asked the bagpiper . ` They are all there , ' replied friend Blanchet . ` And how many were they ? ' ` Nine hundred and ninety thousand , nine hundred and ninety-nine . ' ` Well reckoned ? ' ` Well reckoned . ' ` Then go and join them , old sire , and au revoir . ' Then the old white rat sprang in his turn into the river , swam to the whirlpool and disappeared . When the bagpiper had thus concluded his business he went to bed at his inn . And for the first time during three months the people of Hamel slept quietly through the night . The next morning , at nine o'clock , the bagpiper repaired to the town hall , where the town council awaited him . ` All your rats took a jump into the river yesterday , ' said he to the counsellors , ` and I guarantee that not one of them comes back . They were nine hundred and ninety thousand , nine hundred and ninety-nine , at one gros a head . Reckon ! ' ` Let us reckon the heads first . One gros a head is one head the gros . Where are the heads ? ' The ratcatcher did not expect this treacherous stroke . He paled with anger and his eyes flashed fire . ` The heads ! '
cried he , ` if you care about them , go and find them XXXXX the river . '
at during for in into of that through to with