on seeing
Buchmaier, he felt a desire to run away; but, ashamed of his weakness,
he renewed his vow not to falter in his purpose.

After dark, the boys and girls came to the dance, some of them bringing
wedding-presents. According to custom, they had three dances each.

Florian was among these arrivals. The bride came to welcome him,
saying, "Are you here too? Where's Crescence? I suppose she don't feel
much like dancing. Be sure you do the fair thing by her, Florian. Come;
let's have our last dance together."

The best dancer in the village was for once soon compelled to stop. His
knees shook: with such thoughts in his heart as he had, and with no
soles to his boots, it was not easy to waltz well.

"What's the matter with you? Why, you always danced like a
humming-top," said the bride. "Well, never mind. You don't know how
sorry I am not to see Crescence any more. We were always the best of
friends; but we're going off very early to-morrow morning. Come: I'll
give you a piece of wedding-cake for her: bring it to her, and say
'Good-bye' from me."

[Illustration: He received the cake and a glass of warm wine.]

Florian followed her into the back room, where he received the cake and
a glass of warm wine, which he swallowed at a draught. He found new
vigor coursing through his veins. As soon as he could, he stole
away,--soon returned, however, and then left again.

Schlunkel was already waiting behind Meyer's house with a little
ladder. There was no light: the whole family had gone to the wedding.
The breach was soon effected, and they slipped in. Having forced the
kitchen and the room door and the press, they found the money and
pocketed it, as well as some silver spoons and cups.

Florian was in the yard again, while Schlunkel tugged at a piece of
bedding which would not pass through the