hat the stranger has no cloven hoof but human
feet they are satisfied that all is right. While they are still
deliberating Hans breaks open the window and springs into the room.
The peasants eye him with amazed curiosity, and the host at first
refuses to give a night's lodging to such a suspicious looking object,
but a piece of gold out of Hans' never empty sack makes him change his
mind. He sets the bar maid on to sound the queer fellow and she draws
from Hans that he is a relation of the Emperor of Marocco, and other
nonsense, which makes all think he is insane but harmless. Presently
the Burgomaster falls asleep but is rudely awakened by the host who
reminds him of a debt of 60 Florins which he had promised to pay. The
Burgomaster not being able to pay a quarrel takes place, which is ended
by Hans paying down the money himself and sending the innkeeper to bed.
Left alone with the bewildered Burgomaster, Hans questions him about
his family and circumstances and learns {394} that the good man has
three daughters whom he anxiously wishes to see married. Hans, without
more ado, offers himself as a suitor for one of them, in the hope that
this is an opportunity for his deliverance from his unhappy plight by
the true love of a woman. The Burgomaster accepts his offer, believing
Hans to be some grandee under a spell, or bewitched and supposing that
when he claims his bride he will be restored to his proper form. Hans
however assures him the lady will have to accept him as he is, unkempt
and unwashed. After wishing the Burgomaster good night, Hans retires
to his chamber, leaving his knapsack in the outer room. The innkeeper
on the watch, waits till all is still and comes noiselessly in to steal
the money from the sack. He puts in his hand and draws out--not
gold--but scorpions, mice, frogs and other vermin which fly about and
torment him till at his cries Hans comes to the rescue and the goblin
creatures disappear.

In the next scene it is early morning; the servants come in and adorn
the inn with boughs of birch as is the custom at the festival of
Whitsuntide.

The Burgomaster appears with his three daughters; he first presents to
Hans his eldest, Line, but when she sees him she turns away in horror
at the appearance of the suitor, and calling the second sister Gunda
both mock the poor fellow, and laughing turn homewards. The youngest
girl, {395} Luise, her father's favourite, not knowing what was going
on, com