Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/160

 Meanwhile, by order of the magistrates, Roderick drew from his pockets the writings that established, indubitably, his identity; he also placed before their eyes the letters of his father to his mother. But, in the papers, Wolfgang had taken the standing of merchant, and the name of DeBorn; and his letters, although the resemblance of the hand-writing was evident, only bore for signature the initial W. The judges were very much embarrassed to decide this grave question, and separated, to proceed to a vigorous study of the facts that had been submitted to them. Hubert, informed of what was passing, immediately addressed a request to the regent of the district, to be put into immediate possession of the inheritance, in default of sufficient proofs in favor of his adversary. The tribunal decided that it should be done as the baron Hubert of R—sitten solicited, if young Roderick did not, without delay, furnish undoubted evidence of the legitimacy of his claims.

Justice V gathered carefully all the papers left by Wolfgang of R; he was once, towards midnight, in the bed-chamber of the deceased, at R—sitten, buried to the eyes in dust and old files of papers; the moon shone from outside with a sinister light, whose reflections furrowed the walls of the neighboring hall, of which the door was open. Suddenly the justice was drawn from his labor by a noise of footsteps that proceeded from the stairway, and by the jingling of a bunch of keys. He rose and went into the hall, listening attentively. A door opened, and a man partly dressed, carrying a dark lantern, entered staggeringly, his face pale and distorted. V recognized Daniel; he was about speaking to him, when on examining the features of the old major-domo, he perceived that he was suffering an attack of somnambulism, for he was walking with his eyes closed,—directed himself towards the walled-up door, placed his lantern on the floor, drew a key from the bunch hanging at his girdle, and began to scratch at the door, uttering hoarse groans. A few minutes after he placed his ear to the wall, as if to listen to