The Wolf of the Black Forest; or, the Mysterious Murder

Preface

. Incredible as tlie Allowing tale may appear in some of its de* tails, the groundwork is strictly true ; the matter-of-fact portion has not had more embellishments than was actually necessary to arrange the matter of it in consecutive order, and to make it interesting to the reader, which the author presumes he has done, since the sale has been many thousands more than his most sanguine hopes could have anticipated. He now takes the opportunity of thanking his numerous patrons for the encouragement he has met at their hands ; and as he has been so well supported in this effort, he, perhaps, at a future time, may again be induced to persevere in turning the little talent for which the indul gent public have given him credit, towards the edification and amusement of his patrons. The Obedient Servant of the Pud;.ic, LondoD, 1850. THE AUTHOR. OR THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER:

Chapter I. The Old Men Of The Mountain

" It was on just such a night, 1 remember it well, Wagner, that the good count Ulrich was murdered.' " It was, Hofer." " The snow fell then as heavily as it falls now, and the wind rolled as loudly over the mountain, hurling the avalanche from its summit, and sweeping the rockrooted pines to the abysses below. The boldest hunter trembled as the gusts shook his hut, and the scared wolf retreated cowering to his den. It was just the night that befitted such a deed of darkness and horror. Is it not strange, brother, that for ages past, the counts of Eilthaupt have breathed their last amid the most violent convulsions of nature. God grant that this storm announces no new calamity to this ill-fated family." " Amen, Hofer ; amen ;" and tire two old men crossed themselves, and muttered a short prayer in behalf of the children of the good count Ulrich.

" All night long I knelt on this cold rock, and amid the bowlings of the winds I implored Heaven to have mercy on the houseless poor and the wayworn benighted traveller. Alas ! he that was best sheltered among us all, he that seemingly was most safe, was the only victim, Wagner." " The good count Ulrich." " At earl v dawn a messenger, pale with terror, and overcome with sorrow, entered the cave, ' Father,' said he, ' thy presence and thy prayers are needed at Eilthaupt castle. The count Ulrich, our protector and friend, lies dead in his chamber. The knife of the assassin has done its work upon him.' Hastily descending the slippery steeps I bent my steps to the house of mourning. On the floor of his chamber surrounded by his weeping children and menials, .lay the count, bis noble bosom pierced by a dagger, on the handle of which was engraved a wolf's head.

The night was dark, but God's eye saw through it ; the deed was secretly committed, hut the light is beginning to shine on mine aged eyes. To me the Wolf of the Black Forest is assuming a tangible form. He is not a demon, Wagner, but a man with a demon's heart and a demon's subtlety." Wagner crossed himself again, and fixed his eyes on Hofer inquiringly. " Hark! what was that?" asked Hofer, as a terrific gust swept past the entrance to the cave. " Meihoughtsome one called for help. Hist." " Hofer, Hofer, Wagner — Ho — a light, a light." " Tis our brother," cried Hofer, as he seized a torch and rushed to the mouth of the cavern. " Here, Hofer, here." " Where art thou, Keysler V " In the ravine at the bottom of the pass. Descend with Wagner. A lady pe rishes in the snow." Seizing another torch Wagner followed his brother, and the two began to descend with great rapidity, and with an activity wonderful for men of their apparent ages, the steep snow-covered rocks across which lay their only path.

Before they had reached Keysler, however, their lights were extinguished, and they were forced to grope their way to him, guided only by t'te s and of his voice. On reaching tho ravine, they found him supporting the inanimate form of a female, whom cold or fright, or a fall, or perchance the three combined, had reduced to a complete stato of insensibility. " Here, lend me your aid quickly, brothers, to bear this perishing lady to the cave. Would that your lights had not been extinguished." Raising the body gently, the three old men began to move as rapidly as the dan gerous nature ofthe path permitted; nor was it an easy matter, so steep and slip pery was the ascent, to effect their purpose. As the wind swept by them, threaten ing at each moment to hurl them and their burden into the yawning gulphs below, they were obliged to deposit their load on the snow, and to cling for safety to the rocks, or to the branches of such small shrubs as were within their reach ; then, as the gusts subsided, they again moved on a few yards.

In this manner, silently but diligently, taking advantage of every lull in the storm, they contrived to reach the entrance to the cave, and to place under its shelter their still inanimate guest. Has tily conveying the lady to a bed of fine leaves at some distance from the fire, Hofer proceeded to light a torch, while Wagner procured wine from a small aperture in one ofthe sides of the cave. " Gracious God," cried Hofer, sis he held the torch above the prostrate form of the female ; " it is Gertrude of Eilthaupt. What new calamity has driven the young countess forth in such a night. Quick, Wagner, the wine, the wine; if, indeed, life yet remains in these chilled limbs." Kneeling by the side ofthe pale but beautiful countess, Hofer gently raised hor head, and with some difficulty succeeded in forcing a few drops ef the cordial between her lips.

" She breathes," cried he, after a few minutes anxious suspense. " She still lives. Throw over her all the warm clothing thou canst find, Wagner. Ha ! she hath swallowed a drop. We may savo her jet, brothers ; we may yet save the lisa of the Countess of Eilthaupt." Slowly, but at each moment apparently with less pain, the countess swallowed the wine, which Hofer kept patiently applying to her lips. At length she opened her eyes, looked around with a bewildered air, aud then, with a deep sigh, closed them again. " Dear daughter," said Hofer, affectionately, " I pray thoe drink but one glass of this wine; it will warm thy cold frame, and bring thee back to life again," and he placed the glass to ber lips. Scarcely conscious of what she was doing, Gertrude drank off the contents of the glass, and Hofer having scraped up the leaves into a rude pillow, laid her head upon it, and joined Wagner and Keysler who were standing near the fire.

" Brothers," said he, " God be praised, the countess is saved. A few moments more and tbe blood will gush as warmly as ever through thoso almost frozen veins. For this we should be grateful. Bufwhat could possibly have occurred at Eilthaupt? No slight cause could have induced a young and timid female to brave our moun. tain paths in such a fearful night. She was evidently seeking us either for shelter or for counsel, when she was overpowered by the wind and snow. It were as well to prepare the inner cave for her reception in case shelter is her object. There she may remain in perfect security and comparative comfort, until we can take other measures to place her beyond the reach of ber enemies, if she have any. It is whispered that her uncle, the Count Otho, has proved but a tyrannical guardian to the two daughters ofhis murdered brother.

It is not impossible then that she hath left ber home in consequence of tome act of tyranny on his part. At any rate, she must remain here to-night. If tbou wilt attend me, Wagner, while Keysler, who doubtless is fatigued, watches over the poor maiden, we will do what we can for the comfort of the countess." So saying, Hofer took a torch and some wood, and followed by Wagner, who was also laden with wood, he proceeded for some distance into the bosom of the cavern which seemed to be of vast extent. At length he stopped, and passing the torch slowly up and down the side ol his rocky home, he found and touched an almost imperceptible spring; when, on a slight pressure, a door, which was so admirably constructed as to defy discovery, opened, and the two old men found themselvos in OB THE MYSTEKIOVS MURDER. a narrow passage, alonrwhich tL^y moved until they came to another door of wood, simply fastened by a latch.

Passing through this, they entered a small but dry and clean cavern, in which were a bed, a table, aud two chairs. A fireplace constructed evidently with some art, denoted that tbe chamber, ifsoitmaybe termed, had been used as a place of residence by some individual who was not satis fied to expose himself continually to the colder atmosphere of the outer cavern. In this chimney the two old men soon kindled a fire, which, as it blazed and crackled, gave a cheerful appearance even to this otherwise most gloomy apartment. This done, Wagner opened a small door in the wall, and drew out a pair of sheets and a couple of blankets, which he hung on the chairs before the fire. " Ah ! little did I suspect" observed Hofer, " when the Baron Ketzel left this chamber, that its next tenant would be the Countess of Eilthaupt.

Heaven forbid that the dear lady should need its shelter so long as he did. It pains me to think, Wagner, that we have no refreshment here more suited to so gentle a guest. To morrow, however, this can be remedied. And now brother, having done all that we can, we will return and see how the lady fares." Some little time had been spent in making these preparations, and when they entered that part ofthe cavern in which Gertrude was lying, they found her so far recovered, that she was leaning on her elbow, looking calmly at Keysler, who was uneasily awaiting the return ofhis companions. At the sight of Hofer, whom she had known long and intimately, a faint smile of recognition passed over the still pale face of the Countess, and raising herself up, though with some difficulty, she extended him her hand.

Throwing himself on his knees, the old man took it and raised it respectfully to bis lips. " What dire event hath forced thee, my daughter," asked be affectionately, " to seek our rough abode on such a fearful night . Hath aught befallen thine uncle ? Hath another Count of Eilthaupt passed away amid storm and tempest, or hath any mifortune threatened thee, dear lady . What soughtest thou at our hands ." " Protection, father," answered Gertrude, faintly. " If thou can'st not skreen me from mine uncle, I am lost. Even now my oppressors are on my track, and should they discover the direction I have taken, they will not rest uutil they have found me. Oh, if there be a hole or a corner in this cave in which I can hide, permit me to remain amongst ye, at least until I can send to the Count Gravenitz, my father's friend."

" Thou art safe here, my daughter," replied Hofer, " The secrets of this cavern are known to none but ous selves. As soon as tbou art able to move, I will conduct thee to a retreat in which thou mayst find not only safety but comfort." " Iwill go with thee now, father," said the countess, "Thy assurance of safety and protection has given me new life. Aid me to rise and I will accompany thee at once." Assisted by Hofer, Gertrude arose, and, though not without pain, walked with him to the secret chamber, preceded by Wagner, who acted as guide and torch bearer. Quite reassured by the sight of the door which had been so admirably constructed in the wall as to appear a portion of the very rock itself, the spirit of the Countess began to rise, and she felt almost happy when she entered the com fortable looking chamber into which she had been ushered.

" Here thou mayst remain concealed for years, dear lady, " said Hofer as he led Gertrude to a seat, " should it be necessary that thou shouluest endure such long captivity. I am only sorry that we have nothing in our poor abode save a few fragments of cheese, nnd some bread harrier and darker than that to which the Countess of Eilthaupt has been accustomed. To morrow, however, I will descend to the village and obtain other and more suitable food." " Oh, believe me, father," cried Gertrude, enthu-iastically, " that I will relish a crust in this my new home with more pleasure than I could the daintiest feast in the Castle of Eilthaupt : for since my father's death, my life there has been one of con slant misery and persecution." Without a word, Wagner left the room, and in a few moments returned, bringing with him a small flasket of wine, some brown bread, and the fragments of cheese to which Hofer had alluded.

" I need nothing at present, good father," said, Gertrude, *S but if ye have the TBE WOLF OF IHE BLACK FOREST. time and patience to listen to me, I will tell ye why I fled from the Castle to night. But stay, I pray ye be seated. It does not become men of your age to stand in my poor presence.'* " With your ladyship's permission, I will return and bear Keysler company," said Wagner. " Brother Hofer, will repeat thy story to us, after thou hast retired to rest. Should I not see thee before the morning, I wish thee a good night's repose after thy weary day ; and may He who ruleth the storm, and rideth upon the wings of the wind, watch over thee and keep thee, my daughter." " Least I should tire thy patience, Father," said Gertrude, as soon as the good old Wagner had retired, " I will make my story as short as I can'; still, in order that thou may'st understand it, it will be necessaryj for me to refer back for some years.

About a twelvemonth before my father was murdered, when I was bat in my sixteenth year, my hand was sought by the young Baron §chwartzen, who has since succeeded by the death of his elder brother lo the estates of Hildesheim. I was, I must confess, much pleased with his appearance and manners, and my father who esteemed him highly, promised him. that in the course of a year or two, I should be his bride. Three months after this occurrence the Count Holmar, after repeated visits at the castle, also demanded me in marriage, when my father informed him of the arrangement which he had previously made. In spite of this, however, he still continued his visits, endeavouring by every means ia his power to win roy affections, and to gain the heart that was already given to another. His rank was high and his wealth reported to be great ; but though in addition to these advantages, he was a handsome man, I felt a repugnance to him for which 1 cannot account.

His manners were good, his conversation easy and at times amusing, and he sung and danced well, but in spite of all, my aversion to him increased daily, until at length I could scarcely endure his presence. And in this position matters stood until the death of my father." " No sooner however had my uncle been appointed the guardian of my sister and myself, than the visirs of the baron were prohibited and Count Holmar became almost an inmate of the Castle. At first my uncle resorted only to persuasion and entreaty to induce me to break off my engagement with the young Schvvartzen, and to marry Count Holmar. Finding these useless he at last had recourse to threats declaring that I should wed the count and no one else. I on my part was equally determined, and told him that I would appeal to the Count Gravenitz fur protection in case he persisted in abusing his authority.

On the day after I had made this threat, I was locked up in my chamber, in which for the last month I have been a close prisoner. The only person whom I was permitted to see, being my sister Marguerite, who tutored by my uncle, was perpetually teasing me to bestow my band on the hated Holmar." " This morning the Count of Eilthaupt entered my chamber, and, regarding me sternly, said, " To-morrow sees you the bride of Count Holmar. Resistance is useless. Thy obstinacy has wore out my patience. With or without tliy consent the ceremony shall be performed ; thou shalt marry the man I have chosen for thee." Before I could reply be bad left the room. " Thou canst not conceive, my father, what agony of mind these few words caused me. For some moments, I was almost mad, and thought, forgive me, father, of ending my miseries by suicide.

Full well did I know the stern, unbending nature of my uncle, and I was satisfied that he would carry his threats into execu tion. I had in the early days of my imprisonment endeavoured to win over the woman who acted as my gaoler, but she was a stranger to me, and refused in arty way to aid or permit my escape. I had nothing to hopeforthen but the aid of God nothing to rely on but my own resolution. Instead of giving way therefore, to useless regret, or to impious weakness, I began to seach in my own mind for the means of escape." '' I had noticed that the window of my chamber was at no great distance from the roof of a range of servants' rooms, from which there was a passage to the lower chambers of the castle. If I could manage to reach that safely, 1 was certain that I could find my way to the gates, for I was especially familiar with that portion of our old home.

Once at the gates, it was easy enough to pass them, unlcs old Fritz who kept the keys"1iad been removed from his situation. The probability was that OK THF. MYSTERIOUS MURDER. he had not been removed, or I should have heard of it from Marguerite. There was no time, however, to be lost in debates of this sort. This was my only chance of escape, so tying the bed clothes firmly together, and fastening them to the window, I commended myself to God and the Virgin, and commenced what to me appeared a fearful attempt. To my great surprise and joy, however, I found that the dis tance was much less than I had supposed it to be, and in an instant I was on the roof, unhurt. Darting through the long dark passage which was well known to me, and passing noiselessly by the servants' hall, whom I could hear singing and laughing merrily, I arrived at the apartments occupied by Fritz ; and knocked gently at the door.

He was astonished to see me at liberty again, but his amaze ment was doubled when I implored him by the love which he bore my father to let me pass from the castle. '• ' But whither wouldest thou go, and alone too,^n such a night as this, my dear lady,' asked he ; ' thou wilt perish in the snow. Tbe boldest hunter of the Black Mountains would not encounter such a tempest as thou art now labout to brave. Remain at least until the dawn of day.' " " ' Not an hour — not a moment, Fritz. I would rather perish in the snow than marry the Count Holmar. If thou lovest me — if ever thou didst love my murdered father, I pray thee let me pass. God will watch over me. I fear not the night, If tbou refusest me, I swear by my father's grave, that I will leap from the highest battlement of the castle.' " " Without another word the poor old man opened the postern, and, with tears in his eyes, seized and kissed my hand, praying that God would watch over his young mistress, and conduct her to some place of safety.

"At first I determined to seek the cottage of my fost*r mother, and bent mysteps thitherward, but hearing the sound of horns, which told me that my flight had been discovered, and knowing that that would be the first place in which they would look for me, I changed my mind and turned my steps to thy abode. I knew the dangers I should have to encounter on such a night, but I was prepared to risk all rather than be overtaken. It required all my resolution, however, to continue the fearful route I had chosen ; but I had surmounted its greatest difficulties, and could distinctly perceive the mouth of the cavern, when a gust of wind hurled me from the path, and I remember nottiing more until I awoke to find myself in the hermitage in the company of the good Cither Keysler." "And had it not been for him, thou wouldst have slept thy last sleep," my daughter," said Hofer, solemnly ; " life had almost departed when he found thee half buried in snow.

Lihe thy forefathers, thou wouldst have passed away amid the war of elements. But God has willed it otherwise, my daughter, and thou shouldcst be grateful " At this moment, Wagner hurst into the chamber. " Come forth, Hofer," he cried hastily, "some one approaches the hermitage. The sound ofhis horn each moment draws nearer." " It is my uncle," cried (Jertrude, in the greatest alarm. "Protect me, — save me, oh my father." " Thou art perfectly safe here, my daughter," replied the old man, in a tone of assurance. " Rely on my word, and retire to rest. Should any one reach the cavern, it will not be in my power to see thee again to-night. Sleep, and sleep in peace ; for, I repeat, thou art safe here." And hastily quitting the chamber, he closed both doors carefully after him, and entering the outer cavern, joined Wagner and Keysler, s THE WOLr OF THI BLACK FOREST,

Chapter II. The Counts

IlLTHAUTT AND HOLMAI The storm was raging, if possible, with even greater fury than before, and the three old men shuddered as the fierce gusts rolled heavily over and around their solitary abode ; and ever and anon tho snow would rush into the mouth of the cavern, whirl in white clouds around and around, and then disappear to dance wildly be fore the mad hurricane. But loudly as roared the wind, amid its howlings the sound of a horn was distinctly audible. It was still at some distance, but as Wag ner had stated, it was momentarily becoming louder and more distinct. " Who or whut can it be!" asked Keysler in alarm, " Surely, no mere man would attempt to reach our home to-night." " Why not?" asked Hofer, somewhat sternly, " has not a woman done so?" " True, true, brother," exclaimed Keysler, who was strongly tainted with lite supetstitious feelings so natural to his countrymen ; "but,- — ah, they say that the Wolf of the Black Forest chooses just such nights as these to hunt in.

God keep its all. God keep us all. Who knows that tfe evil spirit hath not entered our ceil in the shape of a woman? Oh, oh, Hofer, who knows?" "Fie, fie upon tbee, brother," replied Hofer, indignantly, " The lady whom thou didst rescue irom the grave is in reality the Countess of Eilihaupt. She hath fled to us from the persecutions of her uncle. Her (light hath been discovered, and hor pursuers are behind her. Tlu horn thou hearest is doubtless that of one of theur. Remember, brothers, sho is not here. We know nothing of her. Wagner, arrange thut bed in the corner. Keysler, reHect that a display of thy idle fears may cost the child of our late friend her life." Somewhat rc-astired by the language and manner of his brother, Keysler became more composed, while Hofer cast his eyes around the cavo to see ii'he could detect anything which might betray the late presence of the countess.

A moment later aud the horn sounded loudly through the cavern, startling its old echoes — and then a voice was heard, crying — " Ho, ho, there, {a light ; unless ye would have us perish amongst these accursed rocks." Seizing a torch, Hofer led the way to themoulh of the cave, followed by his com panions. The clouds, which, broken in ragged masses, were flying wildly across the sky, allowed the moon for a moment to be visible, and the brothers could distinctly see two men, about fifty yards below, clambering up the steep ascent, and with difficulty maintainiRg their position on the narrow path which led to the her mitage. Guided by the light, however, they now began to ascend more rapidly , and in a short time had reached the platform in front of the cavern. Without a word, Hofer led the way iitto the cave, followed by his companions and the strangers.

" Methinks ye might have displayed your torches a little sooner, reverend f tthers," said the elder of the visitors, with a slight sneer, " Are ye generally so 6low in succouring the benighted? By my faith, had we perished, ye had been somewhat to blame." " In such a night as this," said Hofer, quietly, " when the Wolf of the Black Forest is prowling for his prey, we show no light until we hear the sound of a human voice. So soon as ye spake we came to thine aid." " Well ! under these circumstances ye have our pardon. But clambering over the rocks has made me thirsty. Have ye, in this hole, such a thing as a pitcher of wine?" "The little we have, the Count of Eilthaupt is welcome to," said Hofer coldly. " We keep none but what is given to us for the use ofthe sick and the poor." " Bring out what there is," said the count.

" To morrow ye may replenish your stock from the cellais of Eilthaupt." " In tbe name of God and of the poor we accept it," said Hofer in the same cold tones, as he took oBt of the recess to which Wagner had previously resorted, two OR HIT. M-STER10US MURDE [HE WILL ANSWER ONLY TO THE CALL OF TIIE LAST TRUMT.] large bottles, and placed them on the table, upon which Keysler, who at the sight ot the visitors had dismissed his fears, had already deposited a couple of glasses. " By my soul the features of the=e bottles are familiar enough to me," observed the count as he held one up to the light. " They look as if they came from the bins of Eilthaupt. What sayest thnu, Holmar? " They are the last of a gift from the late count of Ulrich, upon whose soul may God have mercy," said Hofer solemnly.

" The lady Get trade piomi=ed us a further supply when this was exhausted. But may I enquire of your lordships for what reasons ye have honoured us with tlis late and unexpected visit on a night so dark and stormy ? " '' We seek this very lady Gertrude," answered Eilthaupt, with some degree of irritation, for he was not only angry at her escape, but entertained great fears for her safety. " As she has thought proper to leave our protection to night, we thought she might have sought yours." "Our protection, and to night !" cried Hofer with well feigned surprise, " Is it possible that any woman could have made her way in such a storm, along the road that ye have traversed? If the lady Gertrude has attempted such a step that which banished her from the home of her fathers has consigned her to a grave among the ravines of the Black Mountains.

Thesouls of the Eilthaupts always [NoTirr BLACK FOREST, take their departure from earth midst the roars of the tempest and the howling cf the wind. An Eilthaupt has died, or is to die this night." At these words, so solemnly uttered, the cheeks of the Count grew pale, and he cast his eyes, conscience stricken to the ground — but the Count Holmar, upon whom they had made no impression, said, with so much impertinence of manner that Hofer was seriously offended. " Most holy fathers, we are not here to bandy words with men of your calling. The lady Gertrude has fled from the Castle of Eilthaupt, anil from the care of her lawful guardian, aud we would know in so many words, is she or is she not here ?" " Here are torches, and there are the recesses of the cavern," said Hofer with stern dignity.

" Ye are'at liberty to search for your prey, from one extremity of the cavern to the other; but hear me befareye stir, — if the lady Gertrude was heir, if the chdd of my murdered benefactor had sought the shelter of our hermitage, neither the Count Holmar, nor the Count of Eilthaupt should remove her from this place without my sanction." " Whit ! wouldst thou beard me to my face, thou mendicant," cried the enraged Eilthaupt, as he sprang to his feet. " By the demon of the Hartz, nothing but thy gown protects theeeven now, Ihou mongrel priest !" "Mendicant!" repeated Hofer slowly, " But let it pass. It surely is better to beg than to steal." " Believe me, oldman,tby impertinence shall not go unpunished,*. cued Eilthaupt, each moment more enraged by the contempt with which the imperturbable hofer treated both him and his threats.