The formal investigation of the closed room was made in the presence of the police authorities.  It contained nothing but a small safe which was built into the wall.  When the safe had been opened by force, an inner chamber, which had to be broken open by itself, was found to contain a number of rolls of gold pieces, many jewels and numerous notes and I.O.U.’s.  The treasure was covered by an old document.  From this latter it was learned that the owner of the house two hundred years ago had been a silk weaver by the name of Flemming Ambrosius Wolff.  He was said to have lent money on security for many years, but had died apparently a poor man, because he had so carefully hidden his riches that little of it was found after his death.

With a niggardliness that bordered on madness, he had believed that he could hide his treasure forever by shutting it up in the sealed room.  The curse over the door was to frighten away any venturesome mortal, and further security was given by the clause in the title deed.

The universally disliked Lieutenant Flamming Wolff must have had many characteristics in common with this disagreeable old ancestor, to whose treasure he would have fallen heir had he not lost his life in the discovering of it.  The old miser had not hidden his wealth for all eternity, as he had hoped, but had only brought about the inheriting of it by Madame Wolff, the owner of the house, and the next of kin.  The first use to which this lady put the money was to tear down the uncanny old building and to erect in its stead a beautiful new home for her daughter and son-in-law.

STEEN STEENSEN BLICHER

THE RECTOR OF VEILBYE

These extracts from the diary of Erik Sorensen, District Judge, followed by two written statements by the rector of Aalsoe, give a complete picture of the terrible events that took place in the parish of Veilbye during Judge Sorensen’s first year of office.  Should anyone be inclined to doubt the authenticity of these documents let him at least have no doubt about the story, which is, alas! only too sadly true.  The memory of these events is still fresh in the district, and the events themselves have been the direct cause of a change in the method of criminal trials.  A suspected murderer is now tried through all the courts before his conviction can be determined.  Readers versed in the history of law will doubtless know by this during what epoch the story is laid.

I

[From the Diary of District Judge Erik Soerensen.]

Now am I, unworthy one, by the grace of God made judge over this district.  May the Great Judge above give me wisdom and uprightness that I may fulfill my difficult task in all humility!  From the Lord alone cometh judgment.

It is not good that man should live alone.  Now that I am able to support a wife I will look about me for a help-meet.  I hear much good said about the daughter of the Rector of Veilbye.  Since her mother’s death she has been a wise and economical keeper of her father’s house.  And as she and her brother the student are the only children, she will inherit a tidy sum when the old man dies.