what a long face the count did pull when the master came next morning, and brought him the sheet and the ring. "art thou a wizard?" said he, "who has fetched thee out of the grave in which i myself laid thee, and brought thee to life again?" "you did not bury me," said the thief, "but the poor sinner on the gallows," and he told him exactly how everything had happened, and the count was forced to own to him that he was a clever, crafty thief. "but thou hast not reached the end yet," he added, "thou hast still to perform the third task, and if thou dost not succeed in that, all is of no use." the master smiled and returned no answer. when night had fallen he went with a long sack on his back, a bundle under his arms, and a lantern in his hand to the village-church.