Part 3 (2/2)

”'Yes, I know it by heart, I have read it so many times. ”My friend,” it is written there, ”I have promised to give you the key to the Caballah, if I ever find the opportunity to do so. Although I am not always in the habit of fulfilling my vows, I am ready to fulfil this one, if you will wait for me in the evening of October 8, in Prague, on the old Moldau bridge, under the statue of Nepomucenus.” Then follows your name.'

”'Yes, that is correct. Have you not yet given up your desire?'

”'Less than ever before! You would render science an invaluable service.'

”'Listen, doctor, bend down a little over the rail; that of which we speak must not be heard even by the waves of the Moldau, if we wish to remain alive.'

”The young scientist looked in astonishment at his comrade, but did as he desired.

”'Three years ago, in Rome, when I promised to acquaint you with the mysteries of the Caballah, I did it more for the sake of boasting of a power and authority which, in reality, I did not possess. Although I had studied for some time the traditions of my nation, rather out of curiosity than because of the love of knowledge, I knew very well that I could hardly penetrate the corridor of those mysteries which I am still regarding as the sophistry and roguishness of exalted minds, invented for the purpose of holding fools in fear and subordination. But several accidental discoveries, made by me since then, have changed my views and have aroused in me a sense of curiosity.

”'You know, notwithstanding our brief acquaintance, that I am not the type of man who would abandon a clue or a conceived plan. What has caused me to make you my companion in satisfying my curiosity-that does not concern you. It is enough that now we have an opportunity to satisfy our mutual desire, and all depends on whether you will agree to accept the conditions upon which I can make you a partner in my investigation.'

”'If these are not against honor and conscience.'

”'In this respect you have nothing to risk, you are rather risking something else-your life. Do you feel that you are capable of facing a serious danger?'

”'For the sake of science, yes!'

”'Very well, in that case I must tell you that I will lead you to a place which we will not leave alive, if our presence is discovered.

The slightest suspicion that we were uninvited witnesses of the secret will bring upon us persecution which will kill us sooner or later.'

”'You are whetting my curiosity, signor!'

”'That is all I wanted to tell you. The other thing-you know that I am a Jew by birth. Although the Jews have driven me from their midst and cursed me according to their custom and traditions because I adopted Christianity,-still I have my own reasons for stipulating a condition-your word of honor that you will be silent about all you will see and hear, until I authorize you to speak.'

”'I swear by my honor.'

”'Very well. You will recall in your investigations of the Caballah that in the mysterious books mention is made of a meeting of the heads or chosen ones of the nation,-a meeting which takes place from time to time?'

”'Yes, in the Yezire it is said very definitely, and if I understood correctly, such meetings take place every hundred years.'

”'Yes. The last meeting took place in 1760 and you recall that shortly afterward the movement of Judaism started. It is now 1787 years since the destruction of Jerusalem and this year is designated for a meeting of the Cabalistic Sanhedrin. This is the day of the meeting; the place is this city. I want to be present at this meeting in spite of the danger and am ready to take you along with me.'

”'But will it not be dishonest to listen, will it not be an unlawful interference with other people's secrets?'

”'Per Bacco! as we Italians say; with such hesitations you must abandon once for all the idea of fulfilling your desire. Or do you think that the people who guard the secret of the Caballah will bring it to you on a tray? As far as I am concerned, I shall discover the secret, at any cost!'

”After reflecting a few minutes, the scientist came to a decision.

”'I shall go with you, come what may!'

”'Very well. Now we have agreed. Let us go,-there is no time to lose.'”

”The tower clock of the town-hall struck eleven. At the first stroke a key clicked in the lock of the cemetery gates. Then followed profound silence which indicated that the cemetery was open. The lights in the Jewish houses were gradually dying out, and at the same time the sounds of the merry feasting also subsided.

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