“Stolen!  Dear Fritz, that is an entirely different thing from being lost.  I, too, would never have thought of you allowing yourself to be robbed, for you spoke of reading so much about pick-pockets.  It is evident that your dog was a better judge than his master.  He had no confidence in the man, while you almost gave him your pocketbook.”

“Oh, Aunt, don’t remind me of that!  I know it too well myself.”

“No, dear, and I am sorry for your loss, and hope it will not make you lose confidence in your fellow-men.  For one thief in the world there are thousands of honest people, but in a strange city and in a crowd one can be on guard without hurting the feelings of any stranger.  Now I will hurry to the police station and give the information.  No doubt you are not the only one the rascal has robbed, but if I can help it you will be the last, for a time at least.  Franz, my boy, go to the kitchen and stir the beans.  Stir quietly all the time I am gone.  The soup and the veal roast are ready, and we can eat as soon as I come back, which will be in a few minutes.”

She threw a little, fleecy shawl over her head and ran down the steps as lightly as a girl of fifteen.  The boys in the meantime were in the kitchen, Fritz being so comforted by his aunt’s sympathy and help that he could turn his attention to the dinner.

“This is pea-soup,” he said, “and I certainly like it.  Do you, Paul?”

“Yes, and the veal and the beans are good.”

“But I could enjoy them all more if I had not lost my money.  Oh, my beautiful gold-piece with the—­”

“Likeness of Kaiser Frederick upon it,” finished Franz.  “Oh, Fritz, do give us a rest!  It is gone, and if you tell it a thousand times, it will not make the thief bring it back and put it in your pocket.  No, the rogue will have many good meals with its help, and the money will find its way into many pockets.”

“Yes, that is what makes me feel so badly about it.  I tried to save every penny of it and now it is gone!  No wonder that you can feel cheerful! you have your money, but I—­”

At that moment his Aunt Fanny returned, and brought some cheer with her.

“While the police have no clue to the thief,” she slid, “as no one saw the theft committed, yet they will take every means to trap him.  And now, Fritz, don’t grieve any more.  You shall not feel the need of money if I can help it, for when you want it you shall have it.  Now we will take the meat and other things to the table, but first I must fix Pixy’s plate.”

This was done and Fritz carried it to the porch, then they took seats at the table, their plates were filled and a dish of the pea-soup was at each plate.  The kind little hostess was glad to see that they ate heartily and enjoyed their dinner.  As she glanced at Fritz she said to herself:  “Thank goodness that it was his money that was lost instead of his appetite.  That would be a far worse loss than even his gold-piece.”