When, on the evening of the christening day, Lienhard accompanied his aunt home, Kuni was nowhere to be found.

Frau Sophia discovered in her chamber every article of clothing which she had obtained for her, even the beaver cap, the prayer-book, and the rosary which she had given.
The young burgomaster, at her request, went to the manager of the rope-dancers, Loni, the next morning, but the latter asserted that he knew nothing about the girl.

The truth was that he had sent her to Wurzburg with part of his company.
From that time she had remained with the ropedancers.

At first the master had watched her carefully, that she might not run away again.
But he soon perceived this to be unnecessary; for he had never found any member of the company more zealous, or seen one make more progress in the art.

Now the only point was to keep her out of the way of other rope-dancers, English proprietors of circus companies, as well as the numerous knights and gentlemen who tried to take her from him.