1. Village News

These words made a stunning impression on everyone. Suddenly, they were faced with a mystery. The triumphant Ludwig carefully grabbed the pot and, having ordered Fritz to shine a lantern, headed downstairs.

“This seems to be more interesting than the stolen nets,” he said excitedly to Fritz, placing the pot on the table by the fireplace.

“Now,” he said to Hans, “you must tell us everything.”

“But I gave my word …”

“Then you will go to prison.”

“For what?”

“For this very thing. You’ve been a suspect for a while. No wonder you began to gain weight.”

“So you know?”

Ludwig didn’t know anything. But on this autumn evening, he unexpectedly discovered the abilities of a detective in himself.

“Yes, we know everything,” he answered confidently. “If you will stop stalling, we might not send you to jail.”

The old fellow was destroyed. He lowered his head, and after a pause he said:

“I didn’t want to break my word and make trouble for the one who took pity on me, the old man, my benefactor. But if you already know… This is the ‘eternal bread’ that I received from Professor Breuer.”

If Ludwig had the ability of a detective, then he lacked professional experience. Forgetting his role, he asked in utter amazement:

“‘Eternal bread?’ What’s that?”

When he heard this question, asked with sincere surprise, and the exclamations of other fishermen, Hans realized that they knew nothing about the “eternal bread” and that, apparently, another suspicion led them here and accidentally revealed the secret he carefully kept. If only he hadn’t already disclosed the professor’s name! But it was too late to retreat. And suddenly hunched over Hans sank heavily onto the bench.

“Listen then. I’ll tell you everything…”