It may be as you say. But, cock (I don’t mind making a clean breast of it to you), I have had a fancy all my life for being rich, and I am as bad as ever; nay, worse, for there is the dream, still flaunting its gold before my eyes; and that confounded Simon, too,—it chokes me to think of him rolling in luxury.
V’'ll put that right. It is still dark, get up and come with me. You shall pay a visit to Simon and other rich men, and see how things stand with them.
But the doors are locked. Would you have me break in?
Oh no; but I have a certain privilege from Hermes, my patron: you see my longest tail-feather, the curling one that hangs down,—
There are two curling ones that hang down.
The one on the right. By allowing any one to pluck out that feather and carry it, I give him the power, for as long
Cock, you are a positive conjurer. Only give me the feather, and it shall not be long before Simon’s wealth shifts its quarters; I’ll slip in and make a clean sweep. His teeth shall tug leather again.
That must not be. I have my instructions from Hermes, and if my feather is put to any such purpose, I am to call out and expose the offender.
Hermes, of all people, grudge a man a little thievery? I'll not believe it of him. However, let us start; I promise not to touch the gold ... if I can help it.
You must pluck out the feather first. ... What’s this? You have taken both!
Better to be on the safe side. And it would look so bad to have one half of your tail gone and not the other.
Well. Where shall we go first?. To Simon’s?
Yes, yes, Simon first. Simonides it is, nowadays; two syllables is not enough for him since he has come into money. ... Here we are; what do I do next?
Apply the feather to the bolt.
So. Heracles! it might be a key; the door flies open.
Walk in; you go first. Do you see him? He is sitting up over his accounts.
See him! I should think I did. What a light! That lamp wants a drink. And what makes Simon so pale? He is shrivelled up to nothing. That comes of his worries; there is nothing else the matter with him, that I have heard of.
Listen, and you will understand.
That seventeen thousand in the hole under my bed is safe enough; not a soul saw me that time. But I believe Sosylus caught me hiding the four thousand under the manger: he is not the most industrious of grooms, he was never too fond
Hear, hear! He is as bad as Simon; he walks off with other people’s pudding-basins under his arm.
Hush! we shall be caught.
There’s nothing like sitting up, and having everything under one’s own eye. I’ll jump up and go my rounds.... You there! you burglar! I see you.... Ah, it is but a post; all is well. I'll pull up the gold and count it again; I may have missed something just now.... Hark! a step! I knew it; he is upon me! I am beset with enemies. The world conspires against me. Where is my dagger? Only ae me catch... —I’ll put the gold back.
There: now you have seen Simon at home, Let us go on to another house, while there is still some of the night left.
The worm! what a life! I wish all my enemies such wealth as his, I°ll just lend him a box on the ear, and then I am ready.
Who was that? Some one struck me! Ah! I am robbed!
Whine away, Simon, and sit up of nights till you are as yellow as the gold you clutch.—I should like to go to Gniphon the usurer’s next; it is quite close... . Again the door opens. to us.