Then he picked up some cards , and played with the unknown men as if he had known them all his life . The luck was on his side , and soon the money of the other gamblers found its way from their pockets into his . On the stroke of midnight the cock crew , and in an instant lights , table , cards , and people all had vanished , and Hans was left alone . He groped about for some time , till he found the staircase in the tower , and then began to feel his way up the steps . On the first landing a glimmer of light came through a slit in the wall , and he saw a tiny man sitting there , without a head . ` Ho ! ho ! my little fellow , what are you doing there ? ' asked Hans , and , without waiting for an answer , gave him a kick which sent him flying down the stairs . Then he climbed higher still , and finding as he went dumb watchers sitting on every landing , treated them as he had done the first . At last he reached the top , and as he paused for a moment to look round him he saw another headless man cowering in the very bell itself , waiting till Hans should seize the bell-pull in order to strike him a blow with the clapper , which would soon have made an end of him . ` Stop , my little friend ! ' cried Hans . ` That is not part of the bargain ! Perhaps you saw how your comrades walked down stairs , and you are going after them . But as you are in the highest place you shall make a more dignified exit , and follow them through the window ! ' With these words he began to climb the ladder , in order to take the little man from the bell and carry out his threat . At this the dwarf cried out imploringly , ` Oh , brother ! spare my life , and I promise that neither I nor my comrades will ever trouble you any more . I am small and weak , but who knows whether some day I shall not be able to reward you . '
` You wretched little shrimp , ' replied Hans , ' a great deal of good your gratitude is likely XXXXX do me !
At after as in of on through till to with