"Where are they?"
"In the chicken coop."
"I will come right down," said the farmer, and the next moment there he was. After he had put the four weasels in a sack, he said to them in a tone of real satisfaction, "You then, were the ones that have been stealing my chickens! I ought to punish you, but you are beneath my notice. Besides I have a better plan. Instead I will take you to the innkeeper in town in the morning, and he will gladly take you as a present and serve you up as rabbits. You really do not deserve such an honor, but generous men do not mind taking a little trouble now and then."
Then approaching Pinocchio, he patted him kindly, and asked, "How did you ever catch these four robbers? And to think that Melampo, my good and faithful Melampo never could do it!"
The marionette might have told all he knew about the disgraceful bargain between the dog and the weasels, but remembering that the dog was dead he said to himself: "Why should I accuse him now? He is dead
