Page:Poet Lore, volume 34, 1923.djvu/511

 close to examine it in Erna’s hands.) On all arms of this kind there is usually here a cipher with the Caliph’s name under it; but on this one there is the name of Iblis, with a conjuring formula directly beneath it.

Erna (Offering it).—See how heavy, Lena.

Lena (Taking it). —To be sure.

Burris.—Iblis is the devil—Satan.

Rudolph.—The Moslem devil.

Lena.—And the formula?

Rudolph.—Pronounces death upon any one who possesses himself of it as a trophy.

( is so startled that she drops the gun with a bang on the table. They all laugh, except .)

Rudolph.—The Imperial collection at Vienna has one example of a weapon thus engraved. It dates back to the reign of a Savoyan prince. He took it as a trophy in one of his expeditions. Later he shot himself with it. From his time to this the cursed gun has been a favorite means of suicide in the family. The heirloom has almost become an orphan. (He takes gun and tries to cock it.)

Burris (With forced laugh).—I spoiled the devil’s charm when I captured it and stayed alive.

Rudolph.—By all the wiles of Iblis, the thing has a real lock.

Burris.—Permit me

( works a little longer, then gives up and hands it to .)

Burris (Raising trigger with great effort).—If all the devils in I beg your pardon. (He holds gun with barrel to ceiling.)

Erna (Playfully jerking it out of his hand).—Now we shall see if Smail Beg was right. First we shall shoot our little one here. (Points at Lena.)

Lena (With terrified scream).—No, no, for God’s sake! Erna! (She hastily feels her way to, and when she accidentally touches the barrel, she utters a hysterical cry.) Jesus!

( and laugh with ill natured abandon.)

Burris (To ).—Gracious lady, please.

Rudolph.—Keine Dummbheiten, Erna. Don’t you know that the devil’s curse threatens only the possessor?

Erna.—All right then! (She turns the gun on, and pulls the trigger. It falls with such a resounding click that herself is startled.  rises, and as the hammer falls, he catches at his side.)