" My son, when you receive this, I shall be dead. I arrived
here this evening and I have discovered that Frau von Greifen-
stein is your mother, my wife. She made nie believe that she
was dead and married my brother under a false name. She
has atoned for her crimes to her two husbands, wlio liave done
justice upon her, and now we also are about to pay the penalty
of having executed that justice which is above all laws. At
the point of death, I give this secret into your keeping. Your
brother is a nameless bastard. Do not ruin him by betraying
the shame of your father and of his. You are rich, but were
you poor you would have no title to my brother's inheritance.
Do not come to this place. They will bury me as decently as
I deserve. Farewell. God keep you, and make you happier
than I have been. — Your father,

" VON lllESENECK.
