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 in the river . ' ` So , ' replied the Town Counsellor , ` you refuse to hold to the terms of your agreement ? We ourselves could refuse you all payment . But you have been of use to us , and we will not let you go without a recompense , ' and he offered him fifty crowns . ` Keep your recompense for yourself , ' replied the ratcatcher proudly . ` If you do not pay me I will be paid by your heirs . ' Thereupon he pulled his hat down over his eyes , went hastily out of the hall , and left the town without speaking to a soul .
When the Hamel people heard how the affair had ended they rubbed their hands , and XXXXX no more scruple than their Town Counsellor , they laughed over the ratcatcher , who , they said , was caught in his own trap .
If at during in into of over that to with