it, he added, that he
was burnt at the stake as such. Whereupon they both fell on him in a
fury, tore his clothes from his back, and flung him out into the road.

It was pitch-dark, not a star appearing in the sky, as Peter slunk
homewards; but the misery which he suffered did not prevent him from
recognising a dark form which strode along at his side, and which broke
silence, at length, with the following words: "It is all up with you,
Peter Munk; all your glory has come to an end; as I would have told you
at first, if you had but listened to me instead of running off to that
stupid Glassmanikin. Now you can see for yourself what is to be gained
by despising my advice. Just try your luck with me for once, for I am
very sorry for you in your present miserable condition. Nobody who
comes to me ever repents having done so; and if you are not too afraid
to come, I shall be awaiting you all day in the Pine-grove and you have
only to call me, and I will come to you."

Peter knew well who it was thus addressing him. Seized with a sudden
dread, he made no reply, but sped onwards to his home.

END OF PART I.

THE COLD HEART

PART II

On the Monday morning when Peter arrived at his Glassworks, he found
not only his workpeople there, but also some very unwelcome visitors;
these were the Bailiff and three of his myrmidons. The Bailiff greeted
Peter with a "Good-morning," asked how he had slept, and then produced
a lengthy document on which appeared the names of Peter's creditors.

"Can you settle or not?" demanded the official, with a keen glance at
Peter. "And make haste, please, for I have very little time to spare,
as the tower-clock struck three some time ago."

Then Peter, in despair, had to confess that he had no more money in the
world, and made over to the Bailiff for appraisement all his property,
including factory, stock, stables, horses, wagons, etc.; and as the
official and his men went round making an inventory of everything, he
thought to himself: "The Pine-grove is not so far away; and as the
_Little One_ has not come to my aid, I'll try my luck with the _Big
One_." And straightway he set off running for the Pine-grove as fast as
if the officers of justice were at his heels.

As he passed the spot where he had first spoken to the Glassmanikin, he
felt as though an invisible hand had caught hold of him; but he