Of the murderers there was no trace. They must have vanished through a door in the back wall, which was open, when they heard him come crashing in through the front gate. He buried the pretty lady next to her companions, whose names he did not even know.

By that time, night had fallen, and it took Bag many hours to find his way home in the dark. Even when he lay safely in his bed, however, no peace came to his mind. He was not sure if he was sleeping or waking, but suddenly he saw the beautiful lady before him, as clear as if she were still alive.

She spoke to him in a melodious voice: “I am no longer alive but I have come to thank you, also in the name of my twelve friends in the house you saw last night, for your kindness and piety. Please inform our families in the city of what you have seen. They will reward you for your good work and dispose of the property as they see fit.

“Meanwhile, we have decided to reward you in our own way for your benevolent services rendered to our bodies. At the same time, we will make it possible for the culprits to be punished.

“Here is what you must do: Tomorrow you must walk along the road outside the city at noontide. There you will see a man whose appearance I will describe to you in detail.

“Take hold of that man boldly and unhesitatingly. Have no fear: Although he is a dangerous criminal, you have more strength than he, and we will protect you with our supernatural powers. We shall be present, but people cannot see us.

“You must take that man to the chief of police in the city. The police chief will no doubt be very grateful.”

Having described the criminal in detail, the lovely ghost vanished. By that time it was morning and Bag, robbed of sleep by the events of the night, prepared himself for what the day would bring.

When the time indicated by the lady had come, he went for a walk on the road she had pointed out to him. Sure enough, soon he saw the man that the lady had described emerge from the city gate.