human
Well, continued I, after recovering a little,
gpt
It was made some three days ago, at the Devil's Hoof Tavern. You may remember that you and Wolstang were drinking there at that time.
human
Yes, I remember it well enough; but I understood that I was putting my name to a receipt for fifty gilders which he paid me. I never read the writing; I merely subscribed it.
gpt
That was a pity; for really you have bound yourself as firmly as signing with a person's own blood can do.
human
Did I sign it with my own blood?
gpt
Exactly so. You may recollect of cutting your finger. I had the pleasure of stanching the blood, a sufficient quantity of which was nevertheless collected to write this document.
human
Then you were present, said I;--
gpt
Precisely.
human
And what, continued I,
gpt
Then you keep his body till the natural period of your own death.
human
Suppose I die?
gpt
He then keeps your body.
human
Then, if he dies, my body is buried and goes to decay, while I am clogged up in his body, till relieved from it by death?
gpt
Precisely.
human
And shall I never, said I, weeping,
gpt
You may see it, if ever Wolstang comes in your way.
human
But shall I never possess it--shall I never be myself again?
gpt
Not unless he pleases.
human
The villain! exclaimed I, in an agony of grief;
gpt
I am then undone--the tool of a heartless unprincipled miscreant. Is my case hopeless?
human
O no, my dear friend, said the little man,