while I go and notify the bailiff." He picked up his
hat, that had fallen off during the melee, and left without another
word. I remained opposite the corpse, with the two others.

The news spread like wildfire. It was a sensation for the neighborhood.
Dean Daniel Van den Berg enjoyed a fortune and a reputation so well
established that many people refused to believe in the abominable
instincts which dominated him. The matter was discussed from every
conceivable point of view. Some held that he was a somnambulist and
irresponsible for his acts; others that he was a murderer through love
of blood, having no other possible motive for committing these crimes.
Perhaps both were right, for it is an undeniable fact that moral being,
will, soul, whatever name you choose to call it by, is wanting in the
somnambulist. The animal nature left to itself naturally yields to the
dictates of its pacific or sanguinary instincts. Be that as it may, my
comrades were at once restored to liberty. Little Annette was quoted
for a long time after as a model of devotion. She was even sought in
marriage by the son of the burgomaster Trungott, a youth, who will one
day disgrace his family.

As for me, I lost no time in returning to the Black Forest, where, since
that time I have officiated as leader of the orchestra at the Sabre Vert
Tavern, on the road to Tubingen. If you should ever happen to pass that
way, and my story has interested you, come in and see me. We will drink
a bottle or two together, and I will relate to you certain details that
will make your hair stand on end.

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