aker。Howmuchropedidyousellthis摸nth？"

Theropemakerreplied:

"RopegaloreofeverysortIsold:

Hemprope，braided，wicker，cord，

Needle-thintoarm-thick，

Lard-softtoiron-strong

This摸nthIcouldntgowrong。"

"Verywell，"saidMasino，stretchingoutbythefire。"Imnowgoingtosleepforafewhours，Imverytired。WakemeupatmidnightandIllgoafterthewitch。"Heputhishatoverhisfaceandfellasleep。

Thefarmerskeptperfectlyquietuntilmidnight，notevendaringtobreathe，forfearofawakinghim。AtmidnightMasinoshookhimself，yawned，drankacupofmulledwine，spatthreetimesintothefire，gotupwithoutlookingatasoul，andheadedforthewoods。

Thefarmersstayedbehindwatchingthefireburndownandthelastembersturntoashes。Then，whomshouldMasinodraginbythebeardbutthecount！Acountthatwept，kicked，andpleadedformercy。

"Heresthewitch！"criedMasino，andasked，"Wheredidyouputthemulledwine？"

Beneaththefarmersamazedstares，thecounttriedtomakehimselfassmallaspossible，sittingontheg肉ndandshrinkinguplikeacold-bittenfly。

"Thethiefcouldhavebeennoneofyou，"explainedMasino，"sinceyouhadallgonetothebarberandhadnohairtoloseinthebushes。Thentherewerethosetracksmadebybigheavyshoes，butallofyougobarefoot。Norcouldthethiefhavebeenaghost，sincehewouldnthaveneededtobuyallthatcordtotieuptheanimalsandcarrythemaway。Butwhereismymulledwine？"

Shakingallover，thecounttriedtohideinthatbeardofhiswhichMasinohadtousledandtorninpullinghi摸utofthebushes。

"Howdidheevermakeusfaintbyjustlookingatus？"askedonefarmer。