1. Village News

A small fishing longboat was slowly approaching the island of Fair, which is part of the Friedland northern islands of the German Sea. It was an autumn evening. A strong north wind sprayed the fishermen with ice-cold water. The fishing was unsuccessful, and the faces of the fishermen, blue from the cold, frowned.

“Winter will be early this year,” said the old fisherman, puffing on his short nose warmer.

“Yes, it looks like it,” the young man replied, and after a pause, he added:

“They stole Karl’s net again, a new one this time!”

Everyone became agitated. The fishermen began to discuss who could be stealing from them.

“I think this is the work of Hans,” announced the young fisherman decisively.

“Hans? You’re kidding, right?” Surprised voices were heard. Hans was a half-sick, skeleton-thin, tall old man who lived alone in an old, abandoned lighthouse building.

“Hans? He can barely move his legs! What proof do you have that it’s him?”

“My proof is,” replied the young fisherman, “that Hans is getting fat.” It was true. During the last weeks, Hans’s face had grown considerably rounder, and this enigmatic plumpness was already the subject of village talk.

“They say Hans found a treasure on the shore, washed up by the sea. It is not surprising to gain weight when you got such a gift,” the old fisherman said thoughtfully.

“Hans is a smuggler.”

“And I say,” the young fisherman did not let up, “that Hans steals our nets and fish, sells them, and grows fat. You noticed, late in the evening he often goes somewhere. What kind of business is he involved in? All this is very suspicious.”

They argued with the young fisherman, but it was clear that his story made an impression on many. And when the boat approached the shore near the old lighthouse, one of the fishermen suggested:

“What if we go to Hans, see how he lives? We can warm up, and while doing so, get some insight into his business.”

“Sounds like a great idea!” the young fisherman perked up and began to quickly unload the fish and tidy up the gear.

A light shone in the small window of the lighthouse. Old Hans ’t yet gone to bed. He cordially greeted the guests and offered them to warm themselves by the dilapidated fireplace.