I was able to cut well down into the thumb and fasten it on the underside,
so that the two little copper pins would not show. I was pleased enough
with the work.

The Captain came out while we were at supper that evening, to thank me for
the pipe. At the same time, I noticed that Falkenberg was right; no sooner
had the Captain come out than Fruen went in.

The Captain praised my pipe, and asked how I had managed to fix the nail;
he said I was an artist and a master. All the others were standing by and
heard his words--and it counted for something to be called an artist by
the Captain himself. I believe I could have won Emma at that moment.

That night I learned to shiver and shake.

The corpse of a woman came up to me where I lay in the loft, and stretched
out its left hand to show me: the thumbnail was missing. I shook my head,
to say I had had a thumbnail once, but I had thrown it away, and used a
shell instead. But the corpse stood there all the same, and there I lay,
shivering, cold with fear. Then I managed to say I couldn't help it now;
in God's name, go away! And, Our Father which art in heaven.... The corpse
came straight towards me; I thrust out two clenched fists and gave an icy
shriek--and there I was, crushing Falkenberg flat against the wall.

"What is it?" cried Falkenberg. "In Heaven's name...."

I woke, dripping with sweat, and lay there with open eyes, watching the
corpse as it vanished quite slowly in the dark of the room.

"It's the corpse," I groaned. "Come to ask for her thumbnail." Falkenberg