m I do not give
credit for enough courage to perform such an act. On this point he
never speaks plainly; and the question is, whether it be not a mere
fancy that he took any part in the death of his wife and child. He now
returns to painting marble; and this very night he will finish the
altar. This puts him in a good-humour, and you may learn something
about this critical affair from his own mouth."

I must confess that the thought of passing midnight in the church alone
with Berthold made me shudder a little, now I had read his history. I
thought that there might be a little of the devil in him in spite of
his good-humour and frank deportment; and I chose rather to be in his
company that very noon in the clear sunlight.

I found him upon the scaffold, reserved and in an ill-humour, painting
the veins of marble. Climbing up to him, I reached him the pots, while
he stared at me with amazement. "I am your helpmate," said I softly,
and this drew a smile from him. Now I began to talk of his life, so as
to let him know that I was acquainted with all; and he seemed to
believe that he himself had, on that night, communicated every thing.
Very, very gently I came to the frightful catastrophe, and then said
suddenly--"Did you actually, in your unholy madness, murder your wife
and child?"

At this he let the paint-pot and the pencil fall; and, staring at me
with a hideous countenance, as he raised both his hands, cried out,
"No, these hands are unstained by the blood of my wife--of my son!
Another such word and I will dash myself down from the scaffolding with
you, so that both our heads shall be shattered on the stone floor of
the church."

At this moment I felt my situation rather odd, and deemed it advisable
to change the subject. "Look here, dear Berthold," said I, as quietly
and coolly as possible; "see how that ugly dark yellow is running on
the wall."

He turned his eyes to the spot, and while he painted out the yellow, I
slipped gently down the scaffold, left the church, and went to the
professor, to have a hearty laugh at my well-chastised presumption.

My vehicle was repaired, and I left G----, after Professor Aloysius
Walter had solemnly promised that in case any thing happened to
Berthold, he would communicate it in writing immediately.

About half a year elapsed, when I actually received a letter from the
professor. He expressed himself in very prolix terms of praise about
our meeting at G----, and