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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/22664-h.zip b/22664-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..538d3a3 --- /dev/null +++ b/22664-h.zip diff --git a/22664-h/22664-h.htm b/22664-h/22664-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..9bd3f18 --- /dev/null +++ b/22664-h/22664-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,930 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Severed Hand, by Wilhelm Hauff + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Severed Hand, by Wilhelm Hauff + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Severed Hand + From "German Tales" Published by the American Publishers' Corporation + +Author: Wilhelm Hauff + +Release Date: September 18, 2007 [EBook #22664] +Last Updated: February 4, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEVERED HAND *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE SEVERED HAND + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Wilhelm Hauff + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + From "German Tales." Published by the American Publishers' Corporation. + <br /> <br /> 1869 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + I was born in Constantinople; my father was a dragoman at the Porte, and + besides, carried on a fairly lucrative business in sweet-scented perfumes + and silk goods. He gave me a good education; he partly instructed me + himself, and also had me instructed by one of our priests. He at first + intended me to succeed him in business one day, but as I showed greater + aptitude than he had expected, he destined me, on the advice of his + friends, to be a doctor; for if a doctor has learned a little more than + the ordinary charlatan, he can make his fortune in Constantinople. Many + Franks frequented our house, and one of them persuaded my father to allow + me to travel to his native land to the city of Paris, where such things + could be best acquired and free of charge. He wished, however, to take me + with himself gratuitously on his journey home. My father, who had also + travelled in his youth, agreed, and the Frank told me to hold myself in + readiness three months hence. I was beside myself with joy at the idea of + seeing foreign countries, and eagerly awaited the moment when we should + embark. The Frank had at last concluded his business and prepared himself + for the journey. On the evening before our departure my father led me into + his little bedroom. There I saw splendid dresses and arms lying on the + table. My looks were however chiefly attracted to an immense heap of gold, + for I had never before seen so much collected together. + </p> + <p> + My father embraced me and said: "Behold, my son, I have procured for thee + clothes for the journey. These weapons are thine; they are the same which + thy grandfather hung around me when I went abroad. I know that thou canst + use them aright; but only make use of them when thou art attacked; on such + occasions, how-over, defend thyself bravely. My property is not large; + behold I have divided it into three parts, one part for thee, another for + my support and spare money, but the third is to me a sacred and untouched + property, it is for thee in the hour of need." Thus spoke my old father, + tears standing in his eyes, perhaps from some foreboding, for I never saw + him again. + </p> + <p> + The journey passed off very well; we had soon reached the land of the + Franks, and six days later we arrived in the large city of Paris. There my + Frankish friend hired a room for me, and advised me to spend wisely my + money, which amounted in all to two thousand dollars. I lived three years + in this city, and learned what is necessary for a skilful doctor to know. + I should not, however, be stating the truth if I said that I liked being + there, for the customs of this nation displeased me; besides, I had only a + few chosen friends there, and these were noble young men. + </p> + <p> + The longing after home at last possessed me mightily; during the whole of + that time I had not heard anything from my father, and I therefore seized + a favorable opportunity of reaching home. An embassy from France left for + Turkey. I acted as surgeon to the suite of the Ambassador and arrived + happily in Stamboul. My father's house was locked, and the neighbors, who + were surprised on seeing me, told me my father had died two months ago. + The priest who had instructed me in my youth brought me the key; alone and + desolate I entered the empty house. All was still in the same position as + my father had left it, only the gold which I was to inherit was gone. I + questioned the priest about it, and he, bowing, said: "Your father died a + saint, for he has bequeathed his gold to the Church." This was and + remained inexplicable to me. However, what could I do? I had no witness + against the priest, and had to be glad that he had not considered the + house and the goods of my father as a bequest. This was the first + misfortune that I encountered. Henceforth nothing but ill-luck attended + me. My reputation as doctor would not spread at all, because I was ashamed + to act the charlatan; and I felt everywhere the want of the recommendation + of my father, who would have introduced me to the richest and most + distinguished, but who now no longer thought of the poor Zaleukos! The + goods of my father also had no sale, for his customers had deserted him + after his death, and new ones are only to be got slowly. + </p> + <p> + Thus when I was one day meditating sadly over my position, it occurred to + me that I had often seen in France men of my nation travelling through the + country exhibiting their goods in the markets of the towns. I remembered + that the people liked to buy of them, because they came from abroad, and + that such a business would be most lucrative. Immediately I resolved what + to do. I disposed of my father's house, gave part of the money to a trusty + friend to keep for me, and with the rest I bought what are very rare in + France, shawls, silk goods, ointments, and oils, took a berth on board a + ship, and thus entered upon my second journey to the land of the Franks. + It seemed as if fortune had favored me again as soon as I had turned my + back upon the Castles of the Dardanelles. Our journey was short and + successful. I travelled through the large and small towns of the Franks, + and found everywhere willing buyers of my goods. My friend in Stamboul + always sent me fresh stores, and my wealth increased day by day. When I + had saved at last so much that I thought I might venture on a greater + undertaking, I travelled with my goods to Italy. I must however confess to + something, which brought me not a little money: I also employed my + knowledge of physic. On reaching a town, I had it published that a Greek + physician had arrived, who had already healed many; and in fact my balsam + and medicine gained me many a sequin. Thus I had at length reached the + city of Florence in Italy. + </p> + <p> + I resolved upon remaining in this town for some time, partly because I + liked it so well, partly also because I wished to recruit myself from the + exertions of my travels. I hired a vaulted shop, in that part of the town + called Sta. Croce, and not far from this a couple of nice rooms at an inn, + leading out upon a balcony. I immediately had my bills circulated, which + announced me to be both physician and merchant. Scarcely had I opened my + shop when I was besieged by buyers, and in spite of my high prices I sold + more than any one else, because I was obliging and friendly towards my + customers. Thus I had already lived four days happily in Florence, when + one evening, as I was about to close my vaulted room, and on examining + once more the contents of my ointment boxes, as I was in the habit of + doing, I found in one of the small boxes a piece of paper, which I did not + remember to have put into it. + </p> + <p> + I unfolded the paper, and found in it an invitation to be on the bridge + which is called Ponto Vecchio that night exactly at midnight. I was + thinking for a long time as to who it might be who had invited me there; + and not knowing a single soul in Florence, I thought perhaps I should be + secretly conducted to a patient, a thing which had already often occurred. + I therefore determined to proceed thither, but took care to gird on the + sword which my father had once presented to me. When it was close upon + midnight I set out on my journey, and soon reached the Ponte Vecchio. I + found the bridge deserted, and determined to await the appearance of him + who called me. It was a cold night; the moon shone brightly, and I looked + down upon the waves of the Arno, which sparkled far away in the moonlight. + It was now striking twelve o'clock from all the churches of the city, when + I looked up and saw a tall man standing before me completely covered in a + scarlet cloak, one end of which hid his face. + </p> + <p> + At first I was somewhat frightened, because he had made his appearance so + suddenly; but was however myself again shortly afterwards, and said: "If + it is you who have ordered me here, say what you want?" The man dressed in + scarlet turned round and said in an undertone: + </p> + <p> + "Follow!" At this, however, I felt a little timid to go alone with this + stranger. I stood still and said: "Not so, sir, kindly first tell me + where; you might also let me see your countenance a little, in order to + convince me that you wish me no harm." The red one, however, did not seem + to pay any attention to this. "If thou art unwilling, Zaleukos, remain," + he replied, and continued his way. I grew angry. "Do you think," I + exclaimed, "a man like myself allows himself to be made a fool of, and to + have waited on this cold night for nothing?" + </p> + <p> + In three bounds I had reached him, seized him by his cloak, and cried + still louder, whilst laying hold of my sabre with my other hand. His + cloak, however, remained in my hand, and the stranger had disappeared + round the nearest corner. I became calmer by degrees. I had the cloak at + any rate, and it was this which would give me the key to this remarkable + adventure. I put it on and continued my way home. When I was at a distance + of about a hundred paces from it, some one brushed very closely by me and + whispered in the language of the Franks: "Take care, Count, nothing can be + done to-night." Before I had time, however, to turn round, this somebody + had passed, and I merely saw a shadow hovering along the houses. I + perceived that these words did not concern me, but rather the cloak, yet + it gave me no explanation concerning the affair. On the following morning + I considered what was to be done. At first I had intended to have the + cloak cried in the streets, as if I had found it. But then the stranger + might send for it by a third person, and thus no light would be thrown + upon the matter. Whilst I was thus thinking, I examined the cloak more + closely. It was made of thick Genoese velvet, scarlet in color, edged with + Astrachan fur and richly embroidered with gold. The magnificent appearance + of the cloak put a thought into my mind which I resolved to carry out. + </p> + <p> + I carried it into my shop and exposed it for sale, but placed such a high + price upon it that I was sure nobody would buy it. My object in this was + to scrutinize everybody sharply who might ask for the fur cloak; for the + figure of the stranger, which I had seen but superficially, though with + some certainty, after the loss of the cloak, I should recognize amongst a + thousand. There were many would-be purchasers for the cloak, the + extraordinary beauty of which attracted everybody; but none resembled the + stranger in the slightest degree, and nobody was willing to pay such a + high price as two hundred sequins for it. What astonished me was that on + asking somebody or other if there was not such a cloak in Florence, they + all answered "No," and assured me they never had seen so precious and + tasteful a piece of work. + </p> + <p> + Evening was drawing near, when at last a young man appeared, who had + already been to my place, and who had also offered me a great deal for the + cloak. He threw a purse with sequins upon the table, and exclaimed: "Of a + truth, Zaleukos, I must have thy cloak, should I turn into a beggar over + it!" He immediately began to count his pieces of gold. I was in a + dangerous position: I had only exposed the cloak, in order merely to + attract the attention of my stranger, and now a young fool came to pay an + immense price for it. However, what could I do? I yielded; for on the + other hand I was delighted at the idea of being so handsomely recompensed + for my nocturnal adventure. + </p> + <p> + The young man put the cloak around him and went away, but on reaching the + threshold he returned; whilst unfastening a piece of paper which had been + tied to the cloak, and throwing it towards me, he exclaimed: "Here, + Zaleukos, hangs something which I dare say does not belong to the cloak." + I picked up the piece of paper carelessly, but behold, on it these words + were written: "Bring the cloak at the appointed hour to-night to the Ponte + Vecchio, four hundred sequins are thine." I stood thunderstruck. Thus I + had lost my fortune and completely missed my aim! Yet I did not think + long. I picked up the two hundred sequins, jumped after the one who had + bought the cloak, and said: "Dear friend, take back your sequins, and give + me the cloak; I cannot possibly part with it." He first regarded the + matter as a joke; but when he saw that I was in earnest, he became angry + at my demand, called me a fool, and finally it came to blows. + </p> + <p> + However, I was fortunate enough to wrench the cloak from him in the + scuffle, and was about to run away with it, when the young man called the + police to his assistance, and we both appeared before the judge. The + latter was much surprised at the accusation, and adjudicated the cloak in + favor of my adversary. I offered the young man twenty, fifty, eighty, even + a hundred sequins in addition to his two hundred, if he would part with + the cloak. What my entreaties could not do, my gold did. He accepted it. + I, however, went away with the cloak triumphantly, and had to appear to + the whole town of Florence as a madman. I did not care, however, about the + opinion of the people; I knew better than they that I profited after all + by the bargain. + </p> + <p> + Impatiently I awaited the night. At the same hour as before I went with + the Cloak under my arm towards the Ponte Vecchio. With the last stroke of + twelve the figure appeared out of the darkness, and came towards me. It + was unmistakably the man whom I had seen yesterday. "Hast thou the cloak?" + he asked me. "Yes, sir," I replied; "but it cost me a hundred sequins + ready money." "I know it," replied the other. "Look here, here are four + hundred." He went with me towards the wide balustrade of the bridge, and + counted out the money. There were four hundred; they sparkled + magnificently in the moonlight; their glitter rejoiced my heart. Alas, I + did not anticipate that this would be its last joy. I put the money into + my pocket, and was desirous of thoroughly looking at my kind and unknown + stranger; but he wore a mask, through which dark eyes stared at me + frightfully. "I thank you, sir, for your kindness," I said to him; "what + else do you require of me? I tell you beforehand it must be an honorable + transaction." "There is no occasion for alarm," he replied, whilst winding + the cloak around his shoulders; "I require your assistance as surgeon, not + for one alive, but dead." + </p> + <p> + "What do you mean?" I exclaimed, full of surprise. "I arrived with my + sister from abroad," he said, and beckoned me at the same time to follow + him. "I lived here with her at the house of a friend. My sister died + yesterday suddenly of a disease, and my relatives wish to bury her + to-morrow. According to an old custom of our family all are to be buried + in the tomb of our ancestors; many, notwithstanding, who died in foreign + countries are buried there and embalmed. I do not grudge my relatives her + body, but for my father I want at least the head of his daughter, in order + that he may see her once more." This custom of severing the heads of + beloved relatives appeared to me somewhat awful, yet I did not dare to + object to it lest I should offend the stranger. I told him that I was + acquainted with the embalming of the dead, and begged him to conduct me to + the deceased. Yet I could not help asking him why all this must be done so + mysteriously and at night? He answered me that his relatives, who + considered his intention horrible, objected to it by daylight; if only the + head were severed, then they could say no more about it; although he might + have brought me the head, yet a natural feeling had prevented him from + severing it himself. + </p> + <p> + In the meantime we had reached a large, splendid house. My companion + pointed it out to me as the end of our nocturnal walk. We passed the + principal entrance of the house, entered a little door, which the stranger + carefully locked behind him, and now ascended in the dark a narrow spiral + staircase. It led towards a dimly lighted passage, out of which we entered + a room lighted by a lamp fastened to the ceiling. + </p> + <p> + In this room was a bed, on which the corpse lay. The stranger turned aside + his face, evidently endeavoring to hide his tears. He pointed towards the + bed, telling me to do my business well and quickly, and left the room. + </p> + <p> + I took my instruments, which I as surgeon always carried about with me, + and approached the bed. Only the head of the corpse was visible, and it + was so beautiful that I experienced involuntarily the deepest sympathy. + Dark hair hung down in long plaits, the features were pale, the eyes + closed. At first I made an incision into the skin, after the manner of + surgeons when amputating a limb. I then took my sharpest knife, and with + one stroke cut the throat. But oh, horror! The dead opened her eyes, but + immediately closed them again, and with a deep sigh she now seemed to + breathe her last. At the same moment a stream of hot blood shot towards me + from the wound. I was convinced that the poor creature had been killed by + me. That she was dead there was no doubt, for there was no recovery from + this wound. I stood for some minutes in painful anguish at what had + happened. Had the "red-cloak" deceived me, or had his sister perhaps + merely been apparently dead? The latter seemed to me more likely. But I + dare not tell the brother of the deceased that perhaps a little less + deliberate cut might have awakened her without killing her; therefore I + wished to sever the head completely; but once more the dying woman + groaned, stretched herself out in painful movements, and died. + </p> + <p> + Fright overpowered me, and, shuddering, I hastened out of the room. But + outside in the passage it was dark; for the light was out, no trace of my + companion was to be seen, and I was obliged, haphazard, to feel my way in + the dark along the wall, in order to reach the staircase. I discovered it + at last and descended, partly falling and partly gliding. But there was + not a soul downstairs. I merely found the door ajar, and breathed freer on + reaching the street, for I had felt very strange inside the house. Urged + on by terror, I rushed towards my dwelling-place, and buried myself in the + cushions of my bed, in order to forget the terrible thing that I had done. + </p> + <p> + But sleep deserted me, and only the morning admonished me again to take + courage. It seemed to me probable that the man who had induced me to + commit this nefarious deed, as it now appeared to me, might not denounce + me. I immediately resolved to set to work in my vaulted room, and if + possible to assume an indifferent look. But alas! an additional + circumstance, which I only now noticed, increased my anxiety still more. + My cap and my girdle, as well as my instruments, were wanting, and I was + uncertain as to whether I had left them in the room of the murdered girl, + or whether I had lost them in my flight. The former seemed indeed the more + likely, and thus I could easily be discovered as the murderer. + </p> + <p> + At the accustomed hour I opened my vaulted room. My neighbor came in, as + was his wont every morning, for he was a talkative man. "Well," he said, + "what do you say about the terrible affair which has occurred during the + night?" I pretended not to know anything. "What, do you not know what is + known all over the town? Are you not aware that the loveliest flower in + Florence, Bianca, the Governor's daughter, was murdered last night? I saw + her only yesterday driving through the streets in so cheerful a manner + with her intended one, for to-day the marriage was to have taken place." I + felt deeply wounded at each word of my neighbor. Many a time my torment + was renewed, for every one of my customers told me of the affair, each one + more ghastly than the other, and yet nobody could relate anything more + terrible than that which I had seen myself. + </p> + <p> + About mid-day a police-officer entered my shop and requested me to send + the people away. "Signor Zaleukos," he said, producing the things which I + had missed, "do these things belong to you?" I was thinking as to whether + I should not entirely repudiate them, but on seeing through the door, + which stood ajar, my landlord and several acquaintances, I determined not + to aggravate the affair by telling a lie, and acknowledged myself as the + owner of the things. The police-officer asked me to follow him, and led me + towards a large building which I soon recognized as the prison. There he + showed me into a room meanwhile. + </p> + <p> + My situation was terrible, as I thought of it in my solitude. The idea of + having committed a murder, unintentionally, constantly presented itself to + my mind. I also could not conceal from myself that the glitter of the gold + had captivated my feelings, otherwise I should not have fallen blindly + into the trap. Two hours after my arrest I was led out of my cell. I + descended several steps until at last I reached a great hall. Around a + long table draped in black were seated twelve men, mostly old men. There + were benches along the sides of the hall, filled with the most + distinguished of Florence. The galleries, which were above, were thickly + crowded with spectators. When I had stepped towards the table covered with + black cloth, a man with a gloomy and sad countenance rose; it was the + Governor. He said to the assembly that he as the father in this affair + could not sentence, and that he resigned his place on this occasion to the + eldest of the Senators. The eldest of the Senators was an old man at least + ninety years of age. He stood in a bent attitude, and his temples were + covered with thin white hair, but his eyes were as yet very fiery, and his + voice powerful and weighty. He commenced by asking me whether I confessed + to the murder. I requested him to allow me to speak, and related + undauntedly and with a clear voice what I had done, and what I knew. + </p> + <p> + I noticed that the Governor, during my recital, at one time turned pale, + and at another time red. When I had finished, he rose angrily: "What, + wretch!" he exclaimed, "dost thou even dare to impute a crime which thou + hast committed from greediness to another?" The Senator reprimanded him + for his interruption, since he had voluntarily renounced his right; + besides it was not clear that I did the deed from greediness, for, + according to his own statement, nothing had been stolen from the victim. + He even went further. He told the Governor that he must give an account of + the early life of his daughter, for then only it would be possible to + decide whether I had spoken the truth or not. At the same time he + adjourned the court for the day, in order, as he said, to consult the + papers of the deceased, which the Governor would give him. I was again + taken back to my prison, where I spent a wretched day, always fervently + wishing that a link between the deceased and the "red-cloak" might be + discovered. Full of hope, I entered the Court of Justice the next day. + Several letters were lying upon the table. The old Senator asked me + whether they were in my handwriting. I looked at them and noticed that + they must have been written by the same hand as the other two papers which + I had received. I communicated this to the Senators, but no attention was + paid to it, and they told me that I might have written both, for the + signature of the letters was undoubtedly a Z., the first letter of my + name. The letters, however, contained threats against the deceased, and + warnings against the marriage which she was about to contract. + </p> + <p> + The Governor seemed to have given extraordinary information concerning me, + for I was treated with more suspicion and rigor on this day. I referred, + to justify myself, to my papers which must be in my room, but was told + they had been looked for without success. Thus at the conclusion of this + sitting all hope vanished, and on being brought into the Court the third + day, judgment was pronounced on me. I was convicted of wilful murder and + condemned to death. Things had come to such a pass! Deserted by all that + was precious to me upon earth, far away from home, I was to die innocently + in the bloom of my life. + </p> + <p> + On the evening of this terrible day which had decided my fate, I was + sitting in my lonely cell, my hopes were gone, my thoughts steadfastly + fixed upon death, when the door of my prison opened, and in came a man, + who for a long time looked at me silently. "Is it thus I find you again, + Zaleukos?" he said. I had not recognized him by the dim light of my lamp, + but the sound of his voice roused in me old remembrances. It was Valetti, + one of those few friends whose acquaintance I made in the city of Paris + when I was studying there. He said that he had come to Florence + accidentally, where his father, who was a distinguished man, lived. He had + heard about my affair, and had come to see me once more, and to hear from + my own lips how I could have committed such a crime. I related to him the + whole affair. He seemed much surprised at it, and adjured me, as my only + friend, to tell him all, in order not to leave the world with a lie behind + me. I confirmed my assertions with an oath that I had spoken the truth, + and that I was not guilty of anything, except that the glitter of the gold + had dazzled me, and that I had not perceived the improbability of the + story of the stranger. "Did you not know Bianca?" he asked me. I assured + him that I had never seen her. Valetti now related to me that a profound + mystery rested on the affair, that the Governor had very much accelerated + my condemnation, and now a report was spread that I had known Bianca for a + long time, and had murdered her out of revenge for her marriage with some + one else. I told him that all this coincided exactly with the "red-cloak," + but that I was unable to prove his participation in the affair. Valetti + embraced me weeping, and promised me to do all, at least to save my life. + </p> + <p> + I had little hope, though I knew that Valetti was a clever man, well + versed in the law, and that he would do all in his power to save my life. + For two long days I was in uncertainty; at last Valetti appeared. "I bring + consolation, though painful. You will live and be free with the loss of + one hand." Affected, I thanked my friend for saving my life. He told me + that the Governor had been inexorable in having the affair investigated a + second time, but that he at last, in order not to appear unjust, had + agreed, that if a similar case could be found in the law books of the + history of Florence, my punishment should be the same as the one recorded + in these books. He and his father had searched in the old books day and + night, and at last found a case quite similar to mine. The sentence was: + That his left hand be cut off, his property confiscated, and he himself + banished for ever. This was my punishment also, and he asked me to prepare + for the painful hour which awaited me. I will not describe to you that + terrible hour, when I laid my hand upon the block in the public + market-place and my own blood shot over me in broad streams. + </p> + <p> + Valetti took me to his house until I had recovered; he then most + generously supplied me with money for travelling, for all I had acquired + with so much difficulty had fallen a prey to the law. I left Florence for + Sicily and embarked on the first ship that I found for Constantinople. + </p> + <p> + My hope was fixed upon the sum which I had entrusted to my friend. I also + requested to be allowed to live with him. But how great was my + astonishment on being asked why I did not wish to live in my own house. He + told me that some unknown man had bought a house in the Greek Quarter in + my name, and this very man had also told the neighbors of my early + arrival. I immediately proceeded thither accompanied by my friend, and was + received by all my old acquaintances joyfully. An old merchant gave me a + letter, which the man who had bought the house for me had left behind. I + read as follows: "Zaleukos! Two hands are prepared to work incessantly, in + order that you may not feel the loss of one of yours. The house which you + see and all its contents are yours, and every year you will receive enough + to be counted amongst the rich of your people. Forgive him who is + unhappier than yourself!" I could guess who had written it, and in answer + to my question, the merchant told me it had been a man, whom he took for a + Frank, and who had worn a scarlet cloak. I knew enough to understand that + the stranger was, after all, not entirely devoid of noble intentions. In + my new house I found everything arranged in the best style, also a vaulted + room stored with goods, more splendid than I had ever had. Ten years have + passed since. I still continue my commercial travels, more from old custom + than necessity, yet I have never again seen that country where I became so + unfortunate. Every year since, I have received a thousand gold-pieces; and + although I rejoice to know that unfortunate man to be noble, yet he cannot + relieve me of the sorrow of my soul, for the terrible picture of the + murdered Bianca is continually on my mind. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Severed Hand, by Wilhelm Hauff + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEVERED HAND *** + +***** This file should be named 22664-h.htm or 22664-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/6/6/22664/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Severed Hand + From "German Tales" Published by the American Publishers' Corporation + +Author: Wilhelm Hauff + +Release Date: September 18, 2007 [EBook #22664] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEVERED HAND *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +THE SEVERED HAND + +By Wilhelm Hauff + + +From "German Tales." Published by the American Publishers' Corporation. + +1869 + + +I was born in Constantinople; my father was a dragoman at the Porte, +and besides, carried on a fairly lucrative business in sweet-scented +perfumes and silk goods. He gave me a good education; he partly +instructed me himself, and also had me instructed by one of our priests. +He at first intended me to succeed him in business one day, but as I +showed greater aptitude than he had expected, he destined me, on the +advice of his friends, to be a doctor; for if a doctor has learned a +little more than the ordinary charlatan, he can make his fortune in +Constantinople. Many Franks frequented our house, and one of them +persuaded my father to allow me to travel to his native land to the city +of Paris, where such things could be best acquired and free of charge. +He wished, however, to take me with himself gratuitously on his journey +home. My father, who had also travelled in his youth, agreed, and the +Frank told me to hold myself in readiness three months hence. I was +beside myself with joy at the idea of seeing foreign countries, and +eagerly awaited the moment when we should embark. The Frank had at last +concluded his business and prepared himself for the journey. On the +evening before our departure my father led me into his little bedroom. +There I saw splendid dresses and arms lying on the table. My looks were +however chiefly attracted to an immense heap of gold, for I had never +before seen so much collected together. + +My father embraced me and said: "Behold, my son, I have procured for +thee clothes for the journey. These weapons are thine; they are the same +which thy grandfather hung around me when I went abroad. I know that +thou canst use them aright; but only make use of them when thou art +attacked; on such occasions, how-over, defend thyself bravely. My +property is not large; behold I have divided it into three parts, one +part for thee, another for my support and spare money, but the third +is to me a sacred and untouched property, it is for thee in the hour +of need." Thus spoke my old father, tears standing in his eyes, perhaps +from some foreboding, for I never saw him again. + +The journey passed off very well; we had soon reached the land of the +Franks, and six days later we arrived in the large city of Paris. There +my Frankish friend hired a room for me, and advised me to spend wisely +my money, which amounted in all to two thousand dollars. I lived three +years in this city, and learned what is necessary for a skilful doctor +to know. I should not, however, be stating the truth if I said that +I liked being there, for the customs of this nation displeased me; +besides, I had only a few chosen friends there, and these were noble +young men. + +The longing after home at last possessed me mightily; during the whole +of that time I had not heard anything from my father, and I therefore +seized a favorable opportunity of reaching home. An embassy from France +left for Turkey. I acted as surgeon to the suite of the Ambassador +and arrived happily in Stamboul. My father's house was locked, and the +neighbors, who were surprised on seeing me, told me my father had died +two months ago. The priest who had instructed me in my youth brought me +the key; alone and desolate I entered the empty house. All was still in +the same position as my father had left it, only the gold which I was +to inherit was gone. I questioned the priest about it, and he, bowing, +said: "Your father died a saint, for he has bequeathed his gold to the +Church." This was and remained inexplicable to me. However, what could I +do? I had no witness against the priest, and had to be glad that he had +not considered the house and the goods of my father as a bequest. This +was the first misfortune that I encountered. Henceforth nothing but +ill-luck attended me. My reputation as doctor would not spread at all, +because I was ashamed to act the charlatan; and I felt everywhere the +want of the recommendation of my father, who would have introduced me to +the richest and most distinguished, but who now no longer thought of +the poor Zaleukos! The goods of my father also had no sale, for his +customers had deserted him after his death, and new ones are only to be +got slowly. + +Thus when I was one day meditating sadly over my position, it occurred +to me that I had often seen in France men of my nation travelling +through the country exhibiting their goods in the markets of the towns. +I remembered that the people liked to buy of them, because they +came from abroad, and that such a business would be most lucrative. +Immediately I resolved what to do. I disposed of my father's house, gave +part of the money to a trusty friend to keep for me, and with the rest I +bought what are very rare in France, shawls, silk goods, ointments, +and oils, took a berth on board a ship, and thus entered upon my second +journey to the land of the Franks. It seemed as if fortune had favored +me again as soon as I had turned my back upon the Castles of the +Dardanelles. Our journey was short and successful. I travelled through +the large and small towns of the Franks, and found everywhere willing +buyers of my goods. My friend in Stamboul always sent me fresh stores, +and my wealth increased day by day. When I had saved at last so much +that I thought I might venture on a greater undertaking, I travelled +with my goods to Italy. I must however confess to something, which +brought me not a little money: I also employed my knowledge of physic. +On reaching a town, I had it published that a Greek physician had +arrived, who had already healed many; and in fact my balsam and medicine +gained me many a sequin. Thus I had at length reached the city of +Florence in Italy. + +I resolved upon remaining in this town for some time, partly because I +liked it so well, partly also because I wished to recruit myself from +the exertions of my travels. I hired a vaulted shop, in that part of the +town called Sta. Croce, and not far from this a couple of nice rooms +at an inn, leading out upon a balcony. I immediately had my bills +circulated, which announced me to be both physician and merchant. +Scarcely had I opened my shop when I was besieged by buyers, and in +spite of my high prices I sold more than any one else, because I was +obliging and friendly towards my customers. Thus I had already lived +four days happily in Florence, when one evening, as I was about to close +my vaulted room, and on examining once more the contents of my ointment +boxes, as I was in the habit of doing, I found in one of the small boxes +a piece of paper, which I did not remember to have put into it. + +I unfolded the paper, and found in it an invitation to be on the bridge +which is called Ponto Vecchio that night exactly at midnight. I was +thinking for a long time as to who it might be who had invited me there; +and not knowing a single soul in Florence, I thought perhaps I should +be secretly conducted to a patient, a thing which had already often +occurred. I therefore determined to proceed thither, but took care to +gird on the sword which my father had once presented to me. When it was +close upon midnight I set out on my journey, and soon reached the +Ponte Vecchio. I found the bridge deserted, and determined to await the +appearance of him who called me. It was a cold night; the moon shone +brightly, and I looked down upon the waves of the Arno, which sparkled +far away in the moonlight. It was now striking twelve o'clock from all +the churches of the city, when I looked up and saw a tall man standing +before me completely covered in a scarlet cloak, one end of which hid +his face. + +At first I was somewhat frightened, because he had made his appearance +so suddenly; but was however myself again shortly afterwards, and said: +"If it is you who have ordered me here, say what you want?" The man +dressed in scarlet turned round and said in an undertone: + +"Follow!" At this, however, I felt a little timid to go alone with this +stranger. I stood still and said: "Not so, sir, kindly first tell me +where; you might also let me see your countenance a little, in order +to convince me that you wish me no harm." The red one, however, did not +seem to pay any attention to this. "If thou art unwilling, Zaleukos, +remain," he replied, and continued his way. I grew angry. "Do you +think," I exclaimed, "a man like myself allows himself to be made a fool +of, and to have waited on this cold night for nothing?" + +In three bounds I had reached him, seized him by his cloak, and cried +still louder, whilst laying hold of my sabre with my other hand. His +cloak, however, remained in my hand, and the stranger had disappeared +round the nearest corner. I became calmer by degrees. I had the cloak at +any rate, and it was this which would give me the key to this remarkable +adventure. I put it on and continued my way home. When I was at a +distance of about a hundred paces from it, some one brushed very closely +by me and whispered in the language of the Franks: "Take care, Count, +nothing can be done to-night." Before I had time, however, to turn +round, this somebody had passed, and I merely saw a shadow hovering +along the houses. I perceived that these words did not concern me, but +rather the cloak, yet it gave me no explanation concerning the affair. +On the following morning I considered what was to be done. At first I +had intended to have the cloak cried in the streets, as if I had found +it. But then the stranger might send for it by a third person, and thus +no light would be thrown upon the matter. Whilst I was thus thinking, +I examined the cloak more closely. It was made of thick Genoese velvet, +scarlet in color, edged with Astrachan fur and richly embroidered with +gold. The magnificent appearance of the cloak put a thought into my mind +which I resolved to carry out. + +I carried it into my shop and exposed it for sale, but placed such a +high price upon it that I was sure nobody would buy it. My object in +this was to scrutinize everybody sharply who might ask for the +fur cloak; for the figure of the stranger, which I had seen but +superficially, though with some certainty, after the loss of the +cloak, I should recognize amongst a thousand. There were many would-be +purchasers for the cloak, the extraordinary beauty of which attracted +everybody; but none resembled the stranger in the slightest degree, and +nobody was willing to pay such a high price as two hundred sequins for +it. What astonished me was that on asking somebody or other if there +was not such a cloak in Florence, they all answered "No," and assured me +they never had seen so precious and tasteful a piece of work. + +Evening was drawing near, when at last a young man appeared, who had +already been to my place, and who had also offered me a great deal for +the cloak. He threw a purse with sequins upon the table, and exclaimed: +"Of a truth, Zaleukos, I must have thy cloak, should I turn into a +beggar over it!" He immediately began to count his pieces of gold. I was +in a dangerous position: I had only exposed the cloak, in order merely +to attract the attention of my stranger, and now a young fool came to +pay an immense price for it. However, what could I do? I yielded; for +on the other hand I was delighted at the idea of being so handsomely +recompensed for my nocturnal adventure. + +The young man put the cloak around him and went away, but on reaching +the threshold he returned; whilst unfastening a piece of paper which had +been tied to the cloak, and throwing it towards me, he exclaimed: +"Here, Zaleukos, hangs something which I dare say does not belong to +the cloak." I picked up the piece of paper carelessly, but behold, on +it these words were written: "Bring the cloak at the appointed hour +to-night to the Ponte Vecchio, four hundred sequins are thine." I stood +thunderstruck. Thus I had lost my fortune and completely missed my aim! +Yet I did not think long. I picked up the two hundred sequins, jumped +after the one who had bought the cloak, and said: "Dear friend, take +back your sequins, and give me the cloak; I cannot possibly part with +it." He first regarded the matter as a joke; but when he saw that I was +in earnest, he became angry at my demand, called me a fool, and finally +it came to blows. + +However, I was fortunate enough to wrench the cloak from him in the +scuffle, and was about to run away with it, when the young man called +the police to his assistance, and we both appeared before the judge. The +latter was much surprised at the accusation, and adjudicated the cloak +in favor of my adversary. I offered the young man twenty, fifty, eighty, +even a hundred sequins in addition to his two hundred, if he would +part with the cloak. What my entreaties could not do, my gold did. He +accepted it. I, however, went away with the cloak triumphantly, and had +to appear to the whole town of Florence as a madman. I did not care, +however, about the opinion of the people; I knew better than they that I +profited after all by the bargain. + +Impatiently I awaited the night. At the same hour as before I went with +the Cloak under my arm towards the Ponte Vecchio. With the last stroke +of twelve the figure appeared out of the darkness, and came towards me. +It was unmistakably the man whom I had seen yesterday. "Hast thou the +cloak?" he asked me. "Yes, sir," I replied; "but it cost me a hundred +sequins ready money." "I know it," replied the other. "Look here, here +are four hundred." He went with me towards the wide balustrade of +the bridge, and counted out the money. There were four hundred; they +sparkled magnificently in the moonlight; their glitter rejoiced my +heart. Alas, I did not anticipate that this would be its last joy. I put +the money into my pocket, and was desirous of thoroughly looking at my +kind and unknown stranger; but he wore a mask, through which dark eyes +stared at me frightfully. "I thank you, sir, for your kindness," I said +to him; "what else do you require of me? I tell you beforehand it must +be an honorable transaction." "There is no occasion for alarm," he +replied, whilst winding the cloak around his shoulders; "I require your +assistance as surgeon, not for one alive, but dead." + +"What do you mean?" I exclaimed, full of surprise. "I arrived with my +sister from abroad," he said, and beckoned me at the same time to follow +him. "I lived here with her at the house of a friend. My sister died +yesterday suddenly of a disease, and my relatives wish to bury her +to-morrow. According to an old custom of our family all are to be buried +in the tomb of our ancestors; many, notwithstanding, who died in foreign +countries are buried there and embalmed. I do not grudge my relatives +her body, but for my father I want at least the head of his daughter, in +order that he may see her once more." This custom of severing the heads +of beloved relatives appeared to me somewhat awful, yet I did not dare +to object to it lest I should offend the stranger. I told him that I was +acquainted with the embalming of the dead, and begged him to conduct me +to the deceased. Yet I could not help asking him why all this must be +done so mysteriously and at night? He answered me that his relatives, +who considered his intention horrible, objected to it by daylight; +if only the head were severed, then they could say no more about it; +although he might have brought me the head, yet a natural feeling had +prevented him from severing it himself. + +In the meantime we had reached a large, splendid house. My companion +pointed it out to me as the end of our nocturnal walk. We passed the +principal entrance of the house, entered a little door, which the +stranger carefully locked behind him, and now ascended in the dark a +narrow spiral staircase. It led towards a dimly lighted passage, out of +which we entered a room lighted by a lamp fastened to the ceiling. + +In this room was a bed, on which the corpse lay. The stranger turned +aside his face, evidently endeavoring to hide his tears. He pointed +towards the bed, telling me to do my business well and quickly, and left +the room. + +I took my instruments, which I as surgeon always carried about with me, +and approached the bed. Only the head of the corpse was visible, and it +was so beautiful that I experienced involuntarily the deepest sympathy. +Dark hair hung down in long plaits, the features were pale, the eyes +closed. At first I made an incision into the skin, after the manner of +surgeons when amputating a limb. I then took my sharpest knife, and with +one stroke cut the throat. But oh, horror! The dead opened her eyes, but +immediately closed them again, and with a deep sigh she now seemed to +breathe her last. At the same moment a stream of hot blood shot towards +me from the wound. I was convinced that the poor creature had been +killed by me. That she was dead there was no doubt, for there was no +recovery from this wound. I stood for some minutes in painful anguish +at what had happened. Had the "red-cloak" deceived me, or had his +sister perhaps merely been apparently dead? The latter seemed to me more +likely. But I dare not tell the brother of the deceased that perhaps a +little less deliberate cut might have awakened her without killing her; +therefore I wished to sever the head completely; but once more the dying +woman groaned, stretched herself out in painful movements, and died. + +Fright overpowered me, and, shuddering, I hastened out of the room. But +outside in the passage it was dark; for the light was out, no trace of +my companion was to be seen, and I was obliged, haphazard, to feel +my way in the dark along the wall, in order to reach the staircase. I +discovered it at last and descended, partly falling and partly gliding. +But there was not a soul downstairs. I merely found the door ajar, +and breathed freer on reaching the street, for I had felt very +strange inside the house. Urged on by terror, I rushed towards my +dwelling-place, and buried myself in the cushions of my bed, in order to +forget the terrible thing that I had done. + +But sleep deserted me, and only the morning admonished me again to take +courage. It seemed to me probable that the man who had induced me to +commit this nefarious deed, as it now appeared to me, might not denounce +me. I immediately resolved to set to work in my vaulted room, and +if possible to assume an indifferent look. But alas! an additional +circumstance, which I only now noticed, increased my anxiety still more. +My cap and my girdle, as well as my instruments, were wanting, and I +was uncertain as to whether I had left them in the room of the murdered +girl, or whether I had lost them in my flight. The former seemed indeed +the more likely, and thus I could easily be discovered as the murderer. + +At the accustomed hour I opened my vaulted room. My neighbor came in, as +was his wont every morning, for he was a talkative man. "Well," he said, +"what do you say about the terrible affair which has occurred during the +night?" I pretended not to know anything. "What, do you not know what is +known all over the town? Are you not aware that the loveliest flower in +Florence, Bianca, the Governor's daughter, was murdered last night? +I saw her only yesterday driving through the streets in so cheerful a +manner with her intended one, for to-day the marriage was to have taken +place." I felt deeply wounded at each word of my neighbor. Many a time +my torment was renewed, for every one of my customers told me of the +affair, each one more ghastly than the other, and yet nobody could +relate anything more terrible than that which I had seen myself. + +About mid-day a police-officer entered my shop and requested me to send +the people away. "Signor Zaleukos," he said, producing the things which +I had missed, "do these things belong to you?" I was thinking as to +whether I should not entirely repudiate them, but on seeing through +the door, which stood ajar, my landlord and several acquaintances, +I determined not to aggravate the affair by telling a lie, and +acknowledged myself as the owner of the things. The police-officer +asked me to follow him, and led me towards a large building which I soon +recognized as the prison. There he showed me into a room meanwhile. + +My situation was terrible, as I thought of it in my solitude. The idea +of having committed a murder, unintentionally, constantly presented +itself to my mind. I also could not conceal from myself that the glitter +of the gold had captivated my feelings, otherwise I should not have +fallen blindly into the trap. Two hours after my arrest I was led out of +my cell. I descended several steps until at last I reached a great hall. +Around a long table draped in black were seated twelve men, mostly old +men. There were benches along the sides of the hall, filled with the +most distinguished of Florence. The galleries, which were above, were +thickly crowded with spectators. When I had stepped towards the table +covered with black cloth, a man with a gloomy and sad countenance rose; +it was the Governor. He said to the assembly that he as the father in +this affair could not sentence, and that he resigned his place on this +occasion to the eldest of the Senators. The eldest of the Senators was +an old man at least ninety years of age. He stood in a bent attitude, +and his temples were covered with thin white hair, but his eyes were +as yet very fiery, and his voice powerful and weighty. He commenced by +asking me whether I confessed to the murder. I requested him to allow +me to speak, and related undauntedly and with a clear voice what I had +done, and what I knew. + +I noticed that the Governor, during my recital, at one time turned pale, +and at another time red. When I had finished, he rose angrily: "What, +wretch!" he exclaimed, "dost thou even dare to impute a crime which thou +hast committed from greediness to another?" The Senator reprimanded +him for his interruption, since he had voluntarily renounced his right; +besides it was not clear that I did the deed from greediness, for, +according to his own statement, nothing had been stolen from the victim. +He even went further. He told the Governor that he must give an account +of the early life of his daughter, for then only it would be possible +to decide whether I had spoken the truth or not. At the same time he +adjourned the court for the day, in order, as he said, to consult the +papers of the deceased, which the Governor would give him. I was again +taken back to my prison, where I spent a wretched day, always fervently +wishing that a link between the deceased and the "red-cloak" might be +discovered. Full of hope, I entered the Court of Justice the next day. +Several letters were lying upon the table. The old Senator asked me +whether they were in my handwriting. I looked at them and noticed that +they must have been written by the same hand as the other two papers +which I had received. I communicated this to the Senators, but no +attention was paid to it, and they told me that I might have written +both, for the signature of the letters was undoubtedly a Z., the first +letter of my name. The letters, however, contained threats against +the deceased, and warnings against the marriage which she was about to +contract. + +The Governor seemed to have given extraordinary information concerning +me, for I was treated with more suspicion and rigor on this day. I +referred, to justify myself, to my papers which must be in my room, +but was told they had been looked for without success. Thus at the +conclusion of this sitting all hope vanished, and on being brought into +the Court the third day, judgment was pronounced on me. I was convicted +of wilful murder and condemned to death. Things had come to such a pass! +Deserted by all that was precious to me upon earth, far away from home, +I was to die innocently in the bloom of my life. + +On the evening of this terrible day which had decided my fate, I was +sitting in my lonely cell, my hopes were gone, my thoughts steadfastly +fixed upon death, when the door of my prison opened, and in came a man, +who for a long time looked at me silently. "Is it thus I find you again, +Zaleukos?" he said. I had not recognized him by the dim light of my +lamp, but the sound of his voice roused in me old remembrances. It was +Valetti, one of those few friends whose acquaintance I made in the city +of Paris when I was studying there. He said that he had come to Florence +accidentally, where his father, who was a distinguished man, lived. He +had heard about my affair, and had come to see me once more, and to hear +from my own lips how I could have committed such a crime. I related to +him the whole affair. He seemed much surprised at it, and adjured me, as +my only friend, to tell him all, in order not to leave the world with a +lie behind me. I confirmed my assertions with an oath that I had spoken +the truth, and that I was not guilty of anything, except that the +glitter of the gold had dazzled me, and that I had not perceived the +improbability of the story of the stranger. "Did you not know Bianca?" +he asked me. I assured him that I had never seen her. Valetti now +related to me that a profound mystery rested on the affair, that the +Governor had very much accelerated my condemnation, and now a report was +spread that I had known Bianca for a long time, and had murdered her out +of revenge for her marriage with some one else. I told him that all this +coincided exactly with the "red-cloak," but that I was unable to prove +his participation in the affair. Valetti embraced me weeping, and +promised me to do all, at least to save my life. + +I had little hope, though I knew that Valetti was a clever man, well +versed in the law, and that he would do all in his power to save my +life. For two long days I was in uncertainty; at last Valetti appeared. +"I bring consolation, though painful. You will live and be free with the +loss of one hand." Affected, I thanked my friend for saving my life. +He told me that the Governor had been inexorable in having the affair +investigated a second time, but that he at last, in order not to appear +unjust, had agreed, that if a similar case could be found in the law +books of the history of Florence, my punishment should be the same as +the one recorded in these books. He and his father had searched in the +old books day and night, and at last found a case quite similar to +mine. The sentence was: That his left hand be cut off, his property +confiscated, and he himself banished for ever. This was my punishment +also, and he asked me to prepare for the painful hour which awaited me. +I will not describe to you that terrible hour, when I laid my hand upon +the block in the public market-place and my own blood shot over me in +broad streams. + +Valetti took me to his house until I had recovered; he then most +generously supplied me with money for travelling, for all I had acquired +with so much difficulty had fallen a prey to the law. I left +Florence for Sicily and embarked on the first ship that I found for +Constantinople. + +My hope was fixed upon the sum which I had entrusted to my friend. I +also requested to be allowed to live with him. But how great was my +astonishment on being asked why I did not wish to live in my own house. +He told me that some unknown man had bought a house in the Greek Quarter +in my name, and this very man had also told the neighbors of my early +arrival. I immediately proceeded thither accompanied by my friend, and +was received by all my old acquaintances joyfully. An old merchant gave +me a letter, which the man who had bought the house for me had left +behind. I read as follows: "Zaleukos! Two hands are prepared to work +incessantly, in order that you may not feel the loss of one of yours. +The house which you see and all its contents are yours, and every year +you will receive enough to be counted amongst the rich of your people. +Forgive him who is unhappier than yourself!" I could guess who had +written it, and in answer to my question, the merchant told me it had +been a man, whom he took for a Frank, and who had worn a scarlet cloak. +I knew enough to understand that the stranger was, after all, not +entirely devoid of noble intentions. In my new house I found everything +arranged in the best style, also a vaulted room stored with goods, +more splendid than I had ever had. Ten years have passed since. I still +continue my commercial travels, more from old custom than necessity, +yet I have never again seen that country where I became so unfortunate. +Every year since, I have received a thousand gold-pieces; and although I +rejoice to know that unfortunate man to be noble, yet he cannot relieve +me of the sorrow of my soul, for the terrible picture of the murdered +Bianca is continually on my mind. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Severed Hand, by Wilhelm Hauff + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SEVERED HAND *** + +***** This file should be named 22664.txt or 22664.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/2/6/6/22664/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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