s collected to write this document."

"Then you were present," said I;--"yes, I have a recollection of your
face, now that you mention the circumstance. You were then dressed as a
clergyman, if I mistake not."

"Precisely."

"And what," continued I, "are the conditions on which I hold this
strange existence? Suppose Wolstang dies?"

"Then you keep his body till the natural period of your own death."

"Suppose I die?"

"He then keeps your body."

"Then, if he dies, my body is buried and goes to decay, while I am
clogged up in his body, till relieved from it by death?"

"Precisely."

This announcement struck me with terror. "And shall I never," said I,
weeping, "see my dear body again?"

"You may see it, if ever Wolstang comes in your way."

"But shall I never possess it--shall I never be myself again?"

"Not unless he pleases."

"The villain!" exclaimed I, in an agony of grief; "I am then undone--the
tool of a heartless unprincipled miscreant. Is my case hopeless?"

"O no, my dear friend," said the little man, "not at all hopeless; there
is nothing simpler than the remedy. Only put your name here, and you
will be yourself in a minute. The fellow will then lose all power over
your body." I seized with avidity the pen which he presented to me,
dipped it in a vial of red ink, and was proceeding to do as he
directed, when the writing above caught my eye. It ran thus:--

"I hereby engage, after my natural decease, to give over my
soul to the owner of this book."

"Zounds!" said I, "what is this?"

"It is nothing at all; just a form--a mere form of business, of no
intrinsic meaning. If you would just write your name--it is very easily
done."

"Has any other person signed such deeds?" demanded I.

"Many a one. Here, for example, is Wolstang's name attached to a similar
contract. It is, in fact, by virtue of this that he has the power over
your body. The deed which you have signed would have availed him nothing
without this one."

"Then," said I, "if you relieve me from my present condition, you break
faith with Wolstang, seeing that you deprive him of his stipulated
power."

"I deprive him of his power over you, but I give him in return a similar
power over some other person, which will answer his purpose equally
well. I think you had better sign."

"No, you old villain!" said I, wrought up to a pitch of fury at the
infernal plan which I saw he was meditating, "I will never sign your
damnab