Chapter 12 Summary

Zerkow and Maria are married one month after the picnic, and Maria gives birth to an unhealthy child. As a result of the birth, Maria lapses into a bout of dementia, which goes away just in time for her to bury her child. The baby lasts less than two weeks.

Zerkow's obsessive quest for information about his wife's lost treasure is unwavering. He resolves to get Maria to reveal to him where the treasure is located. He is shocked to realize that since her dementia, Maria has no recollection of the story she has recounted dozens of times! He is outraged, for the quest for this mythical treasure is the principal reason he married her. Zerkow resolves to find the treasure, at any cost. He will shake the truth out of his wife if he has to! Maria runs away from her crazed...