act spot where the
scaffold had stood, a stranger approaches of whom our traveller makes an
enquiry. They fall into conversation, and the newcomer proves to be the
governor of the prison in which Sand had been confined. Delighted at
this rencontre, M. Dumas turns back and stops a day or two longer at
Mannheim, copying some letters of Sand's, and collecting materials which
fill several chapters of his book. He learns from his new friend that
the Mr Widemann at Heidelberg, for whom he has a letter, is not only a
surgeon but also the public executioner, although as yet his services
have not been called into request in the latter capacity. It was his
father who decapitated Sand. The Heidelberg executioner is noble by
right of descent. The origin of his family's nobility is given by M.
Dumas as follows:--

"The evening of the day on which King Louis of Bavaria was crowned
emperor, there was a splendid ball at the town-hall, at which the
empress was present. Amongst the guests was a cavalier dressed
entirely in black, and having his face covered with a black mask. He
invited the empress to dance: she accepted, and, whilst they were
dancing together, another mask approached the emperor and asked him
if he knew who his wife's partner was. 'No,' replied the emperor,
'but I suppose it is some sovereign prince.'

"'Lower than that,' said the mask.

"'Some nobleman then--a count or baron.'

"'Lower than that.'

"'Perhaps with a knight.'

"'Lower still.'

"'With an esquire?'

"'Less than that.'

"'A page?'

"'You have not guessed it--lower still.'

"The emperor flushed crimson with anger.

"'A groom?' "'If that were all!' answered the unknown with a strange
laugh.

"'But who is it then?' cried the emperor.

"'Tear off his mask and you will see.'

"The emperor approached the sable cavalier, and tore off his mask.
It was the headsman.

"'Miscreant!' shouted the emperor, as his sword flashed from the
scabbard, 'commend thy soul to God before thou diest.'

"'Sire!' replied the headsman, falling on his knees, 'you may kill
me if you will; but the empress has not the less danced with me, and
the dishonour, if dishonour there be, is already incurred. Do better
than that: knight me; and if any one dares to speak evil of her
majesty, the same sword that executes justice shall vindicate her
fa