THE Two BROTHERS 9

at last returning to his owh seat. Then from the midst
of the flames arose the white-bearded old man and spoke
thus sternly to the rich man:

“Woe unto the wilful! Thy brother is virtuous, therefore
have I blessed him. As for thee, thou art wicked, and so
shalt not escape our vengeance.”

At these words the twelve arose. The first seized the
unfortunate man, struck him, and passed him on to the
second ; the second also struck him and passed him on to the
third ; and so did they all in their turn, until he was given up
to the old man, who disappeared with him into the fire.

Days, weeks, months went by, but the rich man never
returned, and none knew what had become of him. I think, .
between you and me, the younger brother had his suspicions
but he very wisely kept them to himself.