Seeing this, Frederick, who just then happened to come into the room, said to them that he would improvise a pretty story if they would sit down and be quiet.

This quickly restored silence.

He thereupon had the lights extinguished, took his seat at the piano, and began as follows:-- Robbers set out to plunder a house.

They come nearer and nearer.

Then they halt, and put up the ladders they have brought with them.