A young drummer went out quite alone one evening into the country, and came to a lake on the shore of which he perceived three pieces of white linen lying. “What fine linen,” said he, and put one piece in his pocket. He returned home, thought no more of what he had found, and went to bed. Just as he was going to sleep, it seemed to him as if someone was saying his name.
He listened, and was aware of a soft voice which cried to him, “Drummer, drummer, wake up!” As it was a dark night he could see no one, but it appeared to him that a figure was hovering about his bed.
“What do you want?” he asked.
“Give me back my dress,” answered the voice, “that you took away from me last evening by the lake.”
“You shall have it back again,” said the drummer, “if you will tell me who you are.”