Next morning Nuremberg was agitated1 with a horror such as can seldom have disturbed its quiet; a young and lovely girl had been murdered. Her corpse2 was discovered at daybreak under the archway leading to the old fortifications. She had been stabbed to the heart. No other signs of violence were visible; no robbery had been attempted.
In great cities, necessarily great centers of crime, we daily hear of murders; their frequency and remoteness leave us undisturbed. Our sympathies can only be deeply moved either by some scenic3 peculiarities4 investing the crime with unusual romance or unusual atrocity5, or else by the more immediate6 appeal of direct neighborly interest. The murder which is read of in the Times as having occurred in Westminster, has seldom any special horror to the inhabitants of Islington or Oxford7 Street; but to the inhabitants of Westminster, and especially to the inhabitants of the particular street in which it was perpetrated, the crime assumes heart-shaking proportions. Every detail is asked for, and every surmise8 listened to, with feverish9 eagerness is repeated and diffused10 through the crowd with growing interest. The family of the victim; the antecedents of the assassin, if he is known; or the conjectures11 pointing to the unknown assassin,—are eagerly discussed. All the trivial details of household care or domestic fortunes, all the items of personal gossip, become invested with a solemn and affecting interest. Pity for the victim and survivors13 mingle14 and alternate with fierce cries for vengeance15 on the guilty. The whole street becomes one family, commingled16 by an energetic sympathy, united by one common feeling of compassion17 and wrath18.
In villages, and in cities so small as Nuremberg, the same community of feeling is manifested. The town became as one street. The horror spread like a conflagration19, the sympathy surged and swelled20 like a tide. Everyone felt a personal interest in the event, as if the murder had been committed at his own door. Never shall I forget that wail21 of passionate22 pity, and that cry for the vengeance of justice, which rose from all sides of the startled city. Never shall I forget the hurry, the agitation23, the feverish restlessness, the universal communicativeness, the volunteered services, the eager suggestion, surging round the house of the unhappy parents. Herr Lehfeldt, the father of the unhappy girl, was a respected burgher known to almost every one. His mercer's shop was the leading one of the city. A worthy24, pious25 man, somewhat strict, but of irreproachable26 character; his virtues27, no less than those of his wife, and of his only daughter, Lieschen— now, alas28; for ever snatched from their yearning29 eyes—were canvassed30 everywhere, and served to intensify31 the general grief. That such a calamity32 should have fallen on a household so estimable, seemed to add fuel to the people's wrath. Poor Lieschen! her pretty, playful ways—her opening prospects33, as the only daughter of parents so well to do and so kind—her youth and abounding34 life—these were detailed35 with impassioned fervor36 by friends, and repeated by strangers who caught the tone of friends, as if they, too, had known and loved her. But amidst the surging uproar37 of this sea of many voices no one clear voice of direction could be heard; no clue given to the clamorous38 bloodhounds to run down the assassin.
Cries had been heard in the streets that night at various parts of the town, which, although then interpreted as the quarrels of drunken brawlers, and the conflicts of cats, were now confidently asserted to have proceeded from the unhappy girl in her death- struggle. But none of these cries had been heard in the immediate neighborhood of the archway. All the inhabitants of that part of the town agreed that in their waking hours the streets had been perfectly39 still. Nor were there any traces visible of a struggle having taken place. Lieschen might have been murdered elsewhere, and her corpse quietly deposited where it was found, as far as any evidence went.
Wild and vague were the conjectures. All were baffled in the attempt to give them a definite direction. The crime was apparently40 prompted by revenge—certainly not by lust41, or desire of money. But she was not known to stand in any one's way. In this utter blank as to the assignable motive42, I, perhaps alone among the furious crowd, had a distinct suspicion of the assassin. No sooner had the news reached me, than with the specification43 of the theater of the crime there at once flashed upon me the intellectual vision of the criminal: the stranger with the dark beard and startled eyes stood confessed before me! I held my breath for a few moments, and then there came a tide of objections rushing over my mind, revealing the inadequacy44 of the grounds on which rested my suspicions. What were the grounds? I had seen a man in a particular spot, not an unfrequented spot, on the evening of the night when the crime had been committed there; that man had seemed to recognize me, and wished to avoid being recognized. Obviously these grounds were too slender to bear any weight of construction such as I had based on them. Mere45 presence on the spot could no more inculpate46 him than it could inculpate me; if I had met him there, equally had he met me there. Nor even if my suspicion were correct that he knew me, and refused to recognize me, could that be any argument tending to criminate him in an affair wholly disconnected with me. Besides, he was walking peaceably, openly, and he looked like a gentleman. All these objections pressed themselves upon me, and kept me silent. But in spite of their force I could not prevent the suspicion from continually arising. Ashamed to mention it, because it may have sounded too absurd, I could not prevent my constructive47 imagination indulging in its vagaries48, and with this secret conviction I resolved to await events, and in case suspicion from other quarters should ever designate the probable assassin, I might then come forward with my bit of corroborative49 evidence, should the suspected assassin be the stranger of the archway.
By twelve o'clock a new direction was given to rumor50. Hitherto the stories, when carefully sifted51 of all exaggerations of flying conjecture12, had settled themselves into something like this: The Lehfeldts had retired52 to rest at a quarter before ten, as was their custom. They had seen Lieschen go into her bedroom for the night, and had themselves gone to sleep with unclouded minds. From this peaceful security they were startled early in the morning by the appalling53 news of the calamity which had fallen on them. Incredulous at first, as well they might be, and incapable54 of believing in a ruin so unexpected and so overwhelming, they imagined some mistake, asserting that Lieschen was in her own room. Into that room they rushed, and there the undisturbed bed, and the open window, but a few feet from the garden, silently and pathetically disclosed the fatal truth. The bereaved55 parents turned a revealing look upon each other's whitened faces, and then slowly retired from the room, followed in affecting silence by the others. Back into their own room they went. The father knelt beside the bed, and, sobbing56, prayed. The mother sat staring with a stupefied stare, her lips faintly moving. In a short while the flood of grief, awakened57 to a thorough consciousness, burst from their laboring58 hearts. When the first paroxysms were over they questioned others, and gave incoherent replies to the questions addressed to them. From all which it resulted that Lieschen's absence, though obviously voluntary, was wholly inexplicable59 to them; and no clew whatever could be given as to the motives60 of the crime. When these details became known, conjecture naturally interpreted Lieschen's absence at night as an assignation. But with whom? She was not known to have a lover. Her father, on being questioned, passionately61 affirmed that she had none; she loved no one but her parents, poor child! Her mother, on being questioned, told the same story—adding, however, that about seventeen months before, she had fancied that Lieschen was a little disposed to favor Franz Kerkel, their shopman; but on being spoken to on the subject with some seriousness, and warned of the distance between them, she had laughed heartily62 at the idea, and since then had treated Franz with so much indifference63 that only a week ago she had drawn64 from her mother a reproof65 on the subject.
"I told her Franz was a good lad, though not good enough for her, and that she ought to treat him kindly66. But she said my lecture had given her an alarm, lest Franz should have got the same maggot into his head."
This was the story now passing through the curious crowds in every street. After hearing it I had turned into a tobacconist's in the Adlergrasse, to restock my cigar-case, and found there, as everywhere, a group discussing the one topic of the hour. Herr Fischer, the tobacconist, with a long porcelain67 pipe pendent from his screwed-up lips, was solemnly listening to the particulars volubly communicated by a stout68 Bavarian priest; while behind the counter, in a corner, swiftly knitting, sat his wife, her black bead-like eyes also fixed69 on the orator70. Of course I was dragged into the conversation. Instead of attending to commercial interests, they looked upon me as the possible bearer of fresh news. Nor was it without a secret satisfaction that I found I could gratify them in that respect. They had not heard of Franz Kerkel in the matter. No sooner had I told what I had heard than the knitting-needles of the vivacious71 little woman were at once suspended.
"Who?" we all simultaneously73 inquired.
"Who? Why, Kerkel, of course. If she changed, and treated him with indifference, it was because she loved him; and he has murdered the poor thing."
"I tell you it is so. I'm positive."
"If she loved him."
"She did, I tell you. Trust a woman for seeing through such things."
"Well, say she did," continued Fischer, "and I won't deny that it may be so; but then that makes against the idea of his having done her any harm."
"Don't tell me," retorted the convinced woman. "She loved him. She went out to meet him in secret, and he murdered her—the villain76 did. I'm as sure of it as if these eyes had seen him do it."
The husband winked77 at us, as much as to say, "You hear these women!" and the priest and I endeavored to reason her out of her illogical position. But she was immovable. Kerkel had murdered her; she knew it; she couldn't tell why, but she knew it. Perhaps he was jealous, who knows? At any rate, he ought to be arrested.
And by twelve o'clock, as I said, a new rumor ran through the crowd, which seemed to confirm the little woman in her rash logic78. Kerkel had been arrested, and a waistcoat stained with blood had been found in his room! By half-past twelve the rumor ran that he had confessed the crime. This, however, proved on inquiry79 to be the hasty anticipation80 of public indignation. He had been arrested; the waistcoat had been found: so much was authentic81; and the suspicions gathered ominously82 over him.
When first Frau Fischer had started the suggestion it flew like wildfire. Then people suddenly noticed, as very surprising, that Kerkel had not that day made his appearance at the shop. His absence had not been noticed in the tumult83 of grief and inquiry; but it became suddenly invested with a dreadful significance, now that it was rumored84 that he had been Lieschen's lover. Of all men he would be the most affected85 by the tragic86 news; of all men he would have been the first to tender sympathy and aid to the afflicted87 parents, and the most clamorous in the search for the undiscovered culprit. Yet, while all Nuremberg was crowding round the house of sorrow, which was also his house of business, he alone remained away. This naturally pointed88 suspicion at him. When the messengers had gone to seek him, his mother refused them admission, declaring in incoherent phrases, betraying great agitation, that her son was gone distracted with grief and could see no one. On this it was determined89 to order his arrest. The police went, the house was searched, and the waistcoat found.
The testimony90 of the girl who lived as servant in Kerkel's house was also criminatory. She deposed91 that on the night in question she awoke about half-past eleven with a violent toothache; she was certain as to the hour, because she heard the clock afterwards strike twelve. She felt some alarm at hearing voices in the rooms at an hour when her mistress and young master must long ago have gone to bed; but as the voices were seemingly in quiet conversation, her alarm subsided92, and she concluded that instead of having gone to bed her mistress was still up. In her pain she heard the door gently open, and then she heard footsteps in the garden. This surprised her very much. She couldn't think what the young master could want going out at that hour. She became terrified without knowing exactly at what. Fear quite drove away the toothache, which had not since returned. After lying there quaking for some time, again she heard footsteps in the garden; the door opened and closed gently; voices were heard; and she at last distinctly heard her mistress say, "Be a man, Franz. Good-night— sleep well;" upon which Franz replied in a tone of great agony, "There's no chance of sleep for me." Then all was silent. Next morning her mistress seemed "very queer." Her young master went out very early, but soon came back again; and there were dreadful scenes going on in his room, as she heard, but she didn't know what it was all about. She heard of the murder from a neighbor, but never thought of its having any particular interest for Mr. Franz, though, of course, he would be very sorry for the Lehfeldts.
The facts testified to by the servant, especially the going out at that late hour, and the "dreadful scenes" of the morning, seemed to bear but one interpretation93. Moreover, she identified the waistcoat as the one worn by Franz on the day preceding the fatal night.
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1
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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corpse
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| n.尸体，死尸 | |
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scenic
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| adj.自然景色的，景色优美的 | |
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peculiarities
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| n. 特质, 特性, 怪癖, 古怪 | |
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atrocity
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| n.残暴，暴行 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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Oxford
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| n.牛津（英国城市） | |
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surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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feverish
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| adj.发烧的，狂热的，兴奋的 | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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conjectures
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| 推测，猜想( conjecture的名词复数 ) | |
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conjecture
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| n./v.推测，猜测 | |
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survivors
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| 幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 ) | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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commingled
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| v.混合，掺和，合并( commingle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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compassion
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| n.同情，怜悯 | |
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wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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conflagration
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| n.建筑物或森林大火 | |
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swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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pious
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| adj.虔诚的；道貌岸然的 | |
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irreproachable
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| adj.不可指责的，无过失的 | |
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virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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yearning
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| a.渴望的；向往的；怀念的 | |
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canvassed
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| v.（在政治方面）游说( canvass的过去式和过去分词 )；调查（如选举前选民的）意见；为讨论而提出（意见等）；详细检查 | |
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intensify
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| vt.加强；变强；加剧 | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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abounding
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| adj.丰富的，大量的v.大量存在，充满，富于( abound的现在分词 ) | |
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detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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fervor
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| n.热诚；热心；炽热 | |
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uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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clamorous
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| adj.吵闹的，喧哗的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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42
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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specification
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| n.详述；[常pl.]规格，说明书，规范 | |
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inadequacy
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| n.无法胜任，信心不足 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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inculpate
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| v.使负罪；控告；使连累 | |
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constructive
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| adj.建设的，建设性的 | |
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vagaries
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| n.奇想( vagary的名词复数 )；异想天开；异常行为；难以预测的情况 | |
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corroborative
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| adj.确证（性）的，确凿的 | |
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rumor
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| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
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51
sifted
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| v.筛( sift的过去式和过去分词 )；筛滤；细查；详审 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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53
appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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55
bereaved
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| adj.刚刚丧失亲人的v.使失去（希望、生命等）( bereave的过去式和过去分词)；（尤指死亡）使丧失（亲人、朋友等）；使孤寂；抢走（财物） | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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laboring
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| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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reproof
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| n.斥责，责备 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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porcelain
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| n.瓷；adj.瓷的，瓷制的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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vivacious
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| adj.活泼的，快活的 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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villain
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| n.反派演员，反面人物；恶棍；问题的起因 | |
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winked
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| v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮 | |
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logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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79
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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80
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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authentic
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| a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的 | |
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ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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84
rumored
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| adj.传说的，谣传的v.传闻( rumor的过去式和过去分词 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷 | |
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85
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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90
testimony
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| n.证词；见证，证明 | |
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91
deposed
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| v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证 | |
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subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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interpretation
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| n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理 | |
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