Hegropedaboutforsometime，tillhefoundthestaircaseinthetower，andthenbegantofeelhiswayupthesteps。
Onthefirstlandingaglimmeroflightcamethroughaslitinthewall，andhesawatinymansittingthere，withoutahead。
’Ho！ho！mylittlefellow，whatareyoudoingthere？’askedHans，and，withoutwaitingforananswer，gavehimakickwhichsenthimflyingdownthestairs。Thenheclimbedhigherstill，andfindingashewentdumbwatcherssittingoneverylanding，treatedthemashehaddonethefirst。
Atlasthereachedthetop，andashepausedforamomenttolookroundhimhesawanotherheadlessmancoweringintheverybellitself，waitingtillHansshouldseizethebell—pullinordertostrikehimablowwiththeclapper，whichwouldsoonhavemadeanendofhim。
’Stop，mylittlefriend！’criedHans。’Thatisnotpartofthebargain！Perhapsyousawhowyourcomradeswalkeddownstairs，andyouaregoingafterthem。Butasyouareinthehighestplaceyoushallmakeamoredignifiedexit，andfollowthemthroughthewindow！’