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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-04-26 21:21:02 -0700 |
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diff --git a/75967-h/75967-h.htm b/75967-h/75967-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1e1e910 --- /dev/null +++ b/75967-h/75967-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12504 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Dr. Mabuse | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2 { + text-align: center; + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.tb {width: 45%; margin-left: 27.5%; margin-right: 27.5%;} +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} +@media print { hr.chap {display: none; visibility: hidden;} } + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +.pagenum { + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; +} + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; +} + +.x-ebookmaker .blockquot { + margin-left: 7.5%; + margin-right: 7.5%; +} + +.indentright {padding-right: 10em;} +.indentright2 {padding-right: 3em;} +.indentleft {padding-left: 5em;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.ph1 {text-align: center; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;} +.ph2 {text-align: center; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold;} + +div.titlepage {text-align: center; page-break-before: always; page-break-after: always;} +div.titlepage p {text-align: center; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 2em;} + +.xxlarge {font-size: 200%;} +.xlarge {font-size: 150%;} +.large {font-size: 125%;} + +.x-ebookmaker .hide {display: none; visibility: hidden;} + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} + +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:smaller; + margin-left: 17.5%; + margin-right: 17.5%; + padding: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; } + + </style> +</head> +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75967 ***</div> + +<div class="figcenter hide"><img src="images/coversmall.jpg" width="450" alt=""></div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<h1>DR. MABUSE</h1> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_title.jpg" alt="title page"></div> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="titlepage"> +<p><span class="xxlarge">DR. MABUSE</span></p> + +<p><span class="xlarge">MASTER OF MYSTERY</span></p> + +<p><span class="large"><i>A NOVEL</i></span></p> + +<p>BY<br> +<span class="xlarge">NORBERT JACQUES</span></p> + +<p>AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION<br> +BY<br> +<span class="large">LILIAN A. CLARE</span></p> + +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/i_titlelogo.jpg" alt="publisher's logo"></div> + +<p><span class="large">LONDON: GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD.<br> +RUSKIN HOUSE, 40 MUSEUM STREET, W.C. 1.</span></p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center"><i>First published in 1923</i><br> +<br> +(<i>All rights reserved</i>)<br> +<br> +<i>Printed in Great Britain by</i><br> +UNWIN BROTHERS, LIMITED, THE GRESHAM PRESS, LONDON AND WOKING</p> +</div> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[5]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">TRANSLATOR’S NOTE</h2> +</div> + + +<p>Since there is no actual equivalent of the position +of “Staatsanwalt” it is almost impossible to find +an English rendering that conveys its full meaning. +In part the duties assimilate those of the Public +Prosecutor, but in England we can hardly conceive +of an official of high judicial status personally +identifying himself with his cases to the extent +of disguising himself and playing the part of a +detective. Wenk’s position appears to combine +some of the offices which would here be delegated +to various individuals acting more or less independently +as subordinates to a higher and single +authority. He was a barrister and an LL.D., and +a person of some influence, however, as his threat +to the governor of the women’s prison, and his +treatment of the night editor prove.</p> + +<p>In accordance with modern German usage I +have adhered to the original in dropping the +“von,” when intimates of the same social class +are speaking to or of each other, maintaining +it in the more formal intercourse and the reports +tendered by social inferiors.</p> + +<p>Readers should note that in the currency now +prevailing, the amounts staked by Hull and his +friends would be tens of thousands, and his total +losses would run into many millions.</p> +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[6]</span></p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[7]</span> + +<p class="ph2">DR. MABUSE</p> + +<h2 class="nobreak">I</h2> +</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> distinguished-looking elderly gentleman introduced +himself and, as usual, nobody caught +the name. He wore a suit of fashionable and +well-cut clothes, however, and his scarf-pin was +a single white pearl in a somewhat quaint setting, +its dazzling purity recalling the whiteness of a +lovely blonde’s shoulders, as Karstens remarked. +Moreover, he at once placed a sum of twenty +thousand marks upon the table in front of him.</p> + +<p>He had been brought to the club by young +Hull, the heir to an industrial concern worth +millions, into which his father allowed him to +dip freely. Play was started immediately, and +the stranger courteously agreed to the game +proposed, which was vingt-et-un. The stakes were +unlimited, and the first one to hold the bank +was Ritter.</p> + +<p>At first there was nothing unusual about the +game. Gains and losses alternated, but soon it +was noticed that Hull was losing, and this began +just at the time when it was the elderly gentleman’s +turn to play banker. At the start it was +hundred-mark notes that Hull lost, but he played +on calmly, resigned to his ill-luck. Notes of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[8]</span> +smaller value were now mingled with the piles +of thousands the visitor had put in front of him.</p> + +<p>It was only outwardly, however, that Hull +appeared undisturbed. He felt a good deal of +excitement within, and a veil seemed to be +obscuring his mental vision. His bank-notes +fluttered across to the stranger without his appearing +aware of the fact. His senses seemed to be +imprisoned in a delicate, invisible web, pressing +ever more and more closely upon him.</p> + +<p>He drank a brandy and soda, and then ordered +a bottle of champagne. The only effect of that +was to make him open another compartment of +his pocket-book and bring out the thousand-mark +notes which he had procured from the bank that +morning. His bad luck became really fantastic. +Even when he held good cards it seemed as if +in some obscure region of his mind a mysterious +warning sealed his lips, and instead of staking +a substantial sum, he wagered a trifling amount +merely.</p> + +<p>It was now the visitor’s turn to pass on the +office of banker, but he volunteered to continue +to hold it on account of Hull. He said: “If you +gentlemen do not object, I will remain banker +for a few more rounds. You see how the money +seems to cling to me. I am the guest of your +hospitable club, so please consider how difficult +my position is with regard to Herr von Hull, and +grant my request.” His speech was polite, and +carefully enunciated, yet there was a masterful +ring about the words, as if the speaker would +brook no refusal.</p> + +<p>The club attendant eyed the guest suspiciously,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[9]</span> +but he was using the cards provided by the club +and fresh packs were opened every time. The +play grew more animated. A good deal had +been drunk, and several round the table were +slightly intoxicated. The guest did not refrain +from drinking, and his behaviour was in no way +peculiar. He had a steady and lingering glance +for everyone who looked at him, and his large +grey eyes seemed to have something dominating +about them, hardly in accordance with a mere +game. His hands were large and fleshy, and as +steady as if carved out of wood, while the fingers +of the other men, far younger than he, were +already quivering with excitement.</p> + +<p>Hull continued playing, though his pocket-book +grew lighter and lighter. “What is the matter +with me?” he continually asked himself. He +wanted to rise from the table and miss a round, +so that he could get a mouthful of fresh +air at the window and gain a little calm from +looking into the silent night. But he sat as if +glued to his chair, pressing his elbows down on +the crimson cloth, and his thoughts escaped his +control, falling into a void like that of deep +slumber.</p> + +<p>And yet he was not really a reckless player. +He was accustomed to reflect and to follow the +run of luck, making use of chances that were +favourable to him, and reducing his stakes when +he saw that the odds were against him.</p> + +<p>This evening, however, he seemed to know no +bounds. No amount seemed of any value in his +eyes, and it appeared as if he were almost glad +to lose, and saw his notes change hands with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_10">[10]</span> +a kind of satisfaction. Something would be sure +to happen ere long. The players seemed far too +slow in dealing, he thought; they took an endless +time in declaring their stakes, and the notes +crawled round the table at a snail’s pace.</p> + +<p>He drank freely, moreover, and the fancies which +he could no longer control were like fiery steeds +escaping the driver’s restraining hand and running +away into a trackless wilderness. The very air +seemed to have been exhausted, and nothing existed +for him but the game.</p> + +<p>Folks began to discuss his bad luck. He +certainly drew unlucky cards, but he was playing +his hand badly, and taking unreasonable risks. +His friends wanted to restrict the stakes and talk +of the final round. At first Hull did not take in +what they were saying, and they had to explain +their words; then he drew himself up and became +furiously angry, shouting in his wrath and beating +his fist on the table.</p> + +<p>Then the stranger’s big eyes seemed to withdraw +a little from him and the rest; their glance +appeared to be directed inward and some of their +lustre vanished. He laid down his cards and put +his money into his pocket, doing it carelessly, however, +as if it were merely a handkerchief. There +was one more round to finish. Hull called out, +“I’ll play the bank,” and the stranger dealt him +the cards. He glanced at them quickly. His +total was twenty-one.... Then something happened, +something strange and inexplicable. He +threw his cards face downwards upon the heap, +saying, “I have lost again.”</p> + +<p>The guest immediately showed <i>his</i> cards. His<span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">[11]</span> +eyes regained their glitter, he counted his points, +named the total, and threw his cards down on +the table.</p> + +<p>It seemed to Hull as if he were falling from an +unsteady foothold down into an abyss below. +“What have I been doing?” he asked himself +in stupefaction and despair. Now at last he began +to see everything as clearly as if he had just +come into the room: the three glowing electric +globes under their protecting dome, the red-covered, +lighted table, his friends, the elderly +stranger, the scattered cards and the piles of +notes.</p> + +<p>“Where have I been? What have I been +doing?” he stammered.</p> + +<p>His brain grew alert again, and the thoughts +that had been so confused and obscure now became +suddenly clear: it was as if he had drawn aside +the curtains and let in the light of day. Then he +felt a sudden distrust of himself, which made him +uneasy. He held his head in his hands awhile, +striving to free it from the weight that seemed +to encircle it, and then raising himself erect, he +said, “What have I been doing? I held twenty-one +in my hand, and then someone called out, in my +voice, ‘I have lost again.’ Look there!” He +snatched the cards he had thrown away from the +heap where they lay, and turned them over. They +were an ace, a ten, and a knave—twenty-one!</p> + +<p>The elderly stranger’s large grey eyes contracted +until the pupils were quite small and seemed to +be gazing at a far-distant spot. A shudder went +through his body; it was perceptible, though +hastily subdued. Then his breast expanded and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[12]</span> +his breath came slowly and with difficulty, as if +he were having to pump the air direct into himself.</p> + +<p>“Too late!” said he, briefly and decisively.</p> + +<p>Hull made a slight gesture.</p> + +<p>“My remark had nothing to do with you,” he +said quietly; “it concerned myself only. How +much do I owe you?” he asked in a friendly tone.</p> + +<p>“Thirty thousand marks!”</p> + +<p>Hull emptied his pocket-book.</p> + +<p>“You must content yourself till to-morrow afternoon +with ten thousand and, of course, an I O U for +the rest. Will you be so good as to write the +amount and your address in this notebook?”</p> + +<p>When Hull got his little notebook back, he +read in it:</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="indentright">BALLING,</span><br> + +<span class="smcap">Room 15, Excelsior Hotel</span>.</p> + +<p>He passed over his I O U, smiling pleasantly as +he did so.</p> + +<p>“I am ready to give you your revenge, Herr von +Hull,” said Balling, as he rose. “Gentlemen, may +I offer you my thanks for the evening’s hospitality? +Good-night!”</p> + +<p>He said this almost abruptly, but in so decisive +a tone that it brought the others to their feet. +Karstens offered him his car.</p> + +<p>“No, thank you; my own is waiting for me.”</p> + +<p>He walked away somewhat stiffly, as though +tired out, and vouchsafed no further farewell of +any sort. The club attendant conducted him to +the outer door.</p> + +<p>“Hull, you are off your head,” said Karstens, +when the stranger had left the room.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[13]</span>“What did really happen?” asked Hull quietly.</p> + +<p>“Ask your purse!”</p> + +<p>“My pocket-book is empty. Who won all my +money?”</p> + +<p>“Your friend there,” said Karstens, pointing to +the door.</p> + +<p>“My friend! I never set eyes on him before! +How did he get here?”</p> + +<p>“Hull, you certainly are needing the services +of a good physician. Emil, bring the telephone +directory.” Karstens turned over the leaves. +“Here we are: Dr. Schramm, Psychopathological +treatment, 35, Ludwigstrasse....”</p> + +<p>“I don’t understand your joke, my dear +Karstens.”</p> + +<p>“Well, who brought this fine vingt-et-un player +here but you?”</p> + +<p>“That is not true, Karstens.”</p> + +<p>“Go to No. 35, Ludwigstrasse, my dear fellow, +and quickly too.”</p> + +<p>“Of course it was you who brought him, Hull,” +said another.</p> + +<p>“<i>I?</i> <i>I</i> brought him? At any rate, I don’t +remember a thing about it, but it may be so.”</p> + +<p>Hull then withdrew, exhausted and stupefied, +brooding over the problem which had so strangely +and suddenly opened up before him that evening.</p> + +<p>When he awoke, towards morning, he had a +dim and fleeting remembrance, and he seemed to +recall the stranger sitting at the same table with +him in the Café Bastin. He had an idea that they +had been talking together, and that it was about +the theatre, but what they had said, and which +theatre it was about, he had not the slightest idea.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[14]</span> +In the dim recesses of his mind he recalled merely +the sensation of a dazzling reflector that seemed +to throw its beams upon him during the conversation. +Sleep was no longer possible, but, try +as he would to pierce these elusive fragments of +memory and penetrate to the reality behind them, +he was quite unable to make anything out of +them.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>The next afternoon brought him no enlightenment +either. By four o’clock he had obtained the twenty +thousand marks, and he made his way to the Excelsior +Hotel. At his request a telephone message was +sent to Room 15. Herr Balling was there, he +was told, and requested the gentleman to send up +his card. This Hull did, following close upon it.</p> + +<p>In the middle of Room 15 he found a man +whom he had never seen in his life before. He +was a short, stout, clean-shaven man, apparently +an American. He made a very stiff bow.</p> + +<p>“I beg your pardon,” said Hull. “I must +have been directed wrongly. I wanted Room 15.”</p> + +<p>“This is it,” said the other.</p> + +<p>“Then Herr Balling must have given me the +wrong number.”</p> + +<p>“My name is Balling.”</p> + +<p>“This time I am <i>not</i> dreaming, I am in full +possession of my senses,” said Hull to himself, +and then aloud, he continued: “But the mystery +can soon be explained. Did you write this?” +and he extended the notebook in which the stranger +of the previous night had written his name and +address.</p> + +<p>“Certainly not,” replied the stout man.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[15]</span>“Then I am not in your debt to the tune of +twenty thousand marks?”</p> + +<p>“My time is very limited, and I am expecting +a friend on business,” said the other, looking at +his watch.</p> + +<p>“I will make way for your friend, sir, at once, +and will only put one more question to you. It +is not my fault that I am bothering you; I have +been misled in some way.”</p> + +<p>The other nodded.</p> + +<p>“Possibly you are acquainted,” Hull went on, +“with a gentleman of about sixty, with large grey +eyes, a big nose and white whiskers. He wears +good and well-cut clothes and a tall grey hat, and +his name is also Balling.”</p> + +<p>“I can only repeat that I know nothing about +him,” said the Balling of No. 15.</p> + +<p>Hull thereupon took his leave. Downstairs he +asked whether there were a second Herr Balling +in the hotel, but the answer was “No.” Had +Room 15 been occupied by any Herr Balling who +had just left? “No.” Was the writing in the +pocket-book known? Again there was a negative +reply. “For the first time in my life,” thought +Hull, “I find myself unable to pay a debt of +honour.”</p> + +<p>Gradually he became uneasy. What a +mysterious affair this was! Nothing of the kind +had ever occurred before. He had won money +and lost it again ... sometimes much, and at +other times little. He had been in financial +straits. He had had some trouble about a girl he +cared for. Once, indeed, he had been seriously +wounded in a duel. Yet all that was comprehensible<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[16]</span> +and straightforward, so to speak. But +this tale of Herr Balling and the twenty thousand +marks had some mystery or other behind it. He +had forgotten that it was he who introduced the +stranger to the club. He had played as if he had +lost his head. He had incurred a debt of twenty +thousand marks, and his creditor had furnished a +name and address which did actually exist but were +not his, and, moreover, he would not have the +money....</p> + +<p>If it had not happened that Hull had no mistress +at the moment, he could have talked this affair +over. He pondered over it alone while he walked +along Lenbach Square and the Promenade, looking +everybody in the face in the hope that he might +encounter the distinguished stranger among them. +He went to the Café Bastin and scanned all the +faces there. He sat down at a table and waited +to see whether the <i>genius loci</i> would be favourable +to him and recall the vanished recollections; but +nothing came of it, and he stood up again, a prey +to increasing uneasiness. It seemed as if in the +invisible depths behind him another power, extraneous +to himself, was pursuing him, pressing down +upon him, trying to jump on his back as a monkey +might do, and lead him into unlucky adventures +of some kind or another.</p> + +<p>Hull forced himself to return to his lonely +bachelor chambers. There he met Karstens, and +greeted him with relief. But Karstens at once +asked:</p> + +<p>“Well, has your memory returned?”</p> + +<p>“My dear fellow, there’s something wrong with +me!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[17]</span>“With the twenty thousand marks?”</p> + +<p>“No, there they are!” and he tapped his breast-pocket. +“Nobody wants them, it appears. There +is a Herr Balling in Room 15 at the ‘Excelsior,’ +but he isn’t my man, and we’ve never met before. +He has never played vingt-et-un, and nobody owes +<i>him</i> twenty thousand marks. I can’t get rid of the +money, and it makes me feel creepy! Something is +going to happen to me. Who <i>is</i> there near me +whom I cannot see? There’s certainly something +wrong with me!”</p> + +<p>“Come to the club! Perhaps your Herr Balling +will go there to fetch the money himself.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, but what about the real Balling +in No. 15?”</p> + +<p>“Well, that’s certainly odd, I grant you. Come +along.”</p> + +<p>“All right. Perhaps he’ll be there.”</p> + +<p>In the club that night there was no play. The +curious circumstance had so worked upon the +members’ imagination that no one felt the need +of trying his luck. Hull was overwhelmed with +well-meaning or obtuse advice.</p> + +<p>“Emil,” said one of them to the attendant, +“what did his car look like?”</p> + +<p>“An excellent one, Herr Baron, a twenty-horsepower +at the least—a closed car with a body like +a royal cradle, if one may use such a comparison +nowadays ... so smooth and well rounded and +polished. It started off with a great bound, and +soon vanished. It was a first-class car. I kept +a close eye on the gentleman, and I saw that he +had the devil’s own luck when he played against +Herr von Hull. He played quite straight, however.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[18]</span>They learnt nothing more about the stranger. +Nobody came either to the club or to Hull’s rooms +to ask for the twenty thousand marks or to offer +him his revenge.</p> + +<p>A few days afterwards Hull made acquaintance +with a girl who was performing jazz dances in the +Bonbonnière. She was partly Mexican, she told +him. She soon effected a diversion in his thoughts, +and in her company he rapidly got rid of the +twenty thousand marks which he could not pay +over to the stranger.</p> + +<p>“It seems as if you were meant to give the +money to a woman instead of to a man,” remarked +Karstens, when he told him that he was +now free of his worries once more.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[19]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">II</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">About</span> a fortnight later the circles to whom the +life of the day is only a wearisome burden till the +hour of play arrives, when the nerve-tension is +once more excited, were all agog with the stories +of a stranger who simply loaded himself with +money wherever he chanced to play. The tales +varied constantly. At one time the stranger was +a young sportsman, at another a worthy provincial; +now he was a fair-bearded man looking like an +artist, and again a robber and murderer who had +escaped from justice. Some said he was a +dethroned prince, others that he was a Frenchman. +Another time they declared him to be a citizen +of Leipzig, who was smuggling pit-coal from the +Saar into Bavaria by way of Switzerland, or profiteering +on the money exchange with New York +and Rio de Janeiro. There was endless variety +in the descriptions, but the imagination put the +various forms together and made one personality +out of them.</p> + +<p>Circles that were exclusive had ceased to exist. +Money was a key that opened all doors, the +wearing of a fur coat could conceal any calling, +and a diamond scarf-pin shed lustre on any +character. A man could go into whatsoever +company he desired.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[20]</span>There was no longer any sense of security, and +the mysterious gambler might turn up in any place, +at any time. He might be anybody’s neighbour. +The authorities were constantly notified of +swindling players, and though in no case could +their swindles be proved, their luck was so continuous +that it did not seem possible for it to +be due to ordinary play.</p> + +<p>Through the Bonbonnière lady Hull frequently +spent his evenings in places where gambling was +indulged in. He heard much about this swindler +at play, and from many different quarters, for +theatrical folk are always particularly interested +in anything out of the common, especially where +masquerading is concerned. But Hull’s brain was of +a matter-of-fact and ordinary kind. He did, indeed, +still think about the twenty thousand marks, but +mostly with the comfortable reflection that they had +been used in a very different way from that for +which they were destined. Now that the story +of his forgetfulness had ceased to haunt him he +had become quite convinced that his friends had +played an elaborate trick upon him, that his I O U +and the twenty thousand marks had been discharged, +and the only disreputable part in the affair had +been played by Balling, who, on account of Emil’s +watch upon him, had not felt himself secure. His +astonishment was all the greater, therefore, when +a certain Herr von Wenk was announced and +the story of that night’s escapade was brought +up once more.</p> + +<p>Hull refused to discuss the matter, but the visitor +told him he was a State Attorney and showed +his credentials. In the most polite way possible<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">[21]</span> +he continued to question him, saying that his official +status obliged him to pursue the inquiry. Had +Hull been able to communicate with Cara Carozza, +his <i>chère amie</i> from the Bonbonnière, instead of +having to face this man by himself, he would have +known what to say and how much to conceal. He +was greatly enamoured of Cara Carozza, and by +no means inclined to go into this matter and rake +up bygones for the sake of the country’s morals.</p> + +<p>“You will pardon my introducing a personal +note, but I understand that you are very intimate +with Mdlle. Cara Carozza, of the Bonbonnière?”</p> + +<p>“Good Lord! He knows that, does he?” +ejaculated Hull to himself.</p> + +<p>“Can you make me acquainted with this lady? +It would further the task which the State has laid +upon me, but I would ask you to introduce me to +her as a private individual. It is unnecessary to +assure you that I take you for a man of irreproachable +character and quite above suspicion. Nothing +is known to the detriment of the lady, either. You +will be able to render a service to the country +and perhaps to yourself as well. Henceforward you +are under the direct protection of the police. Do +not be uneasy; it is possibly quite an unnecessary +precaution. You can rest assured that you will +not suffer in any way through the services you +may be able to render to the general public and +the State.”</p> + +<p>“What am I to gather from all this, sir?” +said Hull hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>“You must have come to some conclusion about +your extraordinarily lucky opponent?”</p> + +<p>“To be quite candid, I did feel uneasy for a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">[22]</span> +time, Herr von Wenk. There seemed to be something +very mysterious about the affair. Finally, +I imagined that my forgetting that I had brought +the stranger to the club was a feeble joke on the +part of my friends.”</p> + +<p>“But the Herr Balling in the hotel, who was +quite different from the Balling at the club?”</p> + +<p>“That certainly is a mystery to me still, but +a false address is often given for the purpose of +evading payment. In this case, however, it +occurred in order to avoid receiving twenty +thousand marks.”</p> + +<p>“May it not be explained,” continued the +State Attorney, “by the fact that this elderly +gentleman had been cheating in some way? He +was set on his guard by some fact unknown to you, +and contented himself with the money he had +already won. He gave a name which occurred to +him, and of which he had some knowledge. +Unless, of course, the Balling in the ‘Excelsior’ +was the Balling from your club, disguised. But you +say that the one was short and stout and the other +of rather imposing presence. Do you still play, +Herr von Hull?”</p> + +<p>“A little, now and again.”</p> + +<p>“With Mdlle. Carozza, perhaps? I am on +friendly terms with one of your intimates, with +Karstens. He will introduce me to you, and +we shall be able to renew our acquaintance socially. +You must not be prejudiced by the fact that it +has had an official beginning. I hope to be able +to count you on my side.”</p> + +<p>The barrister took his leave, and returned to +his official chambers.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">[23]</span>A month previous to this occurrence, in a +lawsuit in which he was professionally engaged, +Wenk had first noted the extent to which +the gambling fever possessed the city. He himself +liked the nervous excitement and the appeal +to the imagination afforded by the relations between +judge, counsel and accused in the course of his +calling. In earlier years he had been a regular +card-player. He was not a passionate lover of +games of chance, but he enjoyed the opportunity +of testing the effect of play upon his own self-control, +of observing his fellows and noting the +enticement afforded by the devious course of luck.</p> + +<p>During the lawsuit above mentioned he realized +what a danger to the people lay in gambling. The +change from war conditions to a state of affairs +which afforded the nation little relief from tension +had not sobered its imagination, but rather excited it +yet more strongly. Perhaps, in the first instance, +the war news was largely responsible for extravagant +phantasies. For a week, sometimes a month, +at a time the reports were like a lottery for the +whole nation. Then a fateful movement was set +on foot by which whole districts of people were +seized with a passion for gambling, a movement +designed by the military authorities to induce them +to replete the army coffers. Increased wages were +offered to the war workers and money was flung +into manufacturing concerns. Commerce of all +kinds was affected ere long, and everywhere the +flood-gates were opened. When goods grew more +and more scarce, money overflowed all its channels. +Wenk saw clearly that the folks in high places +who had believed they could purchase the soul<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[24]</span> +of a nation for money were to blame for the +tragic outcome of the war as far as Germany was +concerned, and so, too, were they responsible for +the political development. Instead of the ideal of +an immortal soul prepared for any and every +renunciation as long as it fulfilled its duty to the +community, they had set up an idol—money—and +the whole nation was worshipping it.</p> + +<p>Then the war came to an end. Money decreased +in value and the idea of it played a yet more +dominant part in the life of a nation now deprived +of its success and brilliance in the world outside. +Hundreds of thousands had become accustomed to +a life of inaction, and for many years now it had +been nothing but pure chance whether they lived +or died. Their only preoccupation had been to +exercise authority over others and to live entirely +on their nerves. They brought with them to +the more stable conditions of life the gambling +spirit born of their war experience. They had +grown accustomed to taking risks, and they continued +to rely on luck. They resumed their former +mode of life, but brought to it the atmosphere +of their recent experiences, transferring the nerve-racking +and hazardous existence of those days to +the conditions which now obtained. To some +extent this was inevitable, but those who looked +beyond the present and wanted to see a new era +of prosperity dawn must strain every nerve and +exercise the strictest self-denial. Thus only could +there be hope of recovery.</p> + +<p>The great lawsuit had afforded Wenk one +example after another of the development of this +spirit of gambling, and in its course had taken<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[25]</span> +him frequently into the company of those who +lived but for, and by, games of chance. His +convictions were well grounded and his recognition +of the national danger constantly confirmed to an +alarming extent. In the attics and basements folks +were gambling for five-mark pieces, and on the first +floors for five-thousand. They laid their wagers in +the streets and the lanes, at home and abroad. They +gambled with cards, with goods, with ideas and +with enjoyments, with power and with weakness, +with themselves and with their nearest and dearest.</p> + +<p>At this period, too, people who were not naturally +given to hazardous risks, who were habitually calm +and self-reliant, were wont to be guided by chance +conditions and circumstances, instead of combating +them where necessary.</p> + +<p>Wenk was an official who had reached his thirty-eighth +year in a peaceful and well-ordered career. +During the war he had volunteered for the +Flying Corps, because he had a love of sport +and remembered the fascination which the element +of danger had held for him in early youth. The +experience had fired his imagination, and he +returned to his career with more impetuous feelings +than had been his when he quitted it. The lawsuit +against the gamblers, and all he had learned in +the course of it, had excited him considerably. +He had gone at once to the head of the Police +Department, had described what he had seen and +experienced, and represented to him that this new +disease must be combated if the whole body were +not to be destroyed. As money lost its value and +the necessities of life increased, the nation could +do nothing but seek to augment its mass of paper<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[26]</span> +currency by trying first one speculation and then +another. The connection between supply and +demand required both time and work before it +could become normal again, and so by degrees +it had come about that the pulsations of commercial +life were regulated merely by chance.</p> + +<p>The Minister smiled; he was new to his office. +He said, “The nation is sound enough; you are +a pessimist!”</p> + +<p>But Wenk replied, “It is diseased and rotten! +How can it be healthy, after such years and such +a life?”</p> + +<p>Then the Minister, who felt his position somewhat +insecure and was willing to try anything that +might lead to stability, yielded the point, and +created a new post, which Wenk at once took +over.</p> + +<p>The erstwhile State Attorney and official was +at once caught up in the vortex of his new office. +He devoted all his time and energies to it. He +did not establish himself in an arm-chair in a +comfortable well-furnished room, but began to build +up his position from the very bottom, became a +police-spy and a detective, unwearied in his +efforts to collect all the evidence he could lay +his hands on. He did it all himself, and when he +realized, as he soon did, the slight extent of his +own powers when pitted against the widespread +national vice, he conceived the idea of recruiting +a guard and rallying force from the ranks of +the victims.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, he began with men whose wealth +was not displayed in their houses, but who, through +their connection with the social order which had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[27]</span> +come to grief, had been forced into the opposition, +both as human beings and as politicians. He +knew that none were more responsible for the +existing state of affairs than these men, because, at +a time when resistance was a necessity, they had +been cowardly and kept out of the way. But he +knew, too, that in them a new force of decision had +come to birth, that they longed to make good +where they had failed.</p> + +<p>Above all, there were the rich young men without +any profession. In the disorganization brought +about in the country by the depreciation and disorder +of the currency, they were unable to carry +on life as before. Their society was permeated +by the “new rich,” who made use of them +because they allowed themselves to be made +use of.</p> + +<p>The State Attorney von Wenk had turned +to his whilom comrades, from whom the divers +duties of his office had long separated him, and +the man whom he had first encountered and won +over to his side was Karstens. It was from him +that he had learned all the circumstances of Hull’s +strange and suspicious gambling adventure. He +compared Hull’s story with the other material +which he had hastily collected. Fresh complaints +were constantly being made about swindlers who +worked so cleverly that no taint of suspicion could +attach to them, yet who won so consistently that it +was not conceivable that this could be merely luck. +From some similarities in detail in the various +stories Wenk was inclined to refer all these cases +to a band of swindlers operating in concert, and he +even had the idea that it might all be the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[28]</span> +work of one man. But this was hardly more +than an impression. Hull’s experience was the +strangest and most mysterious of all these cases, +and it was fraught with the greatest danger, but +Wenk had a notion that therein lay the solution +to all the rest.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>After Wenk’s departure, Hull held a long argument +with himself. The uncompromising yet +thoroughly courteous way in which Wenk had +effected an entrance had made an impression upon +him. He guessed what the official desired, for +he himself was often dissatisfied with his way of +living, although his love of ease usually made him +drive such thoughts away.</p> + +<p>Under ordinary circumstances he would have +pursued his usual search for enjoyment without +restraint or reflection, either until considerations +of health had set a limit to his dissipations or +until a marriage, either arranged or entered into +voluntarily, had caused him to “range himself.”</p> + +<p>Hull by no means approved of the course of +affairs in Germany which had led to the Treaty +of Versailles. He at once asked himself, “Where +were you in 1918, when the retreat began? and +earlier still, when it first began to be planned? +Are not you, Hull, and all your kind, responsible +for it?”... That was what Herr von Wenk’s +words had implied.</p> + +<p>But Hull found in himself no trace of such +individuality as might have saved the situation, +and he dismissed these ideas from his mind. He +drove to see Cara Carozza and told her of Wenk’s +visit.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">[29]</span>“For God’s sake, don’t get us mixed up with +your State Attorney, dear Eddie,” said she.</p> + +<p>“But ... but ... do we cheat? Are we +dishonest? Are we profiteers, or climbers? We +merely keep ourselves going. What are you +thinking about, darling?”</p> + +<p>“Eddie, a game of cards in full swing—someone +holding the bank—closed doors, and a State +official looking on! That might prove a hanging +matter!”</p> + +<p>“But I promised him I would bring you!”</p> + +<p>“More fool you!” she exclaimed. “You ought +to have got out of it somehow. Elsie is bringing +her friend to-day, and we are going to Schramm’s. +Karstens has already telephoned that he will be +there.”</p> + +<p>“Then Wenk would be coming anyhow, so <i>that’s</i> +all right, as it happens!”</p> + +<p>The head-waiter of Schramm’s little restaurant, +recently opened in one of the residential streets +and decorated throughout in most eccentric style +by a modern professional, led Karstens and Wenk +from the dinner-table to a box at the rear. Thence +a winding stair led to a room which had no other +exit and seemed to have no windows of any kind.</p> + +<p>In the middle of the room stood a fairly large +table of an oval shape, but so arranged that every +occupant of an arm-chair was sitting in a hollowed-out +niche of his own, with the leaves of the table +under his elbows on both sides. The table was +formed of quaint, curiously veined Kiefersfeld +marble. In the middle only was there a perfectly +white oval left. Around the table, behind the +players’ chairs, the floor was raised and the walls<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">[30]</span> +furnished with full-length reclining lounges, upon +which rested crushed-strawberry-coloured cushions +with black designs. A large shade of polished +glass attached to a brass electrolier hung low +over the table and reflected the electric light +bulbs which gleamed forth from silver brackets. +The walls above the strawberry-coloured cushions +were inlaid with the same warm marble as that +on the table.</p> + +<p>Wenk was introduced to Cara Carozza.</p> + +<p>“I could not keep the secret, Herr von Wenk. +I was obliged to tell my lady friend here. Please +don’t be vexed with me!”</p> + +<p>Wenk gave a slight bow, in which there was a +trace of annoyance.</p> + +<p>Baccarat was being played. Karstens turned to +Wenk: “The young man with the fair beard +is the only stranger. All the others play here +regularly.”</p> + +<p>Wenk glanced at the stranger and met his eyes. +He noticed that they were fastened on him, and +he immediately looked beyond and above them, +but he felt that the stranger had noticed they were +speaking of him. Whenever he looked at him +again he found that his eyes were fixed on the +table.</p> + +<p>The stranger played a quiet, restrained game. +He frequently lost. Then Wenk ceased to pay +attention to him and turned to the others, whom +he watched in turns. They all had their eyes +fastened on the white oval, whereon the cards were +being dealt. They seldom looked in any other +direction. There were gentlemen in evening dress, +ladies in <i>décolletée</i>, expensively and fashionably<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">[31]</span> +attired. The passion for gambling had seized and +carried them all away.</p> + +<p>“It is none of these,” said Wenk to himself, +“so it can only be that young man with the sandy +beard.”</p> + +<p>He began to study him afresh, but only to find +that the latter returned his gaze. Wenk then turned +his attention to Cara Carozza. He saw her wholly +given over to her game, sitting next to Hull, to +whose money she helped herself when she lost. +If she won, however, she added the winnings to +her own heap. In the player on her other side +Wenk thought he recognized a well-known tenor +from the State Theatre, whose picture often +appeared in shop-windows.</p> + +<p>“Is that Marker?” he asked Karstens, who +nodded in reply.</p> + +<p>Wenk won a trifling sum. He played only till +he had persuaded himself that there was no work +for him here. Then he gave up his place to an +elderly gentleman who had already been sitting +behind him for some time, boring him by remarks +upon his method of play. He seated himself on +one of the lounges and watched the play for a +short time longer. Then he took his departure, +Karstens accompanying him. Hull remained with +the Carozza girl.</p> + +<p>When Wenk had descended a few steps he +looked back at the table. It seemed as if the +fair-bearded man with large mouse-grey eyes +followed his departure eagerly, and then directed +an urgent and threatening look towards Carozza, +but it might have been only an illusion.</p> + +<p>When Wenk reached the foot of the stairs, he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[32]</span> +unexpectedly found himself for a moment face to +face with a lady who had already laid her hand +on the balustrade to ascend. He looked right +into her eyes and started back in amazement, while +he inclined his head, as if doing homage, before +he passed on. He wanted to say to Karstens, +“I have never seen so beautiful a woman!” but +that seemed to him like betraying a secret, and, +consumed with desire, he bore her image with +him as he made his way silently through the +deserted streets. When at home, he soon fell +asleep, but the two mouse-grey eyes, which were +far older than the carefully arranged sandy beard, +seemed to fasten on his breast as he slept. They +appeared to be trying to colour the ace of hearts +with his own life-blood.</p> + +<p>When he awoke next morning he was conscious +of nothing but an intense longing to meet once +more the lady he had encountered on the stairs.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">[33]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">III</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next night Wenk was invited to a <i>soirée +musicale</i> in the neighbourhood of Schramm’s +restaurant. A young pianist was performing +modern phantasies. Wenk was bored, became +fidgety and was the prey to wandering thoughts. +It seemed to him as if he were neglecting some +special opportunity elsewhere. He grew so uneasy +that he finally slipped away, merely leaving a +card of apology for his hostess.</p> + +<p>He reached Schramm’s and was about to pass +quickly by. Then it occurred to him to look +up at the first floor of the villa where the new +restaurant and gaming-house was established, and +try to see the windows of the little room in which +he had played the previous night. The ground-floor +windows were large, and through their old-gold +curtains a faint light gleamed, but the four +windows on the first floor showed no signs of +occupation. Yet he said to himself, “Behind those +unlighted windows there gleams light ... <i>her</i> +light,” and he went in, full of hope that he might +encounter the mysterious lady who had so bewitched +him.</p> + +<p>The head-waiter approached him at once, took +hat and coat, whispering, “The marble table?” +and looking closely at the visitor as he did so. +Wenk gave a nod of assent, and the head-waiter<span class="pagenum" id="Page_34">[34]</span> +rapidly preceded him to the back, Wenk following +more leisurely. Then he was led up the winding +stair.</p> + +<p>The first person he saw at the gaming-table +was the sandy-bearded man. He sat in his +niche, his broad shoulders bent forward, with his +eyes fixed in a steady gaze upon a player opposite. +His attitude was that of a beast of prey who has +already played his victim and is only waiting to +pounce upon him. He seemed to be all sinews—at +least, that was the impression he made upon +Wenk, who started back at his aspect.</p> + +<p>There was one empty seat. Wenk took it and +drew out his pocket-book. An idea crossed his +mind, that something special had occurred at +the table. He saw all the players cowering over +the little heaps of money in front of them, and +yet there was in them all a distinct, even if unintentional, +glance given to one among their number.</p> + +<p>The sandy-bearded stranger was holding the +bank, and now he looked up. Wenk noticed how, +at first, annoyed at the disturbance, he raised +his eyes towards him, and then it was clearly +noticeable that his face quivered. At the same +moment, however, he closed his jaws so firmly +that his beard stood out round them. The rest +was a mere impression, but this Wenk saw clearly. +A shudder went through him as if at some sudden +and dangerous encounter. At this moment the +“banker” displayed the cards he held. Someone +said, “Basch has lost again!” All turned +to look openly at the pale thin man whom they +had been furtively regarding when Wenk entered.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">[35]</span>With a quiet and drowsy movement Basch +pushed the notes lying on the oval in front of +him over to the stranger. He grabbed at them +like a bird of prey. The loser sank back in his +seat, and in the same slow and dreamy way he +brought out a fresh thousand-mark note and laid +it in front of him.</p> + +<p>“How much are you losing now?” said a +lady from the divan behind Basch. “You will +have a lucky life. When one loses to <i>that</i> extent! +I regard you as a champion. You must establish +a record.... In losing, you know! Then you +will be so lucky in life that I shall want to....” +She broke off in embarrassment. Then Wenk, +with a delicious tremor in his veins, recognized +the speaker as the lady whom he had so +abruptly encountered on the stairs on the previous +evening.</p> + +<p>“Get ready to stake,” said the sandy-bearded +man in a harsh voice, drowning the speaker’s +concluding words.</p> + +<p>Basch had not answered her. As the banker +called out, he merely made a movement of his +hand over his thousand-mark note, a movement +as if he were secretly conjuring it to do his +bidding.</p> + +<p>He looked at his cards; it was his turn, and +no one else was punting.</p> + +<p>“Do you take one?” said the banker sharply.</p> + +<p>Basch shook his head dreamily. Wenk noticed +Cara Carozza’s auburn-tressed head behind one +the spectators, but his glance always returned +to the other woman.</p> + +<p>The banker bought a Court card and disclosed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[36]</span> +his own hand. He had only a total of four. +Basch, too, with a feverish movement, laid his +on the table. His points were but three.</p> + +<p>“He plays as if he were drugged!” whispered +Wenk’s neighbour. “To hold three, and yet not +take a card! What folly!”</p> + +<p>As he raked in his gains the sandy-bearded +stranger gave a hasty glance at Wenk. The latter +felt himself pitted against the winner. He increased +his stakes, won, then lost for several +rounds, and won again.</p> + +<p>Basch continued to lose every time. By degrees +Wenk ranged himself more and more on his side. +He staked his money as if it were a weapon for +Basch against the stranger, a weapon with which +to strike him down.</p> + +<p>Wenk noticed that the latter looked at no one +but himself and Basch. He therefore accepted +the challenge, and threw himself eagerly and wholeheartedly +into the struggle, impelled by some +mysterious power that incited him against the +banker. He forgot himself altogether, and no +longer played for the purpose of observing and +discovering. He abandoned himself to the game +and played like all those whom he had come to +rescue from the gaming-table. He even forgot +the lovely lady. When he first realized this, he +was ashamed, and for the first time during the +evening he glanced round the room to see whether +Hull were there.</p> + +<p>But it was not Hull who now sat behind Cara +Carozza. Wenk’s search was vain; Hull was +not present. Cara sat with a stranger behind +a player with whom she was sharing the stakes.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[37]</span> +Then Wenk came to himself. He stopped playing +and at once left the hall, sorely vexed with himself. +When he was on the winding stair he turned and +saw that the stranger with the fair sandy beard +was also rising from the table.</p> + +<p>Wenk had ordered his car to call for him at +the house where the musical party was held, and +did not remember this till he had walked some +distance. Then he retraced his steps and drove +home. He went to bed at once, but he could +get no sleep, for the thought continually recurred +that he had made a mistake to come away, +that he ought to have stayed and talked to +Basch.</p> + +<p>He got out of bed again and went through a +bundle of depositions in order to quiet his conscience. +In going through these documents, written +by men who were strangers to him, he got the +impression that all of them, losing so much that +they could not but ascribe it to foul play, must +have sat at the gaming-table very much as Basch +did. Had he remained and behaved in a sensible +fashion, he would have had an opportunity of +seeing for himself at first hand what had hitherto +reached him through the testimony of others.</p> + +<p>Then Wenk became thoroughly discouraged. “I +must set to work in quite another way,” he said +to himself. “Goodwill and industry are not +sufficient. Self-denial and inexorable self-discipline +and a little more cunning are necessary! +I must make use of every ruse that my opponent +displays.... I must make use of disguise and +secret spying. I must be prepared to stake myself +on the game ... must be myself the snare, if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[38]</span> +I do not want to be caught in it like a silly +pigeon.... A State official with a false +beard ... a Browning concealed in his fist ... +a jockey-cap, a tall hat, a wig, and so on, like +the cinema stage....”</p> + +<p>In the looking-glass he contemplated his clean-shaven +face, finding that when he made grimaces, +drew down the corners of his mouth, stretched +his jaws, and tried the effect of a beard made +out of paper shavings, his features lent themselves +very well to disguise.</p> + +<p>The next day he procured a complete outfit +from the Criminal Investigation Department. With +the help of a Secret Service expert, he tried all +the necessary arts, learned to plaster on a beard, +to alter his complexion, make himself look younger +or older, change his appearance by scars, and +so on. He could now make up as a country +cousin, a dispatch-bearing cyclist, a taxicab driver, +a porter, waiter, steward, window-cleaner, an “unemployed,” +and other characters. In the morning +he made an exhaustive examination of the criminal +museum which the police had collected, studied +the photographs he found there, returned to his +various make-ups, and worked with the zeal of +a fanatic.</p> + +<p>Thus the day passed, and by evening he felt +he had become a stronger man. He was at once +more discreet and yet more daring. He would +have liked to make a tour at once of all the +gaming-houses in the city.</p> + +<p>He went only to Schramm’s, however. He had +long been considering whether he should not appear +there in some sort of disguise, more for the purpose<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[39]</span> +of making a trial of it and learning to feel at +home in it than for actually starting upon his +work. He was still more anxious to go in the +hope of meeting the sandy-bearded man again +and seeing him play, for he was desirous of +atoning for his shortcomings of the previous evening, +which had left a painful impression upon his +mind. He would have liked to meet Basch again +and talk to him about the evils of gambling, +from which he had suffered so much. He went, +therefore, just as he was.</p> + +<p>It was already late when he got there. Hull +was present, but he saw neither the fair-bearded +stranger nor Basch. He only heard that +the former had left immediately after him, a fact +which all had noticed. After he left, Basch had +remained sitting as if utterly prostrate. He had +not played again, and suddenly he vanished. No +one knew him well. He had never been to +Schramm’s before.</p> + +<p>The lady who sat behind him estimated that +his losses must have been thirty to thirty-five +thousand marks. The blond stranger had won +it all, but he did not win until he began to hold +the bank. Everything had been absolutely in +order. The attendant who furnished the cards +was thoroughly reliable.</p> + +<p>While talking about the previous night’s play +they stopped their game. Then Cara said:</p> + +<p>“There are people who are born players, and +if they take only one card in their hands it is +sure to be an ace. They can do what they like; +the power is stronger than they are; it is their +guiding spirit, their God.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[40]</span>But Elsie did not agree with her. She thought +that every player once in his life came upon a +series of lucky days. They lay stretched out +before him, handed to him by his good fairy, +for every man had a good fairy. One must not +give up expecting to meet with those times of +good fortune, for one day one could gather in +the winnings as quickly as ripe apples in the +autumn....</p> + +<p>No one knew the man with the sandy beard. +Basch had brought him to Schramm’s, and the +first evening they had gone away together. He +might be a dethroned prince, he was so imperious +and abrupt in his speech. A dethroned prince +in want of money, no doubt.</p> + +<p>“I have a strange feeling,” said Hull, “as +if I had already played against him once....”</p> + +<p>“Nonsense!” said Cara.</p> + +<p>In his mind the fancy grew stronger. “It is +not so much that I have played with him, but as +if he had done me some very serious internal +injury, affecting my very blood; but how, and +when, and where, I have no idea. It must have +been in a dream.”</p> + +<p>“He has evil eyes,” said a woman’s voice, +which Wenk seemed to recognize. He looked in +that direction, but with the bright light on the +table the corner seemed as dark as a cave and +he could descry no one.</p> + +<p>Cara answered the voice in the darkness in a +tone that seemed to have anger in it: “Evil +eyes! What do you mean by that? Surely at +the gaming-table no one looks like a saint!”</p> + +<p>From the corner there came the words, “He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[41]</span> +seemed to look at Basch like a beast of prey +eyeing his victim!”</p> + +<p>“That was exactly the impression he gave me!” +exclaimed Wenk.</p> + +<p>He at once rose hastily and went to the corner, +entered the dark niche and started back, for the +speaker was the beautiful unknown! A glow +suffused Wenk’s features and his heart began to +beat violently, as if its strokes must be heard. +Then he pulled himself together, saying, “I really +must be mad! I am searching for a criminal +and am about to fall in love with someone whom +I may have to send to prison to-morrow. This +is really idiotic!” He recovered his presence of +mind, bowed to the stranger and said:</p> + +<p>“I should be greatly interested, madam, to hear +how you reached a conclusion which so exactly +resembles my own?”</p> + +<p>“It cannot be anything else,” said the lady, +smiling, “than an unusual evidence of secret +sympathy between me and a State official!”</p> + +<p>“She knows me, then!” said Wenk to himself +in astonishment. “But how could that come +about, except through Cara Carozza? A State +official, guardian and representative of the law, +and avenger of any breach of it, himself violating +its rules! It was absolutely fantastic. Yes, it +must have been the Carozza girl.” From the niche +he looked into the brilliantly lighted room, where +the dyed tresses of the dancer gleamed forth +between the heads. “So it was you!” he said +to himself; “you want to bring my plans to +nought, you good-for-nothing!...”</p> + +<p>Then he remembered the glance the blond had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[42]</span> +given her that first evening, and he ended, “You +are his decoy!” Now he realized the connection +between them. It was the dancer who brought +the blond his victims. He breathed a threat: +“Just you wait; I am taking it all in!”</p> + +<p>“Our agreement seems to have struck you +forcibly,” said the lady, interrupting his thoughts.</p> + +<p>“As a matter of fact, my thoughts were wandering, +and I beg your pardon, madam,” said Wenk; +“it is incomprehensible that any strange influence +should be able to intervene in <i>your</i> neighbourhood, +but it can be explained, nevertheless....”</p> + +<p>He did not continue. Two ideas suddenly obtruded +themselves. This lady was undoubtedly +an excellent observer. If only he could procure +her help! But the other thought stirred his pulses. +Why not abandon all this searching and spying +and following after criminals, and strive to win +the love of a woman such as this, beautiful as +a queen and stately as a goddess! Then he felt +her touching his arm hastily.</p> + +<p>“Don’t speak,” she whispered, “I beg of you!”</p> + +<p>At the same moment Wenk saw three gentlemen +entering the circle of light in the room. The +first was a young man whom he knew by sight, +for a few days previously he had noticed him +at an exhibition of Futurist paintings, as the buyer +of the most unusual and bizarre of these. He +had asked the name of the purchaser, and the +attendant had replied, “Graf Told bought them. +There he is,” pointing to the young man, who +had just now entered the room.</p> + +<p>“Herr von Wenk,” said the lady in a whisper, +“will you do me a great favour?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[43]</span>“With pleasure, madam. I am at your command.”</p> + +<p>“I am anxious to leave this room within the +next few minutes without being seen. Can you +help me to do this?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” said Wenk.</p> + +<p>“How can I accomplish my purpose?”</p> + +<p>“That is quite simple. You see the entrance +to that staircase; it is only a few steps to it. +You must look at it well, to be able to find it +in the dark. I am certain that I know where +the electric light switch is. It is just over the +first section of the stairs. I will go there and +turn it out, and you can make use of the darkness +to gain the staircase. When you have passed +me I will stand directly in the way of anyone +who tries to follow you or to reach the switch.”</p> + +<p>“Splendid! Thank you very much.”</p> + +<p>Her escape was safely made. When Wenk saw +the lady had reached the bottom, he turned the +light on again and entered the room with a light +laugh, saying, “Please forgive me; I did it for +a joke, and I did not realize you would be in +total darkness.”</p> + +<p>They all laughed, but the dancer was standing, +pale and disturbed, at the head of the winding stair, +which she had reached at one bound. She recovered +herself quickly and returned to Hull, +begging him to drive her home. Wenk accompanied +them.</p> + +<p>As they were about to leave the gaming-hall, +Wenk saw the head-waiter hand Hull an envelope. +He went to an empty table beneath a lamp, opened +it, and drew out a little note. It seemed as if<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[44]</span> +an invisible thrust had sent him staggering. Cara +went up to him, but he crumpled up the note, +stuffing it into his pocket, and rose and followed +the others out.</p> + +<p>When they had reached the street they parted, +but Hull turned and came back to Wenk, saying, +in a voice trembling with excitement, “I <i>must</i> +speak to you. This very night! Can you see +me at your rooms in an hour’s time? It is +something horrible; I am being shadowed!”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>“Look at this!” said Hull, as he entered +Wenk’s rooms an hour later. With a despairing +gesture he flung an envelope on Wenk’s table. +The latter opened it and drew a small card from +it. On it there stood:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> +<div class="poetry"> + +<p><span class="smcap">Herr Balling</span>,</p> + +<p class="center">I O U</p> + +<p><span class="indentleft">20,000 (twenty thousand) marks</span><br> +payable November 21st, 4 p.m.</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Edgar Hull.</span></p> +</div></div> + +<p>“My I O U,” said Hull in a toneless voice, and +after a pause, “Look at the other side!”</p> + +<p>On the reverse side Wenk read: “You are +warned. The reason I did not take your twenty +thousand marks is my affair alone. The transaction +lies between you and me. Play is play, +and no State Attorney has anything to do with +it.”</p> + +<p>Wenk was staggered. “Yes, yes, yes,” he said, +and found no other words to express the storm +which raged within him. Then after a while, +as he collected himself, he said:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[45]</span>“We sat near him, you and I! We could +have seized him by the arm, one on each side, +you ... and I! Do you understand?”</p> + +<p>“I am shadowed!” whispered Hull, who +seemed to have no thought of anything except +his immediate danger.</p> + +<p>“Do you understand? Do you know who +Balling is? Your Balling? your distinguished old +gentleman? It is the man with the fair beard +who was at Schramm’s. He is your Herr Balling! +Good heavens!... We could have put our hands +on his shoulder!”</p> + +<p>Hull merely gasped. Now he knew why the +sandy-bearded man had seemed familiar to him; +his were the large, fierce grey eyes!</p> + +<p>“Yes,” he said, “it <i>is</i> the same man!”</p> + +<p>“He has disappeared,” exclaimed Wenk; “he +no longer comes to Schramm’s. And as for you, +Herr Hull, we shall henceforth have you under +our special care, but you must endeavour to meet +our wishes and be constantly on your guard.”</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[46]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">IV</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Hull</span> departed, and Wenk, alone with the impressions +which the evening’s experiences had left +on his mind, asked himself, “Why did the fair +unknown try to get away so secretly? Have I +made another mistake? Has my helping her in +her flight placed a weapon in the hand which +would strike at me and my work?”</p> + +<p>His agitation increased, but he dismissed his +doubts of the lady. No, he felt he could rely +upon her. And now the realization of the connection +between Hull and the gambler, and all +the other stories about the latter, set his mind +working in a fresh direction, and other ideas began +to develop. He seemed to hear the beating of +the wings of some new and mighty force that +was invading his life. Conflicts were going on +in his physical nature, his phantasy, his nervous +energy and endurance. His knowledge of men +and his dominion over them were being put to +the test. Thinking fiercely, he smoked cigar after +cigar, and clouds of smoke surrounded him. It +was spring-time, storm, sunshine, and again storm, +in his blood. His muscles were engaged in an +imaginary and heroic conflict with mysterious and +mighty giants who were seeking to strangle his +fellow-men. He had seized one of them by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[47]</span> +false reddish beard which he had assumed, in +semblance of humanity.</p> + +<p>From the town, lapped in slumber, it seemed +as if the spirit of the age rushed into his room—an +age fraught with dangers, demands, and +tension of all kinds. It demanded men—demanded +of all men all their ambition, self-discipline, intelligence, +selflessness ... selflessness. It should +take him! There he was, free alike from arrogance +and from indolence! Might there not be, he +asked himself in his ecstatic monologue, a new +democracy which should redeem the past? Was +that the goal towards which the present gloom was +leading mankind? Was he rising on the stormy +wave? He would no longer drift along, striving +to help his country as a mere idealist. No, he +would stand firm on his feet; struggle, contest, +but not submit! Freed from thoughts of self, +he would expend the last drop of his blood to +become what he had learned to be; he would +yield all he had to give, to the very last red drop.</p> + +<p>It was not his career that was at stake, but +that which all men have in common, both in conflict +with each other and in helping one another. +It was the surge of humanity in which mortals, +for good or ill, were engulfed in a gloom which +none could dominate and subdue. In that night +of reflection the lawyer saw the criminal no longer +as a being of an inferior order. He envisaged +him as a man whose pulses raced madly along, +his senses stirred by the powers of hell; a man +whose lusts and appetites, demon-fed, should overreach +themselves and be brought to nought, and +he, Wenk, should save and deliver him. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[48]</span> +fighter should gain the ascendancy over his +adversary.</p> + +<p>In imagination Wenk was now struggling with +the blond stranger, and in him he had a powerful +opponent. He suspected even more than he already +knew. If he could relieve mankind of him, he +would have accomplished something by which he +could advance further.</p> + +<p>The song which Wenk’s heart had been singing +for the last two hours suddenly seemed to be +familiar to him, and in astonishment he realized +that the state to which he had now come had +been foreshadowed in his boyhood’s days, even +before his university career, his military training, +and his entry into law, when as yet no idea of +the justification of humanity had fired his blood. +Thinking over his lonely bachelor existence, without +any womanly influence, he felt a strange, sad +yearning for the father who had died long before.</p> + +<p>The next day Wenk asked Hull to procure +for him a list of all the secret gambling-dens, +the addresses of which might be obtained with +the help of Cara, who was <i>au courant</i> of such +matters. He made Hull promise, however, that +he would not speak to the girl of himself in this +connection.</p> + +<p>Wenk visited these places evening by evening. +He went disguised as a rich old gentleman from +the provinces. He had chosen this disguise, first +of all, because he had an excellent example of +it in an elderly uncle whom he merely had to +copy. The old gentleman gave the impression +that he was thoroughly enjoying all his experiences +of the great city.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[49]</span>Wenk had some accomplices among Karstens’ +acquaintances. He begged them to make it widely +known that he, the “country cousin,” was a man +of fabulous wealth, which when once settled down, +he intended to use to the full. He thought that +thus he might entice the gambler from Schramm’s +and others bent on plunder, that his wealth would +be the candle to these night moths. At times +he played carelessly for half an hour, adapting +himself to the character of the game; then he +would win considerable sums, only to lose them +again next time. With all this he never lost +sight of his own affairs or his neighbours’, and +during the game his brain was working busily +with a keenness which brought its own satisfaction.</p> + +<p>One evening during the second week in which +he was pursuing this course, he came to a gaming-house +in the centre of the city which, from the +style of its habitués, who appeared more downright +than in some of the other places, seemed +to promise him something out of the common. +There he saw an old gentleman sitting at the +card-table, his attention being drawn to him on +account of his horn spectacles. These were of +unusual size. The old gentleman was addressed +as Professor. When he took his cards in his +hand, he removed his horn spectacles, exchanging +them for eyeglasses of an uncommon shape.</p> + +<p>Then Wenk noticed that the spectacles now +lying on the table were not the usual type of +modern horn spectacles, but were of tortoiseshell, +very artistically designed. The old gentleman +slipped them into a large shagreen case, dotted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[50]</span> +over with green points. All his movements were +very leisurely, so that Wenk had ample time for +his observations. “Those are Chinese spectacles,” +he thought to himself, recalling his own journey +to China, which he had made before the war. +The recollection surged up so powerfully that he +uttered aloud what he had really only intended +to say to himself.</p> + +<p>The Professor, who sat opposite him, nodded +to him and said in a firm voice, which he had +not expected to hear from so aged a mouth, “They +are from Tsi-nan-fu!”</p> + +<p>He repeated the name, stressing it and separating +the syllables, “Tsi-nan-fu.” It was as if the +name had a rhythm and recollection behind it +which affected him strongly, and which he enjoyed +in the mere repetition of the syllables. He looked +across at Wenk, as if his eyes in their large +glasses were sending him a challenge. Wenk at +once felt some strange connection with the old +Professor.</p> + +<p>“Tsi-nan-fu,” said the harsh voice again, as +if with special meaning; indeed, as if he wanted +to hurl the three syllables at something, some +invisible goal behind Wenk—to reach, three times +over, an invisible point in the obscurity straight +above his head beyond the circle of electric light.</p> + +<p>Wenk involuntarily raised his hand to the back +of his head and turned round. Was he seeking +the spot towards which the three syllables were +projected, and had they reached their goal? When +he looked round he observed that behind his +neighbour at the gaming-table sat the lady whose +mysterious flight from Schramm’s he had assisted.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[51]</span> +It seemed as if she were regarding him mockingly, +and he did not know what course to pursue with +regard to her, but at that moment he felt that +cards were being dealt to him, and he turned +again to the table to take them up. As he did +so he began to feel sleepy, and felt dimly that +the staring eyes of the Professor were somehow +responsible for this. He forgot the beautiful unknown, +and strove to banish his lassitude, sitting +bolt upright and gazing at the green shagreen +cover of the Chinese spectacle-case. It seemed +as if the eyes of the old Professor, larger than +ever behind his glasses, were fixed vaguely upon +him, and some dim recollection of past days of +travel flitted into his mind. One morning on +his journey to China, through the porthole of +his cabin he had seen a narrow strip of coast-line +between sky and sea, and knew it for the +delta of the Yang-tse-kiang. Yes, it was the +Yang-tse-kiang.</p> + +<p>Pursuing this recollection, Wenk named his +stake, won it, and left his money lying. A comfortable +sense of drowsiness pervaded him, and he +stretched himself out, enjoying it. Then he became +wide awake once more, played his game, +and continued his watch. The players were holding +the bank in turns, and it seemed to Wenk +as if he were only awaiting the moment when +the old gentleman should take it over. “Why +am I waiting for that?” he asked himself. “How +strange it is that I should be. There are feelings +that one cannot trace to their source.”</p> + +<p>He finally decided that he was awaiting that +moment because the Professor with the Chinese<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">[52]</span> +spectacles was the most interesting person present, +and that this waiting sprang from a feeling of +<i>rapport</i> and sympathy with him.</p> + +<p>As the evening proceeded, this secret bond +between him and the unknown Professor grew +stronger still. “It is childish and sentimental,” +he told himself; “what is it going to lead to?”</p> + +<p>Then the old gentleman took the bank, and +Wenk seemed to be released—released from a +ridiculous and unnatural tension. “Now things +will be all right,” he thought. He staked a +small sum, trying to indicate thereby that he was +no opponent of the banker, and that it was only +for form’s sake he played against him.... He +won, for he held eight points, and then he ascertained +that he had staked a much bigger note +than he had intended to. Therefore he put his +stake and his winnings together and ventured +both. He drew a king and a five. When he +held a five he never bought another card, and +this rule was so firmly established in his mind +that when asked to say Yes or No, he did not +even answer.</p> + +<p>“You are taking a card?” were the words +he heard in his fit of abstraction. They were +uttered by a deep, compelling voice, and seemed +almost threatening in tone. Strangely, too, they +seemed to him to proceed from the spot behind +and above him which had been the goal of the +sounds “Tsi-nan-fu.”</p> + +<p>Then he whispered hesitatingly, “Please!” and +at the same instant he seemed to dissociate himself +inwardly from this decision, but it was too +late. He had drawn a five, and that, added to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">[53]</span> +the cards he held, totalled more than twenty-one +and made his hand worthless.</p> + +<p>The banker’s hand showed a queen and a four, +and as he had taken no other card, he had won +the round.</p> + +<p>“The country cousin is losing!” said a +woman’s voice.</p> + +<p>The hasty ejaculation astonished Wenk. He +turned round again, trying to penetrate the +obscurity; then he grew uneasy, and at the same +time he seemed to feel the beating of wings above +his eyes. Yes, they were wings, and he himself +was in a bird-cage. And now a seven was dealt +him. “That’s no good,” something seemed to +say to him, although it was almost certain to win. +But Wenk resisted the suggestion, and said distinctly, +“No other card for me!” It seemed +as if it were almost death to him to have to +utter these words.... He felt as if lightning-stabs +were compelling him to close his eyes. Then +in the last struggle of his will against his unnatural +weariness he saw the Professor’s hand +resting on the cards. It pressed the upper one +with a slight trembling movement, in evident desire +of giving it him, and it seemed as if a secret and +burning stream passed from this hand to him, +seeking to <i>compel</i> him to take the card, although +he had already declined it.</p> + +<p>Recognizing this, he was suddenly wide awake. +It seemed as if the chains destined to fetter his +soul had fallen from before him, and he now +faced the Professor fearlessly, seized with an incomprehensible +and strangely earnest misgiving +with regard to him. He was tempted to spring<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[54]</span> +up and beat the beckoning fingers away from +the card.</p> + +<p>“You are taking a card?” said the deep, stern +voice, as if issuing an order. It was the voice +he had already heard from behind him. Then +Wenk, in an unusually loud tone, said firmly and +indignantly, “No, I have already declined!”</p> + +<p>The large eyes behind the glasses remained +fixed, gazing at him for the space of a second, +then shrank back like hounds before a more powerful +assailant. The old gentleman leaned slightly +forward, asked for brandy and water, and shortly +afterwards requested to be allowed to give up +the bank and leave the game. He felt suddenly +indisposed, he said....</p> + +<p>They all busied themselves with him, crowding +round his seat, but Wenk remained in his chair. +He was struck by the connection between his +little experience and the old gentleman’s attack +of faintness. Were they indeed connected? He +felt as if he were responsible for the Professor’s +collapse. It seemed as if he had subconsciously +come into conflict with him, and that this fainting-fit +was the result of their struggle. He was +considering how he could help him. Then he felt +in his waistcoat-pocket and brought out his little +bottle of smelling-salts. He took the stopper out +and handed it across, saying, “Perhaps these salts +may be of use? I have just ...” but he was +surprised to find that the old gentleman had +already departed.</p> + +<p>His earlier misgivings returned. He rose quickly +and pushed his way through the crowd. He wanted +to follow the man and bring him back. Someone<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[55]</span> +suddenly stopped him, saying something incomprehensible, +as if he, Wenk, were responsible +for the Professor’s condition; but Wenk’s hand +went to the revolver in his breast-pocket. Cara +Carozza advanced towards him; he pushed her +hastily aside, dragging the other with him. Then +with his disengaged hand he violently wrenched +himself free of his assailant’s grip, and hurried +to the corridor which formed the dimly lighted +side-entrance. He heard footsteps behind him +as he entered it, hastened forward, closed the door +behind him after passing through, and soon gained +the side street where the motor-cars were waiting.</p> + +<p>By the light of a lantern he saw the old gentleman, +bent and bowed no longer, but with hasty +and powerful stride about to enter a car. He saw +his own chauffeur drawing up to the kerb, and +called to him in a low voice, “Follow that car!”</p> + +<p>They flew after it. It was a large and powerful +car, but as it was still early in the evening, +there was a good deal of traffic, and it could +not travel at its full speed, consequently they were +close behind it. They were soon caught up in +a stream of cars and taxicabs coming from one of +the theatres, so that Wenk could follow quietly and +without exciting suspicion right to the Palace Hotel. +The Professor’s car stopped in front of it, and +before Wenk’s car came to a standstill he saw +the other enter the vestibule hastily. He gave a +fleeting glance round. Wenk hastened after him, +but happened to be caught in the stream of those +entering, who hid him from sight. He saw the +Professor rapidly open and read a telegram at +the hotel bureau, and while he was reading it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[56]</span> +Wenk had time to select a favourable spot for +observing him. Thus he saw that the old gentleman, +raising his eyes from his telegram, gave a +furtive glance round, then went quickly to the +lift, opened the door and disappeared within it; +but Wenk had noticed that there was a lift +attendant sitting inside.</p> + +<p>He waited till the light signalled where the +lift had stopped, and saw it was on the first floor; +then he rang for it to descend.</p> + +<p>“First floor!” said he to the boy, and they +went up alone.</p> + +<p>“Wasn’t it the gentleman in No. 15 who just +went up?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“No, sir; it was the Dutch Professor in No. 10.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, then my eyes must have deceived me,” +he said. “Thank you;” and he proceeded slowly +along the corridor. He came to No. 10, lingered +a moment there, then went on and looked backward, +hearing a door open. It might have been +No. 10. He waited, stooping down and busying +himself with his shoelace, and when he heard +the door shut again, he turned round. Then he +saw that on the mat in front of No. 10 there was +a pair of shoes.</p> + +<p>He went back, an unusual idea having occurred +to him. He would knock at the door and ask +the old gentleman whether he had recovered from +his indisposition, and then take him unawares, +for he felt he had enough to go upon to arrest +him. The idea seemed to him both a bold and +promising one, but when he stood in front of +No. 10 again, he saw that the shoes outside the +door were women’s shoes, and he gave up the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[57]</span> +thought. Then he went downstairs and asked +to see the hotel manager. He showed him the +necessary credentials and asked about the gentleman +in No. 10. The hotel list was brought.</p> + +<p>“No. 10, you see, sir, is Professor Grote, from +The Hague.”</p> + +<p>“According to your book he is staying here +alone.”</p> + +<p>“That is so, your honour.”</p> + +<p>“Is he always alone here, or now and then +with a female companion?”</p> + +<p>“I do not allow anything of that sort, your +honour. We are very strict about our guests’ +respectability.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I can only say that this guest, in spite +of his size, has uncommonly small feet.”</p> + +<p>“What does your honour mean by that?”</p> + +<p>“He wears ladies’ shoes.”</p> + +<p>“Ah now, sir, you are joking.”</p> + +<p>“Well, come with me, my good fellow, and see +for yourself.”</p> + +<p>They went upstairs together. In front of No. 10 +they saw a pair of elegant high-heeled shoes of +the latest fashion.</p> + +<p>Then Wenk cocked his revolver and went in +without the formality of knocking. He entered +the room quickly, the hotel manager following +him. The light was on, but the room was empty. +Both the windows were closed and the bathroom +adjoining had none. Wenk searched the cupboards, +bed, and drawers, but nowhere was any +clue to be found. He hurried down to the street, +but the stranger’s car had disappeared.</p> + +<p>He made the manager inquire who had left<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">[58]</span> +the hotel within the last ten minutes. “Nobody +but the secretary,” said the commissionaire. At +that moment the secretary came from behind a +partition, ready to leave the hotel. The man +looked at him in amazement.</p> + +<p>“You here again! You only left a few minutes +ago.”</p> + +<p>“<i>I</i> did? I was in the bureau till this very +minute,” answered the employé.</p> + +<p>Then Wenk knew all he needed to know, and +the circumstance was fully explained. For the +purposes of disguise the man who had disappeared +had prepared the outfit of someone well known +in the hotel. He had put a woman’s shoes at his +door, for he conjectured, and rightly too, that +the pursuer, before he entered the room, would +go back to the bureau and inquire about the +mystery of the feminine footwear, and he had +made good use of the time this took. It was +evident to Wenk that he was dealing with a mastermind. +He was astonished at the dexterity with +which he worked. It immediately recalled the +doings of the blond stranger at Schramm’s, and +Hull’s Herr Balling.</p> + +<p>On his homeward way, and after he reached +his chambers, Wenk thought over all he knew +about the bearded blond, and tried to compare +it with the impressions made on him by the Professor. +But, strangely enough, although many +details concerning the gambler at Schramm’s were +firmly and indelibly fixed in his mind, his impressions +of the Professor were wavering and indistinct, +although he had encountered him but an hour +before.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">[59]</span>Moreover, he grew drowsy and it seemed to +him as if he had to recover from some more +than ordinary fatigue which he had undergone +in the course of the day. He began to undress, +and a lassitude, almost like that caused by the +loss of blood, overcame him. That feeling of an +inward lightness of body which had seemed so comfortable +when he recalled it at the close of their +contest, the nervous tension after the last occurrence, +together with the sensation of faintness, now +took possession of him entirely. He yielded to +it and fell asleep before he had quite finished +undressing. In his dream it seemed as if a +mysterious and magic castle had been built up +all round him, and he knew that if he could +interpret the three syllables “Tsi-nan-fu,” or locate +that hole in the wall whither The Hague professor’s +voice projected them, he would find the key to +unlock the door of the enchanted castle.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[60]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">V</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">For</span> the next few evenings Wenk did not visit +any gaming-house. As his own chauffeur, dressed +in leather cap and coat, he drove round the city, +bringing his car to a standstill before one or +other of its well-known resorts, and observing, +from the security of the driver’s seat, the people +who entered or left it.</p> + +<p>On one occasion, when he was driving to the +first of these houses and proceeding slowly along +the Dienerstrasse, he was held up by a block +in the traffic. While he was waiting, he saw in +a tobacconist’s, just in front of which his course +was arrested, something which caused his pulses +to beat at double time. It was he, the sandy-bearded +man! He had his back turned and was +buying cigars, but it was certainly he! He was +making his choice slowly and carefully as if he +defied the danger of being recognized. There +was a car in front of the door. Wenk examined +it closely, but it was unfamiliar to him. He copied +its number down.</p> + +<p>Once the chauffeur left it, in order to do something +to the back of the car. Wenk, who was +behind him, called to him; the man looked up, +but put his hands to his mouth as if to signify +that he was dumb.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[61]</span>The man in the shop took up his parcel and +turned to the door, but the face he disclosed to +Wenk was one he had never seen before. People +pushed between him and Wenk, so that he saw +him for a moment only. Just then the block was +released, the string of cars drove on, and the +one in front of him set off at a bound, as if +hastening to get away from pursuit.</p> + +<p>Wenk, however, could not shake off his conviction. +He followed. As soon as the other car +was free of the rest, it increased its speed, and +bore off to the Maximilianstrasse. Wenk was unable +to keep up with it. The street was empty +throughout its length, and when he had reached +the square at the end he saw that the car in front +was turning down Wiedenmeierstrasse. He still +followed, the distance between them always increasing, +but in the moonlight he never lost sight +of his quarry throughout the length of the street. +When he reached the Max Joseph Bridge, he saw +that the car in front was making use of the wide +square on the other bank of the Isar to make a +detour, and suddenly, with its engines throbbing, +it came back across the bridge and drove past +him. It then drove again down the Wiedenmeierstrasse, +which it had just ascended.</p> + +<p>This was certainly a suspicious circumstance, +and Wenk did all he could to gain upon the other +car, and turned round while still on the bridge. +Again the other turned into the Maximilianstrasse, +and as it was now teeming with traffic, Wenk was +able to bring his own vehicle close up.</p> + +<p>The strange car came to a halt outside a +theatre of varieties. Wenk sprang from his car,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[62]</span> +and when the stranger left his and, turning his +back on Wenk, entered the theatre, he felt the +same overpowering conviction that it really was +the blond—it could be no other.</p> + +<p>In feverish excitement Wenk pushed past the +people and got into the theatre. He saw that he +would overtake the stranger in the <i>foyer</i>, so he +waited among the rest, certain that the other would +have to pass by him.... But when he did, +Wenk saw a broad, clean-shaven man, with a +heavy mouth and large staring eyes. The face +was quite unknown to him, and coolly and indifferently +the large eyes glanced at him. Disappointed +and disgusted, Wenk passed by, intending +to go out to his waiting car.</p> + +<p>A few late arrivals detained him in the proximity +of the cloakroom. It was exactly eight o’clock, +and the signal that the curtain was about to go +up was already being given. At this moment +Wenk realized what a difficulty there would be +and what excitement would be created were he +to arrest his man then and there. Unwilling to +let his quarry escape him, he turned once more, +and then saw the other disengaging himself from +a group of men who were pushing forward to +the pit, making his way quietly to the left-hand +entrance to the boxes. This led to the five +ground-floor boxes, as Wenk knew. He quickly +made up his mind and bought a seat in one of +them for himself. It was the last to be had, +and the plan showed him that each box held five +persons.</p> + +<p>Going back to his car, he crept inside, and +there changed into evening dress. From the box-office<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[63]</span> +he telephoned his chauffeur to come for the +car, and then returned to his box.</p> + +<p>It was dark when he entered it, and he tried, +but without success, to distinguish the stranger’s +features in the dim light. When the light went +up again he was equally unsuccessful in tracing +him anywhere among the twenty ladies and gentlemen +sitting in the lower boxes. It was altogether +incomprehensible. This corridor led to the five +boxes only, and they were five or six feet above +the pit. How had his quarry escaped him?</p> + +<p>Now thoroughly uneasy, Wenk hastened to the +street to see whether the stranger’s car was still +there. To his relief he found it there.</p> + +<p>He breathed more freely, and turned to go to +his own car and remain there until he could pursue +the other, but as he noticed the strange car again, +he saw that it had a taximeter. He had looked +at the car well before, and was certain that it +had no register. Without further reflection, Wenk +approached the chauffeur, saying, “Are you disengaged?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir,” said the chauffeur.</p> + +<p>Wenk entered the car, giving his own address. +During the drive he intended to consider his next +move; then it suddenly occurred to him that the +man, who had been dumb when in the Dienerstrasse, +answered instantly when spoken to here.</p> + +<p>The automobile drove on; a sweetish scent +pervaded its interior, which affected Wenk’s mucous +membranes.</p> + +<p>Something <i>was</i> wrong then! “A little while ago +he was dumb, now he can talk,” reflected Wenk. +“Before it was a private car; now it is plying<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">[64]</span> +for hire like a taxicab. What is it that smells +so strongly?” His nostrils and eyelids seemed +to be on fire.</p> + +<p>In order to decide what the odour was, Wenk +drew one or two deep breaths. Then he tried to +open the window, for he found the smell unbearable. +What <i>did</i> it smell of? He raised his arm, +but he saw that it would not rise to its full extent; +it did not obey his will. At the same moment it +seemed as if a heavy block were pressing on his +eyes. Then dread seized him in a fiery grasp. +No longer capable of resistance, he began to +bellow furiously, flung himself down and kicked +with his foot at the handle of the door, but without +being able to find it.</p> + +<p>For some few seconds he lay on the floor of +the car, with occasional gleams of consciousness. +Then these were finally extinguished, and complete +insensibility overtook him, while the car continued +its mad race through the streets.</p> + +<p>The chauffeur drove with the unconscious form +of the drugged State Attorney throughout the +darkness to Schleissheim. There he propped him +up on a bench, and then drove back to Munich. In +the Xenienstrasse he halted before a residence +standing alone. Upon a brass plate might be +read:</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dr. Mabuse</span>,<br> +<span class="indentleft"><i>Neurologist.</i></span></p> + +<p>A man of massive build, covered by a fur coat, +came rapidly out of the house and through the +little front garden to the car. “He is lying in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">[65]</span> +the Schleissheim Park,” said the chauffeur. “Here +is the notebook you wanted.”</p> + +<p>“Did you remove the gas-flask from the car?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Doctor.”</p> + +<p>“Drive on!”</p> + +<p>But at this moment a woman, closely muffled +up, came out of the darkness and stepped towards +the car. She held on to the door, murmuring +beseechingly, “Dearest!”</p> + +<p>Mabuse turned in annoyance. “What do you +want? Are you begging?”</p> + +<p>The woman answered him gently and sadly. +“Yes, begging—for love!”</p> + +<p>“You know my answer.”</p> + +<p>“But remember the past. Why should this +be?” implored the voice.</p> + +<p>Mabuse, in wrath, exclaimed, “The past is +past. Your part is to obey. My orders are +clear, and there is nothing between Yes and No. +You have heard from George what my wishes are. +Drive on, George!”</p> + +<p>He was already in the car. The woman fell +back to the garden railings, covered herself up +again, and called after the retreating car, “But +if I cannot stop loving you?”</p> + +<p>Then a second car pulled up close beside her. +A man sprang out and advanced towards her, +saying threateningly, “What do you want here? +Oh, oh! it’s you, Cara! Well, have you spoken +to the Doctor?”</p> + +<p>She nodded despairingly.</p> + +<p>“There’s nothing to be done. His will is like +a sledge-hammer, therefore don’t oppose it. So +long! I must go after him.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[66]</span>And Cara Carozza gathered her disguising +garments about her and went away in grief, downcast +and heavy-hearted, to sacrifice herself for +him.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>“Where are we?” inquired Mabuse through the +speaking-tube.</p> + +<p>“Past Landsberg!” answered George.</p> + +<p>The plans in Mabuse’s head succeeded one +another as rapidly as the trees in a forest in +which he wandered continually further. Ever more +steps to climb, more gulfs to cross! Were they +really plans after all? Were they not dreams? +he asked himself, suddenly checking the thoughts +that were racing through his mind.</p> + +<p>“Five million Swiss francs are now worth about +twenty-five million lire, i.e. five million Italian +five-lire pieces. Each of these weighs twenty +grams. Five million, will that be enough? It’s +a good idea, for the gain on every five-lire piece +which I buy at to-day’s rate with Swiss francs is +four francs; therefore the total gain will be four +million Swiss francs. Against that the costs are +thirty per cent. Good! Each one, I said, weighs +twenty grams. Now, how many kilograms are +there in five million times twenty grams? A +hundred million grams? Why cannot I think out +these simple calculations clearly? Am I afraid +of anything?”</p> + +<p>Yes, there again he found himself in another +forest. “Am I afraid, really afraid? If I am, +I shall come to grief. After all, who is Hull? +Who is Wenk? What absurdity! <i>I</i> ... +afraid?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[67]</span>He collected his ideas, and sent these thoughts +packing.</p> + +<p>“A hundred million grams make a hundred +thousand kilograms. According to the district he +is in, a smuggler can carry from ten to fifteen +kilos every time. How many men am I employing +in this work alone? The whole amount +must be brought from Italy to the Southern Tyrol +and thence to Switzerland within a month. The +Austrian frontiers are easier, even if I have to +employ twice the number. Spoerri reckoned the +risk to be only three per cent., according to the +police reports, as against ten per cent. by Lake +Constance or the Ticino frontier, where the +Customs officials, even in peace-time, used to +regard everybody with suspicion.”</p> + +<p>Mabuse’s imagination threatened to run away +with him again. Should he not try to sleep?</p> + +<p>“Where are we?” he called through the +speaking-tube.</p> + +<p>“At Buchloe!” was the reply.</p> + +<p>The distance from Buchloe to Röthenbach was +eighteen kilometres.</p> + +<p>“That will take two hours,” he reflected; +“then we shall do it comfortably. At 2 p.m. we +must be at Schachen, and before that we meet +Spoerri at Opfenbach and Pesch on the Lindau +Hill. After that we shall be practically in +Schachen, and there will be no chance of sleep.”</p> + +<p>But he could not regain control of himself. +Wenk’s attempt at pursuit oppressed him. In +the Palace Hotel he had only had ten minutes’ +start of him.</p> + +<p>He did not want to acknowledge it, even to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">[68]</span> +himself. He began to reckon that to smuggle five +million five-lire pieces from Italy and the Southern +Tyrol through Vorarlberg to Switzerland would +require two hundred and fifty people on each +frontier. That was five hundred men for the +smuggling alone. If he reckoned the buyers and +the Bolzano collectors as well, it was really seven +hundred. With their families he might consider +that he was keeping, roughly, about four thousand +people. That was a small township. A little +town lay in his grasp, pledged to evil purposes, +working in dark nights, stealing along mysterious +byways, avoiding the revolvers of Customs officials, +working stealthily, steadily, at his will. They +had no thought either, but of him, the owner of +the money, the employer and dictator, the possessor +of all power and force. They ventured their lives +for him, but he had never seen one of them. +How would it be if he were to see and converse +with them, appearing abruptly before them when +they were in the midst of their enterprise? They +would imagine themselves to be caught, until they +should have realized that it was he, their master +and employer, who stood amongst them.</p> + +<p>Four thousand people; it was a whole district. +But in Citopomar it would be something very +different when he traversed the virgin forests and +had the Botocudos and all the other tribes directly +under his thumb, and had left this insignificant +beggarly little continent behind him! There his +word alone would be law. There, in Citopomar, +the dream of his boyhood would be fulfilled—a +dream which had already begun to be realized +on that large and desolate island which lay cradled<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">[69]</span> +in the ocean yonder. There he had owned men; +there wild Nature was his alone; as a conqueror +he had sailed the waters; his blood and sinews +governed men; his will was imposed on Nature; +the palms of his planting yielded him a luxuriant +growth of wealth—sheer gold. He could despise +it because he did not need it, for there he was +free, free as a king, a deity!...</p> + +<p>But the war had driven him out of his +Paradise and sent him back to the despised +continent of Europe. He could not endure life +in these European countries. He felt as if he +were confined in a pasture, eating grass like dumb, +senseless cattle ate their predestined, accustomed +grass. No, he could not live thus! Therefore +by undermining State organization he was preparing +a State for himself, with laws which he +alone made, with powers vested in himself over +the souls and bodies of men. By means of his +accomplices he was collecting the money wherewith +to establish his empire in the primeval forests +of Brazil, the Empire of Citopomar.</p> + +<p>He was self-sufficing. What were men to him? +He scattered them at will. Yonder, however, in +the future, in Citopomar, there would be none who +<i>could</i> oppose him.</p> + +<p>By degrees, as these thoughts ran away with +him, Mabuse fell asleep, his limbs reclining on +the cushions and his phantasies soaring above all +material things. For two long hours he slept, +sunk in the darkness of his dreams.</p> + +<p>Then it seemed as if a little hammer were +striking his skull, always on the same spot. It +was annoying, and it was unheard of. He had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[70]</span> +only two hours between Buchloe and Röthenbach +in which to sleep. Who had dared to strike his +head with this hammer?</p> + +<p>All at once he was wide awake. The hammer +was the whistle of the speaking-tube.</p> + +<p>“Well?” called out Mabuse.</p> + +<p>“There is a car behind us.”</p> + +<p>“What are its marks?”</p> + +<p>“There is a grey patch on the right lamp.”</p> + +<p>“What is the time?”</p> + +<p>“Half-past one.”</p> + +<p>“And where are we?”</p> + +<p>“Two kilometres from Röthenbach.”</p> + +<p>“Pull up! It is Spoerri.”</p> + +<p>The car stopped, and immediately its lights +went out, and so did those of the car which +followed. Then it drove close up and stopped. +There was a cough heard.</p> + +<p>“Come here!” said Mabuse.</p> + +<p>Someone came out of the darkness. Mabuse +had drawn the revolver from his coat-pocket. The +car-driver turned on a small electric lamp, and its +gleam disclosed a man wrapped in a large cloak.</p> + +<p>“Spoerri?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Doctor.”</p> + +<p>The pistol was returned to its place.</p> + +<p>“Spoerri, wait here a quarter of an hour, or +else drive to Schachen by another route. You +must arrive shortly after me, between half-past +one and two o’clock. I have decided on some +great changes that I want to tell you of before we +go to Switzerland. Anything else?”</p> + +<p>“Everything is in order. I have another +hundred kilos of cerium in the car.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[71]</span>“Good. Between half-past one and two +o’clock!”</p> + +<p>They drove on. As their road approached the +Austrian frontier, which was patrolled by officials, +their lights were extinguished for a while, but in +Schlachters they shone out again, and the village +was soon left behind them.</p> + +<p>Half-way to Lindau, where forest and hill meet, +they stopped again.</p> + +<p>“Anybody there?”</p> + +<p>“No, Doctor.”</p> + +<p>“Not Pesch?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t see anybody.”</p> + +<p>Mabuse quitted the car impatiently.</p> + +<p>“I will punish him for this. I <i>will</i> have my +people punctual!”</p> + +<p>He waited on, and the minutes crept by. +Mabuse slapped his thigh angrily. To keep him +waiting! That a smuggler should dare to do +such a thing! He was consumed with impatience, +and felt as if his dignity were impeached. That +a smuggler should keep him, the master, waiting!</p> + +<p>Five minutes later a car, with faint lights, +issued from the junction road and stopped on +the highway.</p> + +<p>“Pesch!” exclaimed Mabuse.</p> + +<p>A man turned from the open car.</p> + +<p>“Yes, Doctor, here I am. It is Pesch.”</p> + +<p>“It is 1.45 a.m., and you were due at 1.35.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, a matter of ten minutes doesn’t count. <i>I’ve</i> +had to wait often enough!” answered the voice +in the darkness in a defiant tone.</p> + +<p>“If I had a horsewhip here I’d cudgel you +soundly. Ten minutes mean fifteen kilometres<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[72]</span> +advance upon a pursuer, you fool! You are +earning two thousand marks from me to-night.”</p> + +<p>The other answered boldly, “And with my +help <i>you</i> are earning twenty thousand!”</p> + +<p>“Five hundred thousand more likely, you blockhead,” +said Mabuse; “but that’s nothing to do +with you. The only question here is who is master +and who servant.”</p> + +<p>“You are not my master,” said the other.</p> + +<p>“I am not? ... you say so, do you?” he +thundered. “Very well, you can get along home. +I don’t want you any more—never any more!”</p> + +<p>He turned to his car and got in; then said +hastily in a threatening tone, “If you feel inclined +to send any anonymous information to the +authorities, you’ll remember that there is a fir-tree +growing in the wood, and there’s room for +you to hang there like your colleague Haim. +Drive on, George!”</p> + +<p>The car started off again.</p> + +<p>In the neighbourhood of Schachen, where +stately houses with upper stories made cars appear +less striking, they found a park gate open, and +without any difficulty George found his way along +the dark drive leading to the villa. The lights +were extinguished.</p> + +<p>While Mabuse and George were still standing +on the doorstep Spoerri arrived.</p> + +<p>When Mabuse opened the door and turned on +the light, he saw that Spoerri was dressed as a +monk.</p> + +<p>“It is a mere accident,” said Spoerri. “I +had to go to Switzerland in a hurry, and down +there in the Rhine valley a cowl is more useful<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[73]</span> +than even a genuine frontier pass. The last pass +I had is in St. Gallen, and you know that I had +to leave there hastily. But I had left the list of +securities with Schaffer, and he brought them to +me at Altstetten to-day. It is not safe to send +such things by post nowadays.”</p> + +<p>When he said this they were sitting in a large, +well-furnished dining-room. George served the +supper, brought ready prepared from Munich, and +warmed up on the electric stove. Still eating, +Mabuse said:</p> + +<p>“We will liquidate on the lake itself, and thus +we shall gain five points more than on land, +according to the lists. I have bought five million +Italian five-lire pieces. They are coming to the +Southern Tyrol, and must be taken to Switzerland +by way of the Vorarlberg. You must look after +that, Spoerri. The Italian agent is Dalbelli, in +Meran. You must go there to-morrow. I give +you a month to do it in, and then we shall +start a fresh district. Switzerland is now strongly +against the importation of silver, and so there +is less competition. We shall get enough of the +five-lire pieces in Italy, and I have tried to do it +with French silver too, but since the Treaty of +Versailles there are so many fresh business combines +in France, and they give nobody anything +because the majority of them have not been in +trade before. Have you not noticed that?”</p> + +<p>Spoerri nodded, making some inward calculation.</p> + +<p>“Stop your calculations till I have done talking,” +said Mabuse sharply, and Spoerri looked up in +confusion.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[74]</span>Mabuse continued: “My confidential agent in +the Government has informed me that meat-control +will be abolished in Bavaria next month, but the +matter will be kept dark. The difference in the +prices prevailing in Bavaria and in Würtemberg +is an enormous one, and for the first few weeks +of decontrol it will still be very considerable. It +would be a good thing to begin buying up now, +however, and you can say that I am prepared +to lay out ten million marks. Buy as much as +you can get hold of; haste is wisdom in this +respect. Inquire of Meggers in Stuttgart about +the sales, and see that we have enough people for +the transport. Everything must be completed within +three days of giving the orders. We shall want +from a thousand to twelve hundred head of cattle, +and look out for beasts of good quality. No +sheep or pigs—the risk is too great. Reckon +it up for yourself before you do anything further. +We get thirty per cent. on our purchase, and therefore +we can allow ten per cent. on expenses. +You must reckon more correctly than you did +about the salvarsan.”</p> + +<p>“That time I hadn’t calculated....”</p> + +<p>“Exactly, you hadn’t calculated correctly. +Pesch is withdrawing; let him be closely watched +by the Removal Committee, for he is impulsive, +and if he plays the slightest trick he can be +strung up beside Haim. By the way, they haven’t +found <i>him</i> yet.... How much did you pay for +the cerium?”</p> + +<p>“It was dearer than....”</p> + +<p>“Everything always is dearer than ... the +Poles or the Bolsheviks can get it. How much?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[75]</span>“Fifty marks.”</p> + +<p>“Fifty Swiss francs then. They must have it, +so don’t yield a stiver!”</p> + +<p>He whistled into the speaking-tube under the +table.</p> + +<p>“George there?” he called out. “Everything +in order?... Good. The <i>Rhine</i> is waiting, +Spoerri. George, you are to be pilot; don’t forget +the securities. That’s all for the present”; and +turning again to Spoerri, “You’ll be in no danger +in going to Zürich, Spoerri, will you?”</p> + +<p>“I am all right as soon as I’ve passed the +Customs, and then I go on as a priest.”</p> + +<p>“If you travel by the <i>Rhine</i>, you’ll avoid the +Customs; you can take charge of the securities +and put them in the bank, to the account of +Salbaz de Marte, mining engineer. Here is the +list: a million in German Luxemburg stock, two +million German Colonial Loan, five hundred +thousand-mark notes. These are to be changed +at once into milreis; that gives a better exchange +than either dollars or Swiss francs. Inform +Dr. Ebenhügel that fresh securities have been +deposited, and that I want him to make use of the +first favourable opportunity and sell for milreis.... +There is one rather difficult matter to settle: +the disposal of the people who have been working +for me in Constance. If they are +unemployed....”</p> + +<p>“Many don’t want to work any longer, in any +case,” said Spoerri.</p> + +<p>“I know. Those are the folks who have all they +want; there’s nothing to fear from <i>them</i>. With +my help they have got their own houses and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[76]</span> +are free of debt. But sometimes I have been +obliged to take any workers I could get, and +those who don’t own their houses should be +carefully watched. The powder magazine is at +Constance, for the young fellows live there, and +if we suddenly withdraw these high wages from +them, there is nothing for them to do but steal, +and in a week’s time they’ll find themselves in +prison and will be blabbing everything in their +rage. Talk to George about this, and see what +is to be done. He’s going there to-morrow. The +safest thing would be to pack them off into the +Foreign Legion. Go and see Magnard as soon +as you have finished up in Zürich and Meran. +Don’t forget to claim the commission for them. +Give it to George, who can divide it among those +concerned.... Authorize Böhm to sell the three +motor-boats that we have on the lake besides +the <i>Rhine</i>. <i>That</i> always bears the ensign of the +Royal Würtemberg Yacht Club and therefore is +unnoticed. Keep the <i>Rhine</i> in this neighbourhood +for any emergency. The boat can do sixty kilometres +if it is well handled. Let us go.”</p> + +<p>George was waiting outside. The three men felt +their way through the darkness to the landing-stage, +where they could hear the boat’s engines throbbing.</p> + +<p>“You have followed out my orders and there’s +nothing on board?” said Mabuse.</p> + +<p>“Nothing but the cerium.”</p> + +<p>“Take it out then. I am not a dealer in +scrap-iron!”</p> + +<p>George hastened forward. Three men were busy +in the gloom. Then Mabuse and Spoerri went +on board and the boat started, going cautiously<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[77]</span> +through the night. The engine scarcely throbbed. +There was a slight vibration in the cabin where +Mabuse sat, wrapped in his fur coat; then he +went to the deck aft, and impatiently forward +to the engine. After they had travelled for +a while, he listened intently. It seemed to him as +if through the sounds made by his own boat a +noise reached his ears.</p> + +<p>“Stop!” he cried suddenly.</p> + +<p>George stopped the engine, and the sounds outside +ceased. They started again, and immediately +the sounds on the water, now on the right and +again on the left, were heard once more. Mabuse +went on the fore-deck, where the noise of the +engine was not so distinct. From there he could +hear them quite distinctly.</p> + +<p>“We are pursued, or at any rate under +surveillance,” he thought. “Can it be that +lawyer-detective Wenk?” Calmly, yet defiantly, +he got his pistols ready. In the darkness he +tried to discern what flag the <i>Rhine</i> was carrying, +but it was impossible to find out.</p> + +<p>“Spoerri,” he called out softly, and Spoerri +came out of the cabin. “What are we travelling +as? Don’t you hear that we are being followed?”</p> + +<p>“No, no,” said Spoerri, “we are a Swiss patrol-boat +to-night. I heard that the Germans were +about, so I ordered the three other boats to act as +convoy. One is travelling behind us, the others +on each side. Nobody could reach us; we are +already in Swiss waters.”</p> + +<p>“How much a year do you earn in my service, +that makes you take such care of me?” said +Mabuse spitefully.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[78]</span>“Quite enough,” answered Spoerri; “but that +is not why I do it.”</p> + +<p>“Why then? Are you enamoured of my person, +or is it merely the Christian charity that it suits +you Swiss folk to assume since the war?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said Spoerri simply.</p> + +<p>“I have three and a half millions here in my +dispatch-case. If you dared to, you would strangle +me, but you don’t dare, and that is all there is +about it. That is your pure humanity and love. +During the last year you have had somewhere +about eighty-five thousand, six hundred and +seventy-seven marks or more from me.... Is +that enough to stifle the desire to murder a man?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said Spoerri once more.</p> + +<p>“Then you are a slave—my slave. Do you +hear me? You are my slave.”</p> + +<p>“I hear you.”</p> + +<p>“Shall I slap your face? No; I won’t touch +your slave-skin with my own. I just spit in the +air.”</p> + +<p>“Into the sea. You won’t pick a quarrel with +anybody. There is no point of honour on the +Lake of Constance.”</p> + +<p>“Point of honour is an expression that doesn’t +exist. A point is no larger than a squashed fly, +and that’s the extent of a man’s honour—yours too, +eh? You have some honour, even if the Lake of +Constance has not?”</p> + +<p>“I have never measured it.”</p> + +<p>“Speak sense when you talk to me. I won’t +stand your tomfoolery.”</p> + +<p>“We are getting close to the shore.”</p> + +<p>“Are you shirking, fellow?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[79]</span>“No.”</p> + +<p>“You dog!” said Mabuse in a stifled voice, +in growing wrath. “I feel hatred tingling in +my finger-tips. I shall grasp you by the throat, +you cur, you cowardly cur, and I shall annihilate +you just as the electric current in the American +death-chair does, you miserable wretch!”</p> + +<p>At this moment the engine stopped. For some +time the sounds of the boats behind them had +ceased.</p> + +<p>“Why have we stopped?” asked Mabuse +angrily. “I gave no orders.”</p> + +<p>“There is no signal from the shore.”</p> + +<p>Then Mabuse came to himself again. He +stood up, gnashing his teeth, and asked:</p> + +<p>“What is the matter?”</p> + +<p>“We must wait. We can always rely on Solly. +There is something wrong.”</p> + +<p>“Let us wait! Have you weapons ready?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, but if we don’t get the signal, we’d +better get into the skiff. Then we can row back +to the other boats.”</p> + +<p>Behind Romanshorn a searchlight began to play, +throwing a beam of light into the sky. It moved +lower and peered about through the darkness, +probing closely and lingering in places, then was +directed towards the waters in the middle of the +lake. It rose in the sky once more and then +fell pitilessly on the very spot where Mabuse’s +boat was lying. His knees trembled under the +tension.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, however, the shaft of light was +fixed on a house standing out prominently in +Romanshorn, just where the new church stood on<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[80]</span> +a hill, and those in the boat perceived that the +other craft must be far beyond on the other side +of the point, and did not signify any danger. +Their boat remained in darkness. In the railway-station +on the shore lamps hung here and there +at some distance from each other, and their +reflections gleamed fitfully on the black waters. +Then Mabuse said sternly:</p> + +<p>“No, we’ll stay here! Tell George to get the +pneumatic gun fastened to the engine.”</p> + +<p>Spoerri sprang to do his bidding.</p> + +<p>Under the cushions there was a poison-gas +installation. Mabuse opened the nozzle. The wind +was from the south-west and therefore favourable +to his purpose. He prepared masks for himself +and his companions and tried their fastenings.</p> + +<p>Then he saw on shore a light which shone out +brightly and was at once extinguished, then came +again and flickered and was still. The engine +started again, and the boat was soon in the +channel, gliding under the trees, where it finally +came to a standstill. The engine was silent, and +a man ashore threw out a cable. Then Mabuse +heard someone say, “Dr. Ebenhügel.”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” he ordered, “let him come on board.”</p> + +<p>A dim form stepped across the gangway.</p> + +<p>“It is I, Ebenhügel, Doctor. I have just come +from Zürich. It is on account of my car that +Solly did not give the signal punctually. The +Customs authorities are on the watch every night +with their cars now. Did you get my wire? There +is something wrong, for the clerk has sent a warning. +He could not tell us what was up, but +from some reply to one of his superiors he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[81]</span> +gathered that it came to the Consulate headquarters +in Zürich from the Munich Criminal +Investigation Department.”</p> + +<p>“So,” said Mabuse, closing his jaws firmly, +“my lord Wenk is on the track, is he? Just you +wait a while, my fine official!” Then, turning +to Ebenhügel, he continued, “I am constantly +in danger, but I’ve never come to grief yet.”</p> + +<p>“I meant to say that this danger can only be +averted in Munich. If anything goes wrong, they +must not be able to put the responsibility on us +here in Zürich.”</p> + +<p>Mabuse answered roughly, “What do you mean +by that?”</p> + +<p>“This affair is of great importance for several +people.”</p> + +<p>“For whom then?”</p> + +<p>“For myself, for example!”</p> + +<p>Mabuse waved his hand with a threatening +gesture of dismissal, while the other stood +breathless.</p> + +<p>“<i>I</i> have not been drinking,” said Mabuse. +“How came you to alter my plans for such a +trifle?”</p> + +<p>“I thought it was necessary to warn you. The +post is being watched, and people are not reliable.”</p> + +<p>“Who is to convince me that <i>you</i> are reliable? +You are one of the people too.”</p> + +<p>“Our common interests should convince you, +Doctor. I merely meant to tell you that it is from +Munich that the danger threatens. You would +be safe in Switzerland. You have accumulated +wealth which allows you to live wherever you like. +Stay here; you will be safe among us.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[82]</span>“A lot <i>you</i> know about that! Your business +is to look after my investments, nothing else. You +are but my manager. Enough on that head. Is +there anything else to tell me?”</p> + +<p>The lawyer described his latest financial operations +to Mabuse, who took down the descriptions +furnished him. Then he walked backwards and +forwards alone on the foreshore for five minutes, +to ease himself after his long sitting.</p> + +<p>“Is Spoerri still there?” he asked. “Spoerri, +you need not go to Zürich. Ebenhügel will take +the portfolio with him. We will go back to +Schachen together.”</p> + +<p>Upon the return journey Mabuse could not +remain still in one place. He was constantly +backwards and forwards on the small deck. The +three convoys were again throbbing in their +neighbourhood, their sounds drowned in the ghostly +darkness. Suddenly Mabuse called through the +speaking-tube to George, demanding brandy. +Spoerri heard the order and shrank in terror.</p> + +<p>In the half-hour which the passage took, Mabuse +drank the bottle empty. He was drunk when +they landed, and he staggered through the darkness +towards the house in front of them, having +issued orders that they were not to follow for +five minutes.</p> + +<p>“We want more drink,” said he, when they were +in the dining-room. “George, bring drinks!”</p> + +<p>George shuddered, for he knew that the more +the doctor drank, the more violent and unreasonable +he became. Spoerri himself was always +obliged to drink till he lost his senses. They +drank champagne and brandy mixed in equal parts.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[83]</span>“This is liquid gold,” stuttered Mabuse thickly. +“Here, George, bring bigger glasses! Let’s have +the goblets. Spoerri, take a draught. You fool +of a courier, drink; drink it down, you dog. +Down with it into your currish throat! Now then, +another! Drink till you can’t hold any more in +that carcass of yours. I love to see you drink +till you’re sick!”</p> + +<p>Spoerri drank until everything swam round him +and he lapsed into unconsciousness.</p> + +<p>“And you, my lord Wenk! A State +Attorney in Munich! Your notebook! <i>Your</i> +orders to the Criminal Investigation Department, +forsooth! Just wait a moment, my fine gentleman! +We’ll begin with Herr Hull, for he was the +first.... (Drink, Spoerri, can’t you, you miserable +country bumpkin, drink; drink as I do!) +Let me see—Hull, yes, Edgar Hull, 34, Hubertusstrasse. +Away with him, his turn first. George +will look after it, and you can help him. The +Carozza girl can contrive it. Find your accomplices. +Write it down, it is the order of the +... Prince. (Drink it down, now!) Of the +Prince, have you written that? Which prince, +do you say? The Prince, the Emperor of +Citopomar, in Southern Brazil. A word from his +mouth and a thousand women lie bathed in their +blood, five hundred men are reduced to impotence. +One single word and a whole edifice totters! Don’t +simper, you fool, or I’ll dash your brains out +with this goblet!”</p> + +<p>He flung the vessel down, shattering it in pieces, +and with the fragments he threatened Spoerri.</p> + +<p>“I ... I am writing it,” stammered Spoerri.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[84]</span>“A thousand women and five hundred men,” +shouted Mabuse.</p> + +<p>“Doctor,” said Spoerri hesitatingly, struggling +with the intoxication overcoming his senses, “I +did not hear; I do not know this Hull. What +am <i>I</i> to do with him? 34, Hubertusstrasse.... +Do you really mean <i>me</i>, Doctor?”</p> + +<p>Then Mabuse all at once stood upright, +intoxicated as he was. “Yes, you!” he thundered, +and then gave Spoerri a heavy blow with +his fist, full on his forehead, knocking him +senseless to the floor. “I am going to bed, +George,” he shouted, overcome with rage. He left +Spoerri lying where he was, and went out.</p> + +<p>When he came into the dining-room again next +morning, Spoerri was sitting there. Mabuse had +breakfasted in bed.</p> + +<p>“Show me your notes!” he ordered in a harsh +voice. He ran through them quickly, found +Hull’s address traced in drunken characters, and +returned the book to Spoerri. “That’s all right,” +said he, and Spoerri fawned upon him like a cur +watching to avoid a kick.</p> + +<p>That attitude of his did Mabuse good; it +soothed and reconciled him, and he became +talkative. Spoerri was quietly delighted to find +the master friendly towards him, to know that the +dread will of this imperious man inclined him +to be amiable, as if recognizing his devotion.</p> + +<p>“Spoerri,” said the Doctor, “I shall go to +Constance with you. We mustn’t let those young +men do anything stupid!”</p> + +<p>Spoerri brightened up. “Oh, when they once +see you, Doctor, there’ll be no trouble at all.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[85]</span>The two men remained all day long at the +villa. Mabuse drank, but no longer compelled +Spoerri to do so. By midday he was already +intoxicated. Spoerri, tired out by the carousal +of the previous night, watched over Mabuse +devotedly. He tried many simple devices +to persuade him to stop drinking, but Mabuse +soon saw through them, and ordered full bottles +to be brought and no tricks to be played. Alcohol +was a necessity to him; it inflamed his wild +and evil spirit, and in the phantasies of intoxication +he found all his great ideas. There was +no thwarting of his will from without, and when +drunk he felt himself enclosed as in a castle of +the <i>Arabian Nights</i>. Nobody could understand +that to him alcohol was the bringer of magic, +the stream which intensified life and gave him +creative power. He bathed in it as he might +do in the love of some fair woman, yielding +himself to it wholly, bridging chasms, attempting +new feats, working unrestrainedly and overcoming +all obstacles.... He became a law unto himself, +a world of which he was the sun.</p> + +<p>“Spoerri, how do you like Europe?” he +stuttered.</p> + +<p>“Oh, very much, Doctor,” answered Spoerri +unreflectingly.</p> + +<p>Then Mabuse broke out vehemently, “You shall +<i>not</i> go to Citopomar, to my Empire! Europe is +a filthy, lousy country, fit for none but grubs and +earthworms. It is the home of parasites, of all +creepy, crawly creatures, but when I am in +Citopomar—<span class="smcap">Citopomar</span> ... Spoerri, I shan’t +take you with me. I am going to sleep now, +and will see you later.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[86]</span>He staggered out, and lying in his bedroom +on his bed, fully dressed, he felt for a few moments +as if he were himself the universe, beyond and +above all bounds and limits, the power of his +will surging over him as a stream of molten lava, +bearing him with it towards the day when, in +his distant kingdom, his power would be supreme +over man and beast, and all Nature be subjugated +to his impulses.</p> + +<p>In the evening, when the twilight was descending, +they drove to Constance. Mabuse was sober, +silent and morose. His imagination was already +busy and his nerves reacting to his stern resolves, +as he thought of the crowds of young men in the +town, which seemed but a mere speck on his +horizon—men who had been working for him since +the Armistice. From this very town he himself +had made a new start when the war had driven +him from his own vast plantations in the Solomon +Isles back into the European vortex, and he could +find nothing better to do than work for medical +examinations and exchange his career in the Pacific +for that of a doctor in a town of Southern +Germany.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[87]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">VI</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wenk</span> was awakened by a feeling of chilliness, +which set him shivering. He pulled his cloak +round him, under the impression that the coverlet +had slipped off his bed, but he soon became aware +of his error. He sat up, feeling giddy and at first +unable to recall anything. He came slowly to +himself and then he perceived where he was and +saw the castle buildings gleaming through the +darkness.</p> + +<p>He rose hastily and moved away, but he was +still dazed, and had to jump about to get any +warmth into his body. What could the time be? +He felt for his watch, but it was not there, and +then he went hastily through his pockets. His +purse was missing; so, too, were his pocket-book +and his official notebook. He had fallen into +the hands of thieves. The strange thing was how +it could have happened that he had escaped with +his life?</p> + +<p>Then sudden dread seized upon him. He held +his head in his hands, setting his jaws firmly, +striving to subdue his feeling of despair. His +notebook was missing, and in this were to be +found addresses, reports, information, data, plans +of all kinds.... The very first thing he recalled +about it was the opening page, on which the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[88]</span> +Hull affair was fully set forth.... Wenk now +hurried straight forward. If only he could +recover his notebook! He rushed on till he was +out of breath, then stopped and asked himself, +“What shall I do? Go to the nearest railway-station? +But what is the time? It may be one +o’clock, it may be five. How am I to tell? And +when would the first train start? It might mean +waiting in front of a closed railway-station for +four, even five hours!” Then he reflected that +if he were to wake anybody in the castle he would +have to submit to questioning. No; that would +do no good. Should he make a fuss about it? +It was clear that the chauffeur had acted in +obedience to the blond stranger’s orders. Had +the latter really penetrated his disguise and laid +his plans so cautiously and cleverly beforehand, +or was it the usual thing that anyone who appeared +in any way suspicious should at once be put to +the test in this way? Could it be merely theft, +and the book have been taken from him by +accident? He realized that when he seated himself +on the cushions he must have set the gas-current +free, for there was no gas in the car when he +got in. That had been arranged, then. No, it +wasn’t that way either. It was something both +simpler and safer. The driver could open the +gas valve from his seat. Of course that was the +way of it.</p> + +<p>Thinking thus, Wenk reached the highroad, only +half-conscious of his resolve to proceed to Munich +on foot. He went as fast as he could, but every +now and then he had to stop and wait till a +feeling of giddiness had passed. That must<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[89]</span> +be the effect of the gas. What sort of gas +could it be that operated so rapidly and yet did +so little harm? His foes might just as easily +have used a deadly gas, then they would have +got rid of him altogether. Why did they use a +stupefying gas merely? Was it meant for a warning +to him?</p> + +<p>Now, at any rate, his notebook was in their +hands, and perhaps they wanted nothing more of +him than that. It was but an attack on his little +notebook. Whose names were to be found there? +Karstens’, for one ... and an account of all +the occurrences in the gaming-houses with the +sandy-bearded man and the old Professor, and +in the Palace Hotel likewise. All the places where +gambling was carried on were noted there too. +It was clearly only his notebook that they wanted, +and that they had succeeded in getting, but the +book he had lost had meant a good deal to him.</p> + +<p>He went faster and faster by the sleeping +houses, past the peaceful suburbs and into the +quiet approaches of the town. The byways, in +which traces of snow still lay, seemed like +dragons creeping through the night, bent on +spying in the ghostly light on those who went by, +and Wenk shuddered at the thought. But when +a tram-car drew near he felt more at ease. He +soon recognized where he was and hastened to +his own chambers. He was thoroughly exhausted +when he reached home, threw himself fully dressed +upon his bed and became unconscious once more, +not awakening until the evening.</p> + +<p>The first idea which occurred to him then was +that henceforth his life was at stake. He accepted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[90]</span> +it calmly, for since he was combating evil, it was +natural that it should be so. The conflict would +be played out on the borderland between existence +and annihilation, and for one moment he wondered +whether it were worth while to go on. But only +for a moment. He immediately told himself that +there could be no question of hesitation here. Such +men are like beasts escaped from a menagerie, +and it was his task, his duty, the justification for +his existence, to help to make them powerless for +evil. There must be no fear of men, no fear of +the body any more than he had had of the soul, +since his mind had once succeeded in grasping +the crisis through which his country was passing. +Since he too had been a witness of its genesis, +he must help to overcome its effects.</p> + +<p>Yet one more thought. Was he a match for +his opponent? Must he not fortify himself if he +were henceforward to pit his life and strength in +such a struggle? His adversary seemed to have +the advantage of him, for he worked in the dark. +Were his own hands strong enough to seize and +hold the evil powers advancing upon him and to +crush them? Had he the strength to fight the +age, for his opponent was more than a cheat, +a criminal—he was the whole spirit of the age, +a spirit torn through the catastrophe of the war +from the hellish depths where it was created, to +fall upon the world and the homes of men. He +realized that against such an opponent he must +spread his nets more widely if he hoped to ensnare +him. He must have an organization equal to the +criminal’s own. He must not, as hitherto, consider +it sufficient to rely on his confederates, those<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[91]</span> +who were entirely of one mind with himself. He +must seek his helpers in the enemy’s camp.</p> + +<p>At once he thought of the lady whose strange +and questionable escape he had assisted. He +drove quickly to Schramm’s. Yes, there she was, +but, as usual, a spectator merely. He sat down +beside her.</p> + +<p>“You are not playing, sir?” said she.</p> + +<p>“No, your example has made watching more +interesting than playing to me.”</p> + +<p>“Watching,” laughed the lady lightly, “when +carried on by a high legal official is not good ... +for the players!”</p> + +<p>Wenk had a slight suspicion that this was said +with a double meaning, but whether mockingly +or warningly he could not decide; in any case, +it was said to serve the purpose of some other, who +possibly was sitting there at play. Perhaps they +worked secretly in partnership.</p> + +<p>He observed her closely, but she sat quietly +idle. Her bright eyes roved in all directions. +He said to her, feeling his way:</p> + +<p>“You have yourself seen a high legal official +caught in the toils of the gaming-devil. His +jurisdiction is troublesome to the other player!”</p> + +<p>He said “the <i>other</i>,” and waited to see whether +she would start, or twitch nervously, or give the +player some sign or other. But she did none +of these things, merely remained still and accepted +his words with a friendly smile.</p> + +<p>“She is a beautiful woman,” he thought, “and +there is some secret reserve strength in her. +Men play for money, but it would be more worthy of +their manhood to play for such a woman as this.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[92]</span>After a few moments she leaned towards him, +saying lightly and with a playful impressiveness:</p> + +<p>“I was present when Basch lost so heavily!”</p> + +<p>“I know you were,” said Wenk, astonished and +inquiringly.</p> + +<p>“And you were playing then, too.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I was playing. I have just confessed it!”</p> + +<p>“Ah, but I mean you were really playing <i>then</i>! +The first evening, when you came with Hull, you +took part in the game, but you were not really +playing. And the evening when the old Professor +was there—well, I don’t quite know, there was some +sort of atmospheric disturbance ... wasn’t there +now?” she said, turning to him with a melting +and wholly feminine gesture of friendliness.</p> + +<p>Wenk was taken aback. He replied:</p> + +<p>“That evening when the old Professor was +there? What old Professor?”</p> + +<p>“The evening you came as a country cousin,” +she answered roguishly.</p> + +<p>At last Wenk comprehended that she had +recognized him, and his face showed his disappointment, +but she begged him not to mind her having +found him out.</p> + +<p>“You were well disguised,” she said, “but I +could not believe that here in Munich there would +be two such quaint little monkeys on a cherry-tree, +conjured so cleverly by a Chinese jewel-cutter +out of an amethyst. When I first saw +the ring, flanked on each side by stupid diamonds +on stupid fingers, I noticed it with pleasure.”</p> + +<p>Wenk looked at her, awaiting something more. +Who could she be?</p> + +<p>“At any rate, it struck me as curious that there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[93]</span> +could be two men, even in such circles as ours”—here +she glanced round the table—“who had +some amount of taste....”</p> + +<p>“Your sarcasm,” said Wenk, entering into her +vein, “does not require either Yes or No, for the +fact that you noticed my ring and so correctly +guessed its origin proves that you belong to a +very different circle from the one you find yourself +in here.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I was a stewardess on a steamer bound +for Asiatic ports, but the war has taken both our +ships and our calling from us!”</p> + +<p>“May I then hazard the suggestion that you +have withdrawn from your former calling at some +advantage to yourself?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, I am not stupid!” she smiled back.</p> + +<p>“There is nothing which it is more unnecessary +to assure me of, Countess.”</p> + +<p>There was a momentary flutter in the beautiful +woman’s eye, and an imperceptible something +within her seemed to come to a standstill. Had +he known who she was and wanted to play with +her a little, and would he now blazon abroad the +fact that she frequented such places secretly?</p> + +<p>Wenk laughed aloud.</p> + +<p>“Or can it be that the coroneted handkerchief +comes from the trunk of some countess travelling +to Asiatic ports, as Sherlock Holmes would argue? +No, dear lady, we are quits. We shall both +comport ourselves more circumspectly in future +when we are among our fellow-mortals. I shall +put a stupid diamond on my finger, and you will +use a monogram without a coronet on your +handkerchiefs, Countess....”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[94]</span>“Hush!” she said, in agitation.</p> + +<p>“But even such precautions would serve no +turn!”</p> + +<p>“I do not understand you.”</p> + +<p>“You force me to pay you compliments. I am +seeking vainly for a suitable way of expressing +myself so that I may convey to you my conviction +that the ‘countess’ in you cannot anyhow be +suppressed.”</p> + +<p>“He will be asking me to sup with him +directly,” she said to herself. “He evidently wants +to start a romance,” and the idea amused her. +From sheer exuberance of energy she had come +hither, seeking nothing in her masquerade but +relief from boredom, and lo! she had landed +a prize like this!</p> + +<p>“At any rate, I need not have taken a circuitous +route to Schramm’s!” she said laughingly.</p> + +<p>At the gaming-table nothing sensational was +going on. She decided to feint with him, and +said sarcastically:</p> + +<p>“You try to disguise your compliments as well +as you do yourself, Herr von Wenk. I am obliged +to accept them, since they take me unawares.”</p> + +<p>“I merely mean,” persisted Wenk, “that the +removal of the coronet from your monogram +cannot remove the stamp of nobility from your +brow.”</p> + +<p>“I hope you are still masquerading!”</p> + +<p>“As an enraptured reader of sentimental +romances, you mean? In any case, dear lady.... +But is this quite the place to carry on a conversation +which aims at a more serious turn?”</p> + +<p>She answered, looking him up and down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[95]</span> +haughtily and deliberately: “Does that mean that +you are inviting me to sup with you?”</p> + +<p>“I would certainly not venture to do that,” +said Wenk hastily, recognizing her meaning. He +saw that she suspected him of desiring to establish +an intrigue, and that he would begin it in the +ordinary way of a champagne supper. “Now,” +said he to himself, “if I am to win her over, +I must act in such a way as not to deceive +her and yet not fulfil her expectations, and since +she thinks she has guessed me aright, I must +not allow her a feeling of superiority over me. +I do not want her to think me a blockhead. The +coronet on the handkerchief seems genuine enough, +and she does not come here for money, for she +never plays. Therefore someone present, or an +adventure of some sort, must account for her being +here, and if I am to win her to my side I must +prove myself stronger than the unknown attraction +here,” he argued.</p> + +<p>“What have you to offer me?” she asked +in a frivolous tone; but Wenk seemed to find +something real behind the thoughtless manner, and +he answered intuitively, fearing defeat as soon as +the words had left his lips:</p> + +<p>“I can offer you a great adventure, a really +great adventure!”</p> + +<p>“With you?” she rejoined, equally without +pausing for reflection. “As a lover or as an +agent of the State?”</p> + +<p>“With me—as a detective!”</p> + +<p>“<i>Can</i> you?” she asked disdainfully.</p> + +<p>“Shall I give you proofs? Last night I was +decoyed into a car and left in the freezing cold<span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">[96]</span> +lying on a bench in the Schleissheim Park, +stupefied by gas. To-day, but twenty-four hours +later, I am aware that the man who did this, or +ordered it to be done, is the same whom you +saw playing recently as the old Professor, and +that this same learned old fellow is also the +sandy-bearded man to whom you saw Basch lose +his money here.”</p> + +<p>“Is that true?” she asked in a serious tone.</p> + +<p>“Absolutely.”</p> + +<p>“The man ... with the reddish beard ... +who ... sat ... there?”</p> + +<p>“The man who sat opposite Basch like a beast +of prey!”</p> + +<p>“And what am I ... what have I to do with +it?”</p> + +<p>“To help me find this man, from whom others +must be rescued.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t help admiring him!”</p> + +<p>“I do not minimize his powers, but there are +powers which are evil in their influence.”</p> + +<p>“And yet more really human and greater than +those that are called good!” she cried; and her +bosom, slender and youthful as a girl’s, swelled +as she confronted Wenk.</p> + +<p>“Ah, now I understand you, dear lady. Listen. +Not more really human or greater, for power is +power. One display of it cannot be measured +by another; it is only its essence we can judge. +Everything is human, the good as well as the +bad. Evil forces only reap their advantage through +the destruction of good ones, and this advantage +is for the destroyer alone. The forces of good +benefit all without yielding their possessor that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">[97]</span> +gross material gain which he who practises evil +strives to attain. Which is the nobler? That is +what you must ask yourself, and if there is an +exuberance of energy in your temperament which +you cannot make use of in the class of society to +which you belong, and yet do not desire to keep +inactive.... However, these people are beginning +to notice our talk. I expect the blond has +his spies everywhere. Allow me to take leave of +you and request an opportunity of continuing this +conversation.”</p> + +<p>“Come and see me to-morrow; come at tea-time +please. Ask for Countess Told, at Tutzing.”</p> + +<p>She gave him her hand. Wenk, to whom her +name supplied the clue to that mysterious flight +when Count Told had entered the room, kissed +her slender fingers, yielding himself momentarily +to her charm and beauty, and toying with the +foolish notion of abandoning his chase of criminals +and yielding to the pursuit of this woman. With +these thoughts in his mind, he said farewell.</p> + +<p>Left to herself, the Countess reflected: “We +women have no imagination. I was looking for +an adventure among these gamblers absorbed in +their play, and when it presented itself I imagined +it was but an intrigue. But <i>this</i> is a man, indeed! +He devotes his life to his task, and no man can +give more than his life, and there is nothing greater +or more beautiful than life. If only I had the chance +of doing likewise!” She resolved to follow Wenk’s +leading and do all that she could to help him.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Among his letters next morning Wenk noticed +a small registered parcel. He opened it, to find<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[98]</span> +his watch and his purse with the money intact. +The notebook alone was missing, and on a card +these words were typed: “I am no ghoul. The +things my subordinate took from you in error +are returned herewith. I am keeping the notebook +because its contents concern me.—<span class="smcap">Balling.</span>”</p> + +<p>Wenk was scarcely surprised. This man had +thousands at stake; what were a few beggarly +hundreds and a gold watch to him? He did not +need this to convince him that it was really himself, +and more particularly his notebook, that was +concerned. He put away both watch and purse +and let his thoughts linger on the alluring Countess.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon he was received at her house, +a mansion sumptuously arranged, but in a style +that offended Wenk, for since yesterday his ideas +of the Countess had made considerable advance, +and it would have been pleasant to find himself +more in sympathy with her tastes than this home +of hers evidenced.</p> + +<p>In the very entrance-hall the walls had been +painted all over in Cubist forms and conventional +designs tortured into weird shapes in endless +succession, with splashes of colour here and there, +as if to create an impression of the ardent temperament +of the designer. “You are cold and +passionless,” said he to himself; “of so calculating +and cold a nature that if one among you +disappears, the others have not enough red blood +in their veins to notice his absence?”</p> + +<p>The butler, the dark severity of whose livery was +lightened by small silver buttons and blue lappets, +took his hat and coat from him and announced him +to the Countess, who was sitting at the tea-table.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[99]</span>“We shall not be alone long,” she said; “my +husband will be home at five o’clock.”</p> + +<p>But the decorations of the house had made +Wenk feel unsympathetic, and before he answered +he cast a hasty glance at the walls of the room. +The Countess noticed it.</p> + +<p>“That is all my husband’s doing,” she said. +“To me it appears simply hideous. What are +you to make out of it, if one paints a peasant, +indicates some freshly painted barns, and then tells +the beholder that it is a symphony of Beethoven’s? +However, every one to his taste—or are you +perhaps a ‘Futurist’ also?”</p> + +<p>“I cannot say that,” said Wenk, “but you +seem to imply that they are the only moderns. +Yet all men in secret speak the same language. +Our freedom to express ourselves comes only from +individuality!”</p> + +<p>“You want to be free?” said the lady. “Are +you not your own salvation? Does not your calling, +your expenditure of energy, give you your inner +freedom? There is no salvation from without!”</p> + +<p>“That is quite true,” said Wenk simply; and +the womanly image which had haunted him +since yesterday, and which seemed to be lost on +entering this house, once more returned to his +mind. “It is really what we were talking of +yesterday, this balance of the forces of good and +evil, and I wanted to talk to you about that again +to-day.”</p> + +<p>“I understood you aright,” answered the +Countess. “I will confess to you that at first +I thought you were on the search for an intrigue, +and the idea amused me considerably, for God<span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[100]</span> +knows I seek something very different in the +gaming-houses.”</p> + +<p>“You will find what you are seeking in my +work, Countess,” rejoined Wenk quickly.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the butler, in his black livery, with +its blue lappets and silver buttons, appeared noiselessly, +and bent down whispering something to +his mistress.</p> + +<p>“My husband!” said the Countess to Wenk, +fixing a steady and lingering glance on him, and +as the Count came forward she introduced the +two men.</p> + +<p>Count Told was an extremely thin man, and +gave an impression of excessive sprightliness. He +was surprisingly young and very fashionably +dressed. He gesticulated a good deal, and the +movement of his hands gave prominence to a ring +he wore, set with an unusual gem, such as Wenk +had never before seen.</p> + +<p>It might have been a flame topaz, with streaks +of blood-red across it, trailing off into milky +whiteness at the edges and emphasizing the clear +honey colour of the transparent stone. In the +middle of it, just where its lightning rays were +most dazzling, was a tiny pearl, an islet, hardly +larger than a freckle, but of a blue that put the +sapphire into the shade, and....</p> + +<p>Thus Wenk was thinking to himself, unable to +keep his eyes from the jewel.</p> + +<p>“It is a trifle too big for my hand,” said the +Count, answering his visitor’s unspoken thoughts, +“but the stone is so ... how shall I describe +its originality? Well, I can only say that it is +like a recital by Endivian, whom you doubtless<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[101]</span> +know, and it was he who gave it to me. He +brought it back from Penderappimur.”</p> + +<p>“Is he the fashionable jeweller nowadays?” +asked Wenk, who seemed somewhat at sea.</p> + +<p>“Herr von Wenk,” said the Countess gravely, +“Endivian is the fashionable young Goethe of this +season.” Then she laughed. “No! Endivian +the poet received the jewel at the Court of +Artimerxes II, instead of the goblet, from the +poem of his spiritual father ... you know it, +‘Give me no golden chain’ ... and when he +returned, he announced in Germany, much as the +Pope announces the Golden Rose, that his greatest +admirer should have it. The choice fell upon my +husband. It would have been better if he had +given it me.”</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you enthuse about him as I do?” +asked the Count, with a pleasant smile, looking +at her very tenderly as he spoke.</p> + +<p>“Peter Resch dedicated his rubbish to him, +and that was enough for me,” was the Countess’s +laughing retort.</p> + +<p>“Pooh, Peter Resch, indeed!” said the Count. +“He is one of the Impressionists who has arrived. +By the way, dearest, I have got something new.”</p> + +<p>“From the Jennifer gallery?”</p> + +<p>“Can one get a real picture anywhere else? +There is nothing left.... And one has a clear +and incontestable and direct impression. If the +artistic temperament would only renounce colour +... it would be the beginning of really abstract +thought, of the detachment from everything which +needs the help of another consciousness to interpret +its vision.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[102]</span>The Countess replied, with apparent earnestness: +“Thank Heaven, we do get a little further. If +in the realm of music, too, genius had any prospect +of renouncing the crash of sound when it desires +to express itself, the world would soon be attaining +its aim.”</p> + +<p>The Count went on enthusiastically: “A sublime +atmosphere of space ... in two blues ... +which project into the cosmogony and play upon +each other between storm and lightning....</p> + +<p>“Whereupon the Almighty leaves His seat, dear +Herr von Wenk, saying, ‘My creation has surpassed +Me; I take My leave!’”</p> + +<p>The conversation continued in this tone for +awhile, and an hour later Wenk took his leave. +He felt depressed as he drove home, but he had +hardly sat down to dinner when a note was brought +him, and he read:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Herr von Wenk</span>,</p> + +<p>I am sorry that our meeting to-day fell out differently +from the one we had planned. That is not why I am writing +to you, however, for we can continue our conversation in +another place and at another time. But you may have left +our house under the impression that my husband was +“nothing but a fool,” and in his wife’s eyes too, and that +would have been my fault, so I want to entreat you not to +allow yourself to take up a depreciatory attitude. It is +true that the Count buys Futurist pictures, but that must +be understood more or less symbolically. I have always +found that the more “foolish” a man appeared at one’s +first encounter with him, the more approachable he became +when one met him in his more serious moments.</p> + +<p>Au revoir ... but when, and where?</p> + +<p class="right"><span class="indentright2">Yours sincerely,</span><br> +<span class="smcap">Lucy Told</span>.</p> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">[103]</span>“So Lucy is her name? And indeed she is +rightly called Light. If she were <i>my</i> light of +life!... Oh, what a fool I am,” said he, as he +felt an unaccustomed warmth steal over him—a +warmth for which he always yearned.... Then +he stood up, shaking off these delicious tremors, +and saying sternly to himself, “This is a pretty +way to reach a criminal ... through falling in +love with a beautiful woman.”</p> + +<p>The telephone rang: “Hull speaking!”</p> + +<p>Hull told him that a new gaming-house had +been opened, and he really must visit it. The +saloon was not only arranged to accommodate a +large number of people, at least a hundred, but it +had certain mechanical contrivances which could +turn it into a music-hall if the police were to +appear. He did not know how it was done, +but Cara had written to him about it and she +was always <i>au courant</i> of any new sensation of +this kind. They were going there, and taking +Karstens with them, but Hull did not know the +address of this place, and they would trust to +Cara’s guidance. Of course, she knew nothing +about his writing to Wenk.</p> + +<p>A rendezvous was arranged, and at ten o’clock +Wenk drove to the Café Bastin, whence they were +to set out.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">[104]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">VII</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> house they entered lay on the border of +the inner city, in one of the mean, sordid streets +leading to Schwabing. Its outward appearance, +like its neighbours’, showed an unimposing façade. +It was one of those shops having lodgings above, +and the sliding shutters over the shop were drawn +to the ground. It was too dark to read the name, +but Wenk noticed the number, that of his birth-year—’76.</p> + +<p>They entered a dirty stairway in which hung +a dusty globe, which gave an indifferent light to +the changing population who inhabited such houses +as these, and then ascended two flights of stairs. +A heavy door opened before them, and in a corridor +at the side a light shone out over the miserable +staircase. The corridor ran alongside the staircase; +it was completely empty: a cheap and +shabby black and white drugget ran throughout +its length, and its walls were covered with faded +paper-hangings.</p> + +<p>“This is lively,” said Cara, “but just wait a +moment!”</p> + +<p>Then a small door opened from the corridor +and a light streamed forth into the gloomy darkness. +They looked upon a swelter of luxury. +There was a little <i>foyer</i> with cushions and curtains, +cloakroom accommodation, little restaurant tables,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">[105]</span> +etc. There was the odour of prepared foods and +the popping of champagne corks. People they +did not know were sitting there. The visitors +laid aside hats and coats and went through into +the restaurant.</p> + +<p>Yes, there things looked different. On entry, +the place recalled the promenade of a well-known +Théâtre de Variétés in Paris. Through little peep-holes +or from the boxes one could see a smooth +surface gleaming with light. This was the +gaming-table, and it was of immense size. In +the middle there was a circular opening in which +was placed a large revolving chair. It was the +seat for the croupier. Around the table the places +for the players were arranged like boxes. Every +box—there were some single ones, some for two +and some for four persons—lay shut off from the +rest and in darkness, and all were furnished with +comfortable seats. People could be entirely +separated from each other by a curtain, and a +grating, like those of the Parisian theatres, could +be drawn at will. The players might gamble +there as securely as if masked, and, without being +recognized or even seen, could indulge their passion +for the tables.</p> + +<p>Two miniature rails led from each seat to the +croupier, and upon these stood a little truck. +This was to carry the stakes down and later bring +the winnings back. The sum was made known +by sliding numbers displayed on a board. The +pressure of a button sent each vehicle to its +destined spot.</p> + +<p>On the dome above the table, in the circle +formed by the boxes, were the <i>petits chevaux</i> in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[106]</span> +varied colours. The little brass horses had been +carved by a Cubist, and painted in their various +colours with highly glazed enamel. They were +set in motion by a crank turned by the croupier. +In the middle, beneath the horses, there hung +a little searchlight which, lighted from below, +reflected light upon the dome, and in this light +they ran with the dome as a background. This +was painted in the colours of the spectrum +arranged alternately, so that there was always a +dark horse against a light colour and a light +one against a dark colour, followed by their +shadows. This gave the effect of promiscuity which +was intensified the faster they ran. The goal was +formed by a thin strip of tiny electric lights let +into the dome, and every box had an arrangement +of mirrors by which its occupants could clearly +recognize the winner.</p> + +<p>Wenk and his companions took their places in +a box for four, which seemed to have been +reserved for them. Cara and Karstens sat in +front, the two other men behind.</p> + +<p>When the boxes were all filled, the croupier +gathered his elegant evening dress about him, and +slowly began to revolve in his seat, as if on a +mechanical rotating disk, while he delivered the +following oration:</p> + +<p>“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the ‘Go-ahead’ +Institute. The ‘Go-ahead’ has in itself the roots +of vigour and success. We live in times of change, +and our undertaking is designed to suit all comers. +Here you can play alone, or as a pair, or in +company. You can play alone, because you can +have a box for one person only, like the charming<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[107]</span> +lady of whom I can see no more than the red +heron’s feathers in her coiffure. If you think that +for good luck two heads are better than one, you +can seclude yourself from your fellows like yonder +elegant cavalier and his lady; and if you choose +to play in company you are equally invisible from +my point of view. In the dome, ladies and gentlemen, +you will find our game, the game of the +house, I may venture to call it, although every +other game is equally at your service. There you +see the <i>petits chevaux</i> of the ‘Go-ahead’ Institute. +One of the first artists of our day, whose work you +are constantly encountering in exhibitions and +periodicals, has designed them for the ‘Go-ahead,’ +and placed them here, and we have united art +with technique, the strongest product of the age. +The reflecting apparatus allows everyone from any +place whatsoever to see at once and quite distinctly +whether his horse is in at the finish. Allow me +to demonstrate to you, by a mere turn of the +handle, the very artistic and effective play and +counterplay which is developing in the dome. +There was once a man who had no shadow, but +that cannot be said of our <i>petits chevaux</i>. Notice, +I beseech you, the extremely artistic effect produced +when substance and shadow thus unite in a piece +of work which in its resourcefulness and originality +does the greatest credit to the artist of our +house....”</p> + +<p>He turned the crank, and horses and shadows +chased each other with kaleidoscopic effect. It +formed a pretty and a fanciful picture. Slowly +the horses came to a standstill.</p> + +<p>“I had staked on that one,” exclaimed a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[108]</span> +woman’s voice as the cream-coloured bay stopped +beneath the goal, and in its head the eyes gleamed +forth like stars. They were formed of small +electric lamps.</p> + +<p>The croupier said: “I will not detain you +much longer from trying your luck, dear madam. +I have only now to introduce to you the epoch-making +novelty of the ‘Go-ahead’ Institute. +What would you do, ladies and gentlemen” (here +he raised his voice), “if the police were suddenly +to intrude upon you and rob you of your money +and your freedom on account of your forbidden +game? You need have no anxiety on that score. +We have hit upon an arrangement which might +be called a <i>garde-police</i>. The ‘Go-ahead’ +Institute may await the police quite calmly. They +may be surrounded and inundated by the police. +With a pressure of my little finger I can turn the +whole police force of the city away from you +and let them go ahead elsewhere. Look here!”</p> + +<p>He raised his hand, then lowered it with affected +impressiveness, pressing his forefinger down upon +the black knob near him. A moment later the +surface of the table was set in motion, and it began +to sink. It moved rapidly and noiselessly, and +the speaker sank down with it. The boxes +remained stationary, but from the dome the little +horses and the coloured circles descended—came +past the boxes; the dome followed, and a few +minutes later a quartette of nude twelve-year-old +children were to be seen dancing, upon a new +stage, to the strains of fiddles and harps, which +began to resound from some invisible quarter. A +body of men, dressed in the uniform of the city<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[109]</span> +police, trooped into the boxes, exclaiming, “We +were told they were gambling here! Where are +the gamblers?”</p> + +<p>Everybody in the boxes roared with laughter. +The girls continued dancing, and the uniformed +police threw off their disguise and appeared in +evening dress, laughing. The floor began to move +again, the girls still dancing, one of them making +a gesture to a gentleman sitting alone, who sprang +towards her, but failed to reach his vanishing +charmer. The floor once more became the ceiling, +the <i>petits chevaux</i> reappeared, and in the centre +of the gaming-table sat the croupier once again.</p> + +<p>“You see, ladies and gentlemen, we do give +the police something for their pains—the nude +girls! And if the case were really serious, they +would soon have a scrap of clothing on. I have +to announce that there is a change of programme +every week....” He continued for some time +further in this way.</p> + +<p>“This is only an ordinary cinema,” said Wenk, +turning to Karstens, and whispering, “the most +ordinary kind of cinema. If the police were to +come, they would discover the whole trick in ten +minutes.”</p> + +<p>Karstens merely shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p>Wenk wondered what the aim of such an +establishment could be, for it was bound to be +discovered and closed within a week’s time, and +the outlay must have been considerable.</p> + +<p>Hull was much struck, having nothing with +which to compare what he saw and heard there.</p> + +<p>“Ravishing! enchanting!” said Cara from time +to time. “We live in ingenious times, don’t<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[110]</span> +we? We must come here often, mustn’t we, Eddie? +Which are you going to stake on? I am choosing +the black Arab. Black for me, please Eddie, +because you are so fair!”</p> + +<p>Karstens cast an amused glance at Wenk. A +supper of the most varied and recherché dainties +was provided. Things which seemed to have +vanished in the depreciation of the German +currency were seen—<i>pâté de foie gras</i>, fresh +truffles, caviare, fieldfares.... In front of a pile +of truffles and <i>foie gras</i>, inhaling its pleasant odour, +Karstens said suddenly:</p> + +<p>“Our mark to-day stands at seven in Switzerland, +but it is seven centimes, and here things +which we have forgotten we ever ordered are +provided for us.”</p> + +<p>“Here a mark is worth less than seven +centimes,” said Wenk, downcast and depressed. +Whither was it all tending? His heart yearned +for help in his enterprise, and he had no appetite +for dainties.</p> + +<p>Cara trilled a popular ditty, and Hull, in spite +of the influence which she exercised over him, +and his enjoyment of unwonted dainties, began +secretly to be somewhat ashamed. He resolved +to send her a parting present on the morrow, +and it should be the parure of Australian opals +she so ardently desired, which a Russian princess, +anxious to get on the stage by Cara’s help, was +willing to sell. “This should end it all,” said Hull +to himself. He was disenchanted, and yet at the +same time melancholy. What would become of +her? For himself, he almost thought he would +prefer the cloister to....</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[111]</span>Just then he savoured a delicious mouthful of +truffle, and as he smacked his lips over it, Hull +thought, “Well, there’s something to be said for +this sort of thing, after all. I should not get +any more aspic ... and I’ve not broken with +her yet, anyhow!...”</p> + +<p>Suddenly Wenk got up to go.</p> + +<p>“Where are you off to?” cried Cara, excited +in a moment.</p> + +<p>Karstens turned to her at this instant, separating +her from Wenk, who left the hall undisturbed. +He took his overcoat quickly from the vestibule +and was conducted downstairs. The concierge +opened the door for him, looking first through the +peep-hole into the street. Then he exclaimed in +great excitement: “Sir, there is a policeman +standing there!” He opened the door, however, +and Wenk went out. The policeman saluted. +Wenk saw the uniformed official smiling, and +looking back, found the concierge smiling too. +The “policeman” belonged to the “Go-ahead” +Institute. If a real policeman were to enter the +street, as the concierge hastily informed the departing +guest, he would see that there was already +someone on guard and move off.</p> + +<p>Wenk soon reached the spot where he had +ordered his chauffeur to wait. He was resolved +to have this place closed, but he did not want +the affair to get into the papers, and on his drive +homeward he was considering how best to formulate +the charge. If possible the place should not be +described, but the cause should be given as that +of disturbance of the peace, misleading of the +public, swindling performances, or something of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[112]</span> +that kind. He worked the matter out fully, +engaged in his conflict with the “Go-ahead” +Institute, and while still in his car, in his character +of prosecuting counsel, he conducted an indictment +which through his skill and stratagem should +eliminate this plague-spot from public life without +folks perceiving what it actually was.</p> + +<p>Before he slept, his thoughts, without any +apparent connection to guide them, reverted to +Hull, who stood suddenly revealed to him as +typical of the young men of the age. Bound by +a liaison with a vulgar, good-for-nothing girl, +whose only talent was to exhibit herself on the +stage; elegantly dressed, without being elegant; +spending his restless evenings between gaming-houses, +night-clubs, and the arms of a courtesan—this +was Hull’s life. Yet if he had taken the +right turn he might have put his intelligence and +all his available energies into administering an +estate or pursuing a well-ordered peaceful life as +an official of some kind; he might have been +the head of a happy household and the father of +legitimate children.</p> + +<p>Many such men there were, strong in body and +mind, living merely on their nerves, dedicating +to a life of the senses powers which would have +made them successful in the walk of life for which +they were destined. Hull and his kind, feeble +and enervated, represented the spirit of the age. +What would the dawn of such a midnight +yield?</p> + +<p>Wenk went to the telephone and gave the +address of the new gaming-house. The official +whose duty it was to watch over Herr Hull was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[113]</span> +to get in touch with him at once, but do no +more than keep him in sight when he left the +house.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>In the middle of a deep sleep the telephone +at Wenk’s bedside began ringing. It was just +two hours since he had returned home, and he +was wide awake at once. “Wenk speaking!” +said he, and he felt certain in some subconscious +region of his mind, which was in tune with his +last waking thoughts, that the news awaiting him +on the telephone was in some dread, mysterious +fashion concerned with Hull.</p> + +<p>“Wenk speaking!” he called again, and his +whole body was trembling with excitement.</p> + +<p>“Here, sir; the police sergeant on duty.”</p> + +<p>“Be quick!” said Wenk, his imagination +running riot. What was there to report?</p> + +<p>The voice at the other end spoke hastily: “The +gentleman named Edgar Hull, who was under +police protection ... has been murdered this +night. In the open street, too, about 2 a.m. +Another gentleman, name of Karstens, has been +seriously wounded. The constable who was +detailed to watch over him is also wounded, and +both have been taken to the hospital. A lady +who was with these gentlemen was arrested at +the order of the wounded man. I have ordered +the body to be left lying exactly as it was +found until you have seen it yourself. The +Service car is on its way to your honour. Please +ring off!”</p> + +<p>“Ring off!” echoed Wenk’s voice agitatedly.</p> + +<p>He hastened to dress, for the car was already<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[114]</span> +to be heard throbbing outside. He went down +the dark staircase, forgetting to turn a light on. +Then, when he perceived the car in the street, +his profile revealed the jaws drawn firmly together, +in the necessity of meeting calmly the tragic circumstances +in which he was involved, and entering +into every detail of this deed of blood perpetrated +in the darkness of the night, so that he might be +enabled to act to the best advantage.</p> + +<p>During the drive, something within him +compelled him to take himself to task. “I had +no business to tremble,” he thought, “when this +news reached me. I must be prepared to face +even my own death unflinchingly. I must school +myself further. I must develop all my tastes and +interests and use them in the service of my +life’s goal; then only shall I be equal to my +task....”</p> + +<p>Hull’s body lay in the darkness. Four men +in sombre clothing were silhouetted around him, +and they stepped back as their chief descended +from the car. Wenk ordered them—they were +constables—to watch the entrances to the street +and allow no one to approach the scene of the +murder, which was in a gloomy street-turning +behind the Wittelsbach Palace. Not a soul was +to be seen in any of the houses.</p> + +<p>One of the constables said that none of the +public had been near the place since the +occurrence.</p> + +<p>It was now three o’clock in the morning. By +the light of an electric torch Wenk gazed upon +the corpse. There was a gaping wound from +the neck down the back, and the body lay with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[115]</span> +its face to the earth. Thus the police had found +Hull when their colleague, blinded with pepper +and bleeding from a wound, whistled for help. +The body lay motionless, curled up like the gnarled +root of a tree. The blood which had flowed +from its wounds shone like black marble under +the searching light. Wenk was convulsed with +horror at the mental images he sought to overcome. +He tried to photograph the details of the +scene upon his memory, getting the exact position +of the corpse. He wrote down the number of +the house, tried to ascertain whether all the doors +and windows in the neighbourhood were closed, +whether any footprints could be seen, or any objects +connected with the crime found in the immediate +vicinity, but nothing was to be discovered. Its +perpetrators had escaped into the palace grounds, +one of the policemen had told him, and at one +bound they had disappeared. Wenk examined +the walls; there, too, there was nothing to be +learnt.</p> + +<p>He sent a constable to fetch a car to remove +the body, and ordered that nobody was to come +into the street on any account. Those who tried +to force their way in should be arrested, but +people were to be treated with politeness, he said. +He then drove to the hospital where the wounded +men were lying.</p> + +<p>He found Karstens unconscious, and the doctor +informed him that he had had a severe wound +in the back from a narrow and apparently four-edged +dagger, and a blow from some blunt object +had probably been aimed at his head. The +constable had not been so severely handled, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[116]</span> +his were mainly flesh-wounds. His shoulder and +upper arm were bandaged, but he could scarcely +open his eyes even yet.</p> + +<p>He related his story thus:</p> + +<p>“Just before 2 a.m. the deceased, with a lady +and another gentleman, came out of the house +which had been pointed out to me. In front of it +a constable was standing, and that seemed odd, +for I thought to myself, ‘Why is he standing +there instead of being on his beat?’ He stood +there for at least an hour; then I thought I would +speak to him, but he said roughly, ‘What do <i>you</i> +want? Go away,’ and came threateningly towards +me. I was just going to show him my number-plate +when the door opened, and although it was +dark I could recognize Herr von Hull. The +constable pushed me away, and as I did not want +to be noticed I moved aside, but I saw that +Herr von Hull had a lady and gentleman with +him. They went off quickly in the direction of +the Ludwigstrasse, and the policeman and I were +about three houses away in the other direction. +Then he turned to the house again, saying to me, +‘Now you had better be off!’ I didn’t bother +any more about him, but followed, at some +distance, the lady and the two gentlemen. They +turned out of the Türkenstrasse into the +Gabelsbergerstrasse and disappeared from my +sight. I hurried after them, but could not see +them anywhere. They could not have got any +further than the Jägerstrasse. Suddenly I heard +cries; they were shrill and then stifled. The war +had taught me that that was how men in fear of +death cry out. Before I could even see anybody<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[117]</span> +I whistled for help, and ran to the street as hard +as I could, drawing my revolver.</p> + +<p>“I hadn’t gone far when I was suddenly +seized from behind. My eyes smarted terribly, and +I felt a thrust in my shoulder. I wanted to pull +the trigger, but my revolver was no longer in +my hand and my arm hung quite limp. Then I +thought, ‘I had better do as our major used to +advise us—fall down and lie as if I were dead.’ +So I fell down and someone sat on me, and +shoved something at me, holding my mouth. There +may have been two of them; I can’t tell, for I +closed my eyes. They must have rushed at me +from a doorway, and I was half insensible by that +time. What happened after that I do not distinctly +remember, but I heard footsteps running, and I +was lifted up. It was another constable, and I +quickly told him what had happened and he ran +on into the street. Then a second one came +running up. ‘Police!’ I shouted to him. ‘Yes,’ +he called back; ‘what is the matter?’ ‘Run +round the corner, quick!’ I told him.</p> + +<p>“I forced myself to rise, and then found I +was not so badly wounded after all, though I +couldn’t open my eyes. They had thrown pepper +at them. I groped my way round the corner, +but I could not see anything. It was the noise +that guided me to the spot. I heard someone +speaking, and a woman’s voice answering. ‘What +is the matter?’ I said, and a voice answered, +‘He said we were to take the female into custody.’ +‘Who are you?’ I asked the woman, and she +answered, ‘I am an actress, the friend of Herr +Hull. What do you want with me?’ I said,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[118]</span> +‘If the gentleman said so, arrest her!’ She protested, +and said she wanted to speak to Dr. +Wenk, the State agent, at once, but the constable +said she could do that later. Then she tried +to run away, and there was a good deal of +confusion and bother, and finally the constable +had to handcuff her, she was so defiant, and I +heard her call out ‘George.’ So I told them to +arrest her, and I don’t know what happened after +that, for I fainted, and when I came to again I +was in the ambulance. I am badly wounded. +Will your honour please tell me the truth: am +I going to die?”</p> + +<p>Then the doctor laughed in his face.</p> + +<p>“No, please, I want his honour to tell me. +It’s the doctor’s job to tell people they are not +going to die.”</p> + +<p>“But, my good Voss, how can you imagine +you are going to die? You have some flesh-wounds +and some nasty bumps, but a man like +you doesn’t die of those things!”</p> + +<p>“Indeed, your honour, I have done my duty!” +said the injured man. His voice began to falter; +then the tension relaxed and he began to weep +quietly and unrestrainedly. “I know ... no +more.... I have ... done ... my duty!” +he stammered.</p> + +<p>“You don’t need to tell me that,” said Wenk +reassuringly. “He who stakes his life upon it +certainly does his duty, for no one can offer anything +he values more! But now, Voss, I want you +to promise me something, and shake hands upon it. +You won’t tell anyone else what you have seen or +gone through this night ... and I beg the same<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[119]</span> +thing of you, doctor. A great deal depends upon +it, for the public at large. I beg you to lay +this very much to heart. It is not the pursuit +of one crime, but of a generation of crime.”</p> + +<p>From the constable who had been first on the +spot Wenk learnt that he had seen several figures +near the wall of the park, but darkness prevented +his counting their number, nor could he describe +them. He was stopped by one of the gentlemen, +who tried to stand up and then clutched hold of +him, saying two or three times over, “Arrest the +woman—arrest the woman.”</p> + +<p>“Then at last he fell back and let me go,” +went on the man. “Then I could run a few +steps and I saw those figures close to the wall +going round the park, but when I reached it, +there was no one there. They must have had +accomplices on the other side of the wall. I +wanted to go after them, but I couldn’t manage +it; it was far too high to climb, so I came back +to the spot.”</p> + +<p>“And the woman?” asked Wenk. “What +about her?”</p> + +<p>“I had the impression....”</p> + +<p>“Now, Stamm, I don’t want to hear your +<i>impressions</i>—I only want to know what you saw +with your eyes and heard with your ears. You +will be scrupulously exact, won’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, indeed, your honour. When I came back, +one of our men was holding the woman fast. +I said to him, ‘Arrest her; the gentleman there +said so. Arrest her at all costs! Hold her fast, +don’t let her escape!’ We were all a bit excited, +and she shouted out that she wanted to see<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[120]</span> +Herr von Wenk, and no one was going to arrest +<i>her</i>. She made a good deal of resistance, sir, +and finally we had to tie her hands. There were +only two of us, and we had to help the wounded +and our own colleague. We did not know in the +least what had happened, for we had only +just....”</p> + +<p>“<i>We?</i> Tell me only what you yourself have +seen.”</p> + +<p>“Then I began to try and find out what had +happened. There was a man lying on the ground +bathed in blood. He seemed to be dead, for he +was quite still. The other was groaning. Then +a third constable came up, and we sent him to +telephone for the ambulance and make a report +to the Criminal Division and let your honour know. +That was what Voss had told us to do first of +all.”</p> + +<p>“What was the woman doing all this time?”</p> + +<p>“The second of our men took her to the +guard-room.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t go on with your story, Stamm, till I +have spoken to him. What is his name? Keep +yourself in readiness to report again; do you hear? +And remember, not a word of this outside the +official circle—not even to your wife. Give me +your word of honour!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, indeed, sir. The other man’s name is +Wasserschmidt.”</p> + +<p>Wasserschmidt duly appeared.</p> + +<p>“You arrested a woman to-night who was +present when the two gentlemen were attacked,” +said Wenk. “Why did you do that?”</p> + +<p>“I did it because constable Stamm said that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[121]</span> +one of the gentlemen, before he became insensible, +called out to him to do so, and my colleague +Voss gave me the order too.”</p> + +<p>At this moment the telephone rang in the bureau +of the Criminal Investigation Department, where +Wenk was conducting these inquiries.</p> + +<p>“Who is speaking?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“This is the night editor’s office of the Central +News Agency. We have just been informed of a +murder....”</p> + +<p>“One moment, please,” said Wenk angrily. +“Who gave you that information?”</p> + +<p>“I can tell you that without betraying any +editorial secrets, for it was given anonymously, +so to speak. Our night-bell rang, and as I went +to the window I saw a man going away. When +I opened it and asked what was the matter, he +called out, ‘Look in the letter-box!’ Then I +went down and found a letter in the box.”</p> + +<p>“Can you read me what was in the letter? +The State agent for prosecutions is speaking!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, certainly, sir, one moment. The letter +runs: ‘Edgar Hull, Esquire, was attacked and +murdered in the Jägerstrasse in the early hours +of this morning. The criminals have escaped. It +appears to have been an act of revenge, for the +murdered man frequented gambling circles.’ That’s +all there is.”</p> + +<p>“Does anybody in the newspaper staff know +about this letter?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Can you bring this letter to me yourself immediately? +I will send a Service car for you.”</p> + +<p>“But, sir, that would be a very difficult matter.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[122]</span> +I am alone here, and I must complete the Press +matter.”</p> + +<p>“What is your name?”</p> + +<p>“Grube.”</p> + +<p>“Well, Herr Grube, there’s no difficulty in the +matter, when I tell you very decidedly that your +coming here is of the utmost importance, far and +away more important than that to-morrow morning +every Tom, Dick and Harry should be able to +discuss such a piece of news while he eats his +breakfast.”</p> + +<p>“But my duty is ...” he began, but Wenk +interrupted him.</p> + +<p>“Don’t take it ill that my time won’t permit +of my saying any more now, save that the police +car is on its way to bring you here. The +constable is furnished with the necessary authority. +Arrange your Press matter so that the sheet can +be printed without the information you have just +given me about a murder. Au revoir, Herr +Grube. Ring off, please.”</p> + +<p>Wenk sent off the car immediately.</p> + +<p>“Well, now, Wasserschmidt, to continue. The +lady offered resistance. How did she do that?”</p> + +<p>“She ran a few paces from me towards the +wall of the Wittelsbach Palace, to which the +criminals had hurried, and then called out, +‘George.’”</p> + +<p>“You heard that yourself?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, quite distinctly, and she pronounced the +name ‘Georsh.’ And as she began to run towards +the wall too, I did not wait any longer, but I tied +her hands together.”</p> + +<p>“And what did she do then?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[123]</span>“Then she became quieter, and let us take her +away. As we were going, she said again, ‘I +shall certainly be able to speak to Herr von +Wenk, shall I not?’ ‘Well, you will have to +wait till after he has had his breakfast,’ I said. +‘Perhaps I could telephone to him?’ but I said +that wasn’t very likely.”</p> + +<p>“And then later? Where is the lady now?”</p> + +<p>“Still at the guard-room. She spoke quite +calmly and said, ‘You have made a very serious +mistake, my good man; but I hope to be able +to set you right with Herr Wenk, for, after all, +you are only doing what you conceive to be your +duty. I was with the gentleman who has been +attacked, and the State Attorney was there too, +but he went home a little earlier, or else he would +have been in it as well.’ ‘Let us wait and see!’ +was all I said to that.”</p> + +<p>“Did you happen to tell her <i>why</i> you had +arrested her?”</p> + +<p>“No, not a word.”</p> + +<p>“That’s right. Wait in the next room.”</p> + +<p>Wenk interviewed others, and finally the assistant-editor +arrived. He protested loudly against +this high-handed action of the authorities, and said +that his newspaper....</p> + +<p>“If it is the duty of your newspaper to serve +its readers up the latest scandal, whether it be +a murder or the unlucky ending of a love-affair, +merely because it is a scandal, in as hasty and +disconnected a fashion as it was reported to you +... you would be right to protest. But you +have no right to hinder the authorities whose +duty it is to deal with infinitely more important<span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[124]</span> +matters so that you may satisfy fools with a +thirst for gossip.”</p> + +<p>“But,” stammered the editor, in an excited tone, +“but you are trying to stifle the Press. We are +not living under the old system, you know. The +Republic will....”</p> + +<p>“I have no time to bother about what the +Republic will do. Be so good as to give me the +letter you telephoned me about!”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry,” said the editor, with a confident +and self-satisfied air. “These are Press secrets.”</p> + +<p>“Pardon my saying so, editor, but you really +are very foolish. I respect any Press secrets +which protect the interests of the community, but +your refusal to give me this letter only injures +them. Before I take it from you by force (an +action which would lay you open to a penalty +for resisting the law), I will tell you that this +letter is the only piece of evidence we have at +present of an unusually serious crime. Perhaps +then you will become more reasonable, and not +entrench yourself behind the plea of your professional +duty, which, as I have already stated, I +do recognize, though I place it far below the +interests which I represent.”</p> + +<p>Grube felt uncertain how to act. Finally he +brought out the document, saying, “I deliver it +under protest, and....”</p> + +<p>“Did you see anything of the man who brought +it? Could you recognize him?”</p> + +<p>“There was very little light on the street from +my window. I could only see that he was well +dressed, and he certainly wore an opera hat. A +little while after he had disappeared from sight,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[125]</span> +I heard a car drive off in the direction he took +on leaving our office, and I imagine it was his.”</p> + +<p>“Herr Grube, you will be so kind as to leave +this letter in my hands. You will be an important +witness in one of the most notable criminal prosecutions +of recent years. I beg you, upon your +honour, to preserve absolute silence about this +letter and everything connected with it.”</p> + +<p>Grube, under the spell of the horror which +had seized upon him, now became more pliable, +and grew as eager about the affair as he had +previously been obdurate. He handed over the +document, exclaiming, “There it is then! I am +quite at your service. That is a very different +matter!”</p> + +<p>“My car will take you back to your office +again. Please leave word that I am anxious to +see the editor-in-chief as soon as he is able to +attend upon me.”</p> + +<p>The assistant-editor withdrew.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[126]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">VIII</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wenk</span> remained alone, inwardly cool. He had +been able to suppress the horror and dread which +the crime had excited in his sensitive and sympathetic +soul. He knew the reason underlying +this murder. It was not revenge, but something +far more dangerous and deadly. It was terrorization! +That was revealed to him by the letter +to the news agency, designed to give information +about the murder other than the police reports. +It was the terrorizing of all who felt themselves +victims of that fair-bearded stranger who had +appeared among them. How much this gambler +must have at stake, he thought, that he could thus +personally announce his crime, to give the affair +the turn he wanted it to have! How many people +were in his pay that he was able to carry out +his criminal deeds in this fashion? What sort +of people were they, and what was the example +such conduct would afford to those who were still +hovering undecidedly between good and evil? +How many adherents might not the announcement +of this deed yet secure for him?</p> + +<p>Hull had met his fate because he had revealed +to the authorities, in the person of Wenk, the +history of the I O U, and because the pseudo +Herr Balling desired thus to give an example of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[127]</span> +what would occur to those who stood in his way. +Possibly, even probably, the attack had also been +directed at himself, and he had only escaped +because his indignation had driven him from the +place.</p> + +<p>Now perhaps it would be impossible, for +strategical reasons, to close down the “Go-ahead” +Institute.... Like so many similar places, it +might serve as a trap.</p> + +<p>“And what about Cara Carozza?” he said to +himself. “Shall I be able to get her to confess +for whom she was acting as a decoy? What can +she confess, and whose name would she reveal? +Even if a name and possibly an address be +furnished me, do I know the man’s secrets, and +what precautions he has taken against me? No, +I will not go to see this girl. I will leave her +in custody and let her wait.... Then she will +realize that there’s trouble ahead of her. She is +weak and vicious; perhaps she will give in of +her own accord.”</p> + +<p>Finally, however, Wenk decided otherwise. He +would take the exactly opposite course. He would +lull her suspicions by a friendly and sympathetic +bearing. She was crafty, but she belonged to +the theatrical world, and by his assumed friendliness +and sympathy with her in the circumstances +leading to her arrest he might make her more +ready to confide in him. He therefore went at +once to the guard-room, where he found her seated +in a small compartment. Wenk hastened towards +her.</p> + +<p>“But, my dear young lady,” he exclaimed, +“how came you here? What have they been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[128]</span> +doing to you? They have just rung up to tell +me what has happened. What a good thing you +thought of me!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, Herr Wenk, you come as an angel of +light to me in my dungeon. Let us get away +from this place at once! Don’t lose an instant! I +am stifling here. I can’t breathe in these horrible +surroundings.” She hastened towards the door.</p> + +<p>“Ah, but now I must prepare you for a +disappointment, which is unavoidable. You see, +my dear young lady, we live under the State, +and every State has supreme power. It appoints +officials, each of whom carries on his own peculiar +office, and they cannot encroach upon the domains +of others. The State has appointed me one of its +Attorneys, but I am only there to prosecute +offenders, not to set innocent people free.”</p> + +<p>“Then what’s to happen to me?” said Cara, +suddenly hardening her attitude.</p> + +<p>Her tone warned Wenk, and he came at once +to the point:</p> + +<p>“Your case does not come under my jurisdiction +first of all, but that of the court of inquiry, +and you are bound to undergo an examination +there. It is troublesome, no doubt, but you must +blame the circumstances for that.”</p> + +<p>“And what about your part in it?” asked the +girl.</p> + +<p>“Mine? I can do nothing but tell the examining +counsel that we are old acquaintances, +and that I do not think you capable of taking +any part in such a crime.”</p> + +<p>“Then why did you come here? You are not +the examining counsel.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">[129]</span>Wenk realized then that she had seen through +his ruse, and he knew, too, that she had escaped +the snare, but at the same time he was convinced +that she was guilty.</p> + +<p>“I came here on account of a minor circumstance +in which I can help you,” he said quickly. +“I understand that you resisted the constables?”</p> + +<p>“What woman would allow herself to be +attacked by coarse brutes of constables without +resisting?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, of course; it was the circumstances +which were to blame for your behaving unreflectingly +and forcing them to do their duty.”</p> + +<p>“I am well known as an artiste. My name +ought to have been enough for them!”</p> + +<p>“Did you give the constables your name?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly I did, straight away!”</p> + +<p>“It is strange that they should not have told +me that. They mentioned another name that you +had called out!”</p> + +<p>Then Wenk observed that Cara threw a hasty +and searching glance, full of hate, upon him. +She looked away again at once, and drummed with +her fingers on her knee.</p> + +<p>“They said another name, did they? That’s +curious, for my own name is well enough known, +and thought enough of. What might this other +strange name have been?”</p> + +<p>“The constable said it was George.”</p> + +<p>Her face showed no change when Wenk said +that.</p> + +<p>“He couldn’t have heard properly, for my +name, as you know, isn’t George,” she said, with +an air of indifference.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">[130]</span>“But a second constable says he heard you +give the same name. It really <i>was</i> George!”</p> + +<p>“How strange!” said Cara, after a pause for +reflection. “My husband’s name was George. +Could I, in my excitement, have called....”</p> + +<p>“Ah, now everything is perfectly clear. That +is quite comprehensible, but, of course, nobody +knew you had been married?”</p> + +<p>“I <i>am</i> married!”</p> + +<p>“You still are; oh, that’s something different. +Shall I send word to your husband? But perhaps +you no longer hold any intercourse with him?”</p> + +<p>“Indeed I do! His address is 234, Eschenheimerstrasse, +Frankfurt-am-Main.... His name +is George Strümpfli.”</p> + +<p>“This will be painful news for him. Are you +not afraid that there may be some difficulty when +he hears your name connected with the circumstance +of Hull’s murder?”</p> + +<p>Then Cara spoke at last, falling back on her +chair. “Hull murdered!...” she exclaimed, +and she sank fainting from the chair to the +ground.</p> + +<p>For the moment Wenk was taken aback; then +he decided that this fainting-fit was assumed. +He raised her on to the couch, then went away +without attending to her further. Going out, he +ordered the constables to keep a sharp eye on +the lady, and not let anyone at all go into the +ante-room. They were to keep their weapons +fixed.</p> + +<p>He drove back to the central police-station and +informed the divisional surgeon, requesting him +to drive to the guard-room, and to search the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">[131]</span> +girl’s clothing without exciting suspicion. He +then wrote out the order for her arrest, and handed +it over. He gave orders at the Police Information +Bureau that any journalist who came seeking +for news was to be sent to him direct.</p> + +<p>By this time it was daylight. Wenk had a +bath and then drove to the office of the Central +News Agency, the editor-in-chief of which had +rung him up on the telephone.</p> + +<p>When Wenk had told him all that had occurred, +he said: “The reason that emboldened me to +lay claim to some of your time, was this. If it +were an isolated murder I would, although unwillingly, +let the reporting of it proceed in the +usual manner. But behind this assault we are +confronted by a gang having at their head a man +of apparently enormous and comprehensive powers. +He must have secured to himself an organized +set of followers whose only aim is to guard him +while he carries out his crimes. The letter, which +he himself may have handed into your office, +discloses the fact that he desires the affair to be +made known in the way that suits his ends. He +means it as a warning. The victim himself told +me not long ago that he had come across him +in very peculiar circumstances, and this he knew. +It is his aim to surround his dark deeds by a +wall of dread; folks are to realize that no one +who makes any attempt against <i>him</i> can escape +with his life. You can readily see how great a +danger such a man is; at a time when the war +has left folks weak and emotional on the one +hand and more readily incited to evil on the +other. We cannot altogether suppress such an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[132]</span> +occurrence as this, but I desire that it should be +announced apart from the connecting circumstances +known to me, so that the imagination may not +make popular heroes out of murderers. In this +I am counting on the assistance of yourself and +your colleagues. May I beg you most earnestly +not to make known <i>anything</i> concerning the Hull +affair which has not first been seen by me? We +are living in an age of mental and spiritual +epidemics, and those who would help to bring +healing must be prepared to sacrifice themselves.”</p> + +<p>“I will certainly act as you desire,” said the +editor-in-chief.</p> + +<p>“At the same time,” Wenk went on, “I +wouldn’t on any account allow the impression to +get about that such a course is due to more +complete knowledge of the circumstances, or the +exercise of authority on the part of the law, you +understand.”</p> + +<p>“I quite follow you there,” said the sympathetic +editor.</p> + +<p>“Then I am grateful to you, and can only hope +for good results from our combined efforts. Our +nation is in evil case.”</p> + +<p>When he got home Wenk was anxious to go +to bed and enjoy a few hours of much-needed +rest. It was already ten o’clock, but just then +his chauffeur, who acted as his personal attendant, +brought him a visiting-card bearing the name of +Countess Told.</p> + +<p>“I am quite disengaged,” said Wenk immediately, +and the Countess was ushered in.</p> + +<p>“Is there any possibility of our being interrupted +here by an anxious wife who is not <i>au<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[133]</span> +courant</i> of the matter which is engaging our +attention?” she asked, as she gave Wenk her +slender hand cordially.</p> + +<p>“The happiness of possessing a partner for life +has never been mine!” answered Wenk, feeling +a delicious sweetness in the proximity of this +woman. And yet she stood before him as something +dreamlike, connected with a life which he +seemed to have led not long before. Between +this hour and that lay the mysterious occurrences +of the night, and he was unable to conceive +that these feelings of love and longing could be +actually real.</p> + +<p>She stood before him, and he found no word +to say to her, while she herself, insensibly influenced +by the man’s force of character and lofty +aims, felt embarrassed by this silence, because +it seemed to be a confirmation of her own sensations. +“Yes,” she confessed to herself, “the +feeling I have for him is ...,” but she would +not utter the word “love.” She blushed at the +thought, a blush which Wenk saw. A tremor +passed through him, and he struggled with himself +as he bent low over her hand.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly the vision of the murdered man +rose before him, and he no longer felt bold enough +to betray by word or gesture the infatuation which +possessed him. He offered the Countess a chair, +and while he fetched another for himself his +imagination was fired by an idea which afforded +a solution of the conflict waging within him. This +woman, whom he loved and to whom he was +evidently not wholly indifferent, should be associated +with him in his undertaking, and their<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[134]</span> +common endeavour might bring about their own +harvest. Then he said to her seriously:</p> + +<p>“During this last night an acquaintance known +to both of us, Edgar von Hull, has been murdered. +His friend Karstens is severely wounded, +and I only escaped because I had happened to +leave, two hours earlier, the locality into which +we had been enticed. I believe I know the +instigator of this crime. It is once more the +sandy-bearded man and the old Professor. Its +actual perpetrators have escaped, but we have +made one arrest, of a person who is also known +to you. I mean Cara Carozza, the dancer, whose +liaison with Hull you are aware of. At present +I have hardly more than a profound conviction +that she has had some share in the crime, but +I have thought of a way by which we might loosen +her tongue. If you, Countess, would undertake +the unpleasant enterprise of allowing yourself to be +arrested, I would take care to arrange for your +being put into the same cell as Carozza. She +does not know you as Countess Told, but as a +lady who frequents her own circles. Represent +your offence as a very trifling one, and say that +you will soon be set free, even if you are found +guilty of taking part in an illicit game.... +Promise to help her, perhaps by flight ... and +you must previously have informed her that her +situation is a very serious one, and one never +can tell what may happen to persons arrested +in such circumstances as hers.... She will then +probably tell you who would be able to arrange +for her escape, and you understand the rest, +Countess. Are you willing to play the part?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">[135]</span>“I will carry out your wishes,” said the +Countess, without stopping an instant for reflection, +and her voice sounded eager.</p> + +<p>Wenk was sensibly touched by the haste, the +ready zeal with which this gracious and beautiful +woman accepted his suggestion.</p> + +<p>“Up to now,” she said lightly, “there has +never been a chance for me to do anything really +useful, to engage in a bold enterprise with life +at stake, to study life at first hand.”</p> + +<p>“And that is what you have been seeking in +the gambling-dens?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“I do not rightly know. I felt at home in +those places, because there seemed to be no +barriers. In my own circle I could perceive the +horizon everywhere, and I could not endure that. +I feel I owe you much....”</p> + +<p>There was a smarting in Wenk’s eyes. He +was overcome with a sensation of longing; it +took possession of him and tormented him, and +he asked, almost roughly, “And your husband?”</p> + +<p>She answered calmly, “In every marriage, +although you cannot know it by experience, there +is something of what the heart has sought left +unfulfilled. I rob my husband of nothing, if I +try to find what I am seeking without him.”</p> + +<p>“I honour and esteem you,” cried Wenk, his +voice trembling slightly.</p> + +<p>“It is nothing but the natural law,” she countered; +“and now tell me what I am to do.”</p> + +<p>“On a certain day, which you shall appoint, I +will take you in my car to the governor of the +prison and we will arrange everything with him. +When would it suit you?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">[136]</span>“Next Saturday at this time.” She rose.</p> + +<p>“The grey prison walls will begin to shine!” +said Wenk.</p> + +<p>“Because of such odd proceedings,” laughed +she.</p> + +<p>“No, Countess, your beauty will light them +up,” and Wenk suddenly felt as if he loved her +with a passion which must be shining in his +eyes. He bent so low over her hand in adieu +that he concealed his face from her, and she +yielded it to him in a gracious gesture that was +almost like the confession of a mutual understanding +between them, then hastened away.</p> + +<p>Out in the street the blood mounted to her +cheeks, and half unconsciously she murmured the +word she had suppressed, “love ... love,” while +in Wenk’s room there remained a scent of her +which he eagerly inhaled. Then pressing both +hands to his face, and indulging his secret and +mysterious presentiments, he whispered ardently +into the darkness that concealed his vision, +“Death and love ... death and love!”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>In the course of the day the report of the +murder ran through the city. It arose from the +dark quarter where Hull had yielded up his useless +and trivial existence. A dark patch remained +there, and the pavement was coloured with the +blood that had been shed. The thaw had made +the gutters moist and muddy, and they had sucked +in the dark evidences of the crime, till from a +mere patch it became a monster, reaching from +its own narrow corner to spread throughout the +town. Folks came to seek its source, drinking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">[137]</span> +in on the spot the full horrors of the deed. +They saw the monster rear its head, rush towards +them and through them, leaving disorder, abuse +and dread in its wake. Like a dragon it wound +itself through the alleys to the broad Ludwigstrasse, +crept through the squares to the very +heart of the city, and began to overflow all +quarters, to escape from the streets to the houses. +Like an underground drain it ran all day long, +its gloomy current and dismal stench striking +terror into men’s hearts or drawing thence a force +which could but find its outlet in evil.</p> + +<p>Three days later a woman of the streets was +murdered in the night, and the assassin was caught +the very next day. He was an “out-of-work,” +one of those relics of war-time, who had fallen +into a state approaching savagery. He confessed +that he did not know what he was doing when +he pressed his fingers deep into the girl’s throat. +Something seemed to seize upon him in the dark +when he came round that corner by the Jägerstrasse, +and drove him to do it.</p> + +<p>The town was enveloped as in a misty fog, impressionable +and passionate as the human heart, +and the spring beyond it was obscured. The +lights thrown on life became glaring, its shadows +of a wild and overwhelming blackness. Men’s +hearts were torn in two, and everywhere there +was internal conflict.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[138]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">IX</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">At</span> four o’clock there was a telephone call from +Frankfurt. “George Strümpfli, artist, was born +in Basle in 1885, and lived at the address indicated +from January 1st to December 10th last +year. He has now gone abroad, his whereabouts +being unknown. In the records he is entered as of +Swiss nationality, and he is a married man.”</p> + +<p>From the register of the town inhabitants Wenk +learnt that Cara Carozza was described as follows: +“Maria Strümpfli, formerly Essert, known as Cara +Carozza, dancer, born in Brunn, May 1, 1892, +arrived in Munich from Copenhagen.”</p> + +<p>Wenk wondered how the pronunciation of +“Georsh” instead of George could have arisen, +for both these people were South Germans by +speech, and “Georsh” was only heard in North +Germany.</p> + +<p>He went again to see the dancer, who was +now in a prison cell.</p> + +<p>“I don’t want anything to do with you,” she +said in a harsh voice to Wenk. “You say you +are going to help me, and yet you put me in +prison.”</p> + +<p>“It was not I: that is a mistake on your +part. It is the examining counsel, as I told you +at once. I am only here to clear up one difficulty<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[139]</span> +in the case, and that is the name you called out. +That is the point at issue.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed! you seem rather concerned about +the verdict.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, of course we are. If you were prepared +to help us we might get over the difficulty. Let +me see, you said your husband’s name was Carl +... Carl Strümpfli, wasn’t it?”</p> + +<p>“In case you forget it again, his name is +George.”</p> + +<p>“He is a Swiss?”</p> + +<p>“You have evidently been inquiring about him.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” said Wenk. “And so he is called +George. Now tell me, although you may think +it a foolish question, had you any special name +for him?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“You never called him anything but....”</p> + +<p>“George. No, only George. When can I get +away from here?”</p> + +<p>“Ah, that depends upon the examining counsel.”</p> + +<p>“Well then, he ought to be here. It is shameful +that a well-known artiste like me should....”</p> + +<p>“You see, unfortunately everything must take +its prescribed course. ‘Without respect of individuals,’ +as the legal phrase runs. I cannot +promise you any more than my own help.”</p> + +<p>“You are going away again? And without +me?”</p> + +<p>“For the moment I cannot do anything else.”</p> + +<p>The dancer turned away.</p> + +<p>Wenk went to the scene of the crime. He had +previously studied the list of those living in its +vicinity, and especially those in the Finkenstrasse.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[140]</span> +He took two plain-clothes policemen with him, +one of them being the constable who had pursued +the criminals as far as the park wall. They +examined the wall by daylight; it showed scratches +from the tips of shoes, and on the top was a +trace of blood. Possibly someone had been lifted +up who grasped the top with his hands. In the +clear February day the light fell pitilessly on +that trace of the murdered Hull.</p> + +<p>Wenk entered the houses, many of which, he +perceived, led at the back to the park. He spoke +to all their occupants separately. Some had +heard a noise in the night, but they did not +consider that anything unusual, and in the houses +themselves, as they told Wenk, they had heard +nothing.</p> + +<p>He examined the park on the other side of +the wall. There was nothing to be seen there +beyond a trace of many footprints in one spot, +where they had apparently jumped down, for some +of the impressions were fairly deep. But this +spot had been raked, and carbolic acid thrown +upon it. There was an empty tin near, which +from its smell had evidently contained carbolic. +This precaution was doubtless taken in case the +police hounds should be requisitioned, and it might +have been put there beforehand, but he did not +quite understand the reason, and decided to test +it by means of a hound. It took up the scent +in the Jägerstrasse, ran to the wall and jumped +up on it, but when they lifted it on the other side +it went no further. It turned away in disgust at +the smell of the carbolic, ran up and down the +wall and then back again, always in the same<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[141]</span> +direction, and yet always as if irresolute. It tried +to spring into the air.</p> + +<p>Wenk had it lifted over the wall again, but +when the hound was on the top, and the man on +the other side ready to receive it, it escaped from +him and ran, barking furiously, along the top. +It did not run far, but remained in one spot, +barking, with its head downwards, towards the yard +of one of the houses, trying to jump down there. +Then with one spring the hound was over, running +towards the house, where it stood still at the outer +wall. This Wenk examined closely, perceiving +marks of scratches occurring at regular intervals +upwards. Here undoubtedly people had climbed +up by means of a ladder, and the tracks led to +a window on the first floor. The room it belonged +to was empty, and he asked the people +of the house how long it had been so. Then all +the other lodgers were astonished, for they said +it was occupied. One of them exclaimed, “But +Georsh is living there!”</p> + +<p>Wenk’s heart gave a sudden leap.</p> + +<p>“Who?” he said quickly. “What was his +name?”</p> + +<p>Again the answer was “Georsh.”</p> + +<p>“Did you know him?” he asked of one woman.</p> + +<p>“Certainly I knew Georsh!” she replied.</p> + +<p>“Was that his surname?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know.”</p> + +<p>“Who used to call him that?”</p> + +<p>“The fellows who were always coming to see +him.”</p> + +<p>“So his name was George?” went on Wenk, +desirous of being quite certain.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[142]</span>“No, he was called Georsh,” answered one of +them.</p> + +<p>“Has he lived here long?”</p> + +<p>Nobody knew exactly; some thought it was +about a year, but he was hardly ever at home. +He tried to get a description of the man, but +then a curious fact came to light. Even about +the colour of his hair they could not agree. One +said he was blue-eyed, another declared his eyes +were dark. He was rather tall and thin, and +dressed like a sailor. Again, he looked rather +like an athlete.</p> + +<p>“What was he then? What was his calling?”</p> + +<p>“They said he was a commercial traveller.”</p> + +<p>It was curious that there was no mention of +this Georsh as an occupant of the house; he +was not on the list given to Wenk.</p> + +<p>Wenk went to the Town Register Office, and +with the help of the officials he ascertained that +one occupant of the house had been a George +Hinrichsen from the Elbe district. He had left +the place about a month before, and said he was +going to Ravensburg, and after that the room +had been taken by a commercial traveller named +Poldringer.</p> + +<p>It was quite clear to Wenk that Hinrichsen +and Poldringer the traveller were one and the +same person. It was just a month ago that Hull +had had that memorable conversation with Wenk. +And Hinrichsen and Poldringer were the same +individual as the murderer of Hull, or at least the +person who directed the murder, and it was his +name that the dancer had called out. Possibly +the direction Hinrichsen had taken in departure<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[143]</span> +also agreed with this, for Constance lay near +Ravensburg, and Switzerland could be reached +from there.</p> + +<p>Wenk telegraphed to the Constance head-office, +with special reference to the passport stations. +A few hours later the police officials there telegraphed +back that a man named Poldringer had +notified his arrival there. He gave Bavaria as +his native State, and this had struck the registering +official as curious, because the man used a dialect +that was unmistakably North German. On that +account the police kept him under surveillance. +They ascertained that he frequented the society +of people who were suspected of smuggling goods +across the Swiss frontier. He often travelled by +the steamer to Lindau. “Expect me to-day in +Constance,” telephoned Wenk finally.</p> + +<p>Wenk immediately prepared for a journey. He +could reach Constance before night if the little +monoplane belonging to a friend of his, which +was always at his service, were ready for a flight. +He telephoned to him and ascertained that it was.</p> + +<p>At four o’clock he departed, and in the +deepening twilight he descended at the Petershaus +aerodrome near Constance. The police described +the locality in which these profiteers and smugglers +were to be found. He disguised himself as a +chauffeur and went to one of their inns to get +some supper. He addressed one man whom he +thought to be of their party, saying that he could +get hold of two cars, and also some sort of export +licence, as long as it wasn’t looked at too closely, +but if he had the help of one or, better still, of +two bold fellows it could be done quite easily.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[144]</span> +There would be a profit of about ten thousand +in it, for the cars were bought in the autumn of +1918 and had been kept hidden ever since. They +were first-class cars that had belonged to two +generals.</p> + +<p>The other did not take long to consider. He +would broach the matter to a friend of his, and +the three of them would soon pull it off. They +went together later to another tavern, which the +friend often frequented, but he did not appear.</p> + +<p>“What is his name?” asked Wenk. “Perhaps +I know him.”</p> + +<p>“He is called Ball, but you may have known +him under some other name. Most of us find +it convenient to have one or two different names +here; you know all about that, don’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Of course I do,” said Wenk.</p> + +<p>Then he grew suddenly pale, for just then a +man entered, in whom he thought he recognized +the chauffeur who had driven him to Schleissheim +in the car filled with poison gas. Everything +was at stake. Wenk’s disguise was rather a +sketchy one. Supposing this man were the Ball +they were expecting! If he came to their table +and sat down, he would probably recognize Wenk, +and the whole story would come out. He employed +all his powers to regain his self-control, +and tried to disguise his features by contracting +his facial muscles. He had already taken the +precaution of seating himself in a dark corner.</p> + +<p>But the new-comer sat down at some distance +from him at a large table where several young +fellows were already sitting. He had his back +to Wenk, but the lawyer felt he must not venture<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[145]</span> +any further, and promising a rendezvous for the +next evening, he hastily took his leave.</p> + +<p>He went to the police-station, stated where he +had been, and described the suspected man. The +sergeant of police sent for a constable, who said +that according to the description the man must +be Poldringer.</p> + +<p>“Could we be certain of that? I should like +the fact established during the night. But I beg +of you to proceed cautiously in the matter, for +this man is armed at all points!” urged Wenk.</p> + +<p>Then he thought it would be better not to go +there, said the constable. It was but a small +town, and all the police officials, even the plain-clothes +men, knew these profiteers. His sudden +appearance might give the alarm.</p> + +<p>“Well then, I must manage without that. Do +you know where he lives?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly.”</p> + +<p>“Then take me there at once.”</p> + +<p>The sergeant took Wenk to a byway where +stood a shabby old inn, which was divided into +many courtyards at the back. Wenk at once +recognized that it would be extremely difficult to +carry through any arrest here without a large +body of police, and so many constables could not +be quickly and easily procured in a small town +like this.</p> + +<p>Opposite the house was an iron-foundry. Here +Wenk spent the next forenoon in company with +a constable who knew Poldringer, the two concealing +themselves behind a dust-begrimed window.</p> + +<p>When, about eleven o’clock, the man whom +Wenk knew as the sandy-bearded man’s chauffeur<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[146]</span> +came out of the house, the constable nudged him, +saying, “That is Poldringer!”</p> + +<p>“That’s my man!” said Wenk.</p> + +<p>In the afternoon he had a consultation with +the head of the Criminal Investigation Department. +Wenk said it was not a case of arresting one man, +but of getting rid of the whole gang, for here +in Constance, as one might say, there was but +one division of the army whose general headquarters +was in Munich, and until one could lay +hold of the leader it was not worth while to +secure a dozen or so of his accomplices. Wenk +advised their not making use of the announcement +of a reward of five-thousand marks for information +(which had been drawn up contrary to his +wish), but rather that they should keep a close +watch upon what they now knew to be one of +the haunts of the gang. That would be the safest +way of entrapping their leader, for if they seized +the chauffeur now, his master would receive +emphatic warning. And this man, Wenk told +them, was undoubtedly one of the most daring +criminals to be met with in the last ten years. +It was not only a money reward, but fame, that +might be looked for, and the constables all +promised to do what they could.</p> + +<p>In the evening Wenk met the young man who +was going to help him get rid of the cars at a +big profit. His friend had left the town, he +said, for things had gone badly of late. Switzerland +was overdone with German goods, and the +German authorities seemed to be regaining their +control of the Lake. They might soon be starving, +he said. But <i>he</i> knew what to do. He wasn’t<span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[147]</span> +going to starve, and sooner than be driven out +of the place by hunger, he would join the Foreign +Legion. Then at least he would be safe from the +German authorities. He could fill his belly in +peace, and if he were shot down it would be as a +free man, whereas if he stayed here he was bound +to end in quod.</p> + +<p>Wenk asked what he had to do to get into +the Foreign Legion.</p> + +<p>“Oh, that’s easier than ever it was,” answered +the man. “Before the war you had to go to +Belfort, but now that’s not necessary—you can +join up here.”</p> + +<p>“Well, that’s a good thing to know. What’s +the address of their headquarters?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, you only need go to the ‘Black Bull’ +and ask for Poldringer, or else come in the +evening to the tavern we went to yesterday, for +he was sitting there. He had got a lot of them +at his table, and I told him I’d think it over. +If our honk-honk business comes off, I shan’t +need to, though, but we can’t get hold of that +d——d Ball; he’d want to stand in with us, but +I expect he’s got something good on somewhere +else. By the way, Poldringer was asking after +you last night. You must belong to his part of the +country, eh? He said he thought he knew you, +but I told him you were from Basle and wanted +to get two cars across, and he said, ‘Oh, then +it can’t be the man from Munich,’ but I thought +to myself a man might have been in Munich and +yet be in Basle now, eh, mate?”</p> + +<p>“I’ve never been in Munich,” said Wenk; “he +must have mistaken me for someone else.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[148]</span>“Well, it’s all the same thing, anyhow! We’ll +get those cars through, eh? By the way, can +you stand me a trifle of ready on the job?”</p> + +<p>“A fifty?” asked Wenk.</p> + +<p>“Oh well, if it’s not inconvenient, I’d like two +fifties.”</p> + +<p>“One’s all I can spare at the moment,” said +Wenk, pulling a fifty-mark note out of his waistcoat-pocket.</p> + +<p>“You needn’t be afraid of showing your +purse, even if it has a hole in it,” remarked the +man.</p> + +<p>“You wouldn’t buy any more with fifty out +of my purse than you can with that one!”</p> + +<p>“Well, all right; no offence! Where are you +staying?”</p> + +<p>“In Barbarossa,” said Wenk, at a venture.</p> + +<p>“Oh, if the folks there get hold of you, you +won’t get out of their clutches, I can tell you! +You go to the ‘Black Bull.’ They’ll look after +you properly there, and everything is arranged +so that you can fly off as easily as these greenbacks +will. Not a trace left behind!”</p> + +<p>Next morning Wenk flew back to Munich. His +trip had been successful, and the journey in the +pure clean air, cold though it was in the upper +regions, invigorated him. He felt as if he were +gathering the threads together in his hand and +they were about to form a vast and invisible net, +and he, the fisherman, felt himself ready and +able to drag it in.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>An hour before Wenk took up his stand at +the grimy window of the iron-foundry opposite<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[149]</span> +the “Black Bull,” the following conversation was +carried on between Constance and Munich:</p> + +<p>“Hulloa, Dr. Dringer speaking. Who is +there?”</p> + +<p>“Hulloa, this is Dr. Mabuse. What is it, +please?”</p> + +<p>“The invalid seems to be staying here. I am +not quite certain yet that it is he, but I thought +I recognized him. I am anxious for instructions.”</p> + +<p>“That’s very strange. He was in Munich to +my certain knowledge just about four o’clock +yesterday. What time did you think you saw +him, Doctor?”</p> + +<p>“At half-past seven!”</p> + +<p>“But the express does not leave until 7 p.m. +and only reaches Lindau at 11 p.m. Even if +he had used a car he could not possibly have +reached Constance by half-past seven!”</p> + +<p>“It is possible that I may have been mistaken, +but hardly likely. I can’t at once abandon the +idea that it was the lunatic we are searching for.”</p> + +<p>“Well, in any case, my dear colleague, prosecute +your inquiries, and if you are convinced, use the +safest means at your command.”</p> + +<p>“You mean the strait-waistcoat, Doctor?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, for you know he is dangerous to +the community. Have you any other news? +What about those neurotic patients?”</p> + +<p>“They are quite ready to go to the sanatorium, +and they start to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>“Good. That’s all, thank you. My best wishes +to you, Doctor.”</p> + +<p>Mabuse went up and down his room in considerable +excitement. How could it be possible<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[150]</span> +that the State Attorney, who was still in +Munich at 4 p.m. should have been seen in +Constance at 7.30 p.m.? Might not George be +mistaken?</p> + +<p>He dressed himself as a messenger and repaired +to the Amandastrasse, where Wenk had +his chambers. He rang his door-bell, and a +servant opened to him.</p> + +<p>“Can I see the State Attorney?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“He is not at home. Give me the letter.”</p> + +<p>“I was to give it to him personally.... When +will he be back?”</p> + +<p>“I do not know.”</p> + +<p>“Has he gone away for long, or shall I be +able to hand him the letter this afternoon?”</p> + +<p>“His honour did not leave word.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, then I must rely on you,” said the +messenger. “You will be sure to deliver the letter, +won’t you?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, give it here,” and the man glanced +at the address, but it was directed to the State +Attorney, Dr. Müller, and he said, “You are +making a mistake. Herr von Wenk is the barrister +who lives here.”</p> + +<p>“Good heavens, so they’ve given me the wrong +number! I always say, ‘Write it down, gentlemen.’ +And so I’ve made a mistake here. Where +does the gentleman I want live?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know him at all.”</p> + +<p>“Well, there’s nothing for it but to go back! +Good morning!”</p> + +<p>The pseudo-messenger went off, knowing only +half he wanted to know. On the way, enlightenment +came to him. “Of course,” he said to himself,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[151]</span> +“he must have gone by aeroplane, and I can +guess why....”</p> + +<p>For an instant a mist swam before his eyes, +so acutely did he feel this discovery of his. For +the first time he measured his adversary’s powers. +No one had ever used such means against him before. +George had not yet sent off the discharged +smugglers. Were they the reason of this hasty +visit to Constance? Had his—Mabuse’s—band of +watchers failed him? The matter became more +difficult and dangerous every day, and recently +several agents of the Foreign Legion had been +discovered and arrested.</p> + +<p>“If Wenk has the whole gang imprisoned,” +thought Mabuse, “one of them might blab enough +to bring the inquiry home to me, and then for +the first time I shall no longer be safe. I must +have him got out of the way.... Why did +George let him go, if he had even a suspicion +that it might be the lawyer? A plague upon +the soft-heartedness that allowed him to escape us +at Schleissheim! My life is not safe until he is +wiped out of existence! I shall have to prepare +for flight, and I will be off to the Swiss frontier +unless I know for certain by eight o’clock to-night +whether George is arrested or not. Where +did George see him? If I only knew that, for +it all depends upon that! I am consumed with +impatience, and my hatred of this destroyer of +my peace is burning me like a fever. Supposing +I never reach my kingdom of Citopomar!”</p> + +<p>Then Mabuse went home again, carrying a +parcel for himself under his arm. He must be +prepared for all eventualities. Should his dwelling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[152]</span> +be already secretly watched by the police, he was +a messenger who had something to deliver, +and there were cigars in the parcel. But his +chambers were empty, and there was nothing +suspicious in the neighbourhood.</p> + +<p>That evening he did not leave his house again. +It was safer for him to see from the window +who was coming to him than to find, on returning +after absence, that someone had effected an entry +and was watching at the window for him. He +must be ready for anything that might happen!</p> + +<p>He spent the evening in examining his finances. +There was yet six months’ work to be accomplished +in Germany before he had the amount he had +decided would be necessary. There he knew the +ground well, and anywhere else it would take +at least a year to accomplish the same result. +The languages he was conversant with necessitated +his being in countries where German and English +were known. Six months! The words throbbed +in his brain, and the blood mounted to his heart. +“I shall stay!” he said aloud in his lonely +room, and it seemed as if the defiance these words +awoke rang through him like the blow of the +hammer on the anvil.</p> + +<p>Next morning at half-past seven there was an +urgent telephone call from Constance. “Doctor +Dringer speaking! I am sorry, but I fear I +have misled my esteemed colleague. There is +no further trace to be seen. Everything is in +readiness for departure, and the other patients +are prepared for their journey.”</p> + +<p>“It was a pity, Doctor. Ring up again this +evening!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">[153]</span>“You swine!” Mabuse growled between his +teeth at his window, looking in the direction of +Wenk’s chambers. “If it were only for this half-hour +of uncertainty, you should pay for it with +your life! The first attempt failed through a +mere accident. There shall be no accident the +next time!”</p> + +<p>Mabuse left his house on foot, went to one of +the fashionable hotels, and asked for the general +manager, Herr Hungerbühler. Yes, he was there, +and would be found in Room 115, he was +told.</p> + +<p>When Mabuse entered the room unannounced, +it was empty. “Spoerri!” he called softly. +Then a cupboard door opened and Spoerri came +out.</p> + +<p>“Wenk seems to be in Constance. George +has just telephoned to me. Look after the matter. +How is Cara getting on in prison?”</p> + +<p>“It would be safer if she were out of the way +altogether. Dead men tell no tales!”</p> + +<p>“No, I have already told you once, she is +safer alive than dead,” answered Mabuse quickly.</p> + +<p>“In any case, I have got one of the warders +under my control.”</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>“To contrive her escape, if she’s to be allowed +to live!”</p> + +<p>“Fool!” cried Mabuse angrily. “I tell you +she is safer where she is. If they were to break +open her mouth with a crowbar she would never +say anything. Stop talking such d——d nonsense. +She is to come out when I leave Europe, not +before! I came to tell you that I give you a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">[154]</span> +month to get rid of Wenk. I make it so long, +so that it may be safely undertaken. Make a +note of the date, for he’s not to live a day longer +than that!” and Mabuse went off, without a word +of farewell.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">[155]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">X</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Next</span> evening Dr. Mabuse was invited to spend +the evening at the house of Privy Councillor +Wendel, who was interested in hypnotism. After +an early supper an interesting medium would +appear. In her trances memories were awakened +within her which referred to her very earliest days +... to a time when the mind was not developed +enough to be able to record or describe the +physical existence of the moment.</p> + +<p>Mabuse had made the Privy Councillor’s +acquaintance through a patient of his, an aristocratic +and wealthy dame, who had suffered from +severe neurosis and whom Mabuse had very +successfully treated by hypnotic suggestion. In +the company were to be found not only professors, +but also authors, artists and the reputed friends +of art, such as frequent the society of the +wealthy and fashionable nowadays.</p> + +<p>Mabuse’s neighbour at the supper-table was a +lady whom he recognized with astonishment and +perplexity. In the gambling-dens she was known +to his accomplices by the nickname of “the +dummy.” The lady was Countess Told.</p> + +<p>Throughout the meal he devoted himself to her, +paying her every possible attention, and relating +to her eager ears tales of strange and wonderful<span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[156]</span> +experiences in hazardous places, of the chase of +wild animals or of human beings in parts of the +world that are little frequented. He spoke with +a grim earnestness, a savage unrestraint, enjoying +once more in recollection the powers he had +exercised in such circumstances. He realized what +it was that drove this woman to the gambling-dens, +and it seemed as if this sudden disclosure +gave him a pang, as if there opened up within +him a chasm and a gulf so deep that only a +palpitating human heart could fill it. With his +imagination and with his bold recital he was +pursuing such a heart, as in the jungle he had +pursued the tiger. The hope of conquest inflamed +his blood; he felt he must make it his +own.</p> + +<p>It was this woman’s heart he wished to subjugate. +He was consumed with passionate desire +as he read in her eyes how his recital fired her +blood. That was the kind of life she craved, +and her nature understood and responded to it. +He painted wild scenes for her; he showed himself +struggling for conquest with body, soul and +spirit pitted against unrestrained nature, and he +desired her to believe that this wild and unrestrained +nature was within her.</p> + +<p>She trembled at his words, and, swayed by +his ardour, a longing for support and tenderness +overcame her. The recitals by which he sought +to enchain her interest aroused so forceful an +impression of human power that it seemed, in +tearing herself away from them, she was actually +tearing a fragment of living, bleeding flesh when +she sought out her husband with an almost supplicating<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[157]</span> +gesture, as if desirous of protection from +a force too powerful to endure.</p> + +<p>Mabuse saw her gesture, and the blood mounted +to his forehead. He was flushed with passionate +desire, and could no longer bear to see the glances +of others rest upon her ... other strangers +address her ... the lips of other men pressed to +her hand ... or the thought that any other will +should impose itself on her. His was the call +of blood that should reach her, and inflamed with +passion and desire, he left the house and drove +home.</p> + +<p>All his thoughts were centred on her, however, +and as he rapidly increased the distance between +them, and as it were tore the bleeding flesh from +his body, he called out to the image which filled +the yearning gulf within him, “Death and desire! +death and desire!”</p> + +<p>At home he drank until all around him had +dissolved in the mists of intoxication, and he no +longer saw anything but her heart, her bleeding +heart, snatched by his hand from her lovely body, +held in his grasp, enticing and inflaming his +passion.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>At length came the day when Countess Told +should enter upon her prison experiences. She +repaired to Wenk’s chambers, and he took her to +the building, making the governor <i>au courant</i> of +the whole story. Before being led to the cell, +she asked, “How long am I to stay there?”</p> + +<p>“As long as you like, Countess,” replied Wenk. +“It all depends upon your skill, but of course +you have but to say the word and you are free<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[158]</span> +in an instant, even if you have not achieved your +object.”</p> + +<p>“I have plenty of time,” she answered, “but I +should like to ask for leave next Monday, so +that I can keep an appointment.”</p> + +<p>“Most certainly, we can easily arrange that. +With your permission, I will come and fetch you. +Besides, you are sure to have something to report +by then!”</p> + +<p>“Finally, Dr. Wenk,” said the Countess, “I +want you to know that my husband is in the +secret, and you will go and see him, won’t you? +Promise me!”</p> + +<p>Wenk assented. A warder took possession of +the Countess, and as she went with him she smiled +back at Wenk. “Good luck!” cried he, ere +she vanished along the corridor.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>The Countess had left the Privy Councillor’s +house in a strange tumult of feeling. The stranger +who had so impressed her had suddenly disappeared, +but his forceful personality had left its +mark, and she could not free herself of it. This +mysterious and compelling power of his effaced +the image of Wenk, and the latter receded into +the background.</p> + +<p>When the door of the cell opened before her, +it seemed as if the time she had to spend in this +narrow space, this strange, cold chamber, so far +removed from the world, would be a period of +probation, a time of testing for herself.</p> + +<p>She was to see the stranger again on Monday. +“I am asking your neighbour at the supper-table +next Monday for another sitting with our medium,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">[159]</span> +the old Councillor had said to her with a mischievous +smile. “He must make up for lost time, +because he was called away unexpectedly. But +if he did not see the medium asleep, at any rate +he found Countess Told awake!”</p> + +<p>“All right! I shall be pleased to meet him +again,” she had answered in a friendly and noncommittal +tone.</p> + +<p>The door of the cell closed behind her, and +she saw a figure seated on a stool, but it +did not turn round. “Well?” it said growlingly.</p> + +<p>“Good morning,” said the Countess.</p> + +<p>The dancer turned round slowly. When she at +length faced the Countess, the latter uttered a +little cry, and with well-feigned astonishment +hastened to Cara, exclaiming, “What, <i>you</i> here, +my dear! But we know each other! What a +strange coincidence!”</p> + +<p>She began chattering at once, as if quite +oblivious of Cara’s sullen mood. “Just imagine, +they actually caught us all—at Schramm’s—the +most noted resort of them all! I can tell you +there was a fine to-do, my dear. One man sobbed, +another tried to jump out of the window, and +you know they are all shut up tight! Somebody +sat down and wailed, ‘Oh my wife, my four +children, I am disgraced for ever!’ There was +a tremendous fluttering in the dovecot. I could +not slip away in time, and so they got me too! +Tell me what is the best thing for me to do? +There’s nothing wrong in entering a gaming-house, +and I have never once played!”</p> + +<p>But Cara only eyed her gloomily.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">[160]</span>“Do say something. Is there anything the +matter?” pleaded the Countess.</p> + +<p>“The matter is that I want you to leave me +alone,” answered the other. “Was the young +gentleman with the fair sandy beard there?”</p> + +<p>“The one who played against Basch, you mean? +No, he wasn’t there. I have never seen him since +that night.”</p> + +<p>“Was the old Professor there?”</p> + +<p>“No, I didn’t see him either.”</p> + +<p>“Then you needn’t tell me any more about +it; it doesn’t interest me. The whole world isn’t +worth a pin. I am miserable, for I am forsaken +and betrayed. There’s no interest left in life for +me. I am lost and undone, and no one troubles +any more about me than if I were a frozen field-mouse. +What dirty dogs they are!”</p> + +<p>Suddenly she sprang from her stool and seized +the Countess by the shoulders. “You were with +the rest of us. I want to drum it into your +head,” she continued with increasing vehemence, +“that there never was anybody so treacherously +betrayed as I have been. And there was no +reason for doing it, for I was an artiste, a well-known +and admired artiste, and here I am now, +forsaken and betrayed! Cast aside like a +squeezed-out orange!”</p> + +<p>“Why did he forsake you?” asked the +Countess shyly. In her own mind she seemed +but a simple child in the presence of this wild +and passionate personality. Yes, he had forsaken +her, left her for ever, she reflected, and she +shuddered at the thought. And now he was dead. +At the moment she felt doubtful of the enterprise<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">[161]</span> +she had undertaken. “He is dead,” she said in +a low voice which vibrated.</p> + +<p>“Who?” cried Cara.</p> + +<p>“Your friend ... Hull!” answered the +Countess, preparing to enter sympathetically into +the girl’s feelings, the image of Wenk growing +yet fainter in her subconscious mind.</p> + +<p>But the other exclaimed passionately, “What +are you saying? The man I mean is not dead; +he is alive, and yet I sit here in prison. Yonder +in the town outside he stands, strong as a tower, +firm as a rock, I tell you! How can a puny +thing like you know what he was? All others +were as dirt beneath his feet, and their faithlessness +too small a trifle to consider! Hull is dead, +but what does <i>that</i> matter? Who cares an atom +about <i>him</i>? But that other, the master, the lord, +he lives there in the free air, where there is light +and love and life ... where he might bear to +have me lying at his feet, like a rug that only +serves to warm his toes. He is the great man, +the lord, the master! He is a bear, a lion, +a royal Bengal tiger, do you hear? He does +not belong to this cold and frosty land; he comes +from Bengal, from paradise, from a place I shall +never see again! And I—I—am left to linger +in this dungeon!”</p> + +<p>Suddenly she said, quite calmly and seriously, +“Tell me, do you think there are men whose +will is so strong that they can break down even +these walls when they know how passionately I +desire it?”</p> + +<p>“There are no such men outside, but within +us there are!” answered the Countess, carried<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[162]</span> +away by the vehemence of that passionate storm +of feeling which had so lately broken over her. +How contemptible it was of her, she thought, to +have desired to outwit a human being. She felt +mean in her own estimation, and casting all projects +and promises to the winds, she began to glow +in the presence of this strange personality like +the spark of an electric current. “Yes, they +are to be found in us!” she repeated.</p> + +<p>“He! he! the conqueror!” sang Cara, with a +sound of passion in her tone, and in the Countess’s +heart, too, there sprang up, like a marble image, +the form of the man she had met a few evenings +before. On her heart this image was sculptured, +and she allowed its impress to recur again and +again and remain there.</p> + +<p>“Do you love him?” she asked the dancer.</p> + +<p>But the other answered, as if brushing away +an unconsidered trifle, “I ... love? I <i>adore</i> +him!”</p> + +<p>“I do not love him!” hastily asseverated the +Countess, pursuing the mental image she had conjured +up. “But yet he is great, superhuman. +He is a world in himself. In the midst of this +tame and quiet existence he is as a jungle and +primeval forest. It seems to me as if he must +have both the tiger and the serpent within him, +as well as all that is boldest in Nature, its gigantic +trees, its wild and impenetrable forests. Do you +know, one can creep within them, never coming +to an end, and yet be in him!”</p> + +<p>She broke off suddenly. She dared not put +into words the fancies evoked within her. For +the husband whose eccentricities she tolerated<span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[163]</span> +was no more to her than a brother—nay, a +father. They were bound together by one +voluptuous hour of which no human being knew +or even suspected. It was such an hour as that +in which two human personalities melted into +one to create a new being that later on might +emerge and begin a life bound by invisible ties +to that mysterious hour. The threads might be +torn from their place, snapped, distorted, yet they +remained entwined. No other desire now possessed +her than to yield her senses once more unrestrainedly +to that consciousness of the depths of +her being which enfolded her as in a dream, and +which she nevertheless continually thrust aside.</p> + +<p>The two women sat close together, the Countess +on the ground. Both seemed alike to be struck +down by an invisible and imperious fist, striking +at these centres of abandonment and yearning +and self-betrayal. After the hasty and intimate +avowals forced from them, the shadow of silence +fell upon them.</p> + +<p>“Say something!” pleaded the Countess +timidly.</p> + +<p>“Be silent, or I shall strangle you ... with +my own hands!” cried the dancer.</p> + +<p>The Countess shrank back, feeling herself, +beside the other, to resemble a hare in the claws +of a mighty and powerful bird of prey.</p> + +<p>Food was pushed into the cell, but neither +of the women perceived it. It grew dark, and +the dancer lay down, fully dressed, upon one of +the plank beds. The Countess imitated her and +stretched herself on the other straw pallet. The +night passed by, and in the long sleepless hours<span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[164]</span> +their fancies flowed into a dark and turgid +stream.</p> + +<p>Suddenly in the gloom Cara’s voice was heard: +“Are you asleep?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Why are you here?”</p> + +<p>The Countess had not the courage to repeat +her tissue of lies, and she remained silent. Cara, +too, kept silent for a while, then she said suddenly:</p> + +<p>“You were sent here to pump me! Have I +told you anything?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“About <i>him</i>?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Did I tell you his name?”</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“That’s all right then, otherwise you would +never leave this place alive. But if you are lying, +and I had told it you, I tell you now, he <i>has</i> +no name. He is a thousand men, a whole nation, +a part of the universe!”</p> + +<p>“Just like the man I have been thinking of,” +reflected the Countess, but an instant later she +did not know whether she had not spoken her +thought aloud.</p> + +<p>“When are you going away again?”</p> + +<p>“When you want me to.”</p> + +<p>“Then go at once, and tell everything I have +told you!”</p> + +<p>“No,” answered the Countess resolutely.</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you, when that is what you came +here for?”</p> + +<p>“Things are different now.”</p> + +<p>“Nothing is different,” asserted the dancer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[165]</span> +vehemently. “Everything is as it was and will +ever be. He is out there, free as the air; I am +here like a carcass rotting on the ground. Tell +everything you know.”</p> + +<p>“I shall say nothing!”</p> + +<p>“Why not, you—you cursed hussy!” she +shrieked.</p> + +<p>“Because you love him so!”</p> + +<p>Then the dancer grew calm again, but a few +moments later she burst into tears and sobbed +wildly and unrestrainedly.</p> + +<p>The Countess lay still on her pallet. She felt +as if a naked soul with claws, whence the skin +and tissues had been withdrawn, were clutching +at her heart and holding it within its grasp. +She felt her own blood shudder and leap up beneath +the claws and mingle with that of the other. +This naked soul that clutched at her was her +sister. She was akin in blood to the criminal +yonder, but neither of the women knew that he +who had thus caused their hearts to beat in unison +during this night in prison was one and the same +mysterious being.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[166]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XI</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> news Wenk received of Karstens’ state was +very unsatisfactory. Since he had, apparently, +offered strong resistance to his attackers, a second +man seemed to have struck him violently on the +head with a crowbar, and the blow had resulted +in concussion of the brain. At intervals he became +conscious, but for short periods only, and at present +it was impossible to say what the outcome would +be. His state was so critical, the doctor declared, +that any sustained conversation with him could +not be thought of for at least two or three weeks.</p> + +<p>As for the dancer, about whose participation +in the affair he would have something to say, +as his shout to the constables to take her into +custody proved, Wenk had for the present to +content himself with any evidence the Countess +might obtain. To-day was Monday, and at four +o’clock in any case he would hear whether any +explanation might be looked for from Cara +Carozza.</p> + +<p>He did not leave the house that day. The +two main centres of his activity could not be +reached by him in person; one was the women’s +prison, the other, and far more important, was +the town of Constance. He was frequently called +up by telephone from the latter place, for this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[167]</span> +Poldringer had to be kept constantly under +surveillance.</p> + +<p>While spending the waiting hours at home impatiently, +he frequently walked backwards and +forwards to the window. On one of these occasions +he noticed a man whom he had first seen as +early as eight o’clock, and again half an hour +later, and then not again for some time. The +man always happened to be passing the house +rapidly, or else standing at a turning some distance +off. Could it be that he was there to spy upon +his movements? Wenk resolved to put the matter +to the test.</p> + +<p>He ordered one of the members of the Secret +Police to disguise himself so that anyone at a +hasty glance might mistake him for the State +Attorney. Then Wenk’s chauffeur brought round +the car to the door where the masquerader was +waiting, and at a moment when the stranger was +again visible at a corner this man got in quickly, +settled himself down inside, and was rapidly driven +away. “I shall be able to see how this simple +trick succeeds,” said Wenk to himself.</p> + +<p>At this moment there was an urgent call from +Constance. “The man under observation brought +the young fellows in his company to the station +at 3.16 p.m. The Offenburg express is due to +leave at 3.36. It is uncertain which of the party +will travel by it; some have hand luggage, and +the others none, and it is not yet ascertainable +whether the suspected man will accompany them. +One of them bought seven tickets for Offenburg, +but the party consists of eight, and one among +them looks different and has never been seen here<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[168]</span> +before. It is possible that he may be the leader +of the expedition, and in the service of the French. +How are we to proceed?”</p> + +<p>“Have three plain-clothes police ready. If the +eight go by train, let these three go too. If one +or more stay behind, let one of the men be left +too, so that those remaining are not allowed out of +sight. They may be travelling by separate routes.”</p> + +<p>The telephone official repeated the order given. +“Good. Arrange to speak to me immediately +after the departure of the express. Ring off.”</p> + +<p>Wenk asked to be connected with Offenburg, and +in five minutes he was able to get on to the police +there.</p> + +<p>“Seven, or possibly eight, men are arriving by +the express from Constance. Plain-clothes men +are in the same train. See that sixteen armed +police are in readiness at the station. It is probable +that the travellers will have passes to Alsace. +They are forged.... When you arrest the men, +be careful to avoid observation, and the only information +to be given to the Press is that it was +a case of Germans having been enticed into the +Foreign Legion; and mind you state expressly +that they will be at once set free and returned +to their homes. You will know nothing about the +forged passports. In case there is a man of the +name of Poldringer or Hinrichsen among them, +let him be separated from the rest and kept in +close custody.”</p> + +<p>Shortly after Constance telephoned again: +“Seven men have left. It is Poldringer who +stayed behind; he went to the ‘Black Bull,’ and +is under observation there.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[169]</span>“Good. Thank you. Please ring up here +again at seven o’clock, and should anything important +occur in the meantime, notify the Criminal +Investigation Department.”</p> + +<p>Then Wenk had to hurry, so that he might call +for the Countess at the prison at four o’clock. +It was then half-past three, and he was alone in +the house. He telephoned for his car, and just +as he was going downstairs he heard a knock at +the front door. He opened it.</p> + +<p>An elderly man was standing there. His figure +was bent, and he had a bushy snow-white beard, +red cheeks and blue eyes.</p> + +<p>“Herr von Wenk?” he inquired courteously.</p> + +<p>“Please come in,” answered the lawyer, “but +I am sorry to say that I am just going out on +urgent official business.”</p> + +<p>“I will not detain you a moment,” said the +other. “My name is Hull, and I am the father +of the murdered man!”</p> + +<p>Wenk bowed, and led the way to his office.</p> + +<p>“Herr von Wenk, I have been told that you +are conducting this inquiry. Edgar was my only +son, and I brought him up badly, for my whole +time was given to my business, and I had vast +interests. My wife died when he was but a child. +I think many sons in our days have had a similar +experience.” He spoke evenly, almost harshly. +“But that does not free me from blame. Our +sons were our pleasure, our business our duty. +It would have been better had it been the other +way about. I cannot desire such a life as his +to be restored, for what I have heard from various +sides about the circumstances of the case is sufficient,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[170]</span> +and I do not wish to know more, but I +have allowed myself the liberty of calling upon +you for other reasons. My son used to receive +an income of ten thousand marks from me each +month, and the only wish left me in this unhappy +affair is to be able to spend these ten thousand +marks as if he were still living, and add another +ten thousand to them. I want the money to be +used to help men to make good, and how am I to +set about this? Can you advise me, sir?”</p> + +<p>Wenk answered in a hesitating tone, “I must +first of all confess, Herr von Hull, that your words +have taken me aback!”</p> + +<p>This man’s bearing moved him deeply. Restrained +force of character, suppressed paternal +grief, unutterable sympathy ... everything that +had thus unexpectedly been laid bare to him, +threw him for the moment somewhat off his +balance. “Yes. I don’t know ... Herr von +Hull, why did you come to <i>me</i> above all men?”</p> + +<p>“I can tell you that at once, sir. It is your +task to bring the murderers to justice, and I +should like to replace with something that is +beneficial the harm that has been done by one of +my house. I should like the recollection of my +son to bear good fruit. I have had nothing of +his life, but perchance his death may yield something +that may plead for me in eternity.” His +voice remained firm until the last word had been +uttered. “But I must not forget that you are +in a hurry,” he continued. “Perhaps it is this +same unhappy affair which prevents your giving +me any more time now?”</p> + +<p>“You are right,” said the lawyer.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[171]</span>“Can I see you to-morrow or some other day, +when we can talk quietly, when you are free?”</p> + +<p>“I shall be free to-morrow, my dear sir. Come +when most convenient to you, preferably in the +morning. You are not obliged to fix an exact +time, for I shall be at home all day. I thank +you for your suggestion; we shall be enabled +to do a splendid piece of work together, I believe.”</p> + +<p>“Nay, it is I who must thank you for being +willing to help me raise a memorial to my unhappy +boy that shall redeem his name among his fellow-men.”</p> + +<p>They left the house together, and Wenk drove +rapidly to the prison. “The lady left here long +before four o’clock,” said the Governor.</p> + +<p>“Indeed!” said Wenk, disappointed. “What +did she leave for me?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing!”</p> + +<p>“And you yourself know nothing either? About +the matter she had in hand, did she get any +results?”</p> + +<p>“I did not inquire.”</p> + +<p>“Why not?” said Wenk, annoyed by his +manner.</p> + +<p>“I was not instructed to do so,” answered the +Governor morosely.</p> + +<p>“It is not a question of your exact instructions, +but of attempting to track to earth one of the most +dangerous bands of criminals Germany has ever +known. You don’t seem to realize that. What you +and your instructions may be counts for nothing.”</p> + +<p>“So much the better. Perhaps another time I +may be spared such innovations....”</p> + +<p>“You do not seem to feel yourself thoroughly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[172]</span> +comfortable in your post, Governor. I will say +a word for you to the Home Secretary! Good +morning.”</p> + +<p>“What has happened?” said Wenk to himself. +“What is up?” He felt disappointed and angry +as he took his seat in the car again.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>At seven o’clock that evening the Countess +drove to the Privy Councillor’s mansion. She +found the same company assembled there as on +the last occasion, and this time, too, she saw as +little of them. Around her and Dr. Mabuse, her +partner at the supper-table, the conversation rose +and fell, isolating them from the rest. Her +neighbour was more silent than on the previous +occasion, but everything he said was spoken with +an impressive intent, directed towards a goal which +was unrecognizable.</p> + +<p>The Countess was divided in her own mind +as to whether she should relate her experience +in the prison to him, should tell him that she had +come in contact with the soul of a woman, strong +and fearless as the figures in his own recitals; +yea, even stronger, since it was a woman, experienced +in renunciation, and carrying on her +conflict in resistance and defence.</p> + +<p>In imagination she had entered so thoroughly into +the struggle, and her encounter with this criminal +seemed to open up such unusual circumstances, that +the power of the man at her side insensibly seemed +to lessen, and this second meeting with him +appeared to yield nothing that her passionate anticipation +had longed for. The man seemed to decline +before her.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[173]</span>She noticed that while he uttered his imperious +sentences, both at their first meeting and on this +occasion, he kept his eyes fixed on her with a +compelling look. They were grey eyes, and their +glance was a steely one. She grew somewhat +frightened, and in her anxiety yearned for some +human being who could warm her breast with his +sympathy and afford her troubled spirit peace.</p> + +<p>She looked across at her husband. He was +sitting near the medium, engaging her in talk, and +it seemed as if his words were the mere play of +his graceful fingers, on one of which the ring +was flashing, as if dominating the whole. Then +the woman’s heart was overcome with a strange +sad feeling, stilling the fever in her breast—a feeling +of lofty womanly sympathy. He seemed such +a child, she said to herself. “Without me he +would be defenceless. He is like a hoop rolling +down the street, its course determined by the +obstacles and unevennesses in its path.”</p> + +<p>With this feeling upon her, she experienced a +renewed glow as she thought of her encounter +with the dancer; she was lifted out of her everyday +existence, borne onward as in a mighty rush +of passion, then again becoming cool and collected +as at the contact with something cold and +forbidding. It seemed to her then that she was +struggling to reach her husband and ever as she +approached him she was driven back, encountering +the inflexible and steely glance of the man beside +her.</p> + +<p>Mabuse grew more and more silent. He ate +nothing, and he took no pains to conceal his +taciturnity. On the contrary, he seemed, as it<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[174]</span> +were, to strive to impress it upon the whole company, +just as a mighty African potentate might +exercise his tyranny on his patient and long-suffering +followers, and the very actions of the +others served to accentuate this attitude of adoration +of a superior force.</p> + +<p>Count Told alone seemed to trifle with graceful +gestures about the medium, who, black-haired and +deadly pale, kept her unwieldy form pressed close to +his side, seeming to have eyes for no other. Then +the Countess felt that she hated the man who sat +beside her in his sullen mood while her husband’s +attitude was thus bordering on the ridiculous. And +yet it was not hate she felt, but the inward +conflict between the desire to yield herself to the +domination of a self-sufficing and stronger heart +and brain and resistance to the impulse of +subjugation.</p> + +<p>The supper-table was cleared and the company +stood around talking for a while. Mabuse had left +his table-companion and sought the society of +Count Told. He engaged him in a discourse on +the psychological aspect of gambling.</p> + +<p>“I am a born gambler,” said the Count. +“When I am losing, I remain as cold as ice, but +when I am winning my brain lights up and my +phantasies are redoubled.”</p> + +<p>Then Mabuse said: “Games of chance are the +oldest form, the strongest and most widespread +form, in which a man who is not gifted with artistic +expression may yet feel himself an artist.”</p> + +<p>“That is an interesting idea,” said the Count; +“pray follow it up a little further.”</p> + +<p>“It is because in a game of chance every man<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[175]</span> +feels that he can force himself to a creative act. +Creation, through the principle which underlies all +life, draws its force from the parallel powers of +volition and accident. By accident we must +understand all that is untried, immeasurable, +strange, and impossible of expression in itself. +This is, too, the mental process of creative work, +to which nature has lent a portion of primal force, +the work of the artist! Between the poles of +volition and accident this power is wielded +as in a state of trance. Goethe confessed that to +be the case with himself when he was composing +his poems. In games of chance there is a like +synthesis. Accident gives the player his material—it +may be trifling and insignificant, or it may +be of dominating power. The player sets his will +to work to accomplish a creation of his own from +his material.”</p> + +<p>“You are a poet yourself, Doctor?”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no, I am a physician practising psychotherapy.”</p> + +<p>“Such people are our most modern poets. For +they give our knowledge of the unconscious, or +rather the subconscious, its perceptible form, and +the subconscious world, which is now firmly +established, produces our psychic existence. We +will have a game of baccarat afterwards, shall we +not?”</p> + +<p>“Agreed!”</p> + +<p>The hypnotic subject was about to begin her +test. A doctor led her forward and threw her +into a hypnosis in which she would recall her +wonderful recollections. On the first evening, as +Count Told informed Mabuse in an awestruck<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[176]</span> +whisper, she had related her mental experiences +during her first attempts to walk.</p> + +<p>While the Count was speaking he felt an +unnatural warmth stealing over the back of his +head. He turned round, but there was nothing +behind him save the tapestried wall, upon which +pictures of the old school, to which he was quite +indifferent, were hanging.</p> + +<p>The patient did not respond to the hypnotist’s +suggestions. She did indeed fall into a state of +trance, but all the spectators could see that gradually +the expression of her eyes indicated that she +was returning from a far-off view, until suddenly +they looked straight ahead and were wide awake +again, awake and indignant.</p> + +<p>“Someone is tormenting me,” she said.</p> + +<p>“No one is tormenting you,” said the hypnotist +in a monotonous and measured tone. “We are +guiding you to the early home of your youth—one, +two, three ... you are sleeping—one, two +... you are sleeping!”</p> + +<p>He passed his hand slowly and lightly over +her forehead, continuing to count, “Three ... +one ... two ... where are you now?—how old +are you?”</p> + +<p>“I am ten months and three days old.”</p> + +<p>“What did your mother do this morning when +she took you out of the cradle?”</p> + +<p>“She unwrapped me and hurt me and ... +and ...” She breathed a deep sigh, then +awoke suddenly and said, “There is someone +here who ought to go away. Who is tormenting +me?”</p> + +<p>“We can obtain no results to-day. There are<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[177]</span> +some disturbing influences which I do not recognize +and therefore cannot remove,” said the +hypnotist.</p> + +<p>The Privy Councillor approached Mabuse. +“How would it be, Doctor, if <i>you</i> were to make +an attempt? After the tests of your power which +I have already seen, I think we can promise to +get rid of these disturbing influences,” he said.</p> + +<p>Mabuse declared himself willing to try, at any +rate, though he could not vouch for the result, as +he was suffering from a slight chill which affected +his head. He at once took a short step towards +the medium, however, and they saw that she moved +slightly in his direction as if attracted by a magnet. +Mabuse did not utter a word, but he let his glance +wander over part of her body. The girl became +even paler than before, if possible, and although +she made no movement, it was easy to see that +she struggled against something invisible, that her +resistance grew quickly weaker and that her eyes +fell before him.</p> + +<p>Then Mabuse said in a rapid and violent tone: +“You are lying in swaddling clothes. Your arms +are bound fast to your side. You are six months’ +old. It is evening, and you are crying. Why +are you crying?”</p> + +<p>And from the heavy body of this girl, sleeping +with wide-open eyes, there came a piping, fretful +voice: “I have a pain in my stomach.”</p> + +<p>“That is only wind. You’ve had too much to +drink. Who gave it you?”</p> + +<p>“I got it from the breast of a woman,” answered +the baby voice.</p> + +<p>“Do you love that breast?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[178]</span>Then the girl grew deathly white, and into the +childish voice there crept a piercing and angry +note, “No.”</p> + +<p>“What did you want to do?”</p> + +<p>“I wanted to bite it with my gums!”</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>Then the girl was seized with trembling, which +passed over her whole body, and Mabuse said, +“Every minute that prolongs this endangers her +life. I must bring the experiment to an end!”</p> + +<p>He laid the girl down on a sofa, and with +reassuring movements he released her from sleep +and bathed her face, and when she came to herself +again recommended her being put to bed.</p> + +<p>The conversation now turned upon Mabuse’s +experiment, and everyone was asking questions, +speculating on what she would have said.</p> + +<p>“That was a fairy-tale,” said Told; “a fable +of the preconscious existence! Doctor, you are +a genius. But what did she want to say that +made her tremble so?”</p> + +<p>A lady came forward with the same question +on her lips, but Mabuse’s eyes sought the Countess, +and she, too, came forward to ask. Then Mabuse +answered, “She wanted to say, ‘Because I hated +her so!’”</p> + +<p>The Countess shrank back and the others were +silent, painfully affected. Then the Countess leaned +forward, saying coldly, “A baby cannot hate!”</p> + +<p>“How do you know that?” asked Mabuse +roughly.</p> + +<p>“I know it ... of myself,” she replied.</p> + +<p>“Then you can rejoice over yourself, for you +are not only a genius at recollection, but also<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[179]</span> +an angel in disposition!” retorted Mabuse +sarcastically.</p> + +<p>Conversation broke the company up into little +groups. Count Told alone remained silent. There +was still that unnatural warmth at the back of +his head. He looked behind him, and he felt +his head; there was nothing there. He went to +a mirror, but nothing was to be seen. He sat +down again and it seemed as if he were falling +asleep, yet he saw them all and heard everything. +He wanted to say something, but it seemed as if +the words were plucked from his mouth like ripened +fruit ready to fall.</p> + +<p>After a short time had passed thus, he rose and +went to the group wherein Dr. Mabuse was standing, +saying, “We were going to play baccarat!”</p> + +<p>“So we were!” answered Mabuse. “Shall we +be likely to find enough players?”</p> + +<p>Then Told grew wide awake and eager. “It +will be fine, playing baccarat with you. Herr +Wendel, will you join us, eh?”</p> + +<p>“I must attend to my social duties among the +ladies,” answered the Privy Councillor, “but you +will soon be able to find partners!”</p> + +<p>Six gentlemen quickly gathered round the card-table +which stood in a part of the room leading +to the conservatory. The lamp with its enormous +shade hung low over the table, leaving the rest of +the room in the half-light. In the conservatory, +to which a glass door led, the ghostly branches +of foreign palms could be seen outlined against +the glass, and in the moonlight they looked like +stiff forms stretching their dark limbs heavenwards.</p> + +<p>They cut the cards to see who should be the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[180]</span> +first to hold the stakes. The visitors crowded +round the card-table and Countess Told stood in +the dim light, looking down upon it. Mabuse saw +her smooth white skin gleaming from the rich +dark red dress she wore. His bearing was cold +and gloomy, and scarcely a word escaped his +lips. The feelings that arose within him were +sternly suppressed, and his thoughts were busy +with Count Told alone. When anyone addressed +him, he answered abruptly. He seemed to pay +great attention to the game, but he played by leaps +and bounds.</p> + +<p>Soon the gentlemen who had begun their game +with modest stakes began to imitate his example, +and there was no unanimity in the value of the +stakes. Beside a stake of a mark or two there +stood a fifty-mark note, and then one for two +hundred. The small stake seemed to feel +ashamed; it rapidly became twenty, and still faster +it grew to a hundred, to two hundred.... Very +soon there was no player who ventured less than a +hundred marks. When they began they found +time for conversation between the end of the hand +and the fresh deal, but after a time the talk grew +less, and then ceased. The onlookers, too, became +silent. The contest between the players grew more +pronounced, the game feverish, and this excitement +spread to the spectators.</p> + +<p>The Countess noted the high stakes her husband +wagered. “He has never played before,” she +thought. “What is the matter with him?”</p> + +<p>The Count was winning. He let his winnings +accumulate. It seemed as if he were a horse, +urged and threatened onward by an eager rider.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[181]</span> +He threw his money down. It was now his turn +to hold the stakes. It seemed to him as if the +moment in which he should deal the cards and +undertake the manifold risks of gain or loss would +be a supreme experience for him, yielding rich +secrets of wonderful joy. He grew excited, and +his phantasies played about the room.</p> + +<p>The Countess turned aside in the half-light, constrained +at her husband’s incomprehensible actions. +Suddenly the full light of the lamp fell upon her, +revealing where her slender breast rose white and +stately from the enclosing circle of her gown.</p> + +<p>“North and south!” said Mabuse, as he contemplated +her lovely figure, “north and south, +your turn is coming,” and his tone was sinister +and threatening. Then he turned his glance away, +and it fell upon Count Told’s hands as he took +over the bank at this moment. He dealt the +cards out, and hesitated a moment as if perplexed +at some strange occurrence. He was relieved when +he had distributed the pack. He won considerable +sums, and it was singular that the same feeling +of perplexity recurred. He won a second time, +and now this seemed to happen continually. +Players and spectators alike were astonished at +the run of luck the Count’s game exhibited.</p> + +<p>“Look at your husband,” said someone, turning +to the Countess; “he is winning every hand.”</p> + +<p>They all cast a glance at the Countess and then +quickly returned to their cards. The Count dealt +the cards once more. He disclosed his cards; he +had two picture cards and was about to buy +another.</p> + +<p>“Halt!” cried a voice suddenly, like the voice<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[182]</span> +of a drill sergeant, and a hand was laid roughly +on the table, reaching the white and delicate hand +of the Count, on which the jewelled ring was +sparkling, and turning it over. Then all the company +saw that the Count had been about to take +a card from underneath the pack instead of the +one that lay on the top. The card was a nine.</p> + +<p>“Aha, a nine! <i>Now</i> I understand your luck, +you gudgeon! You are a common cheat!”</p> + +<p>They all sprang up in confusion. Count Told +sat still in his chair, in a state of utter collapse. +He seemed absolutely crushed, finding no word to +say.</p> + +<p>“Give the money here!” cried the harsh voice +again. “All of it!” The tone was threatening.</p> + +<p>The spectators and the players were crowding +together, and a cry rang through the obscurity. +Through the hasty movements of the powerful man +who had seized the Count, one man had fallen +to the ground, dragging another down with him. +The latter clutched at the tablecloth, and it was +pulled off, money and cards being strewn over the +floor, people flinging themselves upon it. Suddenly +the electric lights went out, but Dr. Mabuse, +who had waited for the cry from the dark corner, +rushed to the fainting Countess, lifted her in his +arms and with one spring bore her under the palms +and out into the garden under the moonlight, +through the shrubbery and to the wall leading to +the street. He lifted her over, and from the other +side someone helped him with his burden. An +instant later a car was stealing swiftly down the +street.</p> + +<p>“The northern and southern hemispheres,” he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[183]</span> +shouted aloud furiously during the drive. “Now +I hold you both!”</p> + +<p>The Xenienstrasse was empty. The car came to +a sudden standstill. He carried the Countess, still +unconscious, into his house.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[184]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XII</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Scarcely</span> heeding the abuse and scorn heaped +upon him by the crowd, out of the chaos and +confusion of the contemptuous glances of others +and his own feeling of perplexity, Count Told stole, +as if in a dream, towards the vestibule. He +thought of his wife, but he had not the courage +to look round for or inquire about her. His car +stood before the door, and the chauffeur was about +to start the engine when the Count made a gesture +of denial, saying, “Wait for the Countess!”</p> + +<p>He went into the town and hired the first taxi +he saw to drive him home. “What has happened +to me?” was the question that he perpetually put +to himself. “What was it that overcame me? +Who moved my hand?... What is it that has +happened? I know nothing about it. Can it be +merely a bad dream?”</p> + +<p>But it was no dream. He reached his house and +had to descend. He went down the length of the +garden and into the house. The footman took his +coat, and the Count went to the room where he and +his wife, whenever they had been out together, +were wont to spend a short time before going +to bed, in exchanging the experiences the evening +had afforded. He always looked forward eagerly +to these moments.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[185]</span>To-night he was alone there. “Where can my +wife be?” he asked himself, astonished and yet +unconscious. So many tender memories clung to +this room, and he felt disappointed that in this +dreadful hour she was not by his side. It was the +first painful experience of his existence.</p> + +<p>But all at once it became clear to him that she +must have sundered herself from him, and he +realized that by that inexpressibly strange occurrence +at the gaming-table in the Wendel mansion +he had covered himself with mire. It clung fast +to him, and he thought, “Lucy must leave me. +She must remain away until I have purified +myself.” But how was he to accomplish the task?</p> + +<p>And suddenly there came over him, like an icy +blast in all its pitiless severity, the full meaning +of what he had done. He had done it, he really +had put cards at the bottom of the pack and then +drawn them when he wanted them, and with these +he had won money. Yet he had not desired to +win money! What could have happened? Was +there no help anywhere? He had done something +against his will. His act had thrust him out of +decent society, and to the end of his days he would +be known as a cheat. Was there no help to be +found?</p> + +<p>“I know now,” he said to himself, “what it is +I have done, but I do not know how I came to +do it, neither the why nor the wherefore. I am +growing crazy, losing my self-confidence, and I +shall henceforth be unable to feel safe, whatever +I do. Horrible, monstrous thought! I am absolutely +afraid of myself. How can I ever have +reached such a point? Yonder is a sculpture by<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">[186]</span> +Archipenko and the picture hanging there is one +of Kokoschka’s; I am quite certain of that; but +what proceeds from my own brain, and is my own +creation, of that I can never more feel certain +again. I retain my sight, hearing and feelings, but +my brain is rotting!... I shall end in a lunatic +asylum! My body moves in the light of day +while my mental powers are wrapped in a dim +twilight. Is there no one that can help me?”</p> + +<p>He struggled with his tears, but he could not +even allow himself to weep, for he thought, “Perhaps +I shall lose all consciousness of what I am +doing. If I weep, may I not possibly destroy a +picture that I have hitherto loved and worshipped, +or abuse my man, or act improperly to Lucy’s +maid?”</p> + +<p>And suddenly, at the utterance of his wife’s +name, he collapsed entirely. “Ah, Lucy, light of +my life, can <i>you</i> not help me?” he cried. “Will +you not come? Have you no longer faith in me? +Why am I left alone?”</p> + +<p>He rang, and then, hastening to meet the footman, +inquired for the Countess.</p> + +<p>“The Countess has not yet returned,” he was +told.</p> + +<p>“Nor telephoned? Has she not...”</p> + +<p>“No, my lord, but an hour ago Herr Dr. von +Wenk rang up, asking if he might have the honour +of waiting on her ladyship to-morrow morning. +His telephone number has been written down.”</p> + +<p>“Go!” said the Count. “I will go to Dr. +Wenk ... yes, to Dr. Wenk,” he thought, and +then, a prey to a thousand nameless fears, he cried +aloud, “Or else I shall hang myself! I must<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">[187]</span> +be able to tell some human being what I +feel....”</p> + +<p>He hurried to the telephone, giving the number +written down. “Yes, this is the State Attorney, +Dr. Wenk!” answered a strange voice in the +distance, and Told began to tremble. But he +rallied all his energy and self-control, saying, “Can +I speak to you at once?”</p> + +<p>He was terribly afraid that the fever of his +desire might melt the connecting wire and that +he might get no answer. He breathed freely again +when he heard the words, “With pleasure! I shall +expect you!”</p> + +<p>“Fritz!” he shouted; “get the two-seater +ready,” and he drove back to Munich.</p> + +<p>Wenk believed he had come on the Countess’s +errand, and that something had happened in the +prison to put an end to the enterprise they had +in hand.</p> + +<p>“I think, Count Told, that after all it was too +risky an experiment. The Countess....”</p> + +<p>“No, no,” cried Told, interrupting him. “I ... +I ... it is on my own account that I’ve +come here,” and then he began his story. He +told, too, what an extraordinary sensation of heat +he had felt at the back of his head, and this must +have been the forerunner of misfortune. “Do not +be vexed, Dr. Wenk, that I, a stranger, should +come to you thus, but I should have had to +put an end to myself if I had not been able to +confide in someone to-night. May I go on? Well, +these powerful rays, that were like red-hot iron +at the back of my head, changed gradually to a +feeling of well-being throughout my whole body.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[188]</span> +They seemed to bathe me in pleasant warmth, +and I had a feeling that I was somehow saved +from something that lay before me, and in this +very moment of relief ... it happened! In the +first half-hour afterwards I denied that it could +have done, but when I reached home I realized +that the dreadful story was true, and this thing +had really happened. There is no getting away +from it, either for others or for myself.”</p> + +<p>Wenk at once recalled his experience with the +old Professor. He was startled. Could it be +possible that here too ... and he thought of +the Countess and of Cara Carozza. He asked +Told, “Have you any suspicion at all?”</p> + +<p>The Count did not understand the question.</p> + +<p>“Any suspicion? What do you mean? That I +have been like this before? Ill in this way? No, +never!”</p> + +<p>“No, a suspicion of any special person who +was there?”</p> + +<p>“The idea never occurred to me. I can’t understand +how anybody else could.... No ... I +don’t suspect anyone!”</p> + +<p>“Was there nobody in the company who did not +seem to belong there, who was not quite like the +other guests?”</p> + +<p>“It was a company of the Privy Councillor’s +intimate friends. No, there was nobody!”</p> + +<p>Wenk rejected the idea. Besides, how could +there be any connection between the criminal he +was seeking and the Count’s act of cheating? It +was apparently a momentary mental aberration, +a loss of will-power. A subconscious process in +a strange and elusive personality which bordered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[189]</span> +upon morbidity, which thus strove to register a +mental impression upon its fellow-players. The +Count ought to consult a psychiatrist. It was +extraordinary that he should appeal to him, a +criminal prosecutor, but he did not put any question +to him on this head.</p> + +<p>Told became silent, and the lawyer respected +his mood. Then suddenly he seemed to pull +himself together and said, “I realize that I am +keeping you from your night’s rest; I beg you +not to be vexed with me. In misfortune it seems +as if the mind sinks into a gulf, and the consciousness +grasps at the nearest support. You had rung +up, and there was some connection between you +and ... my house, and so....” He broke +off. “But tell me, am I really saying what I want +to, or am I talking nonsense? You see, that is the +horror of such an experience as mine. It seems +as if I shall always require a neurologist to guide +my future life.”</p> + +<p>“Reassure yourself, Count; you are speaking +quite clearly and saying exactly what you want to +express. I beg you to make use of me if you +can. My calling in some respects borders upon +the sphere of the specialist in nerve-disorders; +perhaps it goes even further, and at any rate it is +bound up with the most mysterious and most +speculative part of man’s being. I am very sorry +that the occasion that brings you to me is such +an unfortunate one, else I should be only too +pleased by your visit.”</p> + +<p>While Wenk was speaking, desiring to convey +that anything out of the common which was +mentally or spiritually of an unusual and critical<span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">[190]</span> +nature was really his concern, the idea occurred to +him to enlist the Count’s sympathy in his own aims. +Count Told was a man of the world. He belonged +to a sphere through which Wenk hoped to be able +to endow the life of the nation with nobler +qualities and loftier ideals. In the practical +necessities which the last few months had forced +upon him he had almost neglected the ideal side of +the task before him. The events of this night +had brought him into unexpected relations with a +human being, and he could best serve him by not +leaving him alone. He explained his views to the +Count.</p> + +<p>“They talk of ours as the ‘upper’ class. This +description, which certainly has a substratum of +truth, must be made a living reality once more. +Our class, free of the struggle to obtain a +better social status, is more than ever called upon +to foster intellectual development and mental gifts. +It must cherish these noble qualities in itself and +turn them to account for others. Our sphere of +politics must be the spiritual one!”</p> + +<p>Count Told’s life hitherto had been irreproachable. +Both in sentiment and in the externals of +life he had shown himself superior, but for lack of +serious pursuits to which he could devote himself +he had thrown his energies into following up his +hobbies, such as the collection of Futurist works +of art, for which there was as yet no standard to +judge by. He patronized young poets who were +at present but a minority and a novelty. They +were brought into the light, and the discovery of +their powers engaged the serious attention of himself +and his like. The struggle to get possession<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">[191]</span> +of something new and striking was carried on in +this respect just as it was by the profiteers of +ordinary wares.... It was not the uneducated +rich who devoted themselves to it, but those who +sought for their wealth a channel which should +return their gold stamped with the impress of +beauty and of intellectual superiority. But these +fell victims to the age, and their ideas dissolved +in hysteria akin to that of a weeping woman whose +whole consciousness can hold but one idea. The +value of money declined, and in so doing its power +over men became all the greater; it seized upon +them with ever-growing force, till at last it was +like a disease.</p> + +<p>Such was the connection between the hobbies +of the Count and his like and the age they lived +in. The age made use of what was valuable in +them. The propagandists of the “new art” were +merely stockjobbers, uniting their intellectual ambitions +with their speculations. The celebrated +“Blue Horses” were to be had for a couple of +hundred marks at first. X. bought them for eight +hundred, and now it was impossible to obtain them +for two hundred thousand. It was such anecdotes +as these that spurred them on.</p> + +<p>For a long time Wenk and Count Told discussed +these things. The Count opposed Wenk’s view, +having learnt some of the terminology of the artists +whose pictures he bought.</p> + +<p>“Folks even begin to say,” said Wenk to him +on one occasion, “that he speaks as well as a +Futurist! And this school begins to affiliate itself +with another intellectual movement of our day, +which stands on much the same foundations—with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[192]</span> +the so-called theosophy. You will notice that the +Futurist <i>eo ipso</i> is also a theosophist or an anthropologist. +But it is not because these ideas are +really inwardly connected, but because the pursuance +of them is united. You will always find +nowadays that those who most freely deplore +the materialism of our age are those who in private +life are most devoted to it. Moreover, in the one +case as in the other, it is not always a question of +money. Mental and spiritual greed is also an +aspect of this age, which exchanges the dominion +of one for that of another. Everywhere folks are +seeking, seeking eagerly to escape from the misery +of the present, and for us mortals there remains +but warfare—war against those near us, against +those among us, and against ourselves, and it is +our class especially which must wage war against +ourselves!”</p> + +<p>Wenk then asked the Count whether he would not +spend the night with him, as it was now so late.</p> + +<p>The Count answered involuntarily, “Yes, but +my wife....” Then he stopped, looking at +Wenk, and his face showed the return of his tormenting +thoughts. After a time he began again: +“You had caused me to forget my trouble, +Dr. Wenk! For this night I have robbed you of, +which you have devoted to me so sympathetically, +I shall eternally be in your debt. I cannot think +how I should have lived through it—alone! Now +it seems to be behind me, and I gratefully accept +your offer of a bed.”</p> + +<p>“How would you like,” said Wenk to Count +Told next morning, “for me to see the Privy +Councillor and relate your story to him?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[193]</span>“I should be extremely glad if you would.”</p> + +<p>He hesitated as if he wanted to say something +more. Wenk noticed it and waited. Then he +said, anticipating the other, “I am absolutely at +your service. If you have any other wish....”</p> + +<p>The Count answered quickly, reddening as he +spoke, “Yes, I want to speak to my wife. When +I think of her I feel ... so ashamed!”</p> + +<p>“You need not be ashamed!”</p> + +<p>“My wife has such a strong and forceful idea of +life. It always seemed as if she found our life +together a somewhat feeble thing.... I wonder +whether it will be possible for her to go on +living with a husband who henceforth is but an +invalid.”</p> + +<p>“I will see her, too,” said Wenk.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>The Privy Councillor received Wenk at once. +As amiably as he could, and in the pleasantly +sarcastic tone which distinguished him on all occasions, +he told Wenk that his opinion was that +the Count had been anxious to adventure something +that might raise him in his wife’s esteem. The +force of her personality stood far above his own, +and he hoped to attain to it by undertaking so +hazardous a scheme as to “pack” the cards and +win the game. It was not on account of the money, +he was convinced of that. He merely wanted to +exercise his imagination in adventure as his wife +did, but her strength of character always ensured +a safe way of escape. For the more feeble personality +the first attempt had ended in misfortune. +His phantasies had been excited by the current +stories of the thieving band of gambling cheats,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[194]</span> +and the whole affair was mainly due to his neighbour +at the table, whose own desire for gain +influenced a weaker character and thus paved the +way to a society scandal.</p> + +<p>“May I inquire, sir, who this neighbour was?”</p> + +<p>“Ah, now that I have been so unamiable as to +speak of him thus, I cannot possibly betray him. +Moreover, he is the blameless head of a household, +a professor of physiology.”</p> + +<p>“The matter is a great deal more serious than +you can have any idea of, sir. The Count spent +last night with me, driven to get away from himself. +He told me the story, down to the most +trifling detail, and I have no reason whatever to +suspect that he was misrepresenting the facts. He +was absolutely confounded and crushed by the +affair. It seemed as if it had been a failure of +intellectual force, a sudden inhibition of brain-control. +May there not have been someone among +your guests who exercised some special influence +on the Count?”</p> + +<p>“No, there was no Futurist poet or painter +among them,” laughed the Privy Councillor.</p> + +<p>“I beg you not to consider my questions importunate, +Councillor. You really are convinced that +no such person was present?”</p> + +<p>“I do not believe there could have been any. +All my guests have been personally known to me +for some time. You know what the occasion of +our meeting was, don’t you? We were studying +the effect of hypnosis on a medium. There were +experts, professors, artists of repute, and some +personal friends in the company. Then there was +a Dr. Mabuse, whom I have not known very long,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[195]</span> +but whose extraordinary success as a practitioner +I respect very highly. He practises psychotherapy. +And that reminds me. If Count Told’s state +is such as you describe it to be, we might see +what he can do for the Count, who is the son of +one of my very oldest friends, for I feel a great +deal of sympathy for him in his present position. +Tell him from me that I strongly advise his seeing +Dr. Mabuse, to whom I will give him a letter, for +I know his telephone number only.”</p> + +<p>Wenk said farewell, and drove from the house +to Count Told’s villa at Tutzing, hoping that he +might find the Countess there, but he was told +by the footman that neither his master nor his +mistress had spent the night at home. Then he +returned to his own chambers, where the Count, +pale and haggard, waited eagerly for him.</p> + +<p>“I felt sure of it,” he said disconsolately, when +Wenk told him that the Countess had not returned +home, “but one always hopes for the impossible. +And what about the Privy Councillor?”</p> + +<p>“I told him exactly what you told me; he had +regarded the matter in another light, but not a +very serious one. He advises you to consult a +neurologist whom he knows, and has given me +this letter to him for you.”</p> + +<p>“Dr. Mabuse,” read the Count. “Why, he +was at the party last night.”</p> + +<p>“Shall I go to him?” suggested Wenk.</p> + +<p>“No, Doctor, I really must not rely on your +kindness any longer. I must pull myself together +and deal with this crisis in my life. I will call +up Dr. Mabuse on the telephone, as we have his +number there. I will do it from here, if I may.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[196]</span>“Dr. Mabuse,” said the Count at the telephone, +“you were present at Privy Councillor Wendel’s +party last night when I had the misfortune +to....”</p> + +<p>“That is so.”</p> + +<p>“I want your professional help. The Councillor +gave me a letter of introduction to you. Can I +bring it at once?”</p> + +<p>The other voice answered harshly, “No. I do +not see patients except in their own homes. +What is your address? Expect me there to-morrow +morning at 11 a.m. Repeat the appointment; +what time is fixed?”</p> + +<p>“Eleven a.m.,” said the Count, thoroughly terrified, +and then he left Wenk’s house.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[197]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XIII</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> Countess opened her eyes on something black, +intersected with red circles and rays. All around +her was dark and strange. Somewhere on high a +faint light was glimmering in the room in which she +lay. She was on a sofa, fully dressed. She had +never seen the room before, and all its contents +were unfamiliar. She lay there, trying to recall +what had happened, but she found it impossible. +One moment alone stood out in her memory: the +recollection of the grey eyes of that Dr. Mabuse +who had told her of tigers—eyes which had held +her as with the clutch of a beast whose claws ran +blood. She recalled something like a spring in +the air, a hold that left her breathless, feeling as +if the very heart were being torn from her body +and she was sinking, sinking down into a gulf.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a door opened; where, exactly, she +did not know, for she felt rather than perceived it. +She was expecting something, but her imagination +flowed back upon herself and she waited.</p> + +<p>After a time a voice spoke out of the semi-darkness: +“You are awake. Would you like the +light?”</p> + +<p>It was a voice which seemed to the Countess at +the first moment like the trump of doom, but in +an instant this sensation left her and she felt +incredulous. How came that voice into this<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[198]</span> +mysterious obscurity? It was the very last she +could have expected to hear. She shrank terrified +within herself, and it seemed as if her whole +body gradually stiffened. There was a sound in +her throat, but she was not conscious of it. She +stretched her hands in front of her as if warding +off a danger. Then suddenly the room was flooded +with light.</p> + +<p>Dr. Mabuse closed the door and approached the +sofa. He said: “The situation is exactly what +I desired. I have brought you home!”</p> + +<p>At these words the Countess regained control +of herself. She rose from the sofa, though she +felt faintness stealing over her. What did this +man want with her?—but indeed she knew what +he wanted. He was a tiger, intent on his prey. +Nevertheless, she asked him, “What do you +want?”</p> + +<p>“I have just told you,” he answered curtly.</p> + +<p>“And now?”</p> + +<p>“You will remain with me.”</p> + +<p>“I will not!” cried the Countess. “I will +go and help my husband!” And at that moment +she recollected clearly what had happened. Her +husband had cheated at cards. Oh, merciful +Heaven, she thought, how could such a thing have +happened? She knew so well how utterly foreign +to his nature such a thing would be. What misery, +what despair, what depths of misfortune! And +she herself had been with the woman who was an +accomplice in Hull’s murder, and had succumbed +to her power. Everything seemed to swim before +her eyes, and she saw her husband’s unconscious +act through a mist of blood.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[199]</span>She heard the voice of the man beside her, stern +and threatening: “You will not? Have I asked +you whether you will?”</p> + +<p>He had not asked the tiger or the buffalo. Was +he to ask a weak woman? Was he to ask <i>her</i>? +She, too, was his prey. This idea filled her with a +sort of voluptuous dread. She was the prey of +the strongest man whom she had ever known. +How could she defend herself? He had simply +taken her. Were there men whose will was strong +enough to give them possession of a woman if they +never even touched her?</p> + +<p>“How did I come here?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“We have something more important than that +to talk about,” he answered in a cold, harsh voice +that made her tremble. “How are you going to +adapt yourself to the situation?”</p> + +<p>“I will never adapt myself to it!” she cried; +and it seemed as if instruments of torture were +engraven on her brain.</p> + +<p>“That is not the question!” answered the voice, +falling like a stone, falling, lying, lying for thousands +of years. “The question is, are you going +to remain with me of your own free will or as my +prisoner?”</p> + +<p>The Countess, now fully alive to the force and +compulsion which threatened her, strove to collect +her wits. She looked, listened, considered, and +slowly began to ask herself, “Shall it be cunning +or resistance?” After a time she answered, +“You cannot keep me as your prisoner in Munich.”</p> + +<p>Mabuse replied roughly, “How do you know +that you are in Munich?”</p> + +<p>“Have you run away with me?” she cried.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[200]</span>“I am not a gorilla.”</p> + +<p>“Who <i>are</i> you? What is your name?”</p> + +<p>“Whatever you like to call me!”</p> + +<p>“Then I shall call you a gorilla,” she was about +to retort angrily, but it seemed as if her tongue +refused to utter the hateful name. It would not +be expressed, and something within her appeared +to change and soften the situation, to promise +allurement in the distance and play around her +fancy like busy little elves of night. Yet something +in her conscience seemed to tell her that there +could be no ease for her while her husband was +cast down by misfortune and her own future was +so uncertain, and she spoke defiantly, “What do +you want with me?”</p> + +<p>But the man looked at her long and steadily, +and she felt as if her question floated away, +minute and unconsidered as a trifle on the mighty +ocean. The ocean was the breast of the man +before her. There was no breast more mighty or +powerful; it represented what her inmost being +and her secret desires had yearned after. To rest +upon it, to rest ... as in the jungle....</p> + +<p>Then, after he had looked at her in a silence +fraught with meaning, the man spoke. “The +human race is too contemptible and inferior to give +its men and women such force as nature has provided +for its other creations; that the one sex +should see, know and belong to the other as naturally +and inevitably as light belongs to day!”</p> + +<p>“You mean to say,” said the Countess hesitatingly, +“that you love me, and that—is why you +have brought me here!”</p> + +<p>“I desire you, and that—for me—is stronger<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[201]</span> +than love! You are here because there is no +resisting my desires. You may reign as a queen, +in this breast, and in my kingdom of Citopomar in +Southern Brazil. A queen ruling the virgin forest, +its savage beasts, savage and civilized human +beings, valleys, rocks and heights. Who in this +miserable continent can offer you more?”</p> + +<p>“No one!” said the Countess, under the secret +dominion of the dream which had so rapidly begun +its twofold play in her spirit.</p> + +<p>“You have decided, then, to remain of your own +free will?” asked Mabuse.</p> + +<p>The Countess once more realized her position. +She shrank from him, and tried to shelter herself +behind the ottoman. She closed her lips firmly, +but at the same time she was torn by a conflict +within; she desired to go, and at the same time +she felt a yearning in some part of her being to +remain and to submit.</p> + +<p>He continued: “If it were like this: a man and +a woman see each other for the first time, and in +the first glance that they exchange they say to +themselves, ‘There is nothing left to me of what +I was. Everything has vanished like a dissolving +view, and thou, the only one, thou alone remainest. +It is inconceivable that there should be a single +heart-beat that does not belong to thee.’ It is as +if all the races in all the ages had united their +powers in these two beings, instead of giving each +individual a beggarly portion of it. What a puny +creature is man, but if it were the other way with +the race he would be the image of God and of +creation!”</p> + +<p>The Countess felt as if a sudden force was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[202]</span> +stretching her between two poles. She knew +that she herself resembled both of them, and yet +they were unlike each other. “Must I proceed +from the one extreme to the other?” she asked +herself, feeling very weary, “or can I remain +hovering between them, calm and comfortable, in +the warm rays of a sunshine that steals over me +so pleasantly?”</p> + +<p>There was always the inclination to follow the +extraordinary and unusual, that she might feel +wherein she was most akin to humanity, and yet +most herself when surrounded by what did not +belong to or affect her. And over her spirit there +stole again a feeling as of Paradise, the scent of the +Elysian Fields, the songs of enchanting sirens, and +it seemed as if the limits of her physical nature +were dissolved and, leaving her narrow horizon +behind her, she floated as if in ether. “What +is happening to me?” she thought, as, struggling +with herself, she advanced yet nearer to the vision +of Paradise which swam before her eyes.</p> + +<p>The eyes of this strange, compelling being +flooded her like a spring season of sunshine. +He stood high as the clouds above her. The sunshine +overpowered the earth, but the earth yielded +itself gladly to its rays. Was that the secret of her +nature too? she herself asked. The season, now +wild and stormy, advanced like a monster endued +with power, from beyond the horizon, over the +forests, rivers, cities, mountains, looking neither +to right nor left and penetrating to the very heart +of things. “If this man overcomes me in such a +way, fills my whole being, is that indeed Paradise? +Is it for me completion, redemption, deliverance?<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">[203]</span> +Is this my second nature which I have never yet +dared to follow?”</p> + +<p>She desired to resist, but a subtle and enchanting +feebleness stole over her, and she felt herself +like a March field, dark and yielding. A jackdaw +was screeching in it, but somewhere or other a +thrush was singing behind her. And the screeching +jackdaw and the singing thrush were snatching at +a maggot, a living maggot in the bark of the tree, +and even the bark of the tree seemed to be awaiting +and expectant, and there was a murmuring sound +in its cells. And the thrush mounted high into +the air, singing triolets born of the spirit of the +soil....</p> + +<p>Woman was the thrush, and at the same time +she was the maggot. She yielded herself to the +destroying force, and knew it not for the tumult +in her blood. She was stirred in her inmost being, +plunged into the depths and soared again, intangible +as an air-bubble.... Above her rose the +call of the man like the rustling sound of the +summer, calling the sap to rise, to push forward +the growth which should end in a glorious harvest.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">[204]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XIV</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mabuse’s</span> visit to Count Told duly took place. +“Your neurosis is not by any means an unusual +one,” said the doctor. “It will be cured when +you regain control of yourself, but it will become +worse and finally be incurable if you don’t succeed +in doing that. It is a precursor of <i>dementia +præcox</i>. For professional reasons I shall treat +you in your own home, as I do all my patients. +I make one condition, however. As long as you +are undergoing treatment you must not leave the +house or see anyone who recalls your former life.”</p> + +<p>Told was stupefied by the power and authority +which this doctor assumed towards him. Timid +and shrinking by nature, downcast by what had +occurred, he did not venture to make any objection, +and from the very first moment he stood in absolute +awe of him.</p> + +<p>When Mabuse left the villa, in which he had +seen many things which revealed the life the Count +and his wife had led, he said to himself, “He +must be got rid of if she even mentions him again.”</p> + +<p>The doctor was in a highly excitable and savage +state. The meeting with this man, who had so +long called her his own, had fired his blood and +inflamed him as if he had been a bull in the arena +transfixed by a javelin. He unconsciously lowered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">[205]</span> +his head as if for attack, and his imagination ran +riot, thirsting to satisfy his hate and revenge. It +seemed to him as if a tumour had suddenly burst +within him, scattering its evil and offensive discharge +everywhere, and he allowed himself to bathe +in its stream.</p> + +<p>When he re-entered his house he went straight +to the room in which the Countess was confined. +It was in a secluded corner of the villa. The only +light there was came from a round window in its +arched and richly decorated dome.</p> + +<p>The Countess arose as he came in. She was +white as the sheets upon her bed. She went +towards him, saying, “Something happened to me +in the night—something of which I was wholly unconscious. +What have you been doing to me?”</p> + +<p>“Nothing but what you allowed me to do!”</p> + +<p>Then the woman trembled so that she sank down +to the ground, raising her glance to his like an +animal that has been shot down, and crying in +horror, “You devil! oh, you devil!”</p> + +<p>“That name pleases me,” said Mabuse. “I +consider it flattering. It is, without your realizing +it, a caress. Next time you will call me Lucifer, +for I shall bring you light!”</p> + +<p>The Countess, lying in a heap on the floor, broke +into passionate sobs, crying in the midst of her +anguish, “Where is my husband?”</p> + +<p>Then she saw that at the question Mabuse made +a gesture, so indifferent and trivial that she felt +her painful anguished appeal was no more than a +drop of dew vanishing in the sand, and as hopeless +to look for. And her downcast broken heart +asked itself whether this man could indeed be so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[206]</span> +powerful that everything went down before his +will—that what she and others before her had been +must be brought to nought?</p> + +<p>Once again she must yield herself to the twofold +stream within. It bore the most secret and +hitherto unsuspected currents along with it, and her +tortured imagination gave them full play. Must +not that which her blood sought to reveal to her be +true? She could not separate herself from this +new world of feeling. Resist and inveigh against +it as she might, she could yet not tear it from her.</p> + +<p>The man stood silent before her, and his silence +seemed to threaten her. She thought that by a +word of her own she could destroy this threatening +attitude of his, but she found no power to say +anything more than to repeat helplessly, “Where +is my husband?” Then Mabuse, silently and +roughly, turned away.</p> + +<p>When he had left her, leaving behind nothing +but the impression of his dominating will, she felt +as if she missed something in the room. She would +have preferred him to stand there still, and her +sense of isolation passed all bounds, overwhelming +her. A bottomless abyss opened before her, and +phantom figures made appealing gestures. But +she could not cast herself down; she hung on to +one slender rootlet; she knew it to be the tiny +remnant that remained to her of her former life. +She wished too, that even this rootlet might be +torn adrift, for she would rather have faced death +in its entirety than hover over the void.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Mabuse went backwards and forwards in his +room. He was like a caged beast, caught between<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[207]</span> +his rage for vengeance and lust of domination on +the one hand and the resistance raised to the +attainment of his goal on the other. That which +baffled him was such a trifle, merely the memories +binding a wife to the hours she has passed with +her husband, either alone or in company, and +because it was so slight an obstacle, the desire +to remove and destroy it utterly possessed him with +fury such as he had not known till now.</p> + +<p>Spoerri entered. He was dressed as a soldier. +“What is that for?” asked Mabuse morosely, but +he did not wait for an answer, and asked about +George’s movements.</p> + +<p>“He is at the villa in Schachen. He is very +cautious, and does not go out.”</p> + +<p>“What is he doing there?”</p> + +<p>“At night he helps to bring the store of cocaine +under the summer-house into Switzerland. I have +found something fresh which they are ready to take +there. Ether.”</p> + +<p>“What is the ether for?”</p> + +<p>“Folks are beginning to take it.”</p> + +<p>“Who? What folks? Where?”</p> + +<p>“Our folks, in Switzerland!”</p> + +<p>“<i>Your</i> folks; how many have you?”</p> + +<p>“We can get it to the others!”</p> + +<p>“That reminds me of the girls you were +sending to Switzerland, to speed up the smuggling +of salvarsan. I don’t want to hear +anything about business matters. You understand, +nothing.”</p> + +<p>“I won’t say any more about it.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps, Spoerri, there’ll be no need for that +sort of thing any more!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[208]</span>Then a hoarse cry was uttered by Spoerri. “Oh, +Doctor, Citopomar! Is it to be soon now?”</p> + +<p>“We’ll drink to it, Spoerri, we’ll drink to it. +I don’t know. Let’s drink to the shepherd boy +with eighty-six thousand marks yearly income!”</p> + +<p>“Oh, what have I out of it? Do I not always +invest it again in one or other of your enterprises, +Doctor?”</p> + +<p>“Because it brings you in ten per cent. more +there than it would in an insurance society. Shall +I have to use force, shepherd? Drink, I say!”</p> + +<p>Spoerri was the first to fall from his chair. He +lay on the floor, disorder all around him, gazing +sadly at his master. He lay there like a dog about +to die, knowing that he could no longer protect +his master’s life.</p> + +<p>Mabuse, tottering so that he was obliged to hold +on to the edge of the table to save himself from +falling, stuttered: “Spoerri, do you think there is +anyone whose will is strong enough for him to +kill someone else without even touching him?”</p> + +<p>But Spoerri did not understand him. He looked +up at his master with glassy eyes, stupid yet faithful, +troubled and sick.</p> + +<p>“<i>I</i> can! and I shall do it, too!... Sleep,” he +said suddenly, and rising, he spurned the other with +his foot. He took a few steps forward, having to +seek support. Then he pulled himself together, and +his will-power was held as it were within an iron +vice. Rigidly upright, without a sign of swaying, +inflamed with drink and in a state of exaltation, +he went into the room the Countess occupied and +remained with her without saying a word. And +from that hour of humiliation this woman, too,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[209]</span> +acknowledged his supremacy. She forgot her past, +forgot her very self, and submitted willingly to +her master.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>During the night Mabuse started for Lake +Constance. Just as he was approaching the villa +at Schachen, having extinguished his lights, he +narrowly missed a collision with the engine of the +steam-roller which was standing in the road a few +yards from the garden entrance. It was directly +in front of him when he applied his brakes, and he +therefore did not drive up to the house, but continued +along the road for another kilometre, then +left the car standing and went back to the house +by the shore-path.</p> + +<p>“Why did you not tell me the steam-roller was +here?” he asked George imperiously. “Even a +match-box lying out in the street might betray us. +Go and fetch the car, quickly! It is on the highroad +near Wasserburg. Put it away and come +straight back here.”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Next morning the telephone bell woke Wenk +from his sleep. “News from the steam-roller,” +he heard, and was at once wide awake.</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes; please go on.”</p> + +<p>“Last night about two o’clock a car arrived, +and pulled up directly in front of our engine, then +drove on again. As it was driving without lights, I +ordered Schmied to follow on a bicycle. He found +it about a kilometre further on, left alone by the +roadside, and came back at once to report. I stole +into the garden of the villa, but the dog began +barking and I went outside round the shore. I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[210]</span> +saw a man come from the direction of the lake +and go into the house. When Schmied and I went +back to find the car it had vanished. There is +nothing to be noticed this morning!”</p> + +<p>“Thanks. You can expect me there to-day.”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>An hour before this conversation took place on +the telephone, while still dark, Mabuse left the +villa. He was wearing women’s clothes and +was rowed across to Nonnenhorn. A motor-boat +approached, and in it was a fisherman returning +from a smuggling expedition. Mabuse accosted +him, but the man said he was in a hurry, for he +must take his fish home. Then Mabuse at one +bound sprang into his boat, overpowered him, threw +him down and gagged him, and then transferred +him to the rowing-boat. He took off his female +garments, beneath which he was dressed as a +fisherman, and making a wide detour, he returned +to shore and went to the farm where in a barn +the car was concealed. George was lying in it +asleep.</p> + +<p>After a long conversation with George, Mabuse +turned and drove back into Würtemberg, while +George returned to Schachen.</p> + +<p>Mabuse wanted to get to Stuttgart. His agents +there had telephoned the previous day that a patient +wanted to consult him. That meant that they had +got hold of a rich man worth plucking.</p> + +<p>While Mabuse was sitting at the gaming-table +that evening, he had a sudden vision of the steam-roller +as it appeared directly in front of him when +he applied his brakes. The huge machine was +outlined in the darkness, and it seemed as if it were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[211]</span> +about to fall upon him, and to his fancy it took on +a strange shape, finally revealing the features of +the State Attorney. As he recalled it, it seemed +to stand forth like some antediluvian monster, bearing +Wenk’s face, about to fall upon and crush him. +Mabuse felt vaguely uneasy, and he suddenly left +the gaming-table, where he was losing, and drove +back in the night to Munich. On the way this +action of his seemed ridiculous, and he felt as if +his impulse had been unwarranted. “My desire +for that woman will conquer any fear of that +accursed lawyer,” he thought, but yet Wenk +seemed to stand in his way, more powerful than +ever. Why was he still there? Had Mabuse’s +order not been distinct enough? If not, he would +repeat it!</p> + +<p>When once again in his house at Munich he +went straight to bed. He controlled his desire to +go to the Countess, and fell fast asleep at once.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>When the road-menders in Schachen returned to +work after their midday rest, a man who had come +out of the inn attached himself to their party, +saying that he wanted to speak to the overseer. +Was it likely he could find a job? he asked them.</p> + +<p>“You can have mine this minute, if you’ll pay +for it well,” said one jokingly, but the man said +that he only wanted the work so that he could +get some pay himself. “That’s another matter,” +laughed the navvy. “There’s the overseer standing +there.”</p> + +<p>The man went towards him, speaking in a low +tone, and unobtrusively drew him somewhat away +from the rest. Yes, he could possibly get a job,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">[212]</span> +said the overseer, who was really a police inspector; +let him show his papers.</p> + +<p>These the man brought out, saying, “Do not +show yourself surprised, inspector. Look as if +you were reading the papers through, and take me +on to help the stoker on the engine. He is Sergeant +Schmied, isn’t he?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.... Well, all right, I’ll take you +on,” said the inspector aloud. “We can give +you some work. Come this way. Schmied,” he +called out. He explained to Schmied in an undertone +that the State Attorney was going to spend +the day on the engine as stoker’s assistant.</p> + +<p>“What have you noticed now?” asked Wenk +of Schmied, as the road-engine moved backwards +and forwards.</p> + +<p>“While you were on the way, the inspector +telephoned to you, but you had already started. +Things seem very strange here. We saw the man +go to the villa that night, and we thought he +must be the one who had left the car standing in +the road, but yet it doesn’t seem to tally with the +rest, for when we came back to the car it had +disappeared. Early this morning there was a +woman in a rowing-boat on the lake near the +villa, but we could not be sure whether she actually +came from there. An hour later, Poldringer, the +man we are watching, came from the highroad and +went into the house; but we had never seen him +leave it, and that is very curious.”</p> + +<p>“You have no idea whether the villa has some +unknown exit?”</p> + +<p>“No, for hitherto our observations of Poldringer +all tally. He used to return the same way he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">[213]</span> +went out. He scarcely ever leaves the place, not +once in three days.”</p> + +<p>“Is there no way of getting into the villa?”</p> + +<p>“Not without exciting attention. I see that +by the way tramps are turned away. They +have a well-trained bloodhound there.... It +would not be possible to effect a secret entrance.”</p> + +<p>“Is Poldringer still there?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; I saw him at a window just now.”</p> + +<p>“Had the car a number-plate?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, the Constance district; here is the +number.”</p> + +<p>“That, of course, is a false one. It came from +the Lindau direction, I think you said?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir. I telephoned the number to Friedrichshafen, +Ravensburg, Lindau, Wangen and Constance. +From Constance they told me that the +number I gave belonged to a car in use by +the Sanitary Commissioners which never left +Constance.”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it possible that the car had been expected +at the villa, but did not stop at it, either because +they wanted to use it again shortly or because +something had made them a bit suspicious—the +steam-roller, for example?... and therefore +Poldringer was told to wait for the car in the +street and take it to some place of concealment? +During that time the man who had brought it here +arrived at the villa. He is either still there with +Poldringer or else he was the woman in the rowing-boat, +and he has driven to the place where +the car is. We must find out where they keep it +hidden.”</p> + +<p>“We often hear the sound of a motor-boat at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[214]</span> +night not far from the shore, but we are not +able to keep an eye on it.”</p> + +<p>“I shall sleep in the trolly with you to-night, +and we will stop the roller half a kilometre further +away from the house. Is there any suitable place +to hide in near the house?”</p> + +<p>“Yes.”</p> + +<p>“Then we’ll go together. Is that settled? All +right, then; now I’m going to learn how to +lay out the stones. Hitherto, I’ve only laid +out criminals!” laughed Wenk.</p> + +<p>“Yes, your honour,” said Schmied cheerily, as +he released the throttle and started the engine. +“Will your honour please to stoke up!” And +Wenk heaped more coal into its glowing maw.</p> + +<p>“Up to now your honour has never fired an +engine, only criminals!” he continued, carrying +on Wenk’s joke.</p> + +<p>“Yes, but not enough of those, as you see at +the villa, my good Schmied,” answered the lawyer. +“However, I hope with your help....”</p> + +<p>“We shall catch them all right,” said Schmied +eagerly.</p> + +<p>“If we don’t overreach ourselves, for I think +we are dealing at the moment with the most dangerous +and daring gang in Europe. You know +that we have ascertained so far that it is a case +of card-sharping, murder, terrorization, and all of +it done by the help of a gang.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, indeed,” said Schmied.</p> + +<p>As they were leaving the trolly that evening +Schmied whispered: “I should like to draw your +attention to something, sir. Every evening I go +by as if I were taking a little rest after the day’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[215]</span> +work, and I light up my pipe. Just at the side +there, you see, we are getting to a little door. +Whenever anyone goes by, the dog begins barking, +and I couldn’t help thinking there was some +reason for it, but one can’t find it out from the +street. You see now, I am just close to it, and +while I am going by I fasten ... (just listen +to the dog now!) a thread across the door. Anybody +who opens it would break the thread, but he +would not notice it when going through. In this +way I can keep watch over the door, even when +it is not actually in view. Then I can tell whether +anyone has gone through the gate in the dark. +In the morning I go and look at it first thing, +and take the thread away.”</p> + +<p>“Is it there already?”</p> + +<p>“I have just fastened it there.”</p> + +<p>“Then you did it very smartly, for I did not +notice anything,” said Wenk, praising him.</p> + +<p>“Let us go back. It really is a side-entrance to +the other villa.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know who is living there?”</p> + +<p>“For the last thirty years an old maid has +been living there. There certainly is no connection +between the two villas.”</p> + +<p>They strolled back along the road.</p> + +<p>“If you would like to go to sleep, Schmied, I +have no objection. I know what I’ve to look +out for now.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I really should be glad to, sir, for last +night I got no sleep, and I must be out there again +before four o’clock.”</p> + +<p>“I understand. Well then, good-night....”</p> + +<p>Wenk continued his patrol throughout the whole<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">[216]</span> +of the spring night, but nothing happened, and +he noticed nothing out of the common. Next +morning he repaired to the hotel at Lindau, the +address of which he had notified before leaving +Munich. The director told him he had been rung +up from Munich, and his man wanted him to know +that Count Told most earnestly desired to speak +to him as soon as possible. The call had come +from his home at Munich. He seemed to be +greatly agitated, and begged the man to telephone +the message on.</p> + +<p>Wenk returned to Munich and rang up the +Count, but an unfamiliar voice informed him that +the Count had started on a journey.</p> + +<p>“Did he leave no message for me?” said Wenk.</p> + +<p>“No.”</p> + +<p>“Where has he gone?”</p> + +<p>“He left no address. Please ring off.”</p> + +<p>Wenk was thoroughly perplexed.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">[217]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XV</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">That</span> same morning Mabuse had visited Told. +“You are not so well, I can see,” said he to him. +“Your pupils are very much dilated.”</p> + +<p>“Is that a sign...?” said Told hesitatingly.</p> + +<p>“Yes. Don’t talk about your state; put it +entirely out of your head. Where is your wife?”</p> + +<p>The startled Count could not venture on an +answer.</p> + +<p>“Your wife did not want to live with you any +more—never any more!” went on the Doctor +harshly. “That is so, isn’t it? You must destroy +the past, break off all relation to it. Call your +man here!”</p> + +<p>Told rang, and the man came. The Count, with +a gesture, referred him to the doctor.</p> + +<p>“Has anybody telephoned?”</p> + +<p>“No, Doctor.”</p> + +<p>“Has anyone rung up from here?”</p> + +<p>“I did,” answered Told.</p> + +<p>“Whom?”</p> + +<p>“Dr. von Wenk.”</p> + +<p>“Why?”</p> + +<p>“I wanted to speak to him.”</p> + +<p>“What did you want to say?”</p> + +<p>The embarrassed Count answered, “Only ...<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[218]</span> +to speak ... to speak to some human being or +other!”</p> + +<p>“Is your servant a bullock, then, or am I one?” +asked Mabuse harshly. “You can talk to me if +you want to. What crazy idea has got into your +head?”</p> + +<p>The Count turned his head away; he no longer +had the courage to face his doctor.... “Is +he going to cure me?” he asked himself. Then +he looked up at him timidly and irresolutely. “You +are no human being: you are a devil!” was the +secret cry of his heart, but these fierce thoughts +soon left him, and he felt suddenly sleepy. “I +am always so tired!” he exclaimed.</p> + +<p>“Tell your man now, in my presence, to refuse +all visitors or anyone who telephones. He must +say, ‘The Count has gone on a journey. He left +no address. Please ring off.’”</p> + +<p>Slowly and mechanically Told repeated the order, +and the man bowed and withdrew.</p> + +<p>“I am really not sure whether I shall go on +with your case,” said Mabuse. But Told hardly +heeded him; he seemed to feel a slow poison +stealing into his veins.</p> + +<p>“You are thirsty!” said Mabuse, suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Yes, I am,” whispered the Count.</p> + +<p>“You are to drink a mixture of brandy and +Tokay, as much as you like. Take good long +draughts—the brandy will do you good. You must +forget everything in your past, your wife as well. +When you are convinced that you have succeeded in +doing that, you are on the road to recovery. You +must destroy the past, you understand. The +alcohol will help you there.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[219]</span>“Destroy the past,” stammered the Count, as +if sinking into a bog that threatened to engulf +him, “destroy ... the ... past....”</p> + +<p>“In two years’ time you can think about +resuming your ordinary life again. In what time?” +he broke off suddenly. “What time did I say?” +he thundered.</p> + +<p>The Count aroused himself from his lethargy. +Horrified at the length of time involved, he +answered in a low tone, “Two years.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know that your wife wants to put +you into a lunatic asylum? She is getting the +State Attorney, Wenk, to help her. Was not +that the man who rang you up?... I am +coming again to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>The Count remained alone, dejected and humiliated. +It seemed as if elephants were trampling +out his brains, that his spirit was a prey to crocodiles +and he was covered with mud and slime. +“The whole world has forsaken me,” he murmured. +The pictures he had collected around him +seemed to be celebrating orgies on the walls. He +could no longer understand how it was they could +ever have pleased him, nor why he had endured +them so long. He took a hunting-knife and slit +every one of them from top to bottom, hacking at +their frames. When he had done it, he sprang +back in horror. He held his head in his hands, +groaning, “Oh God, am I really mad?”</p> + +<p>He began drinking brandy, and he drank it out +of a claret tumbler. When he had had three +glasses he was intoxicated. Then it seemed as if +the doctor had left something behind him and +that this lay in front of him. He did not know<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[220]</span> +what it was, but he tried to grasp it, and then +suddenly it had jumped to his head. It seemed +like a wedge fastened there, fitting tightly between +the two halves of the brain. Fear seized upon him +and tore his courage to shreds. “Doctor, Doctor,” +he shouted, and he heard his voice re-echo in the +empty rooms. The world was so wide, yet he +was alone. And then he became unconscious.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Karstens succumbed to his wounds, and again +the public imagination busied itself with the death +of a second victim. Wenk found himself in a +difficulty and decided one day to make a final +appeal to the dancer. He went to her cell.</p> + +<p>“I am not going to speak to you,” said Cara +when she perceived him.</p> + +<p>Wenk took no notice, and said in a troubled +tone, his hopes disappearing: “Do you know that +the beautiful lady who was always looking on at +the play at Schramm’s has disappeared?”</p> + +<p>“Not the one you sent to me in prison?” +answered the dancer instantly.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” said Wenk, and it was not till he had +uttered the word that he perceived the significance +of this admission. It was all very mysterious. Had +the Countess revealed her errand to Cara, and was +she in league with the gamblers? It seemed +incredible, but yet how strange it was that Cara, +who would not at first speak to him, at once gave +him her attention when he mentioned the Countess. +Wenk did not want Cara to think that he was +astonished at this, and went on talking, while he +was trying to consider how he could best arrive at +the secret; but he did not stop to reflect upon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[221]</span> +the ideas that came uppermost. In the course of +the conversation he hazarded a conjecture that had +often occurred to him when he thought of Cara’s +connection with the criminal, but which he had +never mentioned till now. He said, “You are +sacrificing yourself for this criminal because you +could not make up your mind to part from him.”</p> + +<p>Then Cara sprang up, staring at Wenk as if +convulsed. He looked her right in the eyes, and +noticed that an expression of overwhelming horror +stood in them, and was clearly written upon her +distorted features.</p> + +<p>“Well?” he asked, encouraged and hopeful.</p> + +<p>But Cara remained as if frozen in her stony +attitude.</p> + +<p>Then he ventured further. “If we came to +some agreement, I could make proposals that would +be to your advantage.”</p> + +<p>Slowly the dancer recovered from the horror that +had seized upon her. For the last three years, ever +since Mabuse had repulsed her, her life had been a +story of self-sacrificing martyrdom and devoted +adherence to the man who had wrought her ruin +and driven her to crime. Not for a single instant +had she thought of betraying him, of refusing her +allegiance. Indelibly stamped upon her whole +nature like the brand of a slave was the feeling +that mastery and might such as his could never +be contested. And now, through Wenk’s words, +she beheld this man whom she adored threatened +with danger. What did the State Attorney know, +and how had he obtained his knowledge? Had +the Countess betrayed her after all? Slowly she +evolved a plan by which to discover how much the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[222]</span> +lawyer knew. She might possibly convey a warning +to Dr. Mabuse, and at the thought her blood +was fired and the delicious sensation of feeling +herself his deliverer, and perhaps, too, regaining +the ascendancy she had lost, stole over her. No, +it could not be, she dared not even conceive of it; +to save him from danger would be enough for her, +to know him secure would be bliss. Finally she +said, “Since you seem to be better informed than +I imagined, I will speak, but you must give me +two days to think it over.”</p> + +<p>The dancer had learnt from the warder that +someone had been inquiring about her, and from +the description given she believed it to be Spoerri. +She would therefore have an opportunity of telling +him about her interview with Wenk and warning +him of what might occur.</p> + +<p>“Very well,” said Wenk, relieved. Then he +thought he would clinch the matter, and as his +previous supposition seemed to have hit the mark, +he imagined it a favourable opportunity to inflame +her imagination still further, so he said, “I am +trying to get on the track of the Countess; she +seems to be in hiding with your friend.”</p> + +<p>He was so ashamed of these words, however, +that he blushed as he uttered them, recalling with +painful intensity his few meetings with the missing +lady—meetings which had bound him so closely +to her. But the effect of his words on the dancer +was wholly unexpected. She fell back on her +pallet, sobbed aloud, tried to speak, but could +utter no word, and then she clenched her fists and +raised them despairingly to her brow.</p> + +<p>Wenk went off quickly, thinking it best not to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[223]</span> +disturb this attitude of mind but to let her yield +wholly to its influence. As he opened the door +a man stumbled against it, but it was only the +warder, who had come, as he said, to look at the +prisoner as his duty was just at this time. “All +right,” said Wenk, and he made his way out.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Shortly afterwards the following things occurred. +Near Hengnau, on the borders of Würtemberg, +a man was detained and arrested as he was about +to drive cattle to Würtemberg. At first he pretended +to be dumb, but afterwards he raged +furiously at his capture. The examining counsel, +in order to intimidate him, said one day, “You +had better confess before the new law is passed. +If you are tried before then you may get off lightly, +but later on it may cost you your head.”</p> + +<p>“What new law is that?” asked the man.</p> + +<p>“The crime of endangering the food distribution +is punishable with death.”</p> + +<p>“What sort of death?”</p> + +<p>“Probably hanging!”</p> + +<p>“And if I am convicted before that is passed?”</p> + +<p>“You won’t get more than a year’s imprisonment +at the most.”</p> + +<p>Then he suddenly confessed, and his confession +opened many doors. He confessed all that he had +been doing for years and gave the names of all +the profiteers known to him. Many arrests were +the result. Every day afforded fresh opportunities, +and finally one day the name of the man whom +Mabuse had dismissed on the highroad to Lindau—Pesch—was +mentioned.</p> + +<p>Pesch was arrested, and his first night in prison<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[224]</span> +was spent at Wangen, which was his native place. +When the warder entered his cell next morning, +the prisoner had disappeared. A few hours later +a telephone message came to the Wangen police. +In a wood on the highroad to Lindau a man was +lying dead. It was undoubtedly a case of murder.</p> + +<p>An inquiry took place on the spot. The dead +man was Pesch. He had been stabbed, and as +they raised his body they saw on the large white +stone on which it had rested certain signs which +had been written in blood. The very same day +experts deciphered these signs. They stood for +“Villa Elise.”</p> + +<p>The mayors in the neighbouring districts were +asked whether they knew a villa bearing this name, +and thus it was soon ascertained that at Schachen +there was a villa so called, and it was under +police surveillance.</p> + +<p>Wenk was at once informed, and he drove to +Lindau. The two detectives who were in charge +of the steam-roller had ascertained that Poldringer +had left Schachen on a bicycle the very day that +Pesch was imprisoned, and had not returned until +three o’clock the next morning.</p> + +<p>Then Wenk arranged that two motor-boats +should be stationed on the lake. They were +made to appear as if they were Customs’ official +boats, and were provided with searchlights.</p> + +<p>Another human life had been sacrificed, but +this fresh murder had revealed something more +far-reaching and dangerous than had yet been +suspected. It was certain that the gang was taking +part in this profiteering movement also, and it +became clear that its leader had created an entire<span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[225]</span> +yet invisible State to carry on his purposes and +give effect to the deeds his will imposed on his +fellows.</p> + +<p>Pesch left a wife and five children, and since +the family breadwinner was gone, they were +in absolute danger of starving. Then Wenk sought +out Edgar Hull’s father, to obtain help for them, +and the idea suddenly occurred to him, “Why +not establish an educational institution, a real +home-school for the children of criminals, taking +them in under an assumed name? Perhaps that +would be a good way to lay out your money. +The children, who so often inherit the parents’ +characteristics, could be watched over and perhaps +influenced for good in their early years. If it +were not possible to eradicate their vices, at least +they could be kept apart from their fellows and +removed before they have a chance of harming +them. In this way a large proportion of the +criminal class might be rendered harmless and +many people would be saved....”</p> + +<p>“I will do it,” said Hull, “and I am grateful +to you for the suggestion.”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>The next evening Wenk was walking from the +Marstall to the Maximilianstrasse, and as he passed +the Four Seasons Hall he thought he saw someone +he knew in the crowd in front of him struggling +to gain an entrance; but he could not recall +who it was, and went straight ahead. As he +walked on he strove to remember whose back +and shoulders it was that had seemed so familiar, +but he could not place the individual. Soon afterwards +he came to an advertisement window in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[226]</span> +which the scheme of a popular lottery was displayed. +The large letters could be seen through +the dusty pane, and the words “Lucky Chance” +stood out. These words at once gave Wenk the +clue he had been seeking. The back he had +noticed belonged to the sandy-bearded gambler.</p> + +<p>He was astounded at the discovery. He had +been seeking this man for many days and nights +all over Germany, and here he was, and he had +passed so close by him that he could have touched +him on the shoulder. He turned round at once, +went back to the hall and at the entrance he read +a notice stating that Dr. Mabuse was giving a +lecture, with experiments, there that evening.</p> + +<p>He immediately ordered one of the constables +standing outside to fetch six plain-clothes men +and tell them to close all the exits without exciting +any attention, and when the detectives were placed, +he entered the hall. It was an easy one to search, +and he went from row to row, while the lecturer +was engaged in preparing his experiments. Wenk +took up a position here and there, and looked +at the folks one after another. But nowhere did +he find the owner of the back which was so +impressed on his mind.</p> + +<p>He noticed some of his acquaintance. There +was Privy Councillor Wendel sitting in the front +row, and a legal colleague of his was there with +his wife and grown-up daughter, but he behaved +as if he saw nobody and continued his eager +search. It was all in vain, however. Then he +took a sudden resolve, went outside again, and +gave the detectives the following orders. All the +exits were to be locked except one. Two detectives<span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[227]</span> +were to enter the hall, and one of them was to +go on to the platform at once and request the +audience to leave the hall quietly, one by one. Both +were to see that there was no one left behind. +The four others were to stand at the folding doors +and let the people pass through singly, only one +half of the door being opened.</p> + +<p>Wenk himself would stand by the door, and +if he gave any order for arrest, two of the detectives +would at once take the man aside and handcuff +him. The two others would then only have to +take care that no one got near the man arrested. +All were to have their service revolvers ready +for use. There was great excitement in the hall +when the announcement was made, and several +cries of disapproval of the order were heard. +The detective strove to pacify the disappointed +audience.</p> + +<p>Mabuse’s first thought, when he heard the Secret +Service agent’s announcement, was a doubt whether +he should have ventured on this public appearance, +but he soon dismissed the troublesome idea. +Yes, he had been right, for it provided him, +in concentrated form, with the nourishment upon +which his mind battened. With such hypnotic +powers as he possessed he must always be in +relation with a larger and unknown public. To +feel his power over the narrow circle to which +his professional duties bound him, the members +of which were known to him, was not enough +for his insatiable ambition. His sphere must know +no limits, and with these weird and mysterious +gifts of his he could exploit the triviality and +credulity of his fellows and at the same time<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[228]</span> +give full play to his hatred and his lust for +domination.</p> + +<p>Upon such a stage as this he felt as if born +anew. It was here that he had inaugurated his +reign of power, when the war sent him from his +South Sea plantations back to his home, a ruined +man, and this domination of his he could not +renounce. While these thoughts were passing +through his mind he went to the detective and +asked what had happened. “You must inquire +of the State Attorney, sir,” said the man. +“Dr. von Wenk is just outside.”</p> + +<p>Mabuse turned pale and walked away, going +rapidly towards the Privy Councillor, whom he +saw still sitting in the front row. As he went, +he felt in his pocket to make sure that his revolver +was safe, and sensations of hatred and defiance +went through his whole body, fastening as it were +like a brand upon his mental image of Wenk.</p> + +<p>“First of all you, and then ...” he said to +himself, but he was already smiling in the +Councillor’s face.</p> + +<p>“Your hypnotic powers,” said the latter, “seem +to be giving the State Attorney some trouble!”</p> + +<p>“Is that Dr. Wenk?” said Mabuse, drawing +back as if astonished.</p> + +<p>“I saw him just now going from seat to seat +and fixing an eagle eye on everybody here, as +if to pierce through coat, waistcoat and shirt to +reach a guilt-burdened conscience. He does not +seem to have found his man, however.”</p> + +<p>Mabuse’s breast heaved, inflated at the thought +of his success. He felt like a horse in sight of +its manger after a long and weary road. Although<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[229]</span> +he clearly understood what the words implied, +he nevertheless asked the Councillor, “How do +you know that?”</p> + +<p>“It is quite simple, for if he had found his +man, he would have let one of the detectives +take him out without disturbing your lecture.”</p> + +<p>“That is true,” said Mabuse. “Let us go.”</p> + +<p>He pressed towards the door, taking the +Councillor with him. He was thoroughly on the +alert, looking behind him to see that he did not +lose touch with Wendel, and also ahead, where +lay the danger he wished to avoid. Whenever +any movement threatened to separate him from +the elderly savant, he used all the cunning at +his command to get near him again. It was +above all essential not to leave the hall exposed +to Wenk’s gaze as a solitary individual. The +Councillor, who was old and well known, must +help him to throw the hound off the scent. He +was aged, however, and could not hurry; but +Mabuse dared not be the last one to leave, closely +eyed as he would be by a disappointed man who +had not found the quarry he sought. There were +still some others behind him, to whose party he +might attach himself, so that he need not be +the last.</p> + +<p>One thing was certain. It was he, and none +other, whom the State Attorney was seeking, +but Wenk did not know that Mabuse was his +quarry, or he would have had him arrested on +the platform. How had he got upon the track? +Was it a mere guess that had started him off? +Was there treachery in it? No; <i>he</i> would never +be betrayed. Could Wenk have recognized him,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[230]</span> +one of those evenings at the gaming-table? No; +it was impossible, his disguises were too perfect +for that, so....</p> + +<p>Then a hand touched his, and Mabuse looked +into Spoerri’s inquiring eyes, and saw beside him +another man of his bodyguard, and he immediately +looked away again unconcernedly. Spoerri and +his accomplice were pressing towards the exit in +front of him. Mabuse went on thinking, and +came to the conclusion that mere chance had +put Wenk on this track, some faint resemblance +or recollection, some movement or action.... +In any case, Wenk must see as little of him as +possible, and since his back would be exposed to +him longer than any other part, he put his arms +through the sleeves of his overcoat and thus altered +his appearance.</p> + +<p>And now he had reached the exit with the +Privy Councillor. He quickly pushed him in front, +following closely on his heels. At the moment +when Wendel stepped to the door, Wenk was +ordering a detective to tell two men who were +lingering on the stairs to move on. Mabuse heard +the man say, “Shall I arrest them?” Then he +looked ahead and saw that the order referred +to Spoerri and his subordinate. Mabuse sought +to catch his eye; he took his pocket-handkerchief +out with a flourish and blew his nose loudly. +Spoerri saw it and understood, and at once withdrew +with his companion.</p> + +<p>Mabuse saw Wenk shaking hands with the +Councillor. Then it was his turn to come forward, +and Wendel introduced “Dr. Mabuse.” Without +taking his eyes off the door, through which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[231]</span> +the light from the hall was now streaming, Wenk +shook hands with Mabuse, saying courteously, +“You won’t be annoyed with me for carrying +out my duty, I hope, Doctor?”</p> + +<p>Mabuse answered with affected friendliness, his +hand on the revolver in his pocket, “Certainly +not; I must naturally take the second place when +it is a question of the good of the community, +whom you are endeavouring to rid of a criminal.”</p> + +<p>He had already passed on. Wenk nodded to +him, but did not look round again, as his gaze +was still fastened on the door.</p> + +<p>The Privy Councillor took Mabuse’s arm going +downstairs. Mabuse accompanied him to the +gentlemen’s cloakroom and then took his leave. +One of his cars was waiting in the Maximilianstrasse, +and right and left of him at the entrance +to the <i>foyer</i> his people were standing in readiness +for anything that might happen. Spoerri had +taken up his position at the main door of the +hall, to keep watch upon the stairs; then he +went out behind Mabuse, and the others, who +were in small detached groups, always ready to +close up at a word, followed them. It was not +until Mabuse had taken his seat in the car and +driven off that they dispersed, each going a +separate way.</p> + +<p>Driving homeward, Mabuse reflected that he +had committed one act of folly. He ought at +any rate to have asked when he would be allowed +to give his experiments. This fact depressed him, +and he felt that he had failed in some way. He +would never have done anything so foolish formerly, +and the idea occurred to him that perhaps his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[232]</span> +power was on the decline, and that it was now +time for Citopomar.</p> + +<p>Then suddenly he shouted aloud, “No! this is +due to that woman! Wenk wants to hang me, the +woman makes me feel old, and she is delivering +me over to the gallows.” Why should this woman, +young and beautiful as she was, who had abandoned +herself to her lot with despairing fatalism, make +him feel old? Her abandonment of herself was +like wine to him, and this idea started another +train of thought. He was in conflict with himself. +There was no enjoyment in the thought that he +had escaped a great danger, and in the midst of +his uneasy reflections he had a sudden breathless +conviction that she made him feel old because +he loved her. Then he felt a hatred of himself, +gathering into one mighty heap all the fierce and +bitter hatred he had cherished for others and +pouring it out on himself. So strongly did he +suffer from the burden of these chaotic feelings +that his brain grew giddy. But now he had +reached his house.</p> + +<p>All the wrinkles in his face were deepened +and intensified, but it was his eyes that looked +most dreadful, and the Countess trembled as he +entered her room. No longer were they of the +steely grey of an agate, but rather seemed shot +with rays of copper colour.</p> + +<p>“What has happened?” she asked.</p> + +<p>Then he told her something quite different from +that which he had meant to tell her.</p> + +<p>“Do you know who I am?” he asked, and +his tone was one of frenzied delirium. “I am +a werwolf; I suck man’s blood. Every day my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[233]</span> +hatred burns up all the blood in my veins, and +every night I fill them again by sucking the blood +of some human being. If men caught me, they +would tear me into little bits. I will bite through +your white throat, you tormenting witch!”</p> + +<p>The Countess started as if stung, and, mad +with pain and torture, cried aloud, “Kill me then! +What could be better than death?”</p> + +<p>“But I love you!” cried the voice of the +man beside her, who seemed to be possessed by +devils.</p> + +<p>The woman hid her face in her hands. It +was the first time she had heard such a confession +from that imperious mouth, and it stirred +her to the depths of her nature. Her free spirit +had been snatched from the world and confined +in a fortress whence there was no escape. Her +life was a dead thing, but the blood within her +raged in dread and mysterious tumult, inflamed +and excited by the power of this man. Her dead +soul was afire, and there was nothing left to +consume: whence then came this flame?</p> + +<p>Mabuse left the Countess without saying another +word. “I have told her enough,” he said to +himself. He threw himself down on his bed, +but could not sleep. He felt as if something +new had come into his life, till then so steady +and changeless, as if the danger which he had +always been able to grasp and bring to nought +had eluded him and were sinking into the icy +black gulf in whose depths his life and actions +were grounded. For hours he tried to grapple +with this new force and subordinate it to his +will, but evermore it seemed to evade him.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">[234]</span>Then he returned to the Countess, lying fully +dressed and sleepless on her bed, and he said, +“We must talk matters out. Our fates are entwined, +and we must go through life together. +From some source or other of my existence my +blood has received something which revolts against +a peaceful and well-ordered life, and will not +permit to others a power above its own. Thus +it is that I have become, as it were, the chief of +a robber horde. I have known but two states: +the desire to dominate and the necessity to hate! +But now you have come upon the scene. At +first I thought that your spirit would be consumed +in the twin flames that inspire mine, but it is +not so. Hundreds have been consumed by them, +but you seem to feed upon them, and they nourish +you. When I am intoxicated, not forgetting my +hatred, but putting it on one side for the time +being, because there are more beautiful things, +I often name to you one name—Citopomar. Citopomar +is not the outcome of a disordered fancy, +the result of a fit of intoxication. It is a virgin +forest in Brazil, far in the interior. It is being +cultivated for me. All the money I can wring +from this petty community of miserable wretches +on this side of the world is being employed there. +There is my country, the land in which I shall +end my days. First of all, I thought of myself +there with my harem. Now I know it is there +I shall be with <i>you</i>. It is a forty days’ journey +to the nearest human dwelling, and the human +beings there could not endure life here, but they +cannot be reached, for the Botocudos would not +let anyone pass. It is even possible that my<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">[235]</span> +agents, who have been carrying out my plans, +may have deceived me, and that when we arrive +there we may find there is no kingdom of Citopomar. +But no one can deceive me about <i>you</i>!</p> + +<p>“My professional life here has extended to ever-widening +circles, and I could live a good deal +longer under the protection of the State and in +well-ordered society. To-day, however, I had proof +that folks are on my track, and henceforth I +must act cautiously. A ship is being built for +me in Genoa. I do not travel by strange ships, +but sail under my own flag. The ship is to be +ready on the 1st of June, and on that night we +will embark. Between this and then, however, +there is nearly two months to pass. I cannot +rest, and until the very night of our departure +I shall still be a robber chief.</p> + +<p>“We will be wary. You must go to another +house. It is quite as well guarded as this one, +but if they should discover this one, they will +catch you. I am probably about to leave the +place, and at midnight to-morrow you will depart. +Spoerri will take you to the new home.”</p> + +<p>As incapable of resistance as of mental participation +in his schemes, consumed in the devouring +flames of this man’s all-powerful domination, the +Countess endured his conversation and took his +orders. Her fate lay in his hands.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[236]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XVI</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">At</span> nine o’clock next morning Mabuse was at +Count Told’s villa. As he was now endeavouring +to hold himself ready for flight at any moment, +he wanted to bring this matter of the Count to +an end.</p> + +<p>He had desired him to drink, and for some +days now Told had been drinking, in passionate +abandonment. Mabuse looked at him in silence. +When Told was intoxicated he said to him, “You +are a person without the slightest power of resistance. +Where is your razor?”</p> + +<p>In a thick voice Told answered that it was +on the washstand.</p> + +<p>“Is it sharp?” said Mabuse with a peculiar +intonation. “Sharp enough?” he repeated with +an emphasis so marked that it seemed as if he +wanted to hammer an idea into the Count’s head.</p> + +<p>Mabuse took it up, seized a sheet of paper +and made a sharp clean cut in it. Then he said +threateningly, “Yes, it is sharp enough.” Thereupon +he laid the razor aside, but did not return +it to its case. He called the servant in, saying +to him, “The Count’s condition is not so good +as it was. He is drinking brandy with his Tokay. +I have no objection to a little light Burgundy, +but these strong spirits are not to be allowed.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[237]</span> +You must take away what is left in the bottle. +Your master will ... now ... go ... to +sleep!” He uttered the last words in a long-drawn-out, +menacing tone. Then he went out +of the room in front of the footman, and left +the house.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later, Count Told, not knowing +what he was doing, cut his throat from ear to ear. +He had a feeling as if something in his throat +were preventing him from enjoying some great +happiness, and he wanted to remove the hindrance.</p> + +<p>At two o’clock a message came from Mabuse +to ask how the Count was getting on. The footman +said he was asleep, but he would go and +look at him to make sure. Then he found him +bathed in blood, where he had fallen from his +arm-chair to the ground, his body now cold in +death. The doctor’s messenger came into the +room, looked at the corpse, and went back to +report to his master.</p> + +<p>The man-servant did not know what to do. +Since none of the Count’s relatives were in the +neighbourhood and he did not know the Countess’s +address, he felt he must inform the police first +of all. But then, again, he was not sure which +was the right office to go to to give such information, +and it occurred to him that the State +Attorney, Herr von Wenk, was an acquaintance +of his master’s and had asked after him recently, +so he drove to Munich, sought out the lawyer, +and told his story.</p> + +<p>“Was the Count at home then all the time?” +asked Wenk.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, all the time.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[238]</span>“Then why did you tell me on the telephone +that the Count had gone on a journey?”</p> + +<p>“The doctor told me that on account of my +master’s state no one was to be allowed to see +him, and I must tell anybody who inquired that +he had gone away. My master saw nobody but +his doctor.”</p> + +<p>“What was the doctor’s name?”</p> + +<p>“I never heard his name, sir. I don’t know +it.”</p> + +<p>Then Wenk remembered that Privy Councillor +Wendel had given him a letter to Dr. Mabuse, +and that the Count had used Wenk’s own telephone +to make an appointment with this doctor.</p> + +<p>Wenk trembled as, struck by the horror of a +strange suspicion, he described to the footman +the figure of Dr. Mabuse as he had seen it +recently at the Four Seasons Hall. He spoke +of him as a tall man, stooping slightly, without +beard or moustache, with a broad face and big +nose and large grey eyes. When the man said, +“Yes, he looked exactly like that,” Wenk grew +pale as death. In a moment all the disconnected +impressions, hazy ideas, vague recollections, half-defined +thoughts and images which had been +partially obliterated, but not altogether lost, +gathered together in his mind. When Wenk had +the hall emptied, why had Dr. Mabuse not asked +the reason for this measure? Why had he +not inquired whether he could continue his +experiments at another time? Why had Wenk, +who had seen a man whose back he had recognized +go into the hall, not found him again inside? +Why had the two men who would not obey the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[239]</span> +detective’s order to move on, suddenly done as +they were told immediately Mabuse appeared? +Why had Mabuse’s eyes, in the brief moment +he had looked into them, affected him so powerfully, +as if they sought to read something that +lay hidden in his very soul and was now almost +forgotten?</p> + +<p>He dismissed Count Told’s servant, and then +tried to find Dr. Mabuse’s number in the telephone +book, but it was not given there. Yet +Mabuse had a telephone, for the Count had rung +him up from this very house. The Privy Councillor +knew the number.</p> + +<p>When Wenk, having obtained the telephone +number from Herr Wendel, gave it, there was +no reply. Ringing up the exchange, he was told +that the telephone had been disconnected. He +asked who had had it three weeks before, but +this could not be ascertained at once.</p> + +<p>Again Wenk rang up the Councillor. Dr. +Mabuse had changed his number; did he happen +to know his address? Wendel could give no information. +He only knew the telephone number, +and spoke to him on the phone. Wenk then +asked at the Police Registry Office for Dr. +Mabuse’s address, but the name was not to be +found anywhere among the arrivals in Munich, +and when, at the Municipal Registry, all the old +telephone books were searched to find Mabuse, +he was again unsuccessful.</p> + +<p>Thereupon Wenk repaired to the manager of +the telephone exchange in order to make a more +thorough search. The manager took him to the +inquiry-room, where two young women were employed,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[240]</span> +and he asked them to look again for the +number he had telephoned about.</p> + +<p>“What were you wanting?” asked the elder +of the two, and Wenk explained that he was +seeking the address of a Dr. Mabuse, who +three weeks before had a telephone number that +did not appear in the directory.</p> + +<p>The girl said she could not find it anywhere, +whereupon Wenk returned to the manager with +this information. He declared this was something +quite unheard of, and himself accompanied +Wenk to the inquiry office. He, too, made a +search with the clerks, but could find nothing. +While the manager was looking through the lists +without success, an idea occurred to Wenk, and +when he was informed that no one of the name +of Mabuse had been entered on the list at all +for the last year, he asked the manager for the +telephone number and address of a man named +Poldringer. As he uttered this name he saw +the elder girl start and then immediately recover +herself, but an instant later she told him rudely +that there were ever so many Poldringers in +Munich, and without the Christian name and the +exact address she could not furnish any information.</p> + +<p>Then Wenk turned to the manager, saying +politely, “I am sorry to have to put you to +some inconvenience, but I must take both these +ladies into custody!”</p> + +<p>He at once took up a position between the +girls and the telephone. “Be so good as to +sit down on these chairs till the detectives arrive; +you here, and your companion there!” The elder<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">[241]</span> +of the girls turned as white as a sheet. The +other blushed, and then began to cry. Wenk +said, turning to her, “It is only a formality. +If you behave properly, this matter can be +carried through without exciting notice, and it +is probable that it will not be long before the +mystery is cleared up.” Then he rang up the +Criminal Investigation Department and asked for +three detectives.</p> + +<p>The manager looked through the list of +Poldringers, for there were many entries under +the name, most of them being tradespeople. One, +of whom no further information was given, was +living in the Xenienstrasse, and another, without +any professional status, in the Ludwigstrasse.</p> + +<p>The girls were given in charge, and Wenk +went to the Ludwigstrasse. He came to a +lodging-house, looked at the surroundings and inspected +the inside, and then went to the Xenienstrasse. +Then suddenly his heart stood still, for +in the Xenienstrasse, at the address given under +the name of Poldringer in the telephone list, he +saw on a professional plate the words</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Dr. Mabuse</span>,<br> +<span class="indentleft"><i>Neurologist</i>.</span></p> + +<p>He hastened away, merely noting the numbers +of the houses standing near. The street consisted +of detached villas. A mist swam before his eyes, +and the blood pounded in his pulses; there was +a sound as of pistols in his ears. He had his +man. No, he had not got him, but at last he +knew who he was!</p> + +<p>Before doing anything else he drove to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">[242]</span> +prison, for the time Cara Carozza had demanded +had now expired, and what she might tell him +would probably set the seal upon the success of +his enterprise.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Early that morning, when it was time for the +warder of the women’s prison to make his first +round, the door of Cara’s cell was opened. The +dancer was still asleep. She was shaken by the +shoulder and, awaking quickly, found the warder +bending over her, yet it was not the warder, +it was Spoerri. Surely she was dreaming? But +no, she was still in prison. How came Spoerri +to her bedside? She put her hand to her eyes +to shut out the vision, and yet she knew in her +heart it was reality. Spoerri was standing there. +He said to her:</p> + +<p>“Surely you know that I am in league with +the warder?” She nodded. “Then you know, +too, that he told me what happened yesterday when +the State Attorney came to see you?”</p> + +<p>“What did he tell you?” the girl asked breathlessly.</p> + +<p>“That you are going to betray the master!”</p> + +<p>The dancer sprang out of bed. “Who says +so?” she shouted.</p> + +<p>“Please don’t talk so loudly. The warder says +so.”</p> + +<p>“It is a lie.”</p> + +<p>“The warder would have no interest in lying.”</p> + +<p>“Did he tell the doctor so?” she asked +anxiously, and Spoerri lied in answer:</p> + +<p>“Yes, of course he did, and the doctor sent +me to you.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">[243]</span>“It is a lie,” cried Cara again, on the verge +of tears; “I was going to save him!”</p> + +<p>“How can you prove that?”</p> + +<p>“I was going to save him, I tell you. Spoerri, +danger is threatening him.”</p> + +<p>“Danger is always threatening him. That’s +mere nonsense. Can you prove what you say?”</p> + +<p>Cara hastily related what had passed between +her and Wenk. Spoerri answered indifferently:</p> + +<p>“I mean, can you prove it beyond all shadow +of doubt? But be quick, please, for I must get +away from here in five minutes.”</p> + +<p>“What can I do to make the doctor believe +me?” asked the girl in despair.</p> + +<p>“I must tell you that the doctor is very disturbed, +for he could not have believed it of you.”</p> + +<p>“No, no, I could never have done it,” she +stammered, thoroughly downcast; “but how am +I to prove that I didn’t ... how can I prove +it? Surely <i>you</i> know, Spoerri, that....”</p> + +<p>Then Spoerri with a smile drew out of his +pocket a small flask. “The proof lies there,” +he said.</p> + +<p>“Where?” asked the distracted girl.</p> + +<p>“In here, my pretty one; don’t you see?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t understand you,” said the dancer.</p> + +<p>“Oh, you don’t need to understand, my child, +only to drink. Just one little mouthful to swallow +and then the doctor will know your word was to +be relied on.”</p> + +<p>Cara looked horrorstruck at the little flask. +“What is it?” she asked.</p> + +<p>“A heavenly drink, my pretty one, nothing that +hurts one in the least. The doctor himself made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[244]</span> +it up. But mind you throw the bottle out of the +window quickly! See, I am opening it for you. +Be sure you don’t forget that! And be quick +about it, do you hear? Throw it away <i>at once</i>, +for if there’s no bottle to be seen, nobody will +know what has happened. That’s what the doctor +expects of you; that is a proof that no one can +doubt. Besides, you know us. Even your +husband....”</p> + +<p>With that he drew a knife out of his pocket, +playing with it lightly. He threw it at the door, +and it stuck there with the point transfixed. He +pulled it out and put it away again.</p> + +<p>“Do you see that?” he said. “Now I must +be going. Well, au revoir!”</p> + +<p>He was about to leave, but Cara sprang towards +him and clung to his knees, sobbing.</p> + +<p>“But I am still so young, and I love life. +I have been very useful to him. I was hoping +to be set free ... by him. Set free at any +rate, even if he can never love me again.”</p> + +<p>“Well, I can only tell you,” answered Spoerri, +“that he is very much disturbed about all this. +You can take it or leave it.”</p> + +<p>Then the girl said, “Then I will free myself +of this existence. I will show him, a thousand +times over, that he can trust me. I will give +my life for him....”</p> + +<p>“Oh, spare me your heroics!” said Spoerri +roughly.</p> + +<p>But the girl went on unheeding, “What am I +after all?—a mere shadow following him about +and hiding out of his sight, but yet unable to +part from him. Yes, I will prove it, a thousand +times over.... I will free myself....”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[245]</span>“Well, if we are taken by surprise now, it will +be a hanging matter for us both; he told me +so. And who knows whether they won’t even get +<i>him</i>?”</p> + +<p>Then Cara became suddenly calm, and said +quietly, “It is all right; you can go. And tell +him.... No, you needn’t say anything. I don’t +want anything more from him....”</p> + +<p>Spoerri left hastily, leaving the little flask in +Cara’s hand. It was now warm from her fevered +touch.</p> + +<p>“He does not believe me,” she said to herself +tremblingly. “The Doctor will never believe +me again. Strange—and yet, can there be any +greater proof to offer that I was always faithful +to him? Oh life! base, incomprehensible, disturbing +life! This terrible life of mine! Come!” +she said, apostrophizing the flask; “we will show +him there is nothing to fear from me. We will +prove it to you, you ... king of men ... you +enchanting murderer! you sublime destroyer! my +horror and my bliss!...”</p> + +<p>She shouted aloud, then she grew fearful lest +her cries might endanger the beloved life, and +she snatched the stopper out of the bottle. Standing +upright in the middle of the cell, she drank, +a moment later throwing the bottle out of the +window, where the sun streaming in proclaimed +the morning of a new day.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Wenk faced the curator of the women’s prison.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir, we were sorry to be unable to inform +you, but it was not possible to communicate with +you. The doctor says it must have been a heart-stroke,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[246]</span> +for she was found lying dead in her cell +this morning.”</p> + +<p>Amazed and horrified, Wenk entered the cell. +It was empty, the straw pallet bare. Cara’s +clothing lay on a stool. Wenk looked round, +and was about to leave when he saw something +shining on the window-ledge. He went back and +examined it, and found it was a small piece of +glass, rounded in shape, with a very strong odour +clinging to it. Wenk jumped on a chair and +found another piece of glass outside. Then he +went down into the courtyard, and very soon had +collected all the other pieces of the bottle. It +had broken against one of the window-bars. +He had the glass tested, and there were evidences +of poison upon it.</p> + +<p>He walked back to his chambers—pondering +over this new occurrence. “Another victim!” he +said to himself repeatedly. One more sacrifice, +a real sacrifice, for this one had sacrificed herself. +This light-of-love had offered her life as a sacrifice +to her love. She had not meant to tell him anything—he +realized that now. She merely wanted +to put him on the wrong track that she might +have a chance to warn the criminal. “I have +no success with my women helpers,” he thought +sadly, asking how it was that these steadfast souls +should be found on the side of evil rather than +good—always on the side of evil, it seemed to +him. When the dancer was buried next day, he +was the only outsider present, and he returned +to his chambers slowly and sadly.</p> + +<p>There, however, plenty of work was awaiting +him. His idea was to seize Dr. Mabuse in his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[247]</span> +own home, and first of all he must ascertain when +he was sure to be found at home, and the two +confederates must be secured at the same time, +the one at the Xenienstrasse and the other in the +Schachen villa; there must be no time for one +of them to inform the other.</p> + +<p>His preparations must be complete, down to +the very last detail, and then a surprise attack, +which must not last more than three minutes, could +be made. It was clear that a man who could +boldly carry through such crimes as these, in the +very heart of the city and in the teeth of the +highest civil powers, would have secured himself +against all possible emergencies in his own +quarters. That was undoubtedly the case, and all +these careful preparations of Wenk’s required time.</p> + +<p>First of all, he must be able to secure one of +the neighbouring villas as his post of observation. +It was here that he laid claim to Herr von Hull’s +help. He drove straight to him, asking, “Can +you do me a very great service? Will you employ +a confidential agent to lease a floor of one of the +houses No. 26 or 28 in the Xenienstrasse, or, +better still, the whole villa? I want it just as +it is, and to be able to go in the day after +to-morrow. The question of expense need not be +considered. I shall want the house for two or +three weeks. Spring is approaching, and there +may be someone who wants money for a little trip +out of town.” The old gentleman promised to +do what he could in the matter. Then Wenk +asked the police inspector who had engaged him +for the road-engine, to come to town. He arrived +by the 11 a.m. express.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[248]</span>“Matters are approaching a climax, inspector,” +said Wenk. “You must be ready to take action +at any moment. I will leave the plan of it to +you. You have had plenty of time to get to +know the geography of the place and the opportunities +it affords, but the very moment you receive +my order to surround Villa Elise, you must go at +it, hell for leather. You must get your man, +alive or dead. We shall put another motor-boat +on the lake, and you can double your force on +shore. The road-engine can be moved away now. +The spring season is just beginning in Schachen, +so you and six or eight of your men can be +visitors to the lake-side!”</p> + +<p>At seven o’clock next morning the inspector +returned to his post, and at eleven o’clock old Hull +came with the lease of villa 26 in the Xenienstrasse.</p> + +<p>“There is a young couple living there,” he +said, “whom my suggestion exactly suited. They +wanted to go to Switzerland to visit their parents, +but were frightened at the cost of the railway fare. +I offered them five-thousand marks for a month’s +rent of the villa, and they will change them in +France. I am afraid I am causing a loss to our +exchange....”</p> + +<p>“But you are benefiting your country in another +way, Herr Hull, and that you will very soon +find out!” said Wenk.</p> + +<p>“You can take possession of the villa at six +o’clock to-night!”</p> + +<p>At six o’clock, Wenk, disguised as a cyclist +messenger, went into the empty villa, leaving his +bicycle outside. He was quite alone in the house, +and at once sought for a window which would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">[249]</span> +afford him vantage ground. He concealed himself +behind a lace curtain and began to watch the +street. The first thing he noticed was that after +he had been there about a quarter of an hour +someone stole his bicycle and made off with it. +He had never seen a thief actually at work before; +this side of his calling was presented to him for +the first time to-day. He regarded it as a favourable +omen, being much amused by the comic haste +with which the thief had looked round him on +all sides, although he was even then straddling +the machine.</p> + +<p>For two hours he kept watch on the front door, +side door, window and roof of Mabuse’s villa. No +one went out or in, and though Wenk remained +on the watch till midnight, nothing was to be +seen. He fell asleep at the window, woke and +watched again, and then slept once more, finally +awaking in broad daylight. His servant brought +him a meal prepared in a restaurant near. It was +a long vigil, and Wenk, bringing the telephone +to the window, held conversations with acquaintances +and with some members of the police +force.</p> + +<p>At last, towards six o’clock in the evening, a +car drew up and immediately drove away again. +A gentleman went up to the front door. Was it +Mabuse? No, this was an old gentleman, with +the feeble and uncertain step of a paralytic. +Possibly he was a patient.</p> + +<p>Soon after that Wenk saw a chimney-sweep +leave the house. He went along quickly and +cheerfully, puffing away at a cigarette. Wenk had +not seen the sweep go in; that must have been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_250">[250]</span> +mere chance, though. The old invalid seemed +to be there a long time; could he be waiting +for the Doctor? Perhaps, though, he was one +of his assistants. It seemed hardly likely. However, +he must do nothing rash.</p> + +<p>Twilight was already advanced when a man +with a parcel rang at the front door, which was +opened with surprising promptness. Half an +hour later this man came out again, and so it +went on. Even through the night people kept +coming and going, and next day it was the same +story.</p> + +<p>On the third day Wenk was called up early +by his man. The Criminal Investigation Department +had some important information for him. +Something had happened during the night at a +gaming-den. Would he like an official to bring +him a report? Yes, he replied, but the detective +should come in some sort of uniform.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later the detective, got up as a +telephone repairer, appeared and told his story. +Last night a young man had come to the guard-room +and said that he and others had been +playing baccarat in a secret gaming-house. An +old gentleman, who seemed to be partially +paralysed, was playing too, and he always lost +his money. When it was just upon three o’clock +in the morning, the old gentleman had a sudden +fit of rage, shouted out something, and immediately +three men, who had also been playing, leaped +on the table. They drew out revolvers, shouting +“Hands up!” Then a fourth man went from one +visitor to another, searching their pockets and +taking all their money away, as well as that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">[251]</span> +lying on the table. They had taken twelve +thousand marks from the man who was telling +the story. When they came to the old gentleman +they left him alone, and he suddenly stood up +and walked out as if there was nothing the matter +with him. Two of the thieves accompanied him, +and the others protected him from behind, and +outside there were two cars waiting.</p> + +<p>This story excited Wenk greatly. It did not +interfere with his scheme, but, on the contrary, +it showed that Mabuse felt himself secure. Yet +while Wenk was here in a strange house behind +a curtain like a sleepy bat, the criminal was going +his accustomed way, calmly, boldly, as if he had +nothing and nobody to fear. After all, it was +quite natural. Why should he not go free when +the man who had sworn to bring him to justice +was in hiding here behind a window curtain!</p> + +<p>Taking a sudden resolve, Wenk left his post, +and did not return till evening. He had given +an order to extinguish the street-lamp in front +of Mabuse’s house by breaking the glass and +damaging the electric light bulb. It was a dark +night, and as soon as Mabuse’s windows showed +no light Wenk entered the garden. He was +carrying a canister filled with fine meal, and he +clambered over the fence into Mabuse’s grounds and +went cautiously along the garden path, scattering +the meal in a thin layer over part of the short walk +between the garden gate and the house. Then he +hurried back over the fence to his own garden +and into No. 26 again.</p> + +<p>Half an hour later someone left Mabuse’s house, +but Wenk could not see who. After an hour and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[252]</span> +a half, he heard steps in the street passing beneath +his window. He saw a man wearing military +dress, who went quickly to Mabuse’s door and +disappeared within the house.</p> + +<p>Wenk went downstairs again and hid behind +a shrub in the garden. After a long time he +heard Mabuse’s front door open, and in the starlight +he could see that a stout, elderly lady was +leaving the house. She went into the street, where +a car seemed to spring up from nowhere. She +got into it and drove rapidly away.</p> + +<p>Wenk clambered over the hedge between his +and Mabuse’s garden, crept on all fours over the +grass to the garden path, and examined the ground +by the help of his electric torch. Then he saw +that the footsteps of all three persons were exactly +the same. Therefore, whoever it was who came +out first, and the soldier, and the elderly lady, +were one and the same person. And then it +occurred to him that yesterday and the day before +yesterday the chimney-sweep, the paralytic, the +messenger with his parcel, were the same person, +and this person was—Mabuse. Wenk carefully +removed the traces of the meal.</p> + +<p>To-night must lead to some conclusion or other. +In both the nearest guardrooms special police were +ready, fully armed, prepared to break in at any +moment. When Wenk knew Mabuse to be safe +at home, he would hasten to No. 26, send a +telephone call, and three minutes later Mabuse’s +house would be surrounded by police. To burst +the door would be the work of thirty seconds. +Six men would remain outside and surround the +house. The other six would join him in a rush<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[253]</span> +on the place. When Mabuse was secured, the +order to Schachen would go through.</p> + +<p>Wenk stole rapidly back to his own garden, +stretched himself flat on the ground and waited. +The earth radiated the warmth of this day of +late spring, and he felt the power that lay in the +soil. And in an attitude of tense expectancy, +two hours, one hour, perhaps even minutes only +before his work would be crowned with success, +it seemed to Wenk as if music, a music betraying +the secrets of all hearts, stole over his senses. +Tears filled his eyes, and his bare fingers caressed +the fragrant ground. He felt as if it were the +very essence of manhood laid bare, the manhood +for which he was risking his life.</p> + +<p>He had decided to lie here waiting until +Mabuse, in some disguise or other, should return +to the house. Nothing could go wrong now. +When the other was once more inside, like a +mouse caught in a trap, Wenk would hasten back +and breathe his order into the telephone.</p> + +<p>But before this could happen he was to undergo +a strange experience, something which made his +heart stand still and a cry by which he had almost +betrayed himself pass his lips. A car came +up the street, and stopped with a noisy shriek in +front of the house. But no one got out. No, it +was Mabuse’s door which opened, and in the person +descending the steps, and pausing in the glow of +the headlights, Wenk recognized the Countess.</p> + +<p>If he had not pressed his lips to the ground +that very instant, his cry must have betrayed him. +The car hastened back whence it had come. +“Wife-robber! Husband-murderer!” raged Wenk.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[254]</span> +So this was the secret of Count Told’s death. +“The man is a devil and a werwolf!” he cried.</p> + +<p>Suddenly he felt the cold night penetrating his +clothing, and he found himself trembling. Was +he going to have an attack of ague now, at the +very last minute? He struggled to subdue the +feelings that threatened to overcome him. In the +still night he heard the hammering of the pulses +in his brain, and he bent all his energies to the +task of listening for what was to happen.</p> + +<p>Twelve o’clock struck, and it seemed as if the +town were shaken by the powerful strokes, as if +these beats must penetrate into the very heart +of this house which sheltered the monster, and +every vibration become a dagger hacking him to +pieces.</p> + +<p>The clock had ceased striking, and a footstep +sounded, but whether near or far-off Wenk could +not at first determine, for the throbbing in his +ears. Suddenly the garden gate creaked, and in +the starlight he saw a broad expanse of white +shirt-front. A man advanced rapidly to Mabuse’s +door, and in the instant that he stood on the +doorstep, waiting for it to open, the starlight +revealed to Wenk that the figure was that of +the man he was seeking. And now the net was +closing around the victim.</p> + +<p>Wenk waited three minutes, four minutes. +Would not the world come to an end during +these moments? Might not the skies fall, and +the last judgment begin?</p> + +<p>Then he pulled himself together and climbed +stiffly over the fence to return to No. 26. He +rushed upstairs in the darkness, seized the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[255]</span> +telephone, called for the number and gave the +guard-room the orders he had arranged. He had +but to name the street and give the number of +the house, which till now he had kept a secret.</p> + +<p>A motor-cyclist was to go to the second guard-room +directly the telephone message was received. +The car containing the first relay of police was to +follow him immediately, and at the second guard-room +those aroused by the cyclist’s warning were +to be ready to get in the car and proceed with +the others at full speed to the villa. Thus it had +been arranged.</p> + +<p>After Wenk had telephoned he hastened downstairs +again. He stood in the dark entrance, +waiting for the first sound of the approaching car. +Was he not consumed with fever? No, he bit +his lips firmly, made his muscles taut and commanded +himself to keep cool. He must be cold +and hard as steel. Steel it should be!</p> + +<p>He had not long to wait.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[256]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XVII</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> house was surrounded by the police who +had been detailed for that duty, while Wenk with +the others hastened to the front door and rang +the bell loudly, but the explosive was already +prepared. Mabuse had not yet gone to bed. The +unusual noise in the street had sent him to the +spy-hole in the shutters, whence he could see what +was happening, and the first glance revealed the +police. While he was still looking through his +peep-hole, and letting nothing of the happenings +outside escape his eye, since the searchlights +illuminated everything in the street, he was taking +down from the cupboard close by, where it hung +in readiness, a police uniform.</p> + +<p>He heard the ringing at the door. He had a +telephone concealed in the wall, and this George +had connected with a villa at the back of his +garden. He pressed the connection and called, +“Spoerri!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Doctor.”</p> + +<p>“The police are about to break in. Make your +escape as arranged. Fetch the Countess. Get +the new car ready for me. Burn all papers. Send +pigeon-post to Schachen. That’s all.” While +still speaking, he began hastily to put on the +police uniform over his own clothes.</p> + +<p>Then there was the sound of explosion, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[257]</span> +the door was broken open, a chair flying into +the air. With one bound Mabuse was in the +corridor. When the explosion occurred he was +on the first floor, which was shut off from the +stairway.</p> + +<p>Close behind the first of the police who entered +through the shattered door came Wenk, a heavy +revolver in his hand. He was at once struck by +the style of the interior, its beautiful carvings +and its costly Persian carpets. He took this in +at the very first glance as he hurried by. He +pointed in silence to the stairs, and while those +behind went up them, he and some others inspected +the three doors leading to the basement. All +were locked, and in a few minutes they had been +burst open. The police rushed through all the +rooms; one, trying to turn on the electric light, +found that it was cut off.</p> + +<p>Six policemen had stormed the stairs. The +door in the panelled wall of the first floor leading +from the stairs was open. The men advanced +beyond it into a dark corridor, holding their +revolvers cocked, and touching all the objects they +encountered in the darkness. Nowhere was there +any electric light to be had, and it was some time +before they had enough electric torches to suffice +them. Then in a moment they had taken +possession of all the rooms, and the doors leading +to the corridor were shut behind them by the +detectives, who removed the keys. Wherever they +found the rooms empty, they hacked upon the +chests and cupboards. Mabuse heard the sounds, +which made his usually silent house as noisy as +a factory.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[258]</span>When furnishing the house he had had a little +secret chamber made near the doorway leading to +the first floor. A carpenter belonging to his band +of accomplices had done the work. This chamber +was so cunningly concealed in the cleverly contrived +decoration of the walls as to be invisible +from the corridor outside, and on the inner side +the existence of a door would never have been +suspected. It was here that Mabuse had concealed +himself when he heard the explosion that +wrecked his front door. In this hiding-place he +had a second telephone connecting him with the +other villa. While the noise of the men storming +the stairs covered his movements, he tried to make +use of this connection, but there was no answer +from the other end; therefore Spoerri must already +have got away.</p> + +<p>Now came the moment when everything must +be risked, and the chances of escape or of death +were equal. The little chamber had a second +door, and this, concealed like the other by the +decoration of the panelling, opened directly on to +the stairs. It was here that Mabuse stood to +listen.</p> + +<p>He subdued all his senses with the supernatural +powers at his command, subordinating them to +his hearing; rustlings, voices, hackings, cries, +abuse, orders, the clicking of electric torches, even +the spitting sound of the acetylene searchlights, +were inscribed on his ear-drum as on a microphone. +His powers of hearing must be concentrated on +one single moment, and that was the first second, +or fraction of a second, in which there should +be neither step, nor sound, nor even breathing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[259]</span> +upon the stairs. If this instant occurred before +the systematic search of the house, room by room, +had begun, it would give him a favourable opportunity, +his only opportunity, for flight. It seemed +as if the very blood in his veins stood still, the +better to help him discover the fateful moment. +All the other senses were in abeyance, and his +will concentrated on his hearing alone. He felt +as if his ear were as large as the Lake of +Constance and his hearing as fine as the vibration +of a filament in an electric light. Everything +else within him was cold as ice, and anæsthetized, +but his ear bore a volcanic life within it, and at +last he reached that single heart-beat of time +which should prove his salvation.</p> + +<p>He pushed open the narrow door on to the +stairs. Until he had reconnoitred he ran a risk +that his ear might have deceived him, but he +saw at once that all was well.</p> + +<p>In the corridor below a constable was standing. +As he passed him, Mabuse cried, “He has shut +himself into the bathroom....”</p> + +<p>Then he saw them all running from the rooms +downstairs and pressing to the staircase. Two +men stood at the entrance, in the midst of the +fragments of the shattered door. “I am going +for reinforcements,” said Mabuse as he approached +them; “he has entrenched himself in the bathroom....”</p> + +<p>They let him pass, and he ran, using one hand +to brush others aside, the other grasping his +Browning pistol. Yes, he was getting away +now....</p> + +<p>The night was bright with the searchlights, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[260]</span> +their rays spoke to him of freedom and good +luck. Dazzling, enchanting visions floated before +his spirit. He drank in deep draughts of the +light outside.</p> + +<p>“What’s up?” asked one of the men outside +as he rushed out.</p> + +<p>“His honour’s orders ... reinforcements +wanted; he’s entrenched himself in the bathroom,” +called Mabuse in reply.</p> + +<p>“Take the motor-cycle,” shouted the other.</p> + +<p>What luck! Mabuse already had it between +his legs. He fell upon it, mounted, feeling as if +he had fallen from a tower on to a bed of down, +and the night, like a friendly monster, swallowed +him up, protecting him alike from the searchlights +and from the violence with which the search-party +would have seized him.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour later he threw the motor-cycle +into the canal and rode away on his little +racing car as if sailing upon a cloud. The car +stretched its nozzle towards the south-west and +away it bounded in delight along the boulevard. +It was an armoured car....</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>“What is the matter?” Wenk asked the police +as they rushed past him.</p> + +<p>“He is in the bathroom, and has entrenched +himself,” one of them called back.</p> + +<p>Wenk ran up the stairs. “Where is he?” he +cried.</p> + +<p>“In the bathroom,” they shouted on all sides. +“All hands to the bathroom,” ordered Wenk.</p> + +<p>They ran hither and thither, and their pocket-torches +could be seen gleaming on the walls in<span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">[261]</span> +all directions. Where are they all going? To the +bathroom. Fifteen men are hastening to the bathroom. +“But where <i>is</i> the bathroom?” Wenk +inquired. Nobody knew where the bathroom was. +And now everyone was shouting out, “Halloa, +what’s up?”</p> + +<p>The electric switches were overhead, and a +turn of the loosely fastened screws now gave +dazzling light to the whole place. The rooms +were brilliant in their wealth and luxuriance—pictures, +hangings, carpets, bronzes, furniture. The +bathroom was found at last, and the bath in it +was of Carrara marble, but the whole house was +empty and deserted.</p> + +<p>Wenk was almost beside himself. He felt like +an empty shaft, down which everything good and +beautiful and all that was lofty and successful +had fallen into a bottomless abyss. They tapped +the walls with their hatchets, suspecting some +hidden space, and soon the secret nook was +discovered and the riddle solved.</p> + +<p>Wenk pulled himself together. There was yet +another mouse-hole, and it was in Schachen, at +the Villa Elise!</p> + +<p>The State Attorney made rapid arrangements +at the telephone headquarters. All the lines were +connected up with him, and everything had been +prepared beforehand. The highroads from Munich +in all directions were guarded by police. The +stretch of country between Munich and Lindau +had eight posting-stations, and at every one there +was a telephone ready at any moment throughout +the night to inform Munich of anything that had +happened there.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">[262]</span>Wenk raised the alarm in all directions. +Mabuse’s stratagem had given him a half-hour’s +start. If things had happened as he imagined, and +the car of the fugitive were now eighty or ninety +kilometres away, there was yet ten minutes before +Buchloe could announce its passing through. He +had hardly reckoned up the distance, however, +when he heard “Buchloe speaking!” and his heart +sang for joy.</p> + +<p>“A car has just gone through at terrific speed +in the direction of Kempten. It is a large covered +car.”</p> + +<p>It was 2.10 a.m., and a quarter of an hour +later came the Kaufbeuren report.</p> + +<p>“A large covered car, travelling about eighty +kilometres an hour, has just passed, and taken +the Kempten road.”</p> + +<p>It was now 2.25 a.m. Wenk began rapidly +to make calculations as to the speed of the car, +but just then Buchloe rang up again: “A second +car has just come through, a small, open car +with one person in it!” Ten minutes later +Kaufbeuren gave the same report.</p> + +<p>“They are escaping in sections. The second +car is going faster. Mabuse must be in that one, +and his accomplices in the first,” thought Wenk.</p> + +<p>From Obergünzburg he had the announcement +of both cars in the one communication, for the +second went through just as the official had +informed him about the first. Buchenberg told +him the same.</p> + +<p>Then Wenk thought it time to call up Schachen. +He gave directions to await the arrival of the two +cars and then take action according to the plan<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">[263]</span> +arranged. The man whom it was above all +important to secure would probably be in the +uniform of a Munich constable, and they were +not to be misled by this, for it would be Mabuse.</p> + +<p>“Now we have him at last,” said Wenk +jubilantly, as he received one communication after +another, all of them proving that Schachen was +the destination aimed at.</p> + +<p>Place after place stood out on the map to +Wenk, and through the night the villages and +tiny towns called to him and ranged themselves +on his side. He bound them together with +phantom threads, reaching to the very limits of +the Empire. He wrung the secret of the broad +highroad out of it in the darkness, and the highroad +knew nothing of its revelation. With one +small lever he held the long, unending avenue, +shrouded in darkness, in the hollow of his hand. +The forces he had disposed were obedient to him, +their general.</p> + +<p>“Hergatz” rang on the telephone, and the +sound of its bell seemed to his ears as intimate +as if it were his own name being called.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” he said, “it is the State Attorney, +Wenk, speaking from Munich.</p> + +<p>“A little open car has just gone by very rapidly +in the Lindau direction. Two persons were in it, +but not clearly recognized.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you. Hold on a minute. There will +be a second car through.”</p> + +<p>Wenk waited, hearing in the suspended lines +all the sounds occurring through the night between +Munich and a little place like Hergatz, which he +had never yet visited.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[264]</span>“Are you still connected?” he asked after a +while.</p> + +<p>“Yes, sir.”</p> + +<p>“Hasn’t the second car come through?”</p> + +<p>“Not yet, sir.”</p> + +<p>After a time he inquired again, and once more +he was told No.</p> + +<p>A quarter of an hour later he rang up Hergatz +again, and the official said that no second car +had been seen.</p> + +<p>Wenk opened out the map again and made +a feverish search. Yes: Buchenberg—Isny—Gestratz—Opfenbach +... there was Hergatz! +And behind Isny there was a highroad leading +to Wangen and the Würtemberg district, or on +the left another leading to Austria.</p> + +<p>He rang up Wangen, but there was no answer. +He repeated the call, and after storming for ten +minutes he tried again, but still in vain. He +had left Wangen out of his reckoning and made +no plans concerning it, and in the direction of +Austria he could give no orders, for the power of +his lever did not extend so far. A car had disappeared +from his ken; a car had been stolen +from him in the night, snatched away in the darkness +from the strange, unfriendly, gloom-surrounded +streets.</p> + +<p>And then he thought again that the large car +might have had a breakdown. Yes, it must have +been so, and that was why the smaller car had +two people in it, when there was only one at the +previous stage. This new circumstance need not +worry him. His luck was not going to desert him: +he trusted to it, and it would not fail.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[265]</span>He rang up Schachen. “There will probably +be only one car. Let it arrive, and then wait +twenty minutes to see whether the other one comes, +and surround the villa on all sides. Then deliver +your blow, as hard as you can!”</p> + +<p>Scarcely had he finished speaking when the +telephone rang once more, and the last stage—the +Enisweiler railway-station—was heard speaking. +A small, open car had turned off the Lindau-Friedrichshafen +road, and was rapidly approaching +Schachen. Two people were in it.</p> + +<p>It was all complete! Wenk himself could do +nothing more now. He would have to wait. +Perhaps in a few moments now the fight on the +lake-side which his tactics had prepared might +be going on. He ordered them not to wait for +the second car, but to enter the villa immediately +after the arrival of the occupants of the first one, +to seize and handcuff them, extinguish the lights, +and wait a full hour for the second one. He +looked at his watch, and laid it on the table +before him. It was now 3.18 a.m.</p> + +<p>He felt a twitching in the muscles of hands +and feet and a throbbing in his brain. It seemed +as if a whirlwind of pain were rising from his +hips to his head, remaining there a while, and +then taking the same direction again and again, +times without number.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">[266]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XVIII</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Spoerri</span> had fetched the Countess from the villa +in the western suburbs, which she had occupied +but half an hour, and hurried off with her in the +car. Mabuse, in his light little two-seater, had +caught up the heavier car between Kaufbeuren +and Günzburg, and both drove on without stopping. +This had all been arranged between them long +before. Where the road to Wangen diverged from +the Lindau road, the large car ahead came to a +standstill, and the little car drove close up. The +Countess was transferred; Mabuse drove on, and +Spoerri took the road leading to Austria.</p> + +<p>Mabuse had arranged that at this point their +roads should separate. Spoerri should reach +Switzerland by way of the Rhine. Each of them +must leave an address in Zürich with Dr. +Ebenhügel, who could then exchange them. +Mabuse, with the Countess, would drive to the +Villa Elise, where George, who had been instructed +by pigeon-post, would be waiting with the chest +containing the securities and the jewels Mabuse +would take with him on his flight. Then the +three of them would immediately cross the lake +to Luxburg, where a motor would be in waiting, +and proceed along the Romanshorn main road +to Zürich. There would be a brief stop at +Zürich for the transaction of business.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">[267]</span>It was likely that the authorities in Bavaria +would ask the Swiss ones to search for the +fugitives, and therefore Mabuse wanted to make +his stay in Switzerland as brief as possible, and +to push on to the Italian frontier. He had had +passes for himself and the Countess prepared in +a Portuguese surname. An Italian official had +been bribed, and by his help all difficulties +disappeared as chaff before the wind.</p> + +<p>The Countess sat at the back of the car, +behind its high body. In front of her Mabuse, +sitting at the wheel, seemed like some monumental +image. In the uncertain light the outlines of his +powerful figure stood out with ghostly effect. +There was not the slightest movement to be seen, +and from her seat behind he looked like a block +of granite, seen standing alone in a meadow.</p> + +<p>They sped by highways, villages, hamlets, and +then the waters of the lake gleamed in the night. +A few lights at intervals on its shores, shapes +appearing and disappearing in the darkness, dimly +suggesting human beings, a change in the air +one breathed ... two villages appearing to float +like illuminated ships upon the water ... there +was Switzerland already.</p> + +<p>Lindau lay to the side, and their car was now +racing along roads bordered by country villas. +And then came the last minute. The car bounded +across the track to the Enisweiler station, and +rushed forward to the Villa Elise. At the first +glance Mabuse’s sharp eyes saw that the gates +opening on to the drive stood wide open.</p> + +<p>The pigeon-post had arrived safely and in +good time then. He felt as if the impetuous<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[268]</span> +haste with which he had driven hither in the +darkness had yielded him a fresh sensation. It +was now just before 3.30 a.m., and he kept his +senses constantly on the alert without slackening +his speed. When he was about to turn into the +drive, he pressed the brakes hard for a moment +before allowing the car to run its course; it held +up for an instant, then, veering round, went straight +through the gates and turned towards the garden.</p> + +<p>Just then he felt something spring on to the +car. On the clutch side, springing over the door, +a form squeezed down on the outer side of Mabuse. +Two hands covered his own, snatched the steering-gear +from him, and a wild, hoarse, impressive +voice whispered, “Doctor, I’m here: it’s George. +Give me the wheel. We are surrounded. Straight +forward into the lake....”</p> + +<p>Mabuse yielded the wheel and let go the brakes. +Under its new guide the car dashed ahead, +thundered round the grey walls of the villa, +abruptly turned a corner, got on to a grass-plot, +and raced frantically across it, along the sloping +gravel patch to the wall which divided the lake +from the garden above. Through the gate in +the wall it leaped like a wild horse and then +clattered down the inclined wooden footway, the +boards thundering beneath it. A moment later +its nose was in the water and the lake hissing +around it.</p> + +<p>George leant forward as quick as lightning and +gripped levers, Mabuse helping him. The night +re-echoed the Countess’s cry, and then the vehicle, +tottering slightly at first, but slowly righting itself, +went onward over the surface of the water.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[269]</span>“Splendid!” cried George. “It is working +like magic!”</p> + +<p>This car was an invention of his own. It could +be driven straight from the highroad into the water +without stopping, and a couple of levers turned +it at once into a motor-boat.</p> + +<p>“It is the pigeons that have done the mischief,” +said George, when he had gained thorough control +of his vessel. “After they arrived in the dark, +about an hour ago, I seemed to hear whispering +voices behind a shrubbery. I looked very carefully +round, and thought I noticed a movement going +all round the park. In one place, and then twenty +paces further on, and then twenty paces beyond +that again, in a circle, the whole way round, so +then I knew we were surrounded. However, I +managed to get to the gate leading to the garden +without being seen. It took me fifty minutes to +do the hundred yards. If we had not had this +car, we should now be sitting handcuffed inside +the Villa Elise.”</p> + +<p>The constables, who had distributed themselves +with all possible precautions about the villa, and +had taken four hours to complete the ring around +it, one after another taking up his position, had +heard the car thundering along through the silent +night. They lay in tense expectation at their +posts, awaiting the whistle which should summon +them to the house to fall upon the criminals.</p> + +<p>Just an hour before there had been a slight +interruption. A bird had suddenly flown through +a tree and disappeared beneath the eaves. One +of the constables close to the house had noticed +it. He had seen the bird fluttering about the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">[270]</span> +roof and then suddenly disappearing without having +flown away elsewhere. His conjecture that it was +a carrier-pigeon was soon confirmed by the appearance +of a second bird, which also disappeared +in the eaves. The constable stole softly to the +inspector and announced what he had seen and +suspected. The latter saw at once what this might +indicate. Poldringer had received warning from +Munich, from the fugitives. He therefore ordered +a constable to proceed with the utmost caution +from one outpost to another and relate the fact, +saying that those in the house had probably been +warned, and that they must redouble their precautions +and at the same time be prepared for +stronger resistance.</p> + +<p>The movements of the constable as he went +from post to post had put George on his guard.... +Mabuse’s car reached the grounds, and the +inspector’s quivering fingers were already raising +the whistle to his mouth. At the moment when +the occupants of the car should have left it and +be about to close the door of the house behind +them, he meant to give the signal. Two detectives +were lying concealed in the shrubs to the left +of the front door, and could reach it before the +key was even turned in the lock, but the inspector +gave no sign.</p> + +<p>The car rushed round the corner, not stopping +at the door. It tore frantically round the house +as if about to rush pell-mell into the Lake. The +inspector, forgetting all caution in the excitement +and disappointment of the moment, sprang forward +after it, and saw that it actually did disappear +in the water. Like a sinister amphibian it leaped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">[271]</span> +over the low wall, thundered down the wooden +footway and sprang into the Lake.</p> + +<p>Then at last he blew his whistle, and the posse +of constables came running from all directions, +knocking up against each other.</p> + +<p>“To the shore!” shouted the sergeant.</p> + +<p>There was no car to be seen anywhere. About +two hundred yards from the shore the engines of +a motor-boat could be heard in the darkness. +They searched beneath the roadway, up and down +the lake-side, dazed and disappointed, but in vain.</p> + +<p>Then at last the inspector realized what must +have happened. The unceasing efforts, strain and +hopes of an entire month had come to nought. His +prize capture had escaped him. He was so +absolutely disheartened by this maddening thought +that he unconsciously pressed to his temples the +revolver that he held ready-cocked in his hand, +as if his very life must be forfeit through the +failure of his enterprise. A moment later he +lowered the revolver, and the ball, singeing his +hair, fell harmless into the night. Upon the Lake +a light shone out. Further on, another. The +shot had aroused the attention of the spy-boats.</p> + +<p>Not till then did the inspector remember these +allies, whom in his first access of despair he had +completely forgotten. “Bring Morse lamps!” he +cried. How <i>could</i> he have overlooked the motor-boats?</p> + +<p>Immediately flashes were sent to the two boats: +“The fugitives have escaped, and are on a motor-boat +on the lake.”</p> + +<p>“All right,” was flashed back, and a few minutes +later powerful searchlights were directed towards<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[272]</span> +the lake. It was not long before they had located +the escaping boat. But they had also warned +it, for at that very moment it was about to run +into them.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Mabuse and George were at once aware of +their danger. The two searchlights advancing on +them seemed like the open jaws of a monster +approaching to devour them. George steered to +larboard, and the boat settled its course in a +new direction. The water streamed over the +rudder and gleamed about them, frothing in the +darkness. “There is only one way,” said Mabuse +in a low voice, “the Rhine estuary.”</p> + +<p>He considered the matter coolly and boldly. +He was once more in a situation quite familiar +to him, because he had lived through and overcome +it countless times in imagination. On the +German shore, whither they could easily return, +everyone would be on the lookout for them. On +the Austrian shore there was only Bregenz, shown +up clearly by the searchlights. Between these +two regions there was a large and very sparsely +inhabited territory around the Rhine estuary. In +twenty minutes they could reach land and then +make their choice between Switzerland and Austria. +If they were lucky enough to run their vehicle +on to land again as easily as they had run it +into the water, they would have sufficient start +to make their escape certain.</p> + +<p>One of the pursuing boats, however, lay right +out in the lake. It seemed to guess at the +fugitives’ intentions, for it did not follow them in +a direct line, but remained to starboard, keeping<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[273]</span> +abreast of them near the Swiss shore, as if awaiting +a favourable opportunity to intercept them.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it only wanted to keep between them +and Switzerland. The searchlights from both boats +met above Mabuse’s. The first faint traces of +daylight were already appearing. Firing was heard +behind them. One of the boats now followed +in their wake, but at a little distance to the rear. +The two pursuing boats exchanged Morse signals +with each other.</p> + +<p>For a time George steered a zigzag course, +the vehicle swaying hither and thither with the +constantly changing displacement of the rudder. +George wanted to make it appear that he was +trying to break through to the Swiss shore, but +he, too, was excited by the searchlights. He did +not succeed in getting out of their glare for more +than a few moments at a time. The boat which +was astern only went so slowly now because it +was solely concerned with keeping them under +view and cutting off their retreat to the German +shore. The Morse signals used were secret ones, +and neither Mabuse nor George could make them +out although, through their frequent trips by water, +they were fairly well acquainted with such things.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the boat to the starboard side of them +extinguished its searchlight. Above the infernal +noise made by their own motor they could hear +the engine of this boat ahead, its sound growing +shriller and nearer. Their own motor was exerting +its utmost pressure. The shooting had now +ceased, and above the sounds made by their boat +another noise could be heard. Mabuse bent +forward towards it, listening with all his ears, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_274">[274]</span> +searchlight falling full upon him. He still wore +the police uniform which had made his escape +possible.</p> + +<p>At first the Countess had lain in the boat +half-conscious. The shots, the droning of the +engines, the haste and excitement of the men beside +her, had gradually awakened her, and she began +to grasp what was happening. She, too, heard, +above the throbbing of the engines, a second +sound. She sat up, holding her head over the side +whence it came, and listened intently.</p> + +<p>“What is that?” she asked Mabuse, who was +standing near, planted firmly on the deck with his +back to the engine and appearing entirely at ease. +He could be clearly seen in the searchlight with +his hand on the gunwale, listening intently.</p> + +<p>“Nothing!” he hissed; “be quiet!”</p> + +<p>“What is it?” she asked again in a sharper +tone, and there was something in the sound of +her voice that had not been heard for a long +time. It seemed as if a stone that had long lain +at her heart were now being dissolved into a +mass of pulp. To this feeling, still but half-conscious, +she yielded herself more and more. By +degrees she appeared to realize what was happening +within her. Then, rising and standing in +front of Mabuse, she suddenly cried out, “Now, +at last....”</p> + +<p>The sounds of the water and the night stole +over her like a joy beyond bound or measure. +Eagerly she absorbed with heart and mind the +light, sweet rustle they made, and she perceived +that every moment they became more pronounced. +At last she understood. The pursuer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">[275]</span> +was advancing rapidly upon them, and came ever +nearer....</p> + +<p>“What do you mean by that ‘at last’?” asked +Mabuse roughly. “Sit down and keep quiet!”</p> + +<p>“What is that sound we hear?” she said in a +ringing voice.</p> + +<p>“Death—perhaps!” answered Mabuse calmly.</p> + +<p>“For <i>you</i>!” cried the woman facing him, above +the swirling of the waters. “I shall be able to +shake you off at last. I shall be saved from +you. The werwolf will be caught, and your power +over me and over others be at an end!”</p> + +<p>“I will soon show you that,” said Mabuse, +advancing and bending over her; and then what +happened came so quickly that she could scarcely +distinguish the movements.</p> + +<p>“George!” called Mabuse, the one word only, +and then he unfastened the police uniform which +concealed his clothing and threw it towards George, +who at once donned it and stood near the Countess, +exposing himself to the searchlight, while Mabuse +took his place at the wheel.</p> + +<p>They heard a shout close to them. “Halt!” +cried a voice from out the sounds her eager ears +had been absorbing. “Halt!” A shot whizzed +in the air, and an echo resounded.</p> + +<p>George fired in return. The boat gave an upward +lurch and then suddenly two high dams +enclosed it. Where was the lake? Where was +the wide expanse of night? There was a rustling +sound, and a beating against the spring tides of +the Rhine. The searchlight had disappeared, and +a soft, warm mist covered the stream and the +dams. They were smooth as railway lines,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_276">[276]</span> +and a bridge lay diagonally above them. The +throbbing of the engine resounded from its arched +vault.</p> + +<p>Then a sudden movement flung the Countess +to the ground. The boat sprang up into the +air with a loud report, but the woman was caught +as she fell; she could feel herself lifted; someone +held her, and ran swiftly with her; her cries +were stifled, and a red mist swam before her eyes.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>George lay on the shore, one arm broken. +With the sound one he felt for the police helmet +and crammed it down on his head. The fall had +stunned him slightly, but he could have escaped; +nevertheless, he lay still.</p> + +<p>It was not long before he saw two revolvers +levelled at him. Two electric torches glared before +his eyes. “We’ve got the one in uniform!” said +a voice. George kept quite quiet. He was carried +from the land into a boat and fettered to a +thwart. The engine started, and the boat drove +across the lake back to Schachen.</p> + +<p>The day was dawning when George reached +the wooden landing-stage once more. They took +him into the villa and locked him into a room +with barred windows, out of which he could not +escape, even had two men not been in charge of +him.</p> + +<p>The inspector said to himself, “Thank God, we +have caught him at last, and in his police uniform +too! thank God!”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>At five o’clock that morning Wenk left Munich +in a hydroplane, landing two hours later at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">[277]</span> +Schachen. He flew up the stairs of the Villa +Elise to reach the room where the imprisoned +robber-king was waiting ... waiting for <i>him</i>, +the conqueror!</p> + +<p>“Here is Dr. Mabuse,” called out the inspector, +advancing towards him. “We have him safe at +last, thank God!”</p> + +<p>Wenk, jubilant, victorious, and intoxicated with +success, entered the room and saw the man in +police uniform fast bound to his chair.</p> + +<p>“Where is he?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“There ... on that chair!”</p> + +<p>Wenk looked at the man more closely. He +knew it already: his quarry had escaped! Back +into the endless, the dark and empty night, everything +fell once more, and at first he could neither +hear nor speak a word.</p> + +<p>Suddenly the inspector said, “But that is +Poldringer, the man we’ve been watching all these +weeks!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, that is Poldringer,” answered Wenk +heavily. Mabuse had escaped.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">[278]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XIX</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mabuse</span> hastily carried the insensible woman from +the bank of the Rhine channel to the nearest +house. It was that of an osier-binder.</p> + +<p>“We have had an accident,” said Mabuse, and +then seated himself at the window to watch the +approach.</p> + +<p>When an hour had gone by thus, and the +Countess opened her eyes again, Mabuse noticed +that she started on recognizing him and turned +away, overcome with dread. He went hastily towards +her and, stooping down, he whispered, “We +are saved! We are irrevocably bound together!”</p> + +<p>The whispered words impressed her with a +certain sense of comfort and security. She no +longer withstood him, and soon sat up, the peasant’s +wife promising to look after her.</p> + +<p>Mabuse sought for the nearest village on the +map. Then he went thither, in security, knowing +that he was not being followed. George had remained +as the victim of the pursuer’s vengeance, +and he was saved. The other’s fate was due +to the little trick of the police uniform.</p> + +<p>The village was not more than twenty minutes’ +distance, and in an inn he found a telephone. +He ordered coffee, and then rang up Zürich. In<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">[279]</span> +half an hour’s time the call came through, and +asking who was there, he was answered, “Dr. +Ebenhügel, Zürich.”</p> + +<p>“Has Spoerri arrived?” he inquired.</p> + +<p>“Spoerri has just come: he is still here;” and +Spoerri rushed to the telephone.</p> + +<p>“Spoerri, I’ve had a misfortune. George is +taken, but we have escaped. Bring the car here +at once, and put in a travelling dress and coat +for my wife. I shall expect you at 2 p.m. at the +Au railway-station in the Rhine Valley.”</p> + +<p>“Very good, sir,” replied Spoerri.</p> + +<p>“I called her my wife, and said it quite coolly +and intentionally,” mused Mabuse, dallying with +the thought, which yet seemed to imply something +like a fetter; but he dismissed the idea, +saying, “She <i>is</i> my wife, my own property!... +It is true, she <i>is</i> mine.”</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Spoerri arrived punctually. “I shall drive you +through the Engadine direct to the Italian frontier,” +he said, when Mabuse had told him all that had +occurred. But to that proposal Mabuse merely +uttered one word: “No!”</p> + +<p>“But, Doctor,” Spoerri pleaded, “you can’t +remain in Switzerland. The Munich police have +informed the authorities here of your movements. +We shouldn’t get even as far as Toggeburg. It +would be almost better to return to Germany.”</p> + +<p>“And that’s exactly what I mean to do! +Spoerri, from this day forward the State Attorney’s +life stands under my protection. You are to +revoke my earlier orders to the Removal Committee +at once.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">[280]</span>“You are going in for a remarkable friendship, +Doctor,” tittered Spoerri.</p> + +<p>“He is to remain absolutely under my protection!” +repeated Mabuse, and they drove through +the flat marsh-land back to the peasant’s hut.</p> + +<p>The Countess got into the car, and they were +soon hastening to the Austrian frontier. “What +sort of passports have you for us?” asked Mabuse.</p> + +<p>“Swiss ones: please take them,” answered +Spoerri, handing over documents with many visas, +calculated to arouse a confidence which was constantly +abused yet remained unconscious of the +fact.</p> + +<p>Three hours later the car was driving along +the highroad leading from Bregenz to Kempten. +It drove past a house from which, the night before, +a message had been flashed through to Munich +telling of its passing, and went towards Würtemberg. +The travellers spent the night in a village +south of Stuttgart.</p> + +<p>In the evening Mabuse went to Spoerri’s room, +and said to him: “There is just one thing left +for me to do in Germany, in Europe ... and +that is to get hold of that lawyer, the State +Attorney, Wenk, alive. I want him <i>alive</i>, mark +you! as much alive as a fly under a glass. The +Countess and I are staying here to-morrow. +You will go to Stuttgart and buy, whatever the +price may be, a two-seater aeroplane. We are +quite safe here. The landlord did not even register +us, so if the police appear he is bound to hold +his tongue, or else he will be fined. Have you +any brandy?”</p> + +<p>Spoerri shrank back in dismay; his martyrdom<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">[281]</span> +was about to begin again. Nevertheless, he had +smuggled three bottles out of Switzerland.</p> + +<p>“Of course you have some brandy!” said +Mabuse, before he could even answer.</p> + +<p>Mabuse drank from the travelling cup which +he always carried in his pocket, and Spoerri had +to fill the toothglass on the washhandstand.</p> + +<p>Mabuse was longing for a carouse, a really +heavy carouse which should seize him by the +throat and press him under the water, as if he +were being given a millstone for a swimming +belt. When he had emptied the second bottle, +he saw that he was not likely to get his wish.</p> + +<p>“Haven’t you any more?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“That’s all there is. I couldn’t venture to +bring any more across the frontier.”</p> + +<p>Mabuse laughed satirically. “That’s fine. +Here is Spoerri, who has brought three railway +vans full of salvarsan, two of cocaine, enough +prostitutes to fill three brothels across the frontier, +yet he hasn’t enough courage to bring more than +three bottles of brandy! Empty your glass into +mine. Don’t your wages include the getting of +brandy?”</p> + +<p>When the third bottle had been emptied Mabuse, +clear-headed as ever, but more hot-blooded, went +back to the room next his own, occupied by the +Countess. He was out of sorts, and resembled +an engine that had been run too fast, so that the +heat had covered the glowing cylinders with vapour, +and they could not be set in motion.</p> + +<p>He approached the Countess’s bed. “You and +I had come to an understanding together. You<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">[282]</span> +have broken through it: you were ready to betray +me!”</p> + +<p>“I was!” said the Countess in a low voice.</p> + +<p>Then ungovernable fury seemed to possess the +man. He snatched her from the bed, and as he +seized her, lifted her high in the air as if he were +going to dash her in pieces against the wall like +rotting timber. At that moment he hated her; +she was the embodiment of all his weaknesses. +For ten long minutes, when the patrol-boat was +on their track, the power of his will over her had +ceased, and now, when he wanted to destroy her +and would have dashed against the wall the head +that defied him, he could not do it.</p> + +<p>With a low cry the woman found herself held +on high, and realized the strength of arm and +indomitable will-power of the being to whom she +was secretly—and yet irrevocably—bound. She +longed for death. Softly she repeated a fragment +or two of a prayer learnt in her childhood’s days, +and she knew that if she were to die now she +would draw this man also to his death.</p> + +<p>But Mabuse, conscious of his power over the +woman he held aloft in his grasp, suddenly came +to himself again. Once more he realized that he +was alive, was safe, and felt a fierce joy in the +knowledge and in his possession of her. Almost +gently he laid her down, and the poor woman, +condemned afresh to a life of humiliation and +degradation, was at the mercy of the tyrant +who dominated her, and from whose power there +was now no escape. She lay wide-eyed and tearless +till the dawn, her only desire for floods and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">[283]</span> +floods of tears wherein to drown for ever the misery +of her existence.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>On the morning of the following day Mabuse +flew with her from Stuttgart to Berlin.</p> + +<p>There, caught in the toils of the mighty city, +among those whose instincts he developed and +used to his own ends, he lived, bent on one aim +alone. One idea presented itself with ever-increasing +intensity, one vision swam ever before +his eyes, intoxicating him with a fury of desire. +His phantasies, his strivings, and the goal before +him gained their force because born of the strongest +impulse within him, his lust for power!</p> + +<p>There was one man in the world who had set +himself to follow his path, had discovered him +in his own territory, and dislodged him from his +fortress. There was one alone who had dared to +disturb his plans, to oblige him to undertake a +flight in which his life had been in danger. It +was due to this man’s efforts that the State had +interfered with his schemes for getting rid of +those whom his imperious will desired to remove +from his path.</p> + +<p>From the woman who had first moved him +to the very depths of his being he had wrested +all the power of will with which her personality +resisted him. It was his pride to know that. +He had taken her being, her beauty, her independence, +her exclusiveness, and grappled them +to himself, and this work of his was the very +highest spiritual expression of his powers and +capabilities. But between him and her there was +a period of ten minutes in which she had escaped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">[284]</span> +his domination, in which he had to renounce his +claim to this symbol of his superhuman force. +And that period of time, that barren, useless part +of his life, he owed to the power of this one +man.</p> + +<p>His flight from Germany with this woman and +his journey across the Atlantic had been so +minutely prepared in all its details that only death +could intervene. His empire of Citopomar, with +its virgin forests, tigers, rattlesnakes, where death +lay in wait at every moment, its mountains and +its waterfalls and its rare exotic growths, was +waiting for him, waiting to set him free from +Europe, to offer him a new life. Any day might +see him crowned as emperor.</p> + +<p>But he would eat of Dead Sea fruit for the +rest of his life, did he take possession of his +realm before he had seized upon this man with +all the full force of his lust for power and his +deadly hatred, had held him within his grasp and +annihilated him. Between him and Wenk it was +a struggle for existence, and he could know no +peace while the other lived.</p> + +<p>Once, when the thoughts surging within him +would no longer be controlled, he replied to the +Countess’s inquiry as to when they would leave +Germany, “I shall catch him alive. I shall +catch him like a bird in the snare. He will +flutter helpless into my hands. Not till then do +I go.”</p> + +<p>She turned away afraid, guessing the man +he meant. Since that moment of her resistance +and hope of escape she seemed to have become +more subdued than ever, falling deeper under his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">[285]</span> +demon spell. She did not venture to oppose or +question more.</p> + +<p>Mabuse’s enterprise with regard to Wenk developed +slowly. But steadily and surely the net +around him was tightening....</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Wenk was in Munich again. George had been +imprisoned there, and he played the rôle of a +deaf mute. No one had heard a word from him +since his arrest. He was confronted with the +constables and tradespeople from Schachen who +had seen him for many weeks, with the young +fellows whom he had tried to hand over to the +Foreign Legion, all of whom instantly recognized +him, but he did not utter a word.</p> + +<p>One morning they found he had hanged himself +with his braces. He had written one word +on the wall of his cell, the word that one of +Napoleon’s generals had made renowned after he +had lost the battle of Waterloo.</p> + +<p>An exhaustive search in the Villa Elise brought +little to light. It merely revealed proofs that +Mabuse employed the money obtained by gambling +or theft to carry on smuggling and profiteering +on a gigantic scale. The police worked side by +side with the Swiss authorities, for it was believed +that Mabuse must be in Switzerland, or at any +rate that he had passed through. Wenk went +once a fortnight to Zürich. Now and then one +of Mabuse’s gang was caught, but all were so +thoroughly schooled that no word of betrayal +escaped them.</p> + +<p>News reached Wenk from Frankfurt that a +gambler was at work there, whose description so<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">[286]</span> +closely resembled Mabuse that Wenk travelled +thither at once, but when he arrived there was no +trace of the man to be found. Three days later +there was a report of a similar kind from Cologne, +then from Düsseldorf, and later both from Essen +and Hanover.</p> + +<p>Wenk went hither and thither, not doubting in +his own mind that he was indeed on the track +of Mabuse. The latter must have spies in +Munich who watched and reported Wenk’s movements. +Knowing that he was followed, he took +every possible precaution, and employed all the +cunning at his command. On his journeys he +made use of trains, cars, aeroplanes indiscriminately. +Since he could not help suspecting that +Mabuse had accomplices among his own subordinates, +Wenk watched these very closely. He +changed his chauffeur and his housekeeper, altered +his address and his telephone number, took rooms +in a hotel, or lodged with friends in the suburbs. +But as soon as he arrived at the town where the +gambler had been seen, he found he had vanished +without trace of any kind, only to reappear a +few days later in some other part. The whole +country already rang with reports of the existence +and operations of the robber-king. Dr. Mabuse, +the gambler! It was like a ballad, expressing +the devilry and defiance of all who offered resistance +to existing law and order, and it spread +from place to place.</p> + +<p>In all the towns the police arrested men in +gangs, but when the criminals were sorted out, +this man, whose capture was worth more to them +than all the rest, was never to be found. Suddenly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">[287]</span> +it struck Wenk that Mabuse must be making his +way by a circuitous route to Berlin. From his +superior officers Wenk obtained permission to leave +Bavaria, and got in touch with the Prussian courts +of justice, and these appointed him to Berlin on +special duty.</p> + +<p>He at once travelled thither and took lodgings +in the Central district. Mabuse saw him arrive +at the railway-station, and an hour later he knew +where he was staying. At last he had him +within reach, in the place where he desired to +accomplish his scheme of revenge and towards +which he had been working, for Mabuse in reality +had never left Berlin. In all the towns to which +Wenk had travelled in search of the gambler, +Mabuse had doubles, persons of his own gang, +instructed by him. Munich was too small for +the scheme Mabuse had in hand. The abysses +of Berlin would be a safer hunting-ground, and +the hunt began on the very next day.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>That day Wenk had been describing to a junior +colleague in the Berlin police his course of action +in “the Mabuse case.” They had talked about +it together, discussing a plan of operation, but the +only conclusion they had come to was that the +gambler should be allowed to show his own hand +first. To aim at him in the dark would be likely +to reveal to him prematurely the whereabouts of +his pursuers.</p> + +<p>In the evening, when Wenk had taken a meal +in the “Traube” restaurant, he visited a café, +and then, tired out by his long discussion, he +sought his lodgings. There a man accosted<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">[288]</span> +him, standing in a doorway removed from the +light.</p> + +<p>“If you please, sir ...” said he.</p> + +<p>“What do you want?” asked Wenk reluctantly.</p> + +<p>“Would some cocaine be useful to you, sir?”</p> + +<p>Wenk went on without vouchsafing a reply, +and he noticed that the man followed him, but +when he came to the busy Friedrichstrasse he +lost sight of him.</p> + +<p>Wenk soon took himself to task for having let +the man escape him thus. He ought to have got +into touch with this pedlar of illicit wares, for +he belonged to the same stock as Mabuse. He +was half inclined to go back, but the feeling of +weariness was too strong for him and he went +home.</p> + +<p>The next night he took the same way home +from the restaurant, but the man was not there. +Wenk lingered here and there, and then, as he +approached his lodgings near the Police Market, +a man came out of an entry towards him, saying +in a whisper, “Do you want to see some nude +dances?”</p> + +<p>Wenk stopped still, saying, “You have come +just at the right time. I don’t belong to Berlin, +and I should like to see the real night-life of +this city just for once. Where are your dancers? +Go ahead!”</p> + +<p>“Follow me, then. I’ll go in front, and when +you see me go in somewhere, you come quick, +guv’nor, ’cos of the peelers!”</p> + +<p>Wenk promised to follow his lead. The man +went round the corner, listened to see if he were<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">[289]</span> +following, and then went on again. Suddenly +he disappeared. Wenk went a few steps straight +on. The man must have gone into one of the +entries near, and he walked slowly, expecting to +find him, and looking round about. Suddenly +he heard the man’s voice behind him, speaking +low and reproachfully: “I don’t call that quick, +guv’nor. You’ll have the bobbies after you if +you can’t be more spry. Come on here, then!” +and the man pulled him into a house standing far +back. The door opened on to a dark corridor, +and silently and unawares it closed behind him, +while the corridor was lighted up in the same +instant. This corridor led into a little living-room, +and that again into a hall crowded with +people. Two gentlemen sitting near the door made +room for Wenk beside them. His guide had +disappeared.</p> + +<p>What Wenk saw was a simple performance, +deriving its interest only from the secrecy with +which it was performed.</p> + +<p>He heard the conversation of the two men at +his table. One of them said, “The only thing +that interests me is how this entertainer manages +to get a hundred or more persons here, year in +and year out, without the police finding it out. +Now, as an expert, you just tell me that!”</p> + +<p>The other answered in German that sounded unfamiliar, +“Well, you can’t really tell whether +it is known to the police or not. There are such +places winked at by the police because they are +traps for criminals—yes, really traps set for them. +Now in Budapest....”</p> + +<p>Wenk listened eagerly. The gentlemen went<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">[290]</span> +on talking, drawing him naturally into their conversation. +They disclosed their calling, and then +gave their names. One of the gentlemen was, +as Wenk had conjectured, a highly placed police +official. They frequently met each other. The +Hungarian told of various interesting and complicated +cases occurring during the practice of +his profession. He described the Budapest haunts +of crime, touched on the many secret gaming-houses +which had sprung up so quickly everywhere +since the war, and waxed eloquent against +the ever-increasing boldness displayed by criminals +and the mob generally.</p> + +<p>Wenk, with a certain unconfessed distrust, +talked very warily, saying that he was only on +leave in Berlin, for the scene of his activities +lay in Munich. But Berlin, as the hotbed of +crime, afforded a good field of study for a +Munich criminal prosecutor. He touched lightly +on the existence of Mabuse, though without naming +him, and related some of his bold and shameless +crimes.</p> + +<p>“Just lately,” said the man from Budapest, +interrupting him, “we took into custody a similar +adventurer, and we did it by curious and not +exactly legal methods, but we got no further in +any other way. With us in Hungary, as it is +with you here, the assistance of hypnotism in the +detection of crime is forbidden. We had the +man of whom we were almost certain—but, my +dear sir, you won’t betray me, I am sure, for +the professional interest you feel in putting an +end to such aberrations is just as strong in me—well, +we were practically certain that he was the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">[291]</span> +leader of a gang which had several murders to +their account. He was in prison, as I have told +you. He made himself out a deaf mute, and we +could glean nothing from his papers. No one +knew him, yet we felt almost sure of our man, +and that kind of thing is almost unbearable to +an expert, isn’t it?—for when he appeared before +their worships, there was the risk of his being +acquitted for lack of sufficient evidence. That +was a most disagreeable idea to me, for I had +spent about six months in tracking him down, +and if he were discharged the mistake would be +due to me. I therefore took a very bold step. +A friend of mine had hypnotic powers. He was a +barrister, and had often displayed these gifts of +his in private. I wanted him to go to the jail +with me, but he said, ‘I can operate on him from +outside,’ and, indeed, a quarter of an hour later +I knew that we had the leader of the gang at last, +and various disclosures were made which shortly +after sent him to the gallows.”</p> + +<p>While the Hungarian was telling this story +Wenk experienced an aversion to him. He had +a sensation of profound mental resistance to the +man, although he could not explain what had +caused such a reversal of feeling.</p> + +<p>“Are you also interested in persons who possess +this gift of suggestion?” asked the police superintendent.</p> + +<p>“Uncommonly so!” answered Wenk.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps you would like to meet my friend, +and see something of his gifts?”</p> + +<p>“Is he in Berlin, then? Yes, that I certainly +should!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">[292]</span>“Yes, he’s here now. He has given up +practising law, and now exercises his gifts openly. +He has very quickly become celebrated. You +must have heard the name of Weltmann?”</p> + +<p>Wenk did not like to say No, so he answered +with a subdued “Certainly!”</p> + +<p>“Well, he is the celebrated Weltmann. You +know he is noticeable on account of his having +only one hand. He lost the other in the Carpathians +in 1915. Well, we’ll arrange a meeting, +then. I will see him in the morning. Are you +on the telephone by any chance?”</p> + +<p>Wenk mentioned his telephone number. Both +the gentlemen then left, to go to a house where +ether, cocaine and opium were procurable, and +other more obvious vices were pandered to.</p> + +<p>On the very next day Wenk was summoned +to the telephone. “Police Superintendent Vörös +speaking! Things have fallen out most favourably +for you, my dear sir! In the home of one of +our countrymen, about whom I will tell you a few +things in confidence, Weltmann is giving an entertainment +this very evening. It is quite enough +for you to have expressed the wish; you may +consider yourself invited, without any further +formality. It is a most hospitable house, and +you won’t feel yourself in any way a stranger. +There are between sixty and seventy people invited. +I’ll undertake all the arrangements, and +if it suits you I’ll come in a car for you at nine +o’clock. The villa is some distance out behind +Nicholas Lake.”</p> + +<p>“Thank you very much. Your kindness overwhelms +me,” answered Wenk, “and I do not know +how to requite it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">[293]</span>“Oh, <i>that’s</i> all right,” answered the other +heartily. “We Hungarians are only too pleased +to have such a chance. Then we can regard that +as settled?”</p> + +<p>“Quite, thank you!”</p> + +<p>“How very amiable the Hungarians are,” +thought Wenk, as he hung up the receiver. He +felt quite ashamed of himself for having had a +doubt of the police superintendent’s good faith.</p> + +<p>He spent the afternoon among the archives of +the Criminal Investigation Department, where he +and the colleague with whom he had talked concerning +the Mabuse crimes looked through the +collection of photographs of criminals. Face after +face drew his attention. He would not give up +until he had seen them all, and when he came +back to his lodgings, tired out with his protracted +labours, he had only just time to don his evening +clothes in readiness for the function he was to +attend.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">[294]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XX</h2> +</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Police Superintendent Vörös</span> was punctual.</p> + +<p>“Now I must tell you something about our +host and my fellow-countrymen out there by the +Lake,” he said directly the car started. “He +was formerly Prince of Komor and Komorek, and +he married a Viennese dancer. Of course, his +people were furious! They made things so disagreeable +for him that one day he said, ‘All +right: you’ve gone too far. You’ve done with +your Prince. From to-day I am plain Komorek,’ +and then he wandered off. He was very rich, +anyhow, and not in any way dependent on his +people. The only thing that is still ‘princely’ +about him is his mansion out yonder. You will +see it for yourself. He’s been living there for +ten years now. His wife is very smart and exclusive—more +exclusive than a princess. Of +course, she is no longer young. Have you had +your evening meal?”</p> + +<p>“No, I had no time.”</p> + +<p>“Well, that does not matter. At Komorek’s +house they are always ready for guests. You’ll +get something good to eat there.”</p> + +<p>Wenk asked himself, “Why is the man so +talkative?” and once more his feeling of repulsion +for the Hungarian regained its sway. He +was inwardly both excited and uneasy, and in spite<span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">[295]</span> +of the darkness in the car his eyes smarted. +There seemed to be a constant stabbing sensation +in them, and the thousands of likenesses he had +seen that day seemed to be chasing each other +round and round in a never-ending stream. “How +much I should like to be at home and in bed!” +he thought to himself. The car drove through +districts which were unknown to him, and this +was peculiar, for he had made the trip to +the Nicholas Lake several times already and +thought he knew the district beyond Friedenau. +To-day, however, everything seemed unfamiliar. +Was it the thick darkness of the night and the +very sparse illuminations allowed since the war, +or was it his own mood, which was responsible?</p> + +<p>“Surely we ought to be at Nicholas Lake by +now!” said he.</p> + +<p>“I am not familiar with this neighbourhood,” +said Vörös.</p> + +<p>“I used to have friends out there, and I often +drove there by motor-car, but of course that was +before the war.”</p> + +<p>“Ah, yes, before the war. Everything was +different then,” and they both became silent.</p> + +<p>Wenk looked at his watch, but it was too +dark to read the dial, and for a long time now +there had been scarcely any lights.</p> + +<p>After a prolonged pause, Wenk said, “Surely +the driver has not lost his way?”</p> + +<p>“He is a Berlin taxi-driver. He told me he +knew the way quite well.”</p> + +<p>Wenk took up the speaking-tube: “Chauffeur, +you know where it is? Nicholas Lake, the +Komorek Villa.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">[296]</span>At this moment the car swung round, and lights +appeared at the end of a long avenue.</p> + +<p>“Here we are!” said the superintendent of +police.</p> + +<p>The motor soon drew up among other cars, +all close together in front of the outside staircase +leading to the house. It was not lighted, but the +three French windows in the hall on to which +it opened gave sufficient light. Wenk advanced +rapidly to the light. Vörös conducted him to the +cloakroom, which was filled with overcoats. A +clock in the hall struck ten; its strokes were +harsh and hasty, as if it would flog the hours +away. Wenk, trying to count them, could not +keep up with it.</p> + +<p>“Ten o’clock,” he said to himself. “We’ve +been an hour coming, and yet the car seemed +to be doing about forty-five kilometres an hour. +Nicholas Lake is not so far away as all that!” +and again a faint misgiving stole over him.</p> + +<p>He looked towards the Hungarian, who was +smiling pleasantly at him. Then they went towards +the large folding doors.</p> + +<p>“Allow me to precede you, so that I may introduce +you to the Princess at once.”</p> + +<p>A man-servant threw open the door and Wenk +followed the police superintendent into a fairly +large hall. The first thing he noticed was that +the light was very subdued; then he saw that in +one corner there was a semicircular raised platform, +draped with Persian hangings. Some chairs +and a table, covered with a dark cloth, stood +upon it. In the rows of chairs which filled the +room, folks in evening dress were sitting. There<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">[297]</span> +were many fewer ladies than gentlemen, and those +there were, were dressed in very fashionable and +striking attire.</p> + +<p>Then Vörös murmured, “The Princess!” and +presented Wenk.</p> + +<p>“Is this the friend you spoke of?” said the +lady, with a winning smile. “You are very +welcome, Herr von Wenk. We are pleased that +you are able to give us your company this +evening. May I pass you gentlemen on to my +husband? A hostess’s duties, you know, my +dear sir!...”</p> + +<p>The lady stepped a little nearer to one of the +electric lights, which were all covered with silk +shades of a strong deep colour. Then Wenk saw +that his hostess, whom he had taken for quite +young, was very much made up and thickly +powdered. Her dress was extremely glaring, and +Wenk was startled by her general appearance as, +with an extremely friendly smile, she inclined her +head towards the man advancing, saying, “My +husband,” and left them.</p> + +<p>“Good evening, Prince,” said the police superintendent +to a man who bowed to Wenk in what +the latter considered a slightly affected way; and +as his host raised his head again, Wenk looked +into a swarthy face with a black moustache, +strongly resembling one of those seen in the collection +of criminals’ likenesses he had been studying +earlier in the day. The lady of the house was +not in sight.</p> + +<p>The Prince, who in appearance was somewhat +common, possessed the most finished manners. He +had, moreover, the very rare gift of conversing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">[298]</span> +without saying anything, for all the subjects of +conversation seemed, as it were, extraneous to him. +He accepted any subject offered him, apparently +only to give form to the matter in hand, but +made no contribution of his own.</p> + +<p>“That manner of his shows breeding,” thought +Wenk. “He is only moderately gifted, but he +has such a desire for form that even the most +trivial matter must be expressed ‘just so’! But +what a curious appearance he has!”</p> + +<p>The Prince led him to the first row of chairs, +and the company were begged to take their seats. +Wenk did not see Weltmann among them, for +he would, of course, have been noticeable at once, +through having lost his hand.</p> + +<p>Wenk sat on his hostess’s left, with the Hungarian +police superintendent close at hand. The rich +hangings on the little stage swayed lightly, and +a tall, broad-shouldered man, with rather bowed +shoulders, came forward. He was well and +fashionably dressed, but in contrast to the other +guests, who were all in evening clothes, he wore a +dark grey woollen street-suit. It was at once +evident that the hand covered with a dark grey +glove was an artificial one. “He is a Hungarian, +that’s quite certain,” thought Wenk, “in spite of +his German name.”</p> + +<p>Weltmann had a thick black moustache with +drooping ends. His eyebrows rose suddenly, +making a high arch over his eyes. His black +hair was combed right back and plastered smooth. +The few words he spoke were simple and somewhat +rough.</p> + +<p>He said that the gifts he was about to display<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">[299]</span> +before the Prince and Princess and their guests +were matters of fact, and he thought that the +guests would prefer facts rather than an attempt +to explain in words what would probably never +be explainable. He would first offer himself as +subject, and ask someone to name a lady and a +gentleman in the company. Perhaps the Princess +would name one.</p> + +<p>Then the Princess said, “As the gentleman +you want, I should like to name my neighbour, +Herr von Wenk!”</p> + +<p>“And the lady? Perhaps the Prince would +name the lady?”</p> + +<p>The Prince answered at once, “Then I shall +name my wife.”</p> + +<p>Weltmann seated himself, laying his artificial +hand upon his knee in a way which everyone +noticed. The other hand he kept in his coat-pocket. +After a pause, in which he had collected +his thoughts, he said, “Princess, have I ever had +your watch in my hand—the little watch you carry +in your hand-bag?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t believe you ever have!” answered +the Princess.</p> + +<p>“The number of that watch is 56403. It is +an oval-shaped <i>dernier-cri</i> design!”</p> + +<p>The Princess drew out her watch, opened it, +read the number, and nodded. She showed it to +both her neighbours, and said eagerly, “That’s +quite right!”</p> + +<p>“Please to think of a colour and write it down +upon a piece of paper, and show it to your +neighbours.”</p> + +<p>The Princess considered a while. Then she<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">[300]</span> +wrote down, “The amethyst colour of Herr von +Wenk’s ring,” and handed the piece of paper to +Wenk.</p> + +<p>Weltmann thought for some time, then he said +hesitatingly: “It is a colour in your immediate +neighbourhood, but it is rather indefinite. It is +transparent, so it is probably that of a jewel. I +cannot say exactly what two colours it is made up +of, but there is violet in it.”</p> + +<p>“Lift your ring up to the light, Herr von +Wenk,” said the Princess, and all could see that +a deep violet was mingled with a transparent +bluish-white.</p> + +<p>“Which gentleman did the Princess name?” +asked Weltmann.</p> + +<p>“My neighbour, Herr von Wenk,” she replied.</p> + +<p>“You, sir,” went on Weltmann rapidly, as +Wenk nodded slightly, “have your pocket-book +in your right-hand breast-pocket. In it there are +two notes for one thousand marks each; one is +dated 1918, Series D, No. 65045, and the other +Series E, No. 5567. Shall I go on, or will you +see first whether this is correct?”</p> + +<p>Wenk felt his pocket laughingly.</p> + +<p>“No,” said Weltmann, “I meant the right-hand +pocket, not the left. In the left you have +your Browning pistol, stamped with the Serraing +trade-mark, No. 201564.”</p> + +<p>Wenk looked in amazement at Weltmann, for +it was quite true. His Browning <i>was</i> in his left-hand +pocket, and it was one of the Serraing make. +From all sides folks gazed at him, and the Princess +leant towards him, so that he could distinguish +the scent of the powder she used.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">[301]</span>“Well, what do you think of that, Herr von +Wenk?”</p> + +<p>The entertainer smiled down at him, saying, +“You need not mind showing the revolver, for in +another compartment of your pocket-book you +have the permit which allows you to carry firearms. +It was renewed in Munich on January 1, +1921, and its number is 5. You must have been +in a hurry to get your weapon authorized.”</p> + +<p>“Was he dreaming, and was this singular man +sneering at him?” thought Wenk. He brought +it out, and everything was just as stated.</p> + +<p>“Enough of that sort of thing,” said Weltmann. +“Now, if you will allow me, we will have some +examples of transference of will. I should like +one of the gentlemen to come up here.”</p> + +<p>Someone stepped on to the stage.</p> + +<p>“Do you know this gentleman, Princess?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, it is Baron Prewitz!”</p> + +<p>“Is the Baron’s being known to the Princess +sufficient for the company to rule out the idea +of any private understanding between him and +myself?”</p> + +<p>There were cries of “Certainly!”</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Weltmann was writing on a table +something which it was impossible for the Baron +to read. Then he threw the small writing-block +down to the company below. He looked at +Prewitz, quite quietly, for a short time. Then +Prewitz, with stealthy movements, left the platform +and went slowly and cautiously from chair to +chair, looking everyone in the face. Weltmann +called out, “I should like four ladies or gentlemen +to come up here quickly. Be quick, please!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">[302]</span>Several started up. Three gentlemen and one +lady remained on the platform, the others returning +to their seats. Weltmann placed them round the +table, pointing at a pack of cards lying there.</p> + +<p>“Are this lady and these gentlemen known to +the company?”</p> + +<p>The Princess nodded, and there was a chorus +of “Yes!” Meanwhile Prewitz was advancing +towards Wenk. Again Weltmann wrote for some +time upon a memorandum, casting from time to +time his glance upon the four sitting at the table. +Suddenly one of them said, “Shall it be vingt-et-un +or poker?” Weltmann went on writing.</p> + +<p>They decided upon vingt-et-un, and at once +began to play.</p> + +<p>“We want one more,” said the lady.</p> + +<p>“I am just coming, dear lady,” said Weltmann. +“You take the bank!”</p> + +<p>By this time Prewitz had come to Wenk. He +looked at him steadfastly for a while, then suddenly +seized his left breast-pocket and drew out +the revolver, placing himself at Wenk’s side, the +weapon in his hand.</p> + +<p>Weltmann said from the stage, “That is because +you are so incautious as to carry a loaded +revolver in your pocket! Please”—he turned to +the audience—“be so good as to read what I have +written there!”</p> + +<p>Someone read out: “The Baron is to go along +the first row, chair by chair, and where he finds +someone with a loaded revolver in his pocket, he +is to take it out and sit beside him with it.”</p> + +<p>They all clapped their hands, a proceeding +which Weltmann, by a brief gesture, stopped. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">[303]</span> +left off writing, handed the block down to the +Princess, and sat down with the card-players.</p> + +<p>“Page one!” he said to his hostess. She +read it to herself, then handed it to her right-hand +neighbour and looked anxiously towards the +stage, where the following incidents were taking +place. Weltmann won game after game. Sometimes +he looked away from the table, and then it +seemed to Wenk as if he were beckoning him +to come up. Wenk knew it must be a delusion, +due to some effect of the light striking Weltmann’s +eye, but none the less he felt uneasy. The idea +occurred to him to yield, and go up so that he +might face this man at close quarters and make +sure that those lightning glances had no reference +to him. “Yet that would be very foolish!” he +said to himself, striving to get rid of the impulse.</p> + +<p>Suddenly, without a single word having been +spoken, one of the players leaned back, saying in +a clear ringing voice, as if speaking aloud in a +dream, “What have I just done? I had twenty-one, +and then someone spoke with my voice, and +said, ‘I have lost again.’”</p> + +<p>He seized the cards he had thrown aside, and +showed an ace, a knave and a ten.</p> + +<p>“Too late!” said Weltmann, who was holding +the bank. Wenk put his hands to his head. He +had already lived through such a scene once +before. When was it, where, and to whom did +it occur? He cudgelled his brains to remember. +The image of it stood out distinctly, but it stood +apart from any suggestion of the time and place +and person.</p> + +<p>From the recesses of his mind a form seemed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">[304]</span> +to emerge simultaneously with his groping efforts +to recover the recollections he sought. A form—was +it a human being, a lifeless column, a monster? +He could not say which ... but then the form +was bleeding somewhere, and now Wenk saw, +through the misty phantasies of these recent occurrences, +that it had a mouth, and that this mouth +suddenly uttered, in clear staccato tones, the name +“Tsi—nan—fu!”</p> + +<p>Wenk now distinctly recollected having heard +this name from the lips of the old Professor who +was none other than the Dr. Mabuse on whose +account he had come to Berlin. “Dr. Mab ..., +Dr. Mab ...,” whispered the secret voices. Wenk +tried to call to mind the features of the old Professor, +but he could not recollect them clearly. +Only the mouth which had uttered the name of +the Chinese town with such strange impressiveness +was distinct to his vision.</p> + +<p>“Now why,” said Wenk to himself in the +midst of the images raised in him by these recollections, +“why should I think at this moment of +the pseudo-Professor? Why do I think of the +Professor, and not of Mabuse under another form, +his real form, such as I saw him that evening +in reality in the Four Seasons Hall? Mabuse +as a hypnotist? What audacity! As a hypnotist +appearing in public? Had Mabuse the same disconcerting +capability as Weltmann, and had +Weltmann the same dark background of crime as +Mabuse?” he asked himself. His thoughts grew +ever more remote, more indistinct and unreal. +They were no longer thoughts—they were misty +images which had arisen in his phantasy under<span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">[305]</span> +the compelling power of those eyes yonder. He +sought to fix his eyes on Weltmann, striving to +picture him with a reddish beard, such as Mabuse +had appeared possessed of when he first encountered +him.</p> + +<p>And then suddenly Wenk realized how it was +he felt some unmistakable connection with the +player there who threw away his cards although +he held twenty-one and must undoubtedly have +won the game. These words were familiar to him +from the story told by the murdered Hull. They +were written upon the first page of the notebook +stolen from him by Mabuse’s chauffeur when he +left him that night in the Schleissheim Park, and +he had copied them down word for word after his +first talk with Hull. Yes, the bleeding form +was that of Hull, and it drooped like a weeping-willow +over Wenk’s spirit. The blood-besprinkled +leaves whispered ever “It is I, Hull! It is I, +Hull!”</p> + +<p>Then it seemed as if in the mists which continued +to gather in ever-varying shapes in Wenk’s brain +there grew and stood out, as the bone stands +out from its tissues in the Röntgen-ray photographs, +a dark nucleus, a central, death-endowed essence, +something stony ... something black ... a +man.</p> + +<p>The Princess handed him Weltmann’s block, +and he thrust these ideas away somewhat, though +he had to struggle to see the words. Then he +read: “The banker wins every game. If one +of the players has a better card than he who +holds the bank, he is incapable of holding them +against him.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">[306]</span>He had hardly read this when Weltmann, +speaking from the midst of his game in a voice +which seemed to strike Wenk to earth, said, +“Read the second page!” Wenk turned the page +in affright. He read, “Under the hypnotist’s influence +one of the players tries to cheat, by +dealing himself an ace. He is caught in the +act!”</p> + +<p>Then the blood rushed to Wenk’s heart, and +like molten lava it coursed along his veins. His +eyes were fixed and glassy, and his trembling +fingers let fall the block. A horrible certainty +burst upon him. That was the secret of Count +Told’s fall! Mabuse had subconsciously forced +him to cheat, to ruin him in the eyes of the wife +whom Mabuse desired to possess! That was why +he had seen the Countess leaving Mabuse’s house +that night. Mabuse it was who had killed her +husband.</p> + +<p>What Mabuse had written down occurred on the +stage. The lady, who had in the meantime taken +over the bank, dealt the cards so as to cheat and +was caught in the act. Thereupon Weltmann +brought the experiment to an end. He released +the four subjects from their hypnotic state, and, +disturbed and still dreamy-eyed, they sought their +seats once more.</p> + +<p>Weltmann looked down at Wenk, and the latter +knew without a doubt that he was Mabuse. The +suddenness of the discovery paralysed him for +the moment, and he struggled to regain calm and +self-control. Had he been enticed into a snare? +Was the Hungarian police superintendent appointed +as a decoy? Was this whole place, so far removed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">[307]</span> +from other dwellings, and this assembly +merely an ambush arranged on <i>his</i> account?</p> + +<p>Slowly he fought the matter out. He stood +between two poles. Either all around were in +league with Mabuse, and in that case there was +no hope of escape, and what he was now going +through was merely the preparation of a revenge +which could only end with his death, or else it +was merely by chance that he found himself in a +company in which Mabuse also appeared accidentally. +It might well be that Mabuse was a +Hungarian. He might also have been a barrister +in Budapest formerly, for his relations with the +Privy Councillor Wendel proved that he had had +a twofold career. It was not, therefore, to be +assumed straight away that he and this criminal +could not have met by accident. The next question +Wenk asked himself was whether Mabuse recognized +him, and he told himself that it must be +so, for Mabuse had seen him both at Schramm’s +and at the Four Seasons Hall; that was certain. +But could this man be so foolhardy and so certain +of himself that in spite of that he could represent +before Wenk’s eyes, with a devilish mockery, what +he had just seen occurring on the tiny stage? +If so, it provided the solution to all the enigmatic +acts with which he had concealed his +crimes.</p> + +<p>The help of the police was quite out of the +question, for Wenk did not even know where he +was. But how would it be to let the Prince into the +secret, and get help in the company itself to secure +the murderer? He could only do it if he were quite +sure of the company, otherwise it was doomed to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">[308]</span> +failure from the start. He knew from experience +that this master criminal was always surrounded +by a bodyguard of accomplices, and that they were +people who shrank from no devilish deed. Around +him there must be many of Mabuse’s confederates. +Should Wenk, as if accidentally, make his way +to some door and escape under cover of the darkness, +leaving Mabuse to be dealt with at a later +time, when he was better prepared to accomplish +his overthrow ... or should he try unobserved +to find a telephone in the house and summon +the police? But then again, where were they to +come to?</p> + +<p>“Isn’t it remarkable, Herr von Wenk? Have +you ever seen anything like it before?” said Vörös.</p> + +<p>Wenk had heard the question, but he was so +preoccupied with his own train of thought as to +forget to answer it enthusiastically, as he had +intended to do. In the torrent of ideas and +possibilities which rushed through his mind he +forgot his resolution. Vörös gave him a hasty +glance, and just at that moment Weltmann asked +for fresh assistants.</p> + +<p>Wenk, coming to a sudden resolve, pulled himself +together and calmly and boldly ascended the stage, +the very first to respond. Far better to look the +wild beast in the face than be behind him! Then +he noticed that Baron Prewitz, whom everybody +had forgotten, followed him up. Stepping forward +as before, automatically, he came after him, still +holding the revolver.</p> + +<p>“You don’t venture into my domain without +protection, I see, Herr von Wenk,” smiled the +hypnotist.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">[309]</span>“That is just sarcasm,” said Wenk to himself; +“he knows who I am!”</p> + +<p>Wenk merely bowed, as much as to say that +in Rome he did as Rome does. He was now +standing next the hypnotist, and each took the +other’s measure. Wenk had pursued this werwolf +with vindictive fury because in him he saw the +enemy of all that could heal and restore the nation. +When he stood there on the platform with him, +isolated for a moment from all the rest, he felt +as if they were two great powers going in opposite +directions. To his mind it was no longer the +conflict of good and evil; it was the struggle +of man to man; and, oppressed as he felt, he still +had something almost like confidence in the +chivalry of his opponent ... a confidence that +rested upon an impelling yet hardly perceptible +instinct: both were staking their lives on the +result of the struggle. Each was directing a +fierce attack upon the other, yet both must make +allowances in this last supreme moment.</p> + +<p>“If only I could sleep!” thought Wenk with +an inward yearning.</p> + +<p>He looked closely into Weltmann’s eyes, taking +in all his features. His was a powerful, muscular +figure, and in imagination Wenk divested the face +of its false moustache, eyebrows and wig, seeing +beneath it the smooth-shaven, well-formed cranium +of Dr. Mabuse. Wenk would have recognized +him now beneath all his disguises. He gazed +at him calmly, and the other’s glance flickered. +The large grey eyes seemed to withdraw into +their own fiery depths.</p> + +<p>For a time the performer paid no attention<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">[310]</span> +to Wenk. He concentrated on those who were +advancing. No sooner had one of them set foot +upon the stage than he unexpectedly turned right +round again and hurried back into the hall. One +after another did this; a dozen, and even more. +Those below were laughing heartily, and the little +hall re-echoed with their merriment. More and +more pressed forward, but the effect was the same +on all. With one hand Wenk grasped the wrist of +the other, anxious to see whether he retained consciousness +of nerves and muscles. He meant to +resist. The welling-up of generous and magnanimous +feelings had rapidly cooled. He hated, +menaced and execrated his enemy now, and prepared +himself for the final conflict. His eager +blood was inflamed against his foe, and he watched +him warily, while still upon his defence. Somewhere +in his being a stringed instrument like a +guitar seemed to be playing a melody, and he +began to listen to this mysterious music. It was +so tender and yet so distant, but then he fell +back again upon his position of guard and defence. +Suddenly a strange idea occurred to him. How +would it be if he too did like the rest, and ran +as if impelled down there along the gangway +past the chairs—that gangway of safety and +escape—to where the big door stood encouragingly +open ... to escape and at the same time to do +his duty ... to go to the nearest telephone and +summon the police ... to carry out a daring +trick ... and then do like the others, return, +still in the same dreamlike state ... return to +the hall and wait—wait for the police, the rescuers?... +It would be a daring trick!</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">[311]</span>Already some of the muscles in his legs were +twitching.... Then Weltmann called out harshly +to Prewitz, “Why don’t you pay attention? Cock +your revolver! Don’t you see that this criminal +is trying to escape?” He pointed at Wenk, and +Prewitz cocked the revolver with a dreamy nonchalance, +an indifference that excited horror and +dread. He raised the revolver to Wenk’s face, +and Wenk saw in its little orifice the dark hell +of danger before him, for he knew that the weapon +was loaded. “The first step that he takes, without +my orders, you will shoot,” said Weltmann +with an ambiguous smile.</p> + +<p>In this dread moment Wenk heard once again +the clear sweet musical tones, now in another +direction. They sounded soft, sad, and familiar, +as if it might have been his father whistling a +lullaby beside his cradle. He listened, and in the +few heart-beats in which he was lapped in the +sound of those wonderful tones, he lost the sense +of reality he had had when he felt with one hand +for the pulse of the other. The flute became the +magic flute, and round this phantasy there rose up +an enchanted garden. A high, thick hedge circumscribed +the area of his uneasy wanderings, +but there was a gap in the hedge, a wide, unguarded +gap, and in it he perceived the free light +of heaven beckoning and enticing him to tear +away and escape.</p> + +<p>And then he ran, defying the Baron’s revolver. +He sprang with leaps and bounds across the +stage ... the weapon dropping from the Baron’s +hands.... He sprang down its steps at one +bound, rushed along the gangway, leaping like a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_312">[312]</span> +young colt that feels the approach of summer. +The entire hall was animated over this crowning +stroke of the hypnotist, but Mabuse sent after +him a ferocious laugh that resounded from the +walls which had witnessed it.</p> +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">[313]</span> + +<h2 class="nobreak">XXI</h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wenk</span> ran full tilt past the servants at the door, +who stood with serious faces, laughing behind +their hands. He ran through the hall and the +open door on to the steps, clattered down them, +and flung open the door of the waiting car. It +sprang forward, and in a few moments had disappeared +in the dark avenue. In the hall Mabuse +stopped laughing to say, “He is going to the +Hell Café to fetch you some of the devil’s white +bread!”</p> + +<p>The jerk with which the car started threw Wenk +back on to the seat, but scarcely had he touched +it than the cushions seemed to open and he sank +quickly into a hole in them. Something closed +together over him, and it creaked like iron. Then +he awoke from his hypnotic state. He lay there +in misery, unconscious how he had got into that +position, with his head hanging back, apparently +in some gap in the back seat. He tried to rise, +seeking painfully for ease and consciousness, but +he could not raise himself from the depths. Something +seemed to press him down again, and hard +unyielding fetters were crossed over him many +times. The motor went at furious speed, and +shook him against an iron grating which he soon +discovered to be the fetters that made an upright<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">[314]</span> +position impossible. They pressed closely +down upon him. He made a furious effort to +throw them off, but soon found it was quite impossible. +He would only have his trouble for +his pains. He was absolutely done for. He was +himself the bird which had stepped on to the limed +twig!</p> + +<p>With angry defiance he turned upon himself +saying, “That is as it should be! The stronger +one conquers, and you were the weaker!” But +why was he the weaker? Because he had undertaken +a task that from the very first exceeded +his powers. Each one knows his own capabilities. +But what had tempted him to undertake something +beyond him? Why, in the most forlorn and +miserable situation of his whole life—a situation +that seemed so incredible that he still had a faint +hope it might prove only a dream—why was +he able to guide and reason out his thoughts +like the solution of an arithmetical problem? +What was it that had enticed him? He knew +the answer. It was the good in him, the outcome +of his feeling of responsibility towards his fellow-countrymen. +He wanted to help them, and because +his conscience was stronger than his powers, +he had come to grief. If this experience were +to end in his death, at least he would die in a +good cause, and the soul-sparks which at his +death would flame up again in some other +existence would form a beacon to light others +upward.... He would live again in spirit among +men....</p> + +<p>The sound of the motor echoed through the +forest, and Wenk heard it. What was the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">[315]</span> +enemy’s plan regarding him? The car raced on +through the night like a ship driven by the +typhoon. Where was it going? Whither were +they taking him? Was it to Munich? But, if so, +why? If they wanted to put him to death for +having disturbed the powers of evil and undermined +their efforts, why did they not take their +revenge at once, instead of delaying it for +hours?</p> + +<p>He noticed that the windows of the car had no +blinds, and he saw stars gleaming fitfully through +the panes. They would not arrive in Munich till +the morning, and it would be impossible to drive +a fettered man by daylight over half Germany +in a car with the inside exposed. They were +carrying him off somewhere or other, but where? +Where could it be?</p> + +<p>It must have been midnight when he left the +villa, but even that he did not know for certain, +for of all that had happened to him since the +moment when he had tested his pulse, he had +only a dim and hazy idea. They must certainly +be taking him to the place of execution now.</p> + +<p>He recalled, with an endless yearning which +seemed to encompass him like the sea, his long-dead +father, and with all his energy he clung to +these recollections, melancholy as their associations +were. The jolting hither and thither of his +body in the car and the mental excitement under +which he was labouring made him sick, and in +his helpless state he could not even turn his head +aside. His brain lost the power of thinking in +clear outlines. Spectres arose around him and +devils played ball with him. They tossed him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">[316]</span> +backwards and forwards between the Carse of +Gowrie and Aconcagua, let him fall, and snatched +at him again, just as he was about to be dashed +to pieces on the Cape of Good Hope.</p> + +<p>Then it seemed as if a gigantic black band +had stuffed him down in a cave as if he were +a sack. The walls of this cave were so close +that he could not lie down, but suddenly, +slowly, and yet without ceasing, they began to +grow. They did not grow apart, however, but +proceeded, always at the same pace, towards him, +and the moment was already close at hand when +they would crush his bones together and burst +his brains. Consciousness forsook him, and he +fell into a dreamlike condition, dominated by a +dull sense of impending death.</p> + +<p>When he awoke he found himself stretched out +on a leather seat, the iron fetters no longer binding +him. But his arms were tied behind him, and +his legs were crossed on each other and fastened +together. A large handkerchief had been bound +over his face, so tightly as to be painful. It +covered his mouth altogether and made breathing +difficult.</p> + +<p>It was now day, and he heard a rushing sound +that rose and fell at intervals. He soon recognized +it—it was the sea! A man looked down +upon him. The handkerchief covered one eye only, +and with the other he saw, over the edge of the +bandage, half the objects on his eye-level. He +did not know the man, who just then called to +another, “Come here! he is awake.” Then the +other came to look at him, and he too was a +complete stranger to Wenk. He heard them<span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">[317]</span> +talking, and one said to the other, “It is nearly +five o’clock. The Doctor must be here soon!”</p> + +<p>The other answered, “If he said soon after +five, he will come then. We must be ready for +him!”</p> + +<p>“Can’t you see anything yet?”</p> + +<p>The two men went off. Wenk tried to raise +his head, but could not see beyond the frame of +the window. The country must be flat—there was +nothing but sky discernible.</p> + +<p>“Give me the glass! There he is!” Wenk +heard suddenly.</p> + +<p>“Now comes the decisive moment,” he thought, +and summoned all his powers to help him dispel +the dread ideas which crowded upon him.</p> + +<p>The events that followed occurred in rapid +succession. The door of the car was flung open, +and hands gripped him by the shoulders, which +lay nearest the door. They dragged him out, his +feet striking painfully on the step and then on +the ground. The second man took his legs, and +they carried him a short distance. Then Wenk +saw sand-dunes in front of him, and a few steps +further the men had climbed with him to the top.</p> + +<p>“Faster!” cried the man behind, as he turned +round and looked back over the landscape.</p> + +<p>Wenk heard a motor-car, and said to himself, +“That is Mabuse coming!” Suddenly a light +awning appeared above him, and after a time he +recognized it for the wing of an aeroplane.</p> + +<p>The two men arranged everything with hasty +movements. Wenk was laid on the sand, and +two cords tied together made a noose under his +chest and arms. One man raised his legs and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">[318]</span> +these were fastened by two cords which had been +attached somewhere to a pole rather high up. +A third leash was then slung round his hips. +It was not long before Wenk realized that he +was hanging bound to the outer wall of the +car of a flying-machine. He lay closely fastened +there like a package that was to be taken on a +journey. With his uncovered right eye he saw +beyond the edge of the bandage that the aeroplane +stood on a prepared landing-stage over a course +which sloped down to the sea. Beyond it stretched +the shore. It was ebb-tide.</p> + +<p>“I am going to have a sea voyage,” cried a +despairing voice within Wenk sadly. “How long +it is since my last voyage. All the years of +war lie between, and yet now, for me, comes the +war—the bombshell is prepared.”</p> + +<p>From the depths of his muscular being there +came an answer to this sad voice of despair. +He exerted his muscles against his bonds. His +body moved and wriggled in the nooses, and the +wing of the machine quivered beneath the shock, +and swayed above him.</p> + +<p>Then a broad face and a high, well-formed head +bent over him, and two fiery eyes seemed to pierce +him through and through.</p> + +<p>“Aha!” said the voice of the man who stood +above him.</p> + +<p>“Yes, there is the foe, there is Mabuse,” thought +Wenk.</p> + +<p>“Get in!” he heard him say, and there was +the rustling of a woman’s dress, and out of the +rustling a voice ... a voice that made his knees +tremble in their bonds. He knew that voice!<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">[319]</span> +The rustling was louder and closer, and the +woman’s voice cried, “What is that?” Wenk +heard the horror, trouble and anxiety that spoke +in the voice as she put the question.</p> + +<p>“Get in!” said Mabuse again. Then the voice, +the well-known, low, sweet voice of the Countess +Told, said in a tone of anxious entreaty, “What +are you doing with this man?”</p> + +<p>Wenk said to himself, “She does not know +who I am.”</p> + +<p>“Get in! He’s going to make the trip with +us, and we haven’t a third seat. Come along +quickly, now!” cried Mabuse.</p> + +<p>Wenk saw Mabuse’s arm seize the woman and +lift her into the gondola, then he himself got +in, making use of Wenk’s body as a step, and +when he was settled in the pilot’s seat, not two +fingers’ breadth above Wenk, he bent down to him +and said in a harsh tone, “The gentleman is +going to accompany us on our journey—but +whither? Good luck!—All ready?” he called out +to the men.</p> + +<p>“All quite ready, sir!”</p> + +<p>The propeller hummed and the aeroplane glided +along the course so swiftly that the very moment +Wenk felt the throbbing of the engine its wheels +were already clear of the ground and the earth +vanished from his sight. The machine soared upwards +steeply, and it seemed to Wenk as if his +body were standing upright. No word was spoken +in the car. The air beat so heavily upon +him that it seemed like flying wood, and he soon +began to feel bitterly cold. The cold seemed +to cut through the wide opening of his evening<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">[320]</span> +suit and strike at his very heart. He felt that +it pressed ever deeper and deeper within him, like +revolving knives. His hair was stiff and stood +on end, and it seemed as if needles were pricking +him all over. He had lost all capability of +thought, save for one idea. It dimly occurred to +him that he was enduring martyrdom, and that this +martyrdom was on account of the Countess Told, +whom he had once loved, at a time when such +love was not lawful.</p> + +<p>Then he felt the blow of a fist on his head, +and a harsh voice asked, “Is twelve thousand feet +high enough for you?” A few moments later he +heard, “Or are you already dead—of fright?”</p> + +<p>The voice died away and Wenk felt that the +aeroplane was being righted. When it was flying +level, a hand touched his head, hastily tearing +away his bonds. Then Wenk saw the face of +Mabuse bending over him. He was silent, but his +features were distorted with a malicious joy which +aroused horror. His grey eyes had neither shape +nor pupils; they were like old weather-beaten +stones, and, as Wenk recognized with a shudder, +they were glowering death at him. Then the +capacious mouth opened like the yawning chasm +in a rocky gorge, and the harsh voice said, “You +have dared to oppose your will against mine. You +are now facing your last moment, and I have +taken the gag from your mouth so that my ears +may enjoy the shriek with which you fall twelve +thousand feet down to your own world!”</p> + +<p>Wenk heard his voice, and it sounded like +thunder rolling along after the lightning flash. +He saw that Mabuse was loosening the bonds<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">[321]</span> +that held his legs. He tugged and tore at them. +Suddenly his legs were free. For a moment they +fell, then the leash that was bound round his +hips held them again, and the hands were now +busy with this. In a few seconds it was untied.</p> + +<p>In his further fall Wenk’s body regained an +upright position, held only by the noose which +bound his chest to the wall of the car. He +suddenly felt that his hands were free, and at +this feeling he was fired with a sudden hope. In +the midst of his phantasies there surged upwards +like a fairy story the recollection of the Countess’s +beauty and sympathy. He had never forgotten +her, and now in the last moment of his life, when +she herself was so close to him, his feeling for her, +exalted to an undying and compassionate brotherhood, +was wafted as a cloud beyond the savage +and brutal murderer, to envelop the frail human +being beside him with indomitable pride and +courage.</p> + +<p>Wenk saw her eyes, fluttering like birds shot +down in the clear blue ether, glance for a moment +beyond and above Mabuse’s eager bent head.... +He saw her hands, tearing off their fur gloves, +cling white and trembling to Mabuse’s shoulder +as she strove to drag him back from his deadly +intent.</p> + +<p>But Mabuse shook the woman off, and raised +his hands with mad rage to untie the last noose. +He tore undone the first of its fastenings, making +Wenk’s body sink deeper, and beat away Wenk’s +hands, which were seeking to maintain a grip +on the edge of the car, with his closed fists.</p> + +<p>Then one last defiance of fate, arising from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">[322]</span> +will to live, lent strength to Wenk’s voice as he +shouted in the air, “He is the murderer of Count +Told. He made him cheat at cards! He put +the razor into his hands that he might cut his +throat!”</p> + +<p>A fist struck at his mouth, and blood spurted +from it, yet at this last moment of his life it +seemed as if his very blood were tasting the sweetness +of a noble spirit. Then a final effort was +made to release him from the bond that held +him. A fearful weight pressed on his head, rolled +over his body to press him downward. The +weight of it was immeasurable, black, imbued with +the swiftness of a raging storm. But all at once +the iron weight was removed. A part of it became +detached from the aeroplane, unrecognizable, and +sank. Wenk’s hands held the edge of the car as +in a vice. The aeroplane hovered and swayed +as if drunken with the high clear air.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>This is what had happened:</p> + +<p>When Count Told’s name rang through the air, +as if thrown from measureless space, it seemed to +the Countess as if she were awaking from a dream +at the bottom of a swamp. Since the night when +she had been torn from her husband and chained +to Mabuse’s wicked will, she had never spoken his +name, nor even thought of it. The memory had +crept into her inmost being and hidden itself +away, deep in the welter in which her life was inextricably +bound. It had been forced there by +the diabolic power of Mabuse’s lust for domination, +and the wife had suffered it in a kind of +subconscious self-defence. Were it not so, she<span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">[323]</span> +would have been absolutely and entirely without +escape from the werwolf.</p> + +<p>There within her the name had lain and waited +and watched until now it arose again to provide +her with a way of escape.</p> + +<p>Wenk’s last words had brought it forth from +the subconscious recesses once more. The Countess +had received it as a direct weapon against the +secret power of this man who had so long taken +forcible possession of her will and her entire +person. She suddenly came to herself, and all +that was frozen within her melted. The gloom and +darkness in which she lay bound grew lighter, +and it was day within.</p> + +<p>Then, too, she regained all the proud youthful +force of her disposition. She fell into a God-given +fury, and her muscles were endowed with +unconquerable strength and vigour. Her hands +and her heart were like iron, and she seized the +first weapon to hand, the heavy screw-wrench, +striking the murderer from behind, and dealing +a terrific blow upon his skull.</p> + +<p>Mabuse, judged and condemned, lost his balance, +and fell over Wenk into the depths below, which +instantly swallowed him up.</p> + +<hr class="tb"> + +<p>Wenk reached a thwart with his legs, raised +himself up at lightning speed, the knots at his +breast breaking of themselves. He fell into the +car. The aeroplane was already swaying in space, +but Wenk seized the throttle and righted it. It +flew on, and after he had found his whereabouts +he shut off the engines and allowed it to descend +to earth and glide along the shore.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">[324]</span>He landed on the sand-dunes of the East Frisian +coast. He helped the Countess out of the machine. +She was pale, but fully conscious. She fell down +before him, pressing her hands to her face.</p> + +<p>He raised her, saying, “We have saved each +other’s lives. Let us keep silent, and strive to +forget. We part here!”</p> + +<p>But the Countess answered, “No. I have +nothing to conceal and nothing to forget. The +blood that I have shed was entirely evil. I have +saved him from himself and mankind from him. +Who can bear witness against me?”</p> + +<p>Wenk looked at her, dumb with astonishment, +but slowly he understood. Then he was seized +with awe. He wanted to say, “How proud, +how courageous she is!” but his heart glowed +within him. He spread out his arms in a gesture +of self-abandonment and appeal. Life, his regained +youth and vigour, came over him like a flood, and +at the same moment the love which had been +shaken by so many vicissitudes, but had never yet +found its fulfilment, regained its sway over him.</p> + +<p>Then they ascended the dunes together, to seek +the nearest village and return to daily life.</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="transnote"> +<p class="ph1">TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:</p> + +<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been standardized.</p> + +<p>Archaic or variant spelling has been retained.</p> + +<p>New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.</p> +</div></div> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 75967 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + diff --git a/75967-h/images/cover.jpg b/75967-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..5cdfb09 --- /dev/null +++ b/75967-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/75967-h/images/coversmall.jpg b/75967-h/images/coversmall.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a945340 --- /dev/null +++ b/75967-h/images/coversmall.jpg diff --git a/75967-h/images/i_title.jpg b/75967-h/images/i_title.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..12adcde --- /dev/null +++ b/75967-h/images/i_title.jpg diff --git a/75967-h/images/i_titlelogo.jpg b/75967-h/images/i_titlelogo.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0459aff --- /dev/null +++ b/75967-h/images/i_titlelogo.jpg |
