other violin, and therefore will require
no additional study on your part.''

``But that extra string?'' interrupted
Diotti, designating the middle one on
the violin, a vague foreboding rising
within him.

``That,'' said Mephistopheles,
solemnly, and with no pretense of sophistry,
``is the string of death, and he who
plays upon it dies at once.''

``The--string--of--death!'' repeated
the violinist almost inaudibly.

``Yes, the string of death,'' Satan
repeated, ``and he who plays upon it dies
at once. But,'' he added cheerfully,
``that need not worry you. I noticed a
marvelous facility in your arm work.
Your staccato and spiccato are wonderful.
Every form of bowing appears
child's play to you. It will be easy for
you to avoid touching the string.''

``Why avoid it? Can it not be cut off?''

``Ah, that's the rub. If you
examine the violin closely you will find