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Show 93 doing something wrong again?" But Gast had promised that it would not hurt the children and I had no choice but to believe him. He came to the shop after Vespers had rung that evening just as Hilde was helping me set out the eleven dozen sweetmeats on two long boards which we would carry to Market Square. "I have sent word through the twins that all the children who helped with the rat killing should come early to the square," he told us. "You must see that each child gets only one sweet - I will tell them so myself." "Would you wait for just a moment?" Hilde asked. "I made a garland for my hair but I left it inside. I want to wear it for the dancing." After Hilde had gone through the door, Gast said, "I am glad for this chance to talk to you. I counted carefully - each of the children was to have one sweet, but there were to be none left for you and Hilde. Today I learned that the number has changed, that two children left Hamelin yesterday to settle with their parents in Minden. Now listen to me - neither you nor Hilde must eat a bun. When we get to the square, take two of them and throw them into the river." I stared at him, uncertain. "Do you hear what I say!" His eyes were as hard as pieces of coal. "You and Hilde must not eat these." "Why don't you tell her?" "I want her to suspect nothing. But there must not be any left for the two of you. You see to that." |