. The situation is thus quite romantic; just beside it is
the old nunnery, with its dentated gables, and not far off the ruins, in
whose depths the common people believe that there resides an evil being,
"the river-man," who annually demands his human sacrifice, which he
announces the night before. Behind this lie meadows, villas, and green
woods.

On the other side of the court, in a back gate-way, German Heinrich
had set up his theatre. The entrance cost eight skillings; people of
condition paid according to their own will.

Otto entered during the representation. A cloth constituted the whole
scenic arrangement. In the middle of the floor sat a horrible goblin,
with a coal-black Moorish countenance and crispy hair upon its head. An
old bed-cover concealed the figure, yet one saw that it was that of a
woman.

The audience consisted of peasants and street boys. Otto kept himself in
the background, and remained unobserved by Heinrich.

The representation was soon at an end, and the crowd dispersed. It was
then that Otto first came forward.

"We must speak a few words together!" said he. "Heinrich, you have not
acted honestly by me! The girl is not that which you represented her to
be; you have deceived me: I demand an explanation!"

German Heinrich stood silent, but every feature eloquently expressed
first amazement, and then slyness and cunning; his knavish, malicious
eye, measured Otto from top to toe.

"Nay; so then, Mr. Thostrup, you are convinced, are you, that I have
been cheating you?" said he. "If so, why do you come to me? In that case
there needs no explanation. Ask herself there!" And so saying he pointed
to the black-painted figure.

"Do not be too proud, Otto!" said she, smiling; "thou couldst yet
recognize thy sister, although she has a little black paint on her
face!"

Otto riveted a dark, indignant glance upon her, pressed his lips
together, and tried to collect himself. "It is my firm determination
to have the whole affair searched into," said he, with constrained
calmness.

"Yes, but it will bring you some disagreeables!" said Heinrich, and
laughed scornfully.

"Do not laugh in that manner when I speak to you!" said Otto, with
flushing cheeks.

Heinrich leaned himself calmly against the door which led into the
garden.

"I am acquainted with the head of the police," said Otto, "and I might
leave the whole business in his hands. But I have chosen a milder way; I
am come myself. I shall