 Section 7 of Stories by Foreign Authors, German Authors, Volume 2. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by William Jones, Benita Springs, Florida. Stories by Foreign Authors, German Authors, Volume 2 by Various. Section 7, Chapter 2, Peter Shlamil by Adalbert von Camiso. Chapter 2. Of what use were wings to a man fast abound in chains of iron? They would but increase the horror of his despair, like the dragon guarding his treasure. I remained cut off from all human intercourse and starving amidst my very gold, for it gave me no pleasure. I anathematized it as the source of all my wretchedness. Soul-depository of my fearful secret I trembled before the meanest of my attendants, whom at the same time I envied, for he possessed a shadow and could venture to go out in the daytime while I shut myself up in my room day and night and indulged in all the bitterness of grief. One individual, however, was daily pining away before my eyes. My faithful Bindel, who was the victim of silent self-reproach, tormenting himself with the idea that he had betrayed the confidence reposed in him by a good master in failing to recognize the individual in quest of whom he had been set and with whom he had been led to believe that my melancholy fate was closely connected. Still, I had nothing to accuse him with as I recognized in the occurrence of the mysterious character of the unknown. In order to leave no means untried, I one day dispatched Bindel with a costly ring to the most celebrated artist in the town, desiring him to wait upon me. He came, and dismissing the attendants, I secured the door placing myself opposite to him, and after extolling his art with a heavy heart I came to the point first enjoining the strictest secrecy. For a person, said I, who most unfortunately has lost his shadow, could you paint a false one? Do you speak of the natural shadow? Precisely so. But he asked, by what awkward negligence can a man have lost his shadow? How it occurred, I answered, is of no consequence, but it was in this manner, and here I uttered an unblushing falsehood. He was traveling in Russia last winter, and one bitterly cold day it froze so intensely that his shadow remained so fixed to the ground that it was found impossible to remove it. The false shadow that I might paint, said the artist, would be liable to be lost in the slightest movement, particularly in a person who, from your account, cares so little about his shadow. A person without a shadow should keep out of the sun. That is the only safe and rational plan. Here he rose and took his leave, casting so penetrating a look at me that I shrink from it. I sank back in my chair and hid my face in my hands. In this attitude Bindel found me, and was about to withdraw silently and respectfully, on seeing me in such a state of grief. Looking up, overwhelmed with my sorrows, I felt that I must communicate them to him. Bindel, I exclaimed, Bindel, thou the only being who ceased and respectest my grief too much to inquire into its cause, thou who seems silently and sincerely to sympathize with me, come and share my confidence. The extent of my wealth I have not withheld from thee, neither will I conceal from thee the extent of my grief. Bindel, forsake me not. Bindel, you see me rich, free, beneficent. You fancy all the world in my power. Yet you must have observed that I shun it, and avoid all human intercourse. You think, Bindel, that the world and I are at variance, and you yourself perhaps will abandon me when I acquaint you with this fearful secret. Bindel, I am rich, free, generous. But, oh God, I have no shadow. No shadow? exclaimed the faithful young man, tears starting from his eyes. Alas, that I am born to serve a master without a shadow. He was silent, and again I hid my face in my hands. Bindel, at last I tremblingly resumed, you have now my confidence. You may betray me. Go, bear witness against me. He seemed to be agitated with conflicting feelings. At last he threw himself at my feet and seized my hand, which he bathed with his tears. No, he exclaimed, whatever the world may say, I neither can nor will forsake my excellent master because he has lost his shadow. I will rather do what is right than what may seem prudent. I will remain with you. I will shade you with my own shadow. I will assist you when I can, and when I cannot, I will weep with you. I fell upon his neck, astonished at sentiments so unusual, for it was very evident that he was not prompted by the love of money. My mode of life in my fate now became somewhat different. It is incredible with what provident foresight Bindel contrived to conceal my deficiency. Everywhere he was before me, and with me, providing against every contingency, and in cases of unlooked for danger, flying to shield me with his own shadow, for he was taller and stouter than myself. Thus I once more ventured among mankind, and began to take a part in worldly affairs. I was compelled indeed to affect certain peculiarities and whims, but in a rich man they seemed only appropriate, and so long as the truth was kept concealed, I enjoyed all the honor and respect which gold could procure. I now looked forward with more composure to the promised visit of the mysterious unknown at the expiration of a year and a day. I was very sensible that I could not venture to remain long in a place where I had once been seen without a shadow, and where I might easily be betrayed. And perhaps too I recollected my first introduction to Mr. John, and this was by no means a pleasing reminiscence. However, I wished just to make a trial there that I might with greater ease and security visit some other place. But my vanity for some time withheld me, for it is in this quality of our race that the anchor takes the firmest hold. Even the lovely Fanny, whom I again met in several places, without her seeming to recollect that she had ever seen me before, bestowed some notice on me, for wit and understanding were mine in abundance now. When I spoke I was listened to, and I was at a loss to know how I had so easily acquired the art of commanding attention and giving the tone to the conversation. The impression which I perceived I had made upon this fair one completely turned my brains. And this was just what she wished. After that I pursued her with infinite pains through every obstacle. My vanity was only intent on exciting hers to make a conquest of me. But, although the intoxication disturbed my head, it failed to make the least impression on my heart. But, quite detailed to you, the oft-repeated story which I have so often heard from yourself. However, in the old and well-known drama in which I played so worn out apart, a catastrophe occurred of quite a peculiar nature, in a manner equally unexpected to her, to me, and to everybody. One beautiful evening I had, according to my usual custom, assembled a party in a garden and was walking arm in arm with Fanny at a little distance from the rest of the company. And pouring into her ear the usual well-turned phrases while she was demurely gazing on vacancy and now and then gently returning the pressure of my hand. The moon suddenly emerged from behind a cloud at her back. Fanny perceived only her own shadow before us. She started, looked at me with terror and then again on the ground in search of my shadow. All that was passing in her mind was so strangely depicted in her countenance that I should have burst into a loud fit of laughter had I not suddenly felt my blood run cold within me. I suffered her to fall from my arm in a fainting fit, shot with the rapidity of an arrow through the astonished guests, reached the gate, threw myself into the first conveyance I met with and returned to the town. For this time, unfortunately, I had left the wary Bindel. He was alarmed on seeing me. One word explained all. Post horses were immediately procured. I took with me none of my servants one cunning knave only accepted called Rascal, who had by his adroitness become very serviceable to me and who at present knew nothing of what had occurred. I traveled thirty leagues that night, having left Bindel behind to discharge my servants, pay my debts and bring me all that was necessary. When he came up with me next day, I threw myself into his arms, vowing to avoid such follies and to be more careful for the future. We pursued our journey uninterruptedly over the frontiers and mountains, and was not until I had placed this lofty barrier between myself and the before mentioned unlucky town that I was persuaded to recruit myself after my fatigues in a neighboring and little frequented watering place. I must now pass rapidly over one period of my history, on which how gladly I would dwell could I conjure up your lively powers of delineation. But the vivid news which are at your command and which alone can give life and animation to the picture have left no trace within me. And were I now to endeavor to recall the joys and the griefs, the pure and enchanting emotions which once held such powerful dominion in my breast, it would be like striking a rock which yields no longer the living spring and whose spirits has fled forever, with what an altered aspect do those bygone days now present themselves to my gaze. In this watering place I acted an heroic character, badly studied, and being a novice on such a stage, I forgotten my part before a pair of lovely blue eyes. All possible means were used by the infatuated parents to conclude the bargain and deception put an end to these usual artifices, and that is all, all. The powerful emotions which once swelled my bosom seem now in a retrospect to be poor and insipid, nay even terrible to me. Alas, menna, as I went for thee the day I lost thee, so do I now weep that I can no longer retrace thine image in my soul. Am I then so far advanced into the veil of years? O fatal effects of maturity, I would that I could feel one throb, one emotion of former days of enchantment. Alas, not one. A solitary being, tossed on the wild ocean of life, it is long since I drained thine enchanted cup to the dregs. But to return to my narrative, I had sent Bindelen to the little town with plenty of money to procure me a suitable habitation. He spent my gold profusely, and as he expressed himself rather reservedly concerning his distinguished master, for I did not wish to be named, the good people began to form rather extraordinary conjectures. As soon as my house was ready for my reception, Bindelen returned to conduct me to it, was set out on our journey. About a league from the town, on a sunny plane, we were stopped by a crowd of people, a raid in holiday attire for some festival. While the carriage stopped, music bells, cannons were heard, and loud acclamations rang through the air. Before the carriage now appeared in white dresses, a chorus of maidens, all of extraordinary beauty, but one of them shown in resplendent loveliness and eclipsed the rest as the sun eclipses the stars of night. She advanced from the midst of her companions, and with a lofty yet winning air, blushingly knelt before me, presenting on a silken cushion a wreath composed of laurel branches, the olive and the rose, saying something respecting majesty, love, honor, etc., which I could not comprehend, but the sweet and silvery magic of her tones intoxicated my senses and my whole soul. It seemed as if some heavenly apparition were hovering over me. The chorus now began to sing the praises of a good sovereign and the happiness of his subjects. All this, dear Camiso, took place in the sun. She was kneeling two steps from me, and I, without a shadow, could not dart through the air nor fall on my knees before the angelic being. Oh, what would I not now have given for a shadow? To conceal my shame, agony and despair, I buried myself in the recesses of the carriage. Bindel at last thought of an expedient. He jumped out of the carriage. I called him back and gave him out of the casket I had by me a rich diamond coronet which had been intended for the lovely fanny. He stepped forward and spoke in the name of his master, who, he said, was overwhelmed by so many demonstrations of respect, which he really could not accept as an honor. There must be some error. Nevertheless, he begged to express his thanks for the good will of the worthy townspeople. In the meantime, Bindel had taken the wreath from the cushion and laid the brilliant crown in its place. He then respectfully raised the lovely girl from the ground, and at one sign the clergy magistrates and all the deputations withdrew. The crowd separated to allow the horses to pass, and we pursued our way to the town at full gallop through arches ornamented with flowers and branches of laurel. Savils of artillery again were heard. The carriage stopped at my gate. I hastened through the crowd, which curiosity had attracted to witness my arrival. Enthusiastic shells resounded under my windows from whence I showered gold amidst the people, and in the evening the whole town was illuminated. Still, all remained a mystery to me, and I could not imagine for whom I had been taken. I sent Rascal out to make inquiry, and he soon obtained intelligence that the good king of Prussia was traveling through the country under the name of some count, that my aide-de-camp had been recognized, and that he had devolved the secret that on acquiring the certainty that I would enter their town their joy had no no bounds. However, as they perceived I was determined on preserving the strictest incognito, they felt how wrong they had been in too importunately seeking to withdraw the veil. But I had received them so condescendingly and so graciously that they were sure I would forgive them. The whole affair was such capital amusement to the unprincipled Rascal that he did his best to confirm the good people in their belief while effecting to reprove them. He gave me a very comical account of the matter, and seeing that I was amused by it, actually endeavored to make a merit of his impudence. Shall I own the truth? My vanity was flattered by having been mistaken for our revered sovereign. I ordered a banquet to be got ready for the following evening under the trees before my house and invited the whole town. The mysterious power of my purse, Bindel's exertions and Rascal's ready invention made the shortness of the time seem as nothing. It was really astonishing how magnificently and beautifully everything was arranged in these few hours. Splendor in abundance vied with each other, and the lights were so carefully arranged that I felt quite safe. The zeal of my servants met every exigency and merited all praise. Evening drew on. The guests arrived and were presented to me. The word Majesty was now dropped, but with the deepest respect and humility I was addressed as the Count. What could I do? I accepted the title, and from that moment I was known as Count Peter, in the midst of all this vestivity, my soul pineed for one individual. She came late. She who was the Empress of the scene and wore the emblem of sovereignty on her brow. She modestly accompanied her parents and seemed unconscious of her transcendent beauty. The ranger of the forests, his wife and daughter, were presented to me. I was at no loss to make myself agreeable to the parents, but before the daughter I stood like a well-scolded schoolboy incapable of speaking a single word. At length I hesitatingly entreated her to honor my banquet by presiding at it, an office for which her rare endowments pointed her out as admirably fitted. With a blush and an expressive glance she entreated to be excused, but in still greater confusion than herself I respectfully begged her to accept the homage of the first and most devoted of her subjects, and one glance of the Count was the same as a command to the guest, all who vied with each other in acting up to the spirit of the noble host. In her person, majesty, innocence, and grace, in union with beauty, presided over this joyous banquet. Minna's happy parents were elated by the honors conferred upon their child. As for me, I abandoned myself to the intoxication of delight. I sinned for all the jewels, pearls, and precious stones still left to me, the produce of my fatal wealth, and filling two vases. I placed them on the table in the name of the Queen of the Banquet, to be divided among her companions and the remainder of the ladies. I ordered gold in the meantime to be showered down without ceasing among the happy multitude. Next morning Bindel told me in confidence that the suspicions he had long entertained of Rascal's honesty were now reduced to a certain day. He had yesterday embezzled many bags of gold. Never mind, said I. Let him enjoy his paltry booty. I like to spend it. Why should not he? Yesterday he and all the newly engaged servants whom you had hired served me honorably and cheerfully assisted me to enjoy the banquet. No more was said on the subject. Rascal remained at the head of my domestics. Bindel was my friend in confidant. He had by this time become accustomed to look upon my wealth as inexhaustible without seeking to inquire into its source. He entered into all my schemes and effectively assisted me in devising methods of spending my money. Of the pale, sneaking scoundrel, the unknown, Bindel only knew thus much that he alone had power to release me from the curse which weighed so heavily on me, and yet that I stood in all of him on whom all my hopes rested. Besides, I felt convinced that he had the means of discovering me under any circumstances while he himself remained concealed. I therefore abandoned my fruitless inquiries and patiently awaited the appointed day. The magnificence of my banquet and my deportment on the occasion had but strengthened the credulous townspeople in their previous belief. It appeared soon after from accounts in the newspapers that the whole history of the king of Prussia's fictitious journey originated in mere idle report. But a king I was and a king I must remain by all means, and one of the richest and most royal, although people were at a loss to know where my territories lay. The world has never had reason to lament the scarcity of monarchs, particularly in these days, and the good people who had never yet seen a king now fancied me to be the first one, and then another with equal success, and in the meanwhile I remained as before Count Peter. Among the visitors at this watering place, a merchant made his appearance one who had become a bankrupt in order to enrich himself. He enjoyed the general good opinion, for he projected a shadow of respectable size, though of somewhat faint hue. The man wished to show off in this place by means of his wealth and sought to rival me. My purse soon enabled me to leave the poor devil far behind. To save his credit, he became bankrupt again and fled beyond the mountains, and thus I was rid of him. Many one in this place was reduced to beggary and ruined through my means. In the midst of the really princely magnificence and profusion which carried all before me, my own style of living was very simple and retired. I had made it a point to observe the strictest precaution, and with the exception of Vendell no one was permitted on any pretense whatever to enter my private apartment. As long as the sun shone I remained shut up with him, and the Count was then said to be deeply occupied in his closet. The numerous couriers whom I kept in constant attendance about manners of no importance were supposed to be the bearers of my dispatches. I only received company in the evening under the trees of my garden or in my saloons after Vendell's assurance of there being carefully and brilliantly lit up. My walks in which the argust-eyed Vendell was constantly on the watch for me extended only to the garden of the forest ranger to enjoy the society of one who was dear to me as my own existence. Oh, my commisso, I trust thou hast not forgotten what love is. I must here leave much to thine imagination. Minna was in truth an amiable and excellent maiden. Her whole soul was wrapped up in me, and in her lowly thoughts of herself she could not imagine how she had deserved a single thought from me. She returned love for love with all the full and youthful fervor of an innocent heart. Her love was a true woman's love with all the devotion and total absence of selfishness which is found only in woman. She lived but in me, her whole soul being bound up in mine, regardless what her own fate might be. Yet I alas, during those hours of wretchedness, hours I would even now gladly recall how often have I wept on Vendell's bosom when after the first mad whirlwind of passion I reflected with the keenest self-operatings that I, a shadowless man, had with cruel selfishness practiced a wicked deception and stolen away the pure and angelic heart of the innocent Minna. At one moment I resolved to confess all to her. Then then I would fly forever, and then I broke out into a flood of bitter tears and consulted Vendell as to the means of meeting her again in the Forrester's Garden. At times I flattered myself with great hopes from the near-approaching visit of the unknown, then wept again because I saw clearly on reflection that they would end in disappointment. I had made a calculation of the day fixed on by that fearful being for our interview for he had said in a year and a day and I depended on his word. The parents were worthy old people devoted to their only child and our mutual affection was a circumstance so overwhelming that they knew not how to act. They had never dreamed for a moment that that count would bestow a thought on their daughter. But such was the case. He loved and was beloved. The pride of the mother might not have led her to consider such an alliance quite impossible but so extravagant an idea had never entered the contemplation of the sounder judgment of the old man. Both were satisfied of the sincerity of my love and could but put up prayers to heaven for the happiness of their child. A letter which I received from Mena about that time has just fallen into my hands. Yes, these are the characters traced by her own hand. I will transcribe the letter. Quote, I am indeed a weak foolish girl to fancy that the friend I so tenderly love could give an instance pain to this poor Mena. Oh no, thou art so good, so inexpressibly good. But do not misunderstand me. I'll accept no sacrifice at thy hands, none whatever. Oh heavens, I should hate myself. No, thou hast made me happy. Thou hast taught me to love thee. Go then. Let me not forget my destiny. Count Peter belongs not to me, but to the whole world. And oh, what pride for thy Mena to hear thy deeds proclaimed and blessings invoked on thy idolized head. When I think of this, I could chide thee that thou should for one instance forget thy high destiny for the sake of a simple maiden. Go then. Otherwise, the reflection will pierce me. How blessed I have been rendered by thy love. Perhaps also I have planted some flowers in the path of thy life as I twine them in the wreath which I presented to thee. Go then. Fear not to leave me. You are too deeply seated in my heart. I shall die inexpressibly happy in thy love." Conceive how these words pierced my soul, come me soon. I declared to her that I was not what I seemed and that although a rich I was an unspeakably miserable man. What a curse was on me which must remain a secret, although the only one between us. Yet that I was not without a hope of its being removed, that this poisoned every hour of my life, that I should plunge her with me into the abyss. She, the light and joy, the very soul of my existence. Then she wept, because I was unhappy. Oh, Mena was all love and tenderness. To save me one tear, she would gladly have sacrificed her life. Yet she was far from comprehending the full meaning of my words. She still looked upon me as some proscribed prince for illustrious exile, and her vivid imagination had invested her lover with every lofty attribute. One day I said to her, Mena, the last day in next month will decide my fate and perhaps change it for the better. If not I would sooner die than render you miserable. She laid her head on my shoulder to conceal her tears. Should thy fate be changed, she said, I only wish to know that thou art happy. If thy condition is an unhappy one, I will share it with thee and assist thee to support it. Mena, Mena, I exclaimed, recall those rash words, those mad words which have escaped thy lips, disthou know the misery and curse, disthou know who, what, thy lover, ceased thou not, my Mena, this compulsive shuddering which thrills my whole frame, and that there is a secret in my breast which thou cannot penetrate? She sank, sobbing at my feet, and renewed her vows and entreaties. Her father now entered, and I declared to him my intention to solicit the hand of his daughter on the first day of the month after the ensuing one. I fixed that time, I told him, because circumstances might probably occur in the interval materially to influence my future destiny. But my love for his daughter was unchangeable. The good old man started adhering such words from the mouth of Count Peter. He fell upon my neck and rose again in the utmost confusion for having forgotten himself. Then he began to doubt, to ponder and to scrutinize, and spoke of dowry, security, and future provision for his beloved child. I thanked him for having reminded me of all this, and told him it was my wish to remain in a country where I seem to be beloved, and to lead a life free from anxiety. I then commissioned him to purchase the finest estate in the neighborhood in the name of his daughter, for a father was the best person to act for his daughter in such a case, and to refer for payment to me. This occasioned him a good deal of trouble, as a stranger had everywhere anticipated him. But at last he made a purchase for about one hundred and fifty thousand pounds. I confess, this was but an innocent artifice to get rid of him, as I had frequently done before. For it must be confessed that he was somewhat tedious. The good mother was rather deaf and not jealous, like her husband, of the honor of conversing with the Count. The happy party pressed me to remain with him longer this evening. I dared not, I had not a moment to lose. I saw the rising moon streaking the horizon. My hour had come. Next evening I went again to the forester's garden. I had wrapped myself closely up in my cloak, slouched my head over my eyes, and advanced toward Minna. As she raised her head and looked at me, she started involuntarily. The apparition of that dreadful night in which I had been seen without a shadow was now standing perfectly distinctly before me. It was she herself. Had she recognized me? She was silent and thoughtful. I've felt an oppressive load on my heart. I rose from my seat. She laid her head on my shoulder, still silent and in tears. I went away. I now found her frequently weeping. I became more and more melancholy. Her parents were beyond expression happy. The Inventful Day approached threatening and heavy like a thunder cloud. The evening preceding arrived. I could scarcely breathe. I had carefully filled a large chest with gold and set down to await the appointed time. The twelfth hour. It struck. Now I remained with my eyes fixed on the hand of the clock, counting the seconds, the minutes which struck me to the heart like daggers. I started at every sound. At last daylight appeared. The leaden hours passed on. Morning, evening, night came. Hope was fast fading away as the hand advanced. It struck eleven. No one appeared. The last minutes, the first and last stroke of the twelfth hour, died away. I sank back in my bed in an agony of weeping. In the morning I should shadowless as I was, claim the hand of my beloved menna. A heavy sleep towards daylight closed my eyes. End of section seven, chapter two, Peter Schlemiel by Adelbert von Camiso. Section eight of Stories by Foreign Authors, German authors volume two. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by William Jones, Benita Springs, Florida. Stories by Foreign Authors, German authors volume two by various. Section eight, chapter three, Peter Schlemiel by Adelbert von Camiso. Chapter three. It was yet early when I was suddenly awoke by voices in a hot dispute in my anti-chamber. I listened. Bindel was forbidding Rascal to enter my room, who swore he would receive no orders from his equals and insisted on forcing his way. The faithful Bindel reminded him that if such words reached his master's ears he would turn him out of an excellent place. Rascal threatened to strike him if he persisted in refusing his entrance. By this time, having half dressed myself, I angrily threw open the door and in dressing myself to Rascal inquired what he meant by such disgraceful conduct. He drew back a couple of steps and coolly answered, Count Peter, may I beg most respectfully that you will favor me with a sight of your shadow? The sun is now shining brightly in the court below. I stood as if struck by a thunderbolt and for some time was unable to speak. At last I asked him how a servant could dare to behave so toward his master. He interrupted me by saying quite coolly, a servant may be a very honorable man and unwilling to serve a shadowless master. I request my dismissal. I felt that I must adopt a softer tone and replied, but Rascal, my good fellow, who can have put such strange ideas into your head, how can you imagine he interrupted me again in the same tone? People say you have no shadow. In short, let me see your shadow or give me my dismissal. Bindel, pale and trembling, but more collected than myself, made a sign to me. I had recourse to the all-powerful influence of gold, but even gold had lost its power. Rascal threw it at my feet. From a shadowless man, he said, I will take nothing. Turning his back on me and putting on his head, he then slowly left the room whistling a tune. I stood with Bindel as a petrified gazing after him. With a deep sigh and a heavy heart, I now prepared to keep my engagement and to appear in the forester's garden like a criminal before his judge. I entered by the shady arbor, which had received the name of Count Peter's arbor, for we had appointed to meet. The mother advanced with a cheerful air. Menna set fair and beautiful as the early snow of autumn, reposing on the departing flowers, soon to be dissolved and lost in the cold stream. The ranger, with a written paper in his hand, was walking up and down in an agitated manner, struggling to suppress his feelings, his usually unmoved countenance being one moment flushed and the next perfectly pale. He came forward as I entered, and in a faltering voice requested a private conversation with me. The path by which he requested me to follow him led to an open spot in the garden where the sun was shining. I sat down, a long silence ensued, which even the good woman herself did not venture to break. The ranger, in an agitated manner, paced up and down with unequal steps. At last he stood still, and glancing over the paper he held in his hand, he said, addressing me with a penetrating look, Count Peter, do you know one Peter schlemiel? I was silent. A man, he continued, of excellent character and extraordinary endowments. He paused for an answer. And supposing I myself were that very man? You, he exclaimed passionately, he has lost his shadow. Oh, my suspicion is true, cried Mina. I have long known it. He has no shadow, and she threw herself into her mother's arms, who convulsively, clasping her to her bosom, reproached her for having so long to her hurt, kept such a secret. But like the fabled erathusa, her tears, as from a fountain, flowed more abundantly, and her sobs increased at my approach. And so, said the ranger fiercely, you have not scrupled with unparalleled shamelessness to deceive both her and me, and you pretend to love her for sooth? Her, when you have reduced to the state in which you now see her? See how she weeps? Oh, shocking, shocking. By this time I had lost all presence of mind, and I answered confusedly, after all it is but a shadow, a mere shadow, which a man can do very well without, and really it is not worth a while to make all this noise about such a trifle. Feeling the groundlessness of what I was saying, I ceased, and no one condescended to reply. At last I added, what is lost today may be found tomorrow. Be pleased, sir, continued the ranger in great wrath. Be pleased to explain how you have lost your shadow. Here again an excuse was ready. A bore of a fellow, said I, one day trod so rudely on my shadow that he tore a large hole in it. I sent it to be repaired, for gold can do wonders, and yesterday I expected it home again. Very well, answered the ranger, you are a suitor, my daughter's hand, and so are others. As a father I am bound to provide for her. I will give you three days to seek your shadow. Return to me in the course of that time with a well-fitted shadow, and you shall receive a hearty welcome. Otherwise, on the fourth day, remember on the fourth day, my daughter becomes the wife of another. I now attempted to say one word to Mina, but sobbing more violently she clung still closer to her mother, who made a sign for me to withdraw. I obeyed, and now the world seemed shut out from me forever. Having escaped from the affection and care of Bindel, I now wandered wildly through the neighborhood woods and meadows. Drops of anguish fell from my brow. Deep groans burst from my bosom. Frenzy despair raged within me. I knew not how long this had lasted, when I felt myself seized by the sleeve on a sunny heath. I stopped, and looking up, beheld a gray-coated man, who appeared to have run himself out of breath in pursuing me. He immediately began, I had, said he, appointed this day, but your impatience anticipated it. All, however, may yet be right. Take my advice. Redeem your shadow, which is at your command, and return immediately to the Rangers' Garden, where you will be well received, and all the past will seem a mere joke. As for Rascal, who has betrayed you in order to pay his addresses to Mina, leave him to me. He is just a fit subject for me. I stood like one in a dream. This day, I considered again. He was right. I had made a mistake of a day. I felt in my bosom for the purse. He perceived my intention and drew back. No, Count Peter, the purse is in good hands. Pray keep it. I gazed at him with looks of astonishment and inquiry. I only beg a trifle as a token of remembrance. Be so good as to sign this memorandum. On the parchment which he hailed out to me were these words. By virtue of this present, to which I have appended my signature, I hereby bequeath my soul to the holder after its natural separation from my body. I gazed in mutous astonishment, alternately at the paper and the gray unknown. In the meantime, he had dipped a new pin in a drop of blood, which was issuing from a scratch in my hand, just made by a thorn. He presented it to me. Who are you? At last I exclaimed. What can it signify? He answered, Do you not perceive who I am? A poor devil, a sort of scholar and philosopher, who obtains but poor thanks from his friends for his admirable arts and whose only amusement on earth consists in his small experiments. But just sign this to the right, exactly underneath Peter Schlamil. I shook my head and replied, Excuse me, sir. I cannot sign that. Cannot, he exclaimed. And why not? Because it appears to me a hazardous thing to exchange my soul for my shadow. Hazardous, he exclaimed, burst into a loud laugh and pray, may I be allowed to inquire what sort of a thing your soul is? Have you ever seen it? And what do you mean to do with it after your death? You ought to think yourself fortunate in meeting with a customer who, during your life in exchange for this infinitely minute quantity, this galvanic principle, this polarized agency or whatever other foolish name you wish to give it, is willing to bestow on you something substantial. In a word, your own identical shadow, by virtue of which you will obtain your beloved Mina and arrive at the accomplishment of all your wishes, or do you prefer giving up the poor younger girl to the power of that contemptible scoundrel rascal? Nay, you shall behold her with your own eyes. Come here, I will injure an invisible cap. He do something out of his pocket, and we will enter the rangers' garden unseen. I must confess that I felt excessively ashamed to be thus laughed at by the gray stranger. I detested him from the very bottom of my soul, and I really believe this personal antipathy, more than principle or previously formed opinion, restrain me from purchasing my shadow, much as I stood in need of it at such an expense. Besides, the thought was insupportable of making this proposed visit in his society. To behold this hateful sneak, this mocking fiend, place himself between me and my beloved, between our torn and bleeding hearts, was too revolting an idea to be entertained for a moment. I considered the past as irrevocable, my own misery as inevitable, and turning to the gray man I said. I have exchanged my shadow for this very extraordinary purse, and I have sufficiently repented it. For heaven's sake, let the transaction be declared null and void. He shook his head, and his countenance assumed an expression of the most sinister cast. I continued, I will make no exchange whatever, for even for the sake of my shadow, nor will I sign the paper. It follows also that the incognito visit you proposed to me would have forwarded you far more entertainment than it could possibly give me. Accept my excuses therefore, and since it must be so, let us part. I am sorry, Mr. Shlamil, that you thus obstinately persist in rejecting my friendly offer. Perhaps another time I may be more fortunate. Farewell, may we shortly meet again, but apropos allow me to show you that I do not undervalue my purchase, but preserve it carefully. So sane, he drew my shadow out of his pocket, and shaking it cleverly out of his folds, he stretched it out at his feet in the sun so that he stood between two obedient shadows, his own and mine, which was compelled to follow and comply with his every movement. On again beholding my poor shadow after so long a separation, and seeing it degraded to so vile a bondage, at the very time that I was so unspeakably in want of it, my heart was ready to burst, and I wept bitterly. The detested wretch stood exalting over his prey, and unblushingly renewed his proposal. One stroke of your pen, and the unhappy minute is rescued from the clutches of the vellan rascal, and transferred into the arms of the high-born Count Peter, merely a stroke of your pen. My tears broke out with renewed violence, but I turned away from him and made a sign for him to be gone. Mendel, whose deep solicitude had induced him to come in search of me, arrived at this very moment. The good and faithful creature on seeing me weeping, and that a shadow, evidently mine, was in the power of the mysterious unknown, determined to rescue it by force. Should that be necessary, and disdaining to use any finesse, he desired him directly and without any disputing to restore my property. Instead of a reply, the gray man turned his back on the worthy fellow, and was making off. But Mendel raised his buckthorn stick, and, following close upon him, after repeated commands but in vain, to restore the shadow, he made him feel the whole force of his powerful arm. The gray man, as if accustomed to such treatment, held down his head, slouched his shoulders, and with soft and noiseless steps pursued his way over the heath, carrying with him my shadow and also my faithful servant. For a long time I heard howl sounds ringing through the waist until at last they died away in the distance, and I was again left to solitude and misery. Alone on the wild heath I disburdened at my heart of an insupportable load by giving free vent to my tears. But I saw no bounds, no relief to my surpassing wretchedness, and a drink in the fresh poison was the mysterious stranger had poured into my wounds with a furious avidity. As I retraced in my mind the loved image of my mina and depicted her sweet countenance all pale and in tears, such as I had beheld her in my late disgrace, the bold and sarcastic vision of rascal would ever and anon thrust itself between us. I hid my face and fled rapidly over the plains, but the horrible vision unrelentingly pursued me till at last I sank breathless on the ground and bedooted with a fresh torrent of tears, and all this for a shadow, a shadow which one stroke of the pen would repurchase. I pondered on the singular proposal and on my hesitation to comply with it. My mind was confused. I had lost the power of judging or comprehending. The day was waning apace. I satisfied the cravings of hunger with a few wild fruits, and quenched my thirst at a neighboring stream. Night came on. I threw myself down under a tree and was awoke by the damp morning air from an uneasy sleep in which I had fancied myself struggling in the agonies of death. Bendell had certainly lost all trace of me, and I was glad of it. I did not wish to return among my fellow creatures. I shunned them as the hunted deer flies before its pursuers. Thus I passed three melancholy days. I found myself, on the morning of the fourth, on a sandy plain, basking in the rays of the sun, and sitting on a fragment of rock, for it was sweet to enjoy the genial warmth of which I had so long been deprived. Despair still preyed on my heart. Suddenly a slight sound startled me. I looked around, prepared to fly, but saw no one. On the sunlit sand before me, flitted the shadow of a man not unlike my own, and wandering about alone, it seemed to have lost its master. This sight powerfully excited me. Shadow, thought I, art thou in search of thy master? In me thou shall find him. And I sprang forward to seize it, fencing that it could I succeed in treading so exactly in its traces as to step in its footmarks, it would attach itself to me, and in time become accustomed to me, and follow all my movements. The shadow, as I moved, took to flight, and I commenced a hot chase after the airy future to solely excited by the hope of being delivered from my present dreadful situation. The bare idea inspired me with fresh strength and figure. The shadow now fled towards a distant wood, among whose shades I must necessarily have lost it. Seeing this, my heart beat wild with fright, my ardor increased and lent wings to my speed. I was evidently gaining on the shadow. I came nearer and nearer. I was within reach of it, when it suddenly stopped and turned toward me. Like a lion darting on its prey, I made a powerful spring and fell unexpectedly upon a hard substance. Then followed, from an invisible hand, their most terrible blows in the ribs that anyone ever received. The effect of my terror made me endeavor convulsively to strike and grasp at the unseen object before me. The rapidity of my motions brought me to the ground where I lay stretched out with a man under me, whom I held tight and who now became visible. The full affair was now explained. The man had undoubtedly possessed the bird's nest, which communicates its charms of invisibility to its possessor, though not equally so to his shadow. This nest he had now thrown away. I looked around and soon discovered the shadow of this invisible nest. I sprang towards it and was fortunate enough to seize the precious booty and immediately became invisible and shadow-less. The moment the man regained his feet, he looked all around over the wide sunny plane to discover his fortunate vanquisher. But could see neither him nor his shadow, the latter seeming particularly to be the object of his search. For previous to our encounter he had not had leisure to observe that I was shadow-less and he could not be aware of it. Becoming convinced that all traces of me were lost, he began to tear his hair and give himself up to all the frenzy of despair. In the meantime, this newly acquired treasure communicated to me both the ability and the desire to mix again among mankind. I was at no loss for a pretext to vindicate this unjust robbery or whether so deadened had I become, I feel no need of a pretext. And in order to dissipate every idea of the kind I hastened on regardless of the unhappy man whose fearful lamentations long resounded in my ears. Such at the time were my impressions of all the circumstances of this affair. I now ardently desired to return to the rangers garden in order to ascertain in person the truth of the information communicated by the odious unknown. But I knew not where I was until ascending an eminence to take a survey of the surrounding country, I perceived from its summit the little town and the gardens almost at my feet. My heart beat violently and tears of a nature very different from those I had lately shed, filled my eyes. I should then once more behold her. Anxiety now hastened my steps. Unseen I met some peasants coming from the town. They were talking of me, of Rascal, and of the ranger. I would not stay to listen to their conversation but proceeded on. My bosom thrilled with expectation as I entered the garden. At this moment I heard something like a hollow laugh which caused me involuntarily to shudder. I cast a rapid glance around but could see no one. I passed on. Presently I fancied I heard the sound of footsteps close to me but no one was within sight. My ears must have deceived me. It was early. No one was in Count Peter's Bower. The gardens were deserted. I traversed all the well-known paths and penetrated even to the dwelling house itself. The same rustling sound became now more and more audible. With anguished feelings I sat down on a seat placed in the sunny space before the door and actually felt some invisible fiend take a place by me and heard him utter a sarcastic laugh. The key was turned in the door which was opened. The forest master appeared with a paper in his hand. Suddenly my head was, as it were, enveloped in a mist. I looked up and, oh, horror, the gray-coated man was at my side, peering in my face with a satanic grin. He had extended the mist cap he wore over my head. His shadow in my own were lying together at his feet in perfect amity. He kept whirling in his hand the well-known parchment with an air of indifference, and while the ranger absorbed in thought an intent upon his paper, paced up and down the arbor, my tormentor confidentially leaned toward me and whispered, So, Mr. Schlemiel, you have at length accepted my invitation, and here we sit, two heads under one hood, as the saying is. Well, well, all in good time, but now you can return me my bird's nest. You have no further occasion for it, and I am sure you are too honorable a man to withhold it from me. No need of thanks, I assure you. I had infinite pleasure in lending it to you. He took it out of my unresisting hand and put it into his pocket and then broke into so loud a laugh at my expense that the forest master turned round, startled at the sound. I was petrified. You must acknowledge, he continued, that in our position a hood is much more convenient. It serves to conceal not only a man, but his shadow, or as many shadows as he chooses to carry. I, for instance, today, bring two you perceive. He laughed again. Take notice, Schlemiel, that what a man refuses to do with a good grace in the first instance, he is always in the end compelled to do. I am still of opinion that you ought to redeem your shadow and claim your bride for a direct time, and as to Rascal, he shall dangle at a rope's end. No difficult matter, so long as we can find a bit. As a mark of our friendship, I will give you my cap into the bargain. The mother now came out, and the following conversation took place. What is Mena doing? She's weeping, silly child. What good can that do? None, certainly. But it is too soon to bestow her hand on another. O husband, you are too harsh to your poor child. No, wife, you view things in a wrong light. When she finds herself the wife of a wealthy and honorable man, her tears will soon cease. She will awaken out of a dream, as it were, happy and grateful to heaven to her parents, as you will see. Heaven grant, it may be so, replied the wife. She has indeed now considerable property, but after the noise occasioned by her unlucky affair with that adventurer, do you imagine that she is likely soon to meet with so advantageous a match as Mr. Rascal? Do you know the extent of Mr. Rascal's influence and wealth? Why, he has purchased with ready money in this country six millions of landed property, free from old encumbrances. I have had all the documents in my hands. It was he who outbid me everywhere when I was about to make a desirable purchase, and besides, he has bills on Mr. Thomas John's house to the amount of three millions and a half. He must have been a prodigious thief. How foolishly you talk, he wisely saved for others squandered their property. Amir, livery servant, nonsense. He has at all events an unexceptionable shadow. True, but… While this conversation was passing, the gray-coated man looked at me with a satirical smile. The door opened and Mena entered, leaning on the arm of her female attendant, silent tears flowing down her fair but pallid face. She sealered herself in the chair, which had been placed for her under the lime trees, and her father took a stool by her side. He gently raised her hand, and as her tears flowed afresh, he addressed her in the most affectionate manner. My own dear good child, my Mena, will act reasonably and not afflict her poor father who only wishes to make her happy. My dearest child, this blow has shaken you dreadfully. I know it. But you have been saved as if by a miracle from a miserable fate, my Mena. You loved the unworthy villain most tenderly before his treachery was discovered. I feel all this, Mena, and far be it from me to reproach you for it. In fact, I myself loved him so long as I considered him to be a person of rank. You now see yourself how differently it has turned out. Every dog has a shadow, and the idea of my child having been on the eve of uniting herself to a man who… But I am sure you will think no more of him. A suitor has just appeared for you and the person of a man who does not fear the sun, an honorable man. No prince indeed, but a man worth ten millions of gold and duck at sterling. A sum nearly ten times larger than your fortune consists of. A man who will make my dear child happy. Nay, do not oppose me. Be my own good dutiful child. Allow your loving father to provide for you and to dry up these tears. Promise to bestow your hand on Mr. Rascal. Speak, my child. Will you not? Mena could scarcely summon strength to reply that she had now no longer any hopes or desires on earth, and that she was entirely at her father's disposal. Rascal was therefore immediately sent for and entered the room with his usual forwardness. But Mena, in the meantime, had swooned away. My detested companion looked at me indignantly and whispered, Can you endure this? Having no blood in your veins? He instantly pricked my finger which bled. Yes, positively, he exclaimed. You have some blood left. Come, sign. The parchment and the pin were in my hand. End of Section 8, Chapter 3, Peter's Slamio, by Adelbert von Comiso. Section 9 of Stories by Foreign Authors, German Authors, Volume 2. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by William Jones, Benita Springs, Florida. Stories by Foreign Authors, German Authors, Volume 2, by Various. Chapter 4, Peter's Slamio, by Adelbert von Comiso. Chapter 4, I submit myself to thy judgment, my dear Comiso. I do not seek to bias it. I have long been a rigid censor of myself and nourished at my heart the worm of remorse. This critical moment of my life is ever-present to my soul, and I dare only cast a hesitating glance at it with a deep sense of humiliation and grief. Ah, my dear friend, he who once permits himself thoughtlessly to deviate but one step from the right road will imperceptibly find himself involved in various intricate paths, all leading him farther and farther astray. In vain, he beholds the guiding stars of heaven shining before him. No choice is left him. He must descend the precipice and offer himself up a sacrifice to his fate. After the false step which I had rashly made and which entailed a curse on me, I had, in the wantonness of passion, entangled one in my fate who had staked all her happiness upon me. What was left for me to do in a case where I had brought another end to misery but to make a desperate leap in the dark to save her. The last, the only means of rescue, presented itself. Think not so meanly of me, Comiso, as to imagine that I would have shrunk from any sacrifice on my part. In such a case, it would have been but a poor ransom. No, Comiso, but my whole soul was filled with unconquerable hatred to the cringing nave and his crooked ways. I might be doing him injustice, but I shuddered at the bare idea of entering into any fresh compact with him. But here, a circumstance took place which entirely changed the face of things. I know not whether to ascribe it to excitement of mind, exhaustion of physical strength, for during the past few days I had scarcely tasted anything, or the antipathy I felt to the society of my fiendish companion. But just as I was about to sign the fatal paper, I fell into a deep swoon and remained for a long time as if dead. The first sound which greeted my ears on recovering my consciousness were those of cursing and imprecation. I opened my eyes, it was dusk, my hatred companion was overwhelming me with reproaches. Is not this behaving like an old woman? Come, rise up and finish quickly what you were going to do, or perhaps you have changed your determination and prefer to lie groaning there. I raced myself with difficulty from the ground and gazed around me with thoughts being a word. It was late in the evening and I heard strains of fistic music proceeding from the rangers brilliantly illuminated house. Groups of company were lounging about the gardens. Two persons approached and seating themselves on the bench I had lightly occupied began to converse on the subject of the marriage which had taken place that morning between the wealthy Mr. Rascal and Mina. All was then over. I tore off the cap which rendered me invisible and my companion having disappeared I plunged in silence into the thickest gloom of the grove rapidly past Count Peter's bower toward the entrance gate. But my tormentor still haunted me and loaded me with reproaches. And is this all a gratitude I am to expect from you Mr. Shlamil? You whom I have been watching all the very day until you could recover from your nervous attack? What a fool's part I have been enacting. It is of no use flying from me, Mr. Perverse. We are inseparable. You have my gold, I have your shadow. This exchange deprives us both of peace. Did you ever hear of a man's shadow leaving him? Yours follows me until you receive it again into favor and thus free me from it. Disgust and worrying a sooner or later will compel you to do what you should have done gladly at first. In vain you strive with fate. He continued unceasingly in the same tone uttering constant sarcasms about the gold and the shadow till I was completely bewildered. To fly from him was impossible. I had pursued my way through the empty streets toward my house which I could scarcely recognize. The windows were broken to pieces. No light was visible. The doors were shut and the bustle of domestics had ceased. My companion burst into a loud laugh. Yes, yes, said he. You see the state of things. However you will find your friend Indel at home. He was sent back the other day so fatigued that I assure you he has never left the house since. He will have a fine story to tell. So I wish you a very good night. May we shortly meet again. I had repeatedly rung the bell. At last a light appeared and Indel inquired from within who was there. The poor fellow could scarcely contain himself at the sound of my voice. The door flew open and we were locked in each other's arms. I found him sadly changed. He was looking ill and feeble. I too was altered. My hair had become quite gray. He conducted me through the desolate apartments to an inner room which had escaped the general wreck. After partaking of some refreshments we seated ourselves and with fresh lamentations he began to tell me that the gray, withered old man whom he had met with my shadow had insensibly let him such a zigzag race that he had lost all traces of me and at last sank down exhausted with fatigue. That unable to find me he had returned home when shortly after the mob at Rascal's instigation assembled violently before the house broke the windows and by all sorts of excesses completely satiated their fury. Thus they had treated their benefactor. My servants had fled in all directions. The police had banished me from the town as a suspicious character and granted me an interval of 24 hours to leave the territory. Indel added many particulars as to the information I had already obtained respecting Rascal's wealth and marriage. This villain it seems who was the author of all the measures taken against me became possessed of my secret nearly from the beginning and tempted by the love of money had supplied himself with a key to my chest and from that time had been laying out the foundation of his present wealth. Bendel related all this with many tears and wept for joy that I was once more safely restored to him after all his fears and anxieties for me. In me however such a state of things only awoke despair. My dreadful fate now stared me in the face in all its gigantic and unchangeable horror. The source of tears was exhausted within me. No groans escaped my breast but with cool indifference I bared my unprotected head to the blast. Bendel said I you know my fate this heavy visitation is a punishment for my early sins but as for thee my innocent friend I can no longer permit thee to share my destiny. I will depart this very night saddle me a horse I will set out alone remain here bendel I insist on it there must be some chests of gold still left in the house take them they are thine I shall be a restless and solitary wanderer on the face of the earth but should better days arise and fortune once more smile propitiously on me then I will not forget thy steady fidelity for in hours of deep distress thy faithful bosom has been the depository of my sorrows with a bursting heart the worthy bendel prepared to obey this last command of his master for I was deaf to all his arguments and blind to his tears my horse was brought I pressed my weeping friend to my bosom threw myself into the saddle and under the friendly shades of night quitted the sepulchre of my existence indifferent which road my horse should take for now on this side of the grave I had neither wishes hopes nor fears after a short time I was joined by a traveler on foot who after walking for a while by the side of my horse observed that as we both seem to be traveling the same road he should beg my permission to lay his cloak on the horse's back behind me to which I silently assented he thanked me with easy politeness for this trifling favor praised my horse and then took occasion to extol the happiness and the power of the rich and fell I scarcely know how into a sort of conversation with himself in which I merely acted out the part of listener he unfolded his views of human life and of the world and touching on metaphysics demanded an answer from that cloudy science to the question of questions the answer that should solve all mysteries he deduced one problem from another in a very lucid manner and then proceeded to their solution you may remember my dear friend that after having run through the school philosophy I became sensible of my unfitness for metaphysical speculations and therefore totally abstained from engaging in them since then I have acquiesced in some things and abandoned all hope of comprehending others trusting as you advised me to my own plain sense and the voice of conscience to direct and if possible maintain me in the right path now this skillful rhetorician seemed to me to expand great skill in rearing a firmly constructed edifice towering aloft on its self-supported basis but resting on and upheld by some internal principle of necessity I regretted in it the total absence of what I desired to find and thus it seemed a mere work of art serving only by its elegance and exquisite finish to captivate the eye nevertheless I listened with pleasure to this eloquently gifted man we diverted my attention from my own sorrows to the speaker and he would have secured my entire acquiescence if he had appealed to my heart as well as to my judgment in the meantime the hours had passed away and mourning had already dawned imperceptibly in the horizon looking up I shuttered as I beheld in the east all those splendid hues that announced the rising sun at this hour when all natural shadows are seen in their full proportions not a fence or shelter of any kind could I describe in this open country and I was not alone I cast a glance at my companion and shuttered again it was the man in the gray coat himself he left at my surprise and said without giving me time to speak you see according to the fashion of this world mutual convenience binds us together for a time there is plenty of time to think of parting the road here along the mountain which perhaps has escaped your notice is the only one that you can prudently take into the valley you dare not descend the path over the mountains would but re conduct you to the town of which you have left my road to lies this way I perceive you change color at the rising sun I have no objections to let you have the loan of your shadow during our journey and in return you may not be in disposed to tolerate my society you have now no bindel but I will act for him I regret that you are not over fond of me but that need not prevent you from accepting my poor services the devil is not so black as he is painted yesterday you provoked me I own but now that is all forgotten and you must confess I have this day succeeded in beguiling the worrisomeness of your journey come take your shadow and make a trial of it sun had risen and we were meeting with passengers so I reluctantly consented with a smile he immediately let my shadow glide down to the ground and I beheld it take its place by that of my horse and gaily trot along with me my feelings were anything but pleasant I rode through groups of country people who respectfully made way for the well-mounted stranger thus I proceeded occasionally stealing a side long glance with a beating heart from my horse at the shadow once my own but now alas accepted as a loan from a stranger or rather a fiend he moved on carelessly at my side whistling a song he being on foot and I on horseback the temptation to hazard a silly project occurred to me so suddenly turning my bridle I set spurs to my horse and at full gallop struck into a bypass but my shadow on the sudden movement of my horse glided away and stood on the roads quietly awaiting the approach of this legal owner I was obliged to return a bash toward the gray man but he very coolly finished his song and with a laugh set my shadow to rights again reminded me that it was at my option to have it irrevocably fixed to me by purchasing it on just and equitable terms I hold you said he by the shadow and you seek in vain to get rid of me a rich man like you requires a shadow unquestionably and you are to blame for not having seen this sooner I now continued my journey on the same road every convenience and even luxury of life was mine I moved about in peace and freedom for I possessed the shadow though a borrowed one and all the respect to due to wealth was paid to me but a deadly disease preyed on my heart my extraordinary companion who gave himself out to be the humble attendant of the individual in the world was remarkable for his dexterity in short his singular address and promptitude admirably fitted him to be the very bull ideal of a rich man's lackey but he never stirred from my sight and tormented me with constant assurances that a day would most certainly come when if it were only to get rid of him I should gladly comply with his terms and redeem my shadow thus he became as irksome as he was hateful to me I really stood in all of him I had placed myself in his power since he had affected my return to the pleasures of the world which I had resolved to shun he had the perfect mastery of me his eloquence was irresistible and at times I almost thought he was in the right a shadow is indeed necessary to a man of fortune and if I chose to maintain the position in which he had placed me there was only one means of doing so but on one point I was immovable since I had sacrificed my love for menna and thereby blighted the happiness of my whole life I would not now for all the shadows in the universe be induced to sign away my soul to this being I knew not how it might end one day we were sitting by the entrance of a cavern much visited by strangers who ascended the mountain the rushing noise of a subterranean torrent resounded from the fathomless abyss the depth of which exceeded all calculation he was according to his favorite custom employing all the powers of his lavish fancy and all the charm of the most brilliant coloring to depict to me what I might effect in the world by virtue of my purse when once I had recovered my shadow with my elbows resting on my knees I kept my face concealed in my hands and listen to the false friend my heart torn between the temptation and my determined opposition to it such indecision I could no longer endure and resolved on one decisive effort you seem to forget said I that I tolerate your presence only on certain conditions and that I am to retain perfect freedom of action you have but to command and I depart was all his reply the threat was familiar to me I was silent he then began to fold up my shadow I turned pale but allowed him to continue a long silence ensued which he was the first to break you cannot endure me mr. schlemiel you hate me I am aware of it but why is it perhaps because you attacked me on the open plane in order to rob me of my invisible bird's nest or is it because you thievishly endeavored to seduce away the shadow which I had entrusted you my own property confiding implicitly in your honor I for my part have no dislike to you it is perfectly natural that you should avail yourselves of every means presented either by cunning or force to promote your own interests that your principle should also be of the strictest sort and your attentions of the most honorable description these are fancies with which I have nothing to do I do not pretend to such strictness myself each of us is free I to act and you to think it seems best did I ever seize you by the throat to tear out of your body that valuable soul I so ardently wish to possess did I ever set my servant to attack you to get back my purse or attempt to run off with it from you I had not a word to reply well well well he explained you detest me and I know it but I bear you no malice on that account we must part that is clear also I must say that you begin to be very tiresome to me once more let me advise you to free yourself entirely from my troublesome presence by the purchase of your shadow I held out the purse to him no Mr. Chlamil not at that price with a deep sigh I said be it so then let us part I entreat cross my path no more there is surely room enough in the world for us both laughing he replied I go but just allow me to inform you how you may at any time call me whenever you have a mind to see your most humble servant you have only to shake your purse the sound of the gold will bring me to you in an instant in this world everyone consults his own advantage but you see I have thought of yours and clearly confer upon you a new power oh this purse it would still prove a powerful bond between us had the moth begun to devour your shadow but enough you hold me by my gold and may commend your servant at any distance you know that I can be very serviceable to my friends and that the rich are my peculiar care this you have observed as to your shadow allow me to say you can only redeem it on one condition recollections of former days came over me and I hastily asked him if he had obtained Mr. Thomas John's signature he smiled and said there was by no means necessary from so excellent a friend where is he for god's sake tell me I insist on knowing with some hesitation he put his hand into his pocket and drew out the altered and pallid form of Mr. John by the hair of his head whose livid lips uttered the awful words you still you dick you day you dick hat assume you still you dick you day condom not assume I am judged and condemned by the just judgment of God I was horror struck and instantly throwing the jingling person to the abyss I exclaimed wretch in the name of heaven I can jury you to be gone away from my sight never appear before me again with a dark expression on his countenance he rose and immediately vanished behind the huge rocks which surround the place end of section 9 chapter 4 peter schlamio by adalbert phone camiso