28
Probably this is all very true, Cock, but I will confess my case to you without shame. I am still unable to rid my mind of the longing I have had from childhood to be a rich man. In fact, the dream still stands before my eyes pointing to gold, and, most of all, it chokes me to think of that confounded Simon revelling in such goodfortune.
28
I will cure you, Mikyllos. It is still night, so get up and come with me. I will take you to see Simon and into the houses of the other rich men, to show you how things are with them.
28
How can you? The doors are locked. You are not going to make a burglar of me, are you?
28
Heaven forbid; but Hermes, whose sacred bird I am, bestowed on me this special gift: if my longest tail-feather, the one that curls because it is so soft, be-
28
But you have two like that!
28
The man whom I permit to pluck the right hand one and keep it will be able to open any door and see everything, himself unseen, as long as I am willing.
28
I did not know, Cock, that you are a sorcerer, too. Now if you will give me this chance once, you will soon see all Simon's wealth transferred to this house; for if I can make my way in I will carry it off, and then he will have to come back to his lasts and nibble for a living.
28
That is not permitted. Hermes commanded me, if the holder of the feather should do anything of the sort, to give the alarm and have him caught in the theft.
28
That is a likely story! Hermes, a thief himself, begrudges theft to others! However, let us be off. I will keep my hands off the gold if I can.
28
First, Mikyllos, pluck the soft feather. What are you doing? You have plucked them both!
28
To be on the safe side, Cock. And you will look better so. Your tail will be more symmetrical.
29
All right. Shall we go to see Simon first, or some other millionaire?
29
Oh, Simon, by all means, who thinks himself a greater man by two syllables now he is rich. Here we are already at his door. What must I do next?
29
Touch the bolt with the feather.
