“You have but to command, I depart,” was all his reply.

The threat was familiar to me; I was silent.  He then began to fold up my shadow.  I turned pale, but allowed him to continue.  A long silence ensued, which he was the first to break.

“You cannot endure me, Mr Schlemihl—­you hate me—­I am aware of it—­ but why?—­is it, perhaps, because you attacked me on the open plain, in order to rob me of my invisible bird’s nest? or is it because you thievishly endeavoured to seduce away the shadow with which I had entrusted you—­my own property—­confiding implicitly in your honour!  I, for my part, have no dislike to you.  It is perfectly natural that you should avail yourself of every means, presented either by cunning or force, to promote your own interests.  That your principles also should be of the strictest sort, and your intentions of the most honourable description,—­these are fancies with which I have nothing to do; I do not pretend to such strictness myself.  Each of us is free, I to act, and you to think, as seems best.  Did I ever seize you by the throat, to tear out of your body that valuable soul I so ardently wish to possess?  Did I ever set my servant to attack you, to get back my purse, or attempt to run off with it from you?”

I had not a word to reply.

“Well, well,” he exclaimed, “you detest me, and I know it; but I bear you no malice on that account.  We must part—­that is clear; also I must say that you begin to be very tiresome to me.  Once more let me advise you to free yourself entirely from my troublesome presence by the purchase of your shadow.”

I held out the purse to him.

“No, Mr. Schlemihl; not at that price.”

With a deep sigh, I said, “Be it so, then; let us part, I entreat; cross my path no more.  There is surely room enough in the world for us both.”

Laughing, he replied, “I go; but just allow me to inform you how you may at any time recall me whenever you have a mind to see your most humble servant:  you have only to shake your purse, the sound of the gold will bring me to you in an instant.  In this world every one consults his own advantage; but you see I have thought of yours, and clearly confer upon you a new power.  Oh this purse! it would still prove a powerful bond between us, had the moth begun to devour your shadow.—­But enough:  you hold me by my gold, and may command your servant at any distance.  You know that I can be very serviceable to my friends; and that the rich are my peculiar care—­this you have observed.  As to your shadow, allow me to say, you can only redeem it on one condition.”

Recollections of former days came over me; and I hastily asked him if he had obtained Mr. Thomas John’s signature.

He smiled, and said, “It was by no means necessary from so excellent a friend.”

“Where is he? for God’s sake tell me:  I insist upon knowing.”