"Suddenly the curfew bell reached his ears; he recalled his errand, the warning of his master, and his heart stopped still in fright. He dropped the bowl in his hands, grasped his bucket of clay, and ran with beating heart toward the city gate, but he was too late; the gate was closed and the gate-keeper either would not or could not hear his call. "Fear now seized Martin, in very truth. The woods about the city were infested with robbers and dangerous men; there was no way in which to protect himself; yet he had nothing about him which any one would care to have, and that thought gave him some comfort. As he was planning how he might get within the walls, a tall man dressed in scarlet feathered cap and a long black velvet cloak upon his shoulders, stood before him. "'Cheer up, my lad,' said the stranger. 'What is the use of crying?' "'But I am locked out for the night,' replied Martin. "'That is nothing to fret about,' answered the tall man. 'Here is some gold. Take it, it will open the gate for you.' "'Oh, thank you,' said Martin, overjoyed. Then he hesitated. 'But I shall never be able to repay you,' he added. 'I have never seen so much gold.' "'Oh, do not fret yourself about repaying me,' answered the stranger. 'I have plenty of gold, and do not need the little I have given you. Still, if you are really anxious to repay me, you might give me your soul when you have finished with it.' "'My soul?' cried the boy aghast. 'I can't give it to you. One cannot sell his soul?' "'Oh, yes,' replied the malicious stranger, smiling grimly, 'many people do sell their souls; but you need not give it me until you are dead.' "'Much good would it do you then,' replied Martin; 'I cannot see what you would want with it after I am dead?' "'That is the bargain,' retorted the tall man. And he made as if to move away and leave Martin to his fate. "'Oh, very well,' said Martin, fearing to throw away this chance for deliverance. 'I will take your gold, and you may have my soul when I have finished with it; the bargain is made.' "'And I shall be lenient with you,' continued the stranger. 'I will give you a chance to redeem your soul.' "'You will?' exclaimed Martin in delight. 'And how?' "'Only this, if you forget to attend divine service even once, during all the rest of your days, then shall I claim my bargain. Now, am I not fair?' "Martin was very glad to be released, even with this proviso, and laughed as he moved away, for Martin had been brought up religiously by a pious mother, and he knew he should not forget his Sabbath duty. "As the stranger had said, the gold gained entrance for Martin Mux through the closed city gate, and he straightway made his way to his room and to bed before his master should discover his absence. * * * * *