Everything I had just heard and seen showed that my friend, supposed to be dead, had really come to see me, and that his passion for escamotage was unabated.
“But why is the banquet given this very day? can it not be postponed?” I asked after a while. “What an idea!” said my friend. “My father gives the entertainment with the consent of Prince Kinský, who has invited many guests. Look, the castle is all illuminated!”
Then he stepped to the window, from which a part of Kinský’s villa could be seen, and rolled up the curtain. All the windows of the palace were, indeed, lighted. “The banquet has already begun, about an hour ago,” my friend went on; “my performance will begin later, and for this reason I came to inform you. Come, if you like! But excuse me; you will have to come by foot, alone. I must leave in haste and without you, purely for an escamoteur’s reasons, of course. Will you come, then?”
“I will,” I said, rising.
My friend quickly arose, shook hands and left. I heard his steps, heard the door open and close, and then a carriage rattling along the street. I listened, listened until the sound died away. All I had just witnessed was so strange, in spite of all explanation, that for a time I remained sitting motionless, unable to collect myself. Distrust soon arose in me. Being alone and seeing nothing changed about me, I was ready to believe it all a dream; but the Prince Kinský’s illuminated palace, which I saw from my window, confirmed the opinion that I was really awake, and that I was able, nay, obliged, to perform my friend’s request.
I shall never forget the sensation I felt after his departure. I felt as happy as a man who was unexpectedly freed from some dreadful vision that had haunted hima long time. I felt an unusual briskness and strength. Without any long deliberation I put on an overcoat, took my hat, and left the room. I went slowly downstairs, knocked at the janitor’s window, had the door opened, and walked into the street.
It wasa clear autumn night. The pensive moon, lightly veiled
