ut it represented, with the most painful and
horrifying fidelity, the writhings and agonizing throes of the human
being during the progress of transformation into the lupine monster. The
countenance of the unhappy man had already elongated into one of savage
and brute-like shape; and so admirably had art counterfeited nature,
that the rich garments seemed changed into a rough, shaggy, and wiry
skin! The effect produced by that picture was indeed of thrilling and
appalling interest!

"A Wehr-Wolf!" had exclaimed one of the assistant judges: and while the
voices of several of the male spectators in the body of the court echoed
the words mechanically, the ladies gave vent to screams, as they rushed
toward the doors of the tribunal. In a few moments that part of the
court was entirely cleared.

"Prisoner!" exclaimed the chief judge, "have you ought more to advance
in your defense, relative to the charge of murder?"

"My lord, I am innocent!" said Wagner, firmly but respectfully.

"The tribunal pronounces you guilty!" continued the chief judge: then,
with a scornful smile toward his assistants and the procurator
fiscal--who all three, as well as the sbirri and the officers of the
court were pale and trembling with vague fear--the presiding functionary
continued thus:--"The tribunal condemns you, Fernand Wagner, to death by
the hand of the common headsman; and it is now my duty to name the day
and fix the hour for your execution. Therefore I do ordain that the
sentence just pronounced be carried into effect precisely at the hour of
sunset on the last day of the present month!"

"My lord! my lord!" exclaimed the procurator fiscal; "the belief is that
on the last day of each month, and at the hour of sunset----"

"I am aware of the common superstition," interrupted the chief judge,
coldly and sternly; "and it is to convince the world of the folly of
putting faith in such legends that I have fixed that day and that hour
in the present instance. Away with the prisoner to his dungeon."

And the chief judge waved his hand imperiously, to check any further
attempts at remonstrance; but his assistant functionaries, the
procurator fiscal and the officers of the court, surveyed him with
mingled surprise and awe, uncertain whether they ought to applaud his
courage or tremble at his rashness. Wagner had maintained a calm and
dignified demeanor during the latter portion of the proceedings; and,
although the sbirri who had charge of