Read Online Hanns Heinz Ewers Alraune by Joe Bandel - Free Book Online

supple foil.
    “What then nephew?” he said. “And then after
the child comes into the world? What then?”
    The student hesitated, his words dripped
slowly, falling, “Then–we–will–have–a–magickal–creature.”
    His voice swung lightly, yielding and
reverberating like musical tones.
    “Then we will see what truth there is in the
old legend, get a glimpse into the deepest bowels of nature.”
    The Privy Councilor opened his lips to speak
but Frank Braun wouldn’t let him get a word in.
    “Then we can prove whether there is
something, some mysterious power, that is stronger than all the
laws of science that we know. We can prove whether this life is
worth the trouble to live–especially for us.”
    “Especially for us?” the professor
repeated.
    Frank Braun said, “Yes Uncle Jakob–especially
for us! For you and for me–and the few hundred other people that
stand as Masters over their lives–and then prove it even for the
enslaved, the ones on the street, for the rest of the herd.”
    Then suddenly, abruptly, he asked, “Uncle
Jakob, do you believe in God?”
    The Privy Councilor clicked his lips
impatiently, “Do I believe in God? What does that have to do with
it?”
    But his nephew pressed him, wouldn’t let him
brush it away, “Answer me Uncle Jakob, answer. Do you believe in
God?”
    He bent down closer to the old man, held him
fast in his gaze.
    The Privy Councilor said, “What do you mean
boy? According to the understanding that everyone else uses, what I
recognize as true and believe is most certainly not God. There is
only a feeling–but that feeling is so uncontrollable, something
so–”
    “Yes, yes, uncle,” cried the student. “What
about this feeling?”
    The professor resisted like always, moved
back and forth in his chair.
    “Well, if I must speak candidly–there are
times–very rare–with long stretches in between–”
    Frank Braun cried, “You believe–You do
believe in God! Oh, I knew it! All the Brinkens do–all of them up
to you.”
    He threw up his head, raised his lips high
showing rows of smooth shiny teeth, and pushed out every word
forcefully.
    “Then you will do it Uncle Jakob. Then you
must do it and I don’t need to speak with you any more about it. It
is something that has been given to you, one out of a million
people. It is possible for you–possible for you to play at being
God!
    If your God is real and lives he must answer
you for your impertinence, for daring to do such a thing!”
    He became quiet, went back and forth with
large strides through the long room. Then he took up his hat and
went up to the old man.
    “Good night Uncle Jakob,” he said. “Will you
do it?”
    He reached out his hand to him but the old
man didn’t see it. He was staring into space, brooding.
    “I don’t know,” he answered finally.
    Frank Braun took the alraune from the table,
shoved it into the old man’s hands. His voice rang mocking and
haughty.
    “Here, consult with this!”
    But the next moment the cadence of his voice
was different.
    Quietly he said, “Oh, I know you will do
it.”
    He strode quickly to the door, stopped there
a moment, turned around and came back.
    “Just one more thing Uncle Jakob. When you do
it–”
    But the Privy Councilor burst out, “I don’t
know whether I’ll do it.”
    “Ok,” said the student. “I won’t ask you any
more about it. But just in case you should decide to do it–will you
promise me something?”
    “What?” the professor inquired.
    answered, “Please don’t let the princess
watch!”
    “Why not?” the Privy Councilor asked.
    Frank Braun spoke softly and earnestly,
“Because–because these things–are sacred.”
    Then he left. He stepped out of the house and
crossed the courtyard. The servant opened the gate and it rattled
shut behind him.
    Frank Braun walked down the street, stopped
before the shrine of the Saint and examined it.
    “Oh, Blessed Saint,” he said. “People bring
you flowers and