Chapter 4 Chapter Four

The news that the shepherd brought back quickly spread throughout the village.Mayor Kurtz came home with the precious telescope in his hand, followed by Nick Deckard and Milyuda.Only Frick and the twenty men, women and children who surrounded him were left on the flat ground, including a few gypsy people, who were as worried as the villagers of Weierst.People gathered around Frick, asking him questions.The shepherd replied triumphantly, as if he had just seen something remarkable. "Yes!" he kept saying, "The castle is smoking, and it is still smoking. As long as it is still one stone after another, it will still smoke in the future."

"Who is so capable of lighting this fire?..." an old woman asked him with her hands clasped together. "Sholter," replied Flick, "how can the devil, who kindles a fire, extinguish it, you suppose?" After hearing his words, everyone looked hard at the smoke column on the top of the tower.In the end, most people say they saw the smoke clearly, but at such a distance the naked eye couldn't see it at all. The repercussions caused by this strange phenomenon are completely beyond people's imagination.It is necessary to emphasize this point here.If you stand in the position of the villagers and put yourself in their shoes, you will not be puzzled about what happened in the future.I am not asking readers to believe in this supernatural power, but I just want to remind everyone that the ignorant mountain people believe in all this without reservation.Originally, people thought that the Carpathian castle was deserted, which was suspicious enough, but now they suddenly heard that there were people inside, God, what could that be!What a dreadful cloak the castle will take after that!

There is a meeting place for drinking people in Weierst village, and even some non-drinking people like to come here to talk about family life after a hard day's work-the number of the latter kind of people is naturally limited.This place is open to all, and it is the main, to be clear, only inn in the village. Who is the owner of this hotel?It was a Jew named Jonas.He was about sixty years old, kind-hearted and kind-hearted.He has a typical Jewish look: dark eyes, hooked nose, thick lips, low-set hair and traditional goatee beard.He is warm and courteous; willing to lend some money to this or that; he is less demanding on collateral, and less greedy in his interest than a usurer, but still requires that the borrower must repay it within the prescribed time limit. money.If only the Jews in Transylvania were as talkative and talkative as the innkeeper in Welster!

Unfortunately, there is only one kind Jonas.His Moslem colleagues—because these Jews either run wine shops or sell oil, salt, sauce and vinegar—are greedy usurers, which makes people worry about the future of Romanian farmers.One will see the land gradually transfer from the locals to these outsiders.With borrowers unable to repay their loans, these Jews leapt to become owners of fertile fields that had been mortgaged.Today, Rude is clearly not the paradise for the Jews. One day, their paradise may appear on the map of Transylvania. The "King Matthias Hotel"--that's what it was called--was on the corner of the terrace where the main street in the village crossed, opposite the house of Mr. Kurtz.This is an old house with a half-timber structure. Although some parts have been repaired, the walls are covered with green vines, which are verdant and quite attractive.The hotel has only one floor and the glass door opens to the platform.Inside, first a hall, with tables and stools for drinking, a moth-eaten oak cupboard with cups, plates and bowls, well polished, and a blackened wooden counter, where Jonas stood The back is busy entertaining guests.

Now look at how the hall is lit: two windows are cut into the wall facing the street, and the other two are on the opposite inner wall.One of the outside plants climbed and staggered, forming a thick curtain, covering the outside tightly, and only a little bit of light leaked in.Open the other door, and you can have a panoramic view of the entire Vulcan Valley.A few feet below the window opening, the Nyade Creek rushes by noisily.This stream originates from the Algal plateau where the castle stands.It flows down the steep slope of the mountain pass, accepting many mountain streams along the way, so there is plenty of water in summer.At last it tumultuously empties into the River Shire in Wallachia.

On the right, next to the lobby, there are six or seven small rooms, enough to accommodate passing passengers who want to rest a little before crossing the border, because there are not many such people.They were sure to be well received by the proprietor of the tavern, where the prices were fair, and the best tobacco he brought himself was provided all the year round, and Jonas himself slept in a small attic, with a grotesque skylight opening over the flower-covered roof, looking toward the The flat land in the village. On the evening of May 29th, the dignitaries of Welster village gathered in this inn, including the village head of Colz, the teacher of Heidemore, the forest ranger Nick Dyke, twelve leading villagers, and the shepherd Fr. Rick, he's not insignificant in this group.Dr. Batak was not present at the meeting because he had been hastily summoned by an old patient who was waiting for his death.He said that when he really didn't need his care, he would come right away.

While waiting for the former quarantine officer to arrive, everyone ate, drank and chatted about the current serious incident.Jonas busily served some people soup, or mamarika, a corn cake soaked in freshly squeezed milk that was delicious.The people were served strong wines, which the Romanians drank as if they were cold water, and they also drank "schnaps" at half a sous a glass, especially "rakiu", a strong plum Wine, whose sales are considerable in the Carpathians. A rule of the hotel must be mentioned here, because Jonas found that there were more customers sitting and drinking than standing, so he only served "sitting customers".But business was so good that night, customers were scrambling for benches.Therefore, Jonas made an exception.He carried a flagon in his hand, walked between the tables, and kept filling up the wine glasses that he had drunk so many times.

It's 8:30 p.m.Since dusk, people have been talking non-stop, and by this time nothing has been discussed.But this group of good people reached a consensus on this point: if the Carpathian Castle is really occupied by some strangers or something, it will be like a bag of explosives placed in front of the city gate, which is in danger of exploding at any time. "The situation is too serious!" said Judge Colz. "It's too serious!" said the village teacher, smoking a few puffs of the pipe he kept in his mouth. "It's too serious!" Everyone present said in unison.

"One thing is absolutely certain," Jonas added, "and that is that the castle's reputation for terror has done a great disservice to the region." "Now it will be something else!" exclaimed Helmold. "There are very few foreign tourists." The village head of Kerz said with a sigh. "Now they don't come anymore!" Jonas sighed in agreement with the village chief. "Many villagers are already thinking about moving!" a drinker pointed out worriedly. "I just want to be the first to go," said a farmer who lived nearby, "and leave when my grapes are sold..."

"Man, who are you selling the grapes to!" the hotel owner retorted. From the conversations of these esteemed dignitaries, you can get an idea of ​​what worries them.The strange incident in the Carpathian castle made them uneasy, and at the same time regretted that their own interests had been damaged.Without tourists, the income of Jonas Hotel will be affected.With the lack of outsiders passing by, it may be even more difficult to collect the road tax that the village head of Kerz has been deteriorating.No one came to buy the land at Vulcan Pass, and even if the landowners sold it at a low price, it was difficult to find a buyer.Originally, this depressing situation has lasted for many years, and now such a disturbance will only worsen.

The elves in the old castle kept themselves safe and stayed inside without being noticed, that's the situation; now, everyone can clearly see their tracks, what will be the situation then! At this moment, Shepherd Frick felt that he should say something, but his voice was hesitant: "Perhaps it should? . . . " "Should what?" asked Master Kurtz. "Village chief, go over there and have a look." All the people looked at each other in blank dismay, then lowered their eyes, not daring to speak. Jonas said to the village chief Kurz: "Your shepherd just pointed out the only thing to do now." He said firmly. "Go to the castle..." "Yes, gentlemen," replied the innkeeper, "the smoke from the chimneys of the towers means that there is a fire, and if there is a fire, it must be lit by hand..." "A hand... I think it's a claw!" An old farmer shook his head to refute him. "Whether it's a hand or a claw, it doesn't matter," Jonas said. "It's important to figure out what it means. This is the first time the tower has smoked since Baron Rudolf de Golz left... ..." "But it is very likely that there has been smoke before, but no one saw it." The village chief Kurz reminded. "I don't think so!" cried Helmold. “Why? The village chief was right.The castle might have been smoking long ago, and it even escaped the eyes of Flick the shepherd, no matter how good his eyesight was, he couldn't see that far.Regardless of whether this phenomenon has occurred in the past or is a recent occurrence, there is one fact that cannot be disputed, namely: someone is currently occupying the castle.It is conceivable that with such a neighbor as a companion, the people of Vulkan and Weierst villages must be in panic. Mr. Hellmode thinks it's time to express his opinion. "Is it really a human being, my friends? . . . I don't believe it. Why would anyone want to hide in the castle, what motive, and how did they get in? . . . " "Then what do you say those intruders are?" Village Chief Kerz raised his voice. "Spirits must be," said Helmed in an unquestionable tone. "Why not ghosts, ghosts, all kinds of ghouls, even ghouls?" When the teacher named a lot of ghosts in one breath, every pair of eyes involuntarily swept to the door, window and chimney of the lobby of "King Matthias Hotel".Everyone wondered whether they might see this or that ghost. "But, friends," said Jonas boldly, "if there are elves living in it, I don't understand why they light fires, and they don't need to cook..." "They are doing witchcraft!..." The shepherd guessed, "Have you forgotten that they have to light a fire to do it?" "Obviously!" Helmold said indisputably. This verdict was unopposed, and, as far as everyone could tell, there was no doubt that it was inhabited by supernatural spirits rather than human beings, who had chosen the old Carpathian castle to perform their little trick. As of this point, Nick Deckard has not joined the discussion.The forest ranger just pays attention to what everyone has to say.The ancient Carpathian castle, its mysterious walls, long history, and architectural style of the feudal era have always stimulated his curiosity and made him awe-inspiring.Superstitious though he was, like the rest, he was brave, and on more than one occasion expressed a desire to break into the castle and find out. It was supposed that Milyuda had resolutely dismissed his adventurous idea.When one is celibate, one is free to do as one pleases!But a man who has been engaged has no right to take risks, otherwise, he is either a madman or a bohemian prodigal.Although the beautiful girl kept praying, she was still worried that one day he would really implement his plan.What is a little reassuring is that Nick Deckard did not solemnly announce publicly that he was going to the castle, because if he insisted on going, no one would be able to dissuade him, not even Milyuda.She knew very well that Nick was a stubborn, strong-willed young man who never backed down from the promises he made.Once a word is spoken, it is hard to follow.If Milyuda had guessed at this moment what was going on in the young man's mind, he would have been frightened again. However, due to Nick Dyke's silence, the Shepherd's proposal was not responded to by anyone.Investigating the haunted Carpathian fortress would be a fool's errand.Therefore, everyone can't find the best excuse... The village chief is past the age to venture up the rough mountain road, Helmode has to take care of the students, Jonas can't do without the shop, Flick has to herd the sheep, don't... The villagers in the village also have to be busy with their livestock and harvesting grass. never go!No one dared to volunteer, and they all secretly wondered. "Whoever dares to go to the castle will definitely not come back alive!" At this time, the door of the hotel opened suddenly, making everyone present terrified. It turned out to be Dr. Batak who came in, but it was difficult to regard him as the charming beauty snake that Helmed said. The patient's death,--although this does not prove his medical skill, at least it shows his foresight--Dr. Batak rushed to the meeting. "He's finally here!" exclaimed the Village Chief Kurtz. Dr. Batak was busy shaking hands with everyone present, just like distributing medicine to patients, he said loudly in a slightly mocking tone: "God, friends, it's the castle again...Sholt's Castle, it's worrying you! ... Oh! A bunch of cowards! ... If it wants to smoke, this castle, let it go Right!... Doesn't our scholar Helmold smoke all the time?... Now that the castle is mentioned in this area, it is almost to the point of turning pale!... I go to see a doctor all day long, and I hear people talking about it!... The ghost is here Light a fire over there?...Why not, if they catch a cold or something!...Looks like it's going to freeze in the tower in May...or someone's baking bread for the dead!...If there's a dead man in there If you are resurrected, you have to let the higher-ups live!...Maybe the baker in the sky came to bake bread there..." At the end, he told a joke again, which was really eloquent and eloquent, but no one was interested. Everyone let him talk. Then the village chief asked him: "Then, doctor, you don't pay much attention to what happened in the castle?" "Not at all, Chief Kurtz." "You said you were going to the castle...if someone challenges you?..." "I! . . . " replied the old quarantine officer, showing annoyance at being reminded of his boastful rhetoric. "Hey... You said it clearly, but you still repeat it again and again?" The village teacher chased after him. "I said yes...maybe...indeed...that's just talk..." "The key is to take practical actions." Helmold said again. "Action?" "Yes... we are not urging you to go, but inviting you to go." Master Coltz added. "You have to understand... friends... must... such a suggestion..." "Forget it, since you are so hesitant, we won't invite you... We challenge you!" the innkeeper shouted. "You challenge me?..." "Yes, doctor!" "Jonas, don't talk too far." The village chief said again, "Don't provoke Batak... We all know that he is a man who keeps his word... He will do what he said he would do... ...For the whole village, for the whole district, he will definitely go." "What, are you serious?...You want me to go to the Carpathian Castle?" The doctor's rosy face suddenly turned pale. "You can't shirk." The village head of Kerz said unequivocally. "Please... friends... please!... Please be reasonable!" "The truth has been explained long ago," Jonas replied. "Please be fair...why did I go there...what can I find?...what can I find?...Maybe just a few honest people hid in the old castle...they didn't hinder anyone... " "That's better," replied Helmold. "If there are honest people, you have nothing to be afraid of. You can also take this opportunity to see a doctor for them." "If they need it," replied Dr. Batak, "if they ask me, I will go without hesitation... Believe me... I will go to the castle. But I will not go without an invitation. Besides , My visits are not free..." "Someone will pay you on time," said the mayor of Kurtz. "Who pays?..." "I... all of us... as much as you want!" replied most of Jonas' customers. Apparently, for all his boasting, the doctor was just as cowardly as his fellow countrymen.Dr. Batak often pretends to be a hero and laughs at the local legends of ghosts and ghosts. Now it is difficult to refuse people's requests.Ke promised to go to the Carpathian Castle, even if someone was willing to pay, he would never agree.Therefore, he tried everything possible to convince everyone that this trip would lead to nothing, and that the village would be a laughing stock for sending him to visit the castle... It was all in vain. "Well, doctor, I don't think you'll take any chances," Helmold continued, "since you don't believe in ghosts..." "Yes... I don't believe it." "That's all right, the castle is not lived in ghosts and goblins, but some people, you just happen to make friends with them." The rural teacher's reasoning is so logical that it is hard to argue against it. "Even if you are right, Helmaud," said Batak, "I might be thrown into the castle..." "You'll be entertained," Jonas stabbed him. "Maybe; but if I'm not around all the time, someone in the village will come to see me when they're sick..." "We're all in good health," said the Village Chief Kurtz. "Since your last patient died, there hasn't been a single patient in the village." "To be honest... are you planning to go?" the hotel owner asked impatiently. "God, I won't go!" The doctor snapped back. "It's not because I'm afraid...you know all too well that I've never been a believer in witchcraft...it's just that I think it's ridiculous. I repeat, ridiculous...because the tower chimneys are blowing Smoke...a puff of something that might not be smoke...obviously...no!...I'm not going to the Carpathian Castle..." "I'll go, I!" said Forester Deck Nick at this moment. "Go...Nick!" Korz exclaimed. "I'll go...on the condition that Batak must accompany me." The latter sentence was addressed directly to the doctor.Batak jumped up, trying to get out of the embarrassment. "You want to go, forest ranger?" He was confused, "Would you like me...to accompany you?...Of course...it's good to go for a walk...two people...but it depends on whether it's useful...whether it's worth it Take the risk... come on, Nick, you know very well there's no way to the castle... we can't get there..." "I said I was going to the castle," Nick Deckard replied, "and since I said so, I'm going." "But I... I didn't say it!..." The doctor yelled, as if someone was grabbing his collar, and he was trying to break free. "If...you said you were going!..." Jonas retorted him. "Yes, you did! . . . you did!" shouted all the people present. The old quarantine officer was pushed and rubbed by you and couldn't resist.what!He regretted how much he boasted at the beginning, but he was stumbled when he was careful.He never thought that someone would take it seriously, and now he is really doing it on his own, and he can't escape it.Otherwise, as long as he becomes the laughing stock of the villagers, the entire Fuerkang area will laugh at him mercilessly.Therefore, he had no choice but to admit that he was unlucky and swallow this bitter pill. "Well ... since you all want to," he said resignedly, "then I'll go with Nick Deckard, whether it's useful or not!" "Great... Doctor Batak, great!" Everyone in the "King Mathias Hotel" cheered. "When are we going to leave, Ranger?" Dr. Batak asked, his tone indifferent, but he couldn't hide his inner timidity. "Tomorrow morning," Nick Deckard replied. The last few words were followed by a long silence.This shows how agitated the village head Kurtz and others are.The wine glasses and dishes were already empty.Although it was getting late, no one got up and left the hall to go home.Jonas seized this golden opportunity and served another round of potato wine and Arabic wine... Suddenly, a voice resounded clearly in the deathly silence, and it said in a pause: "Nick Deckard, don't go to the castle tomorrow!...don't go...or you will be in disaster!" Who said this? ...Where did this strange voice come from, it seemed to come from an invisible mouth? ...could be the voices of ghosts, supernatural beings, voices from another world... Horror reached its limit.No one dared to look at others, no one dared to say a word. Even the bravest man—Nick Deckard, no doubt—was trying to figure out what was going on by then.It is certain that the sound is coming from the room.The forest ranger boldly walked into the wine cabinet and opened the door... no one. He went to inspect the room on the ground floor connected to the hall. And no one. After a while, the village chief Kurtz, teacher Hellmode, doctor Batak, Nick Dyke, shepherd Frick and others all left the hotel, leaving Jonas alone, and he quickly closed the door twice. Dao lock, closed dead. That night, the people of Welster village seemed to be threatened by the apparition of ghosts, and the doors and windows of each house were tightly closed. An atmosphere of terror enveloped the entire village.