Christmas Eve. The lights of a gray house are burning among the snowdrifts. Surrounded by snow whirlwinds, his lanterns flicker in the darkness. The living room window shines brightest - look into it. You will see ten-year-old boys and girls gathered around the fireplace and preparing to hear a mysterious story. The mistress of the gray house is about to start telling it. She already knows that she will not name the name of the main character and the children will have to figure out on their own which of their friends is that mysterious character. Shhh. Do you hear? The mistress of the gray house began her story. An antique grandfather clock ticks to the rhythm of her soft voice. It seems as if she is casting a spell that transports those present to the past. “Tick-tock, tick-tock...” the pendulum counts down. Another world, in which the parents of the gathered children once lived, is knocking on the living room window of the gray house on the hill. Here is an illustrated version of the fifth mystery, “The Christmas Stollen,” which was published as part of the first book in the “World of Detective Paul” series, “The Russian Norwegian.” ".