Hermann: A Novel

Transcriber's Note: 1. Page scan source: http://books.google.com/books?id=ZBUCAAAAQAAJ&dq
But, Doctor, for heaven's sake tell us what this is all about.
The whole town is talking of it already, and still we have heard no particulars!
Surely it is impossible, Doctor, it cannot be true!
He, to whom all these questions and exclamations were addressed, rapped his stick with an air of impatient vexation against the pavement, and replied in a rather dry, concise tone--
What you may think possible or impossible, gentlemen, is not for me to decide; the fact is simply this, that the sum of 20,000 thalers is missing, and that the steward, Brand, has shot himself this morning. You can decide for yourselves the connection between the two circumstances.
The assembled officers of the Prince's household surrounded, with pale, horrified faces, the principal physician of the town, from whose lips they had just received confirmation of a report, which had already agitated the little town for some hours.
It is really true, then! And they say that the misfortune happened in Count Arnau's own room.
In his business room! The Count had suspected the steward for some days, and therefore sent for him this morning. He called him to account, and finally charged him to his face with the robbery. Brand attempted to deny it at first, but at last confessed to it, and begged for mercy, which, of course, could not be granted to him; and as the Count turned to ring the bell, in order to have him taken into custody, he drew out a pistol and shot himself before his Excellency's eyes.
Did you hear this from his Excellency himself? asked one of the older members of the Count's household.
From his own lips.
Indeed?