Ghostly Inheritance
Written By Lady Cat

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CHAPTER 25
 
Erik left after the evening meal, but not before he and Karl and slipped away and talked privately about their surprise for the girls. The next morning they met at the jeweler's. They looked over some of the pieces the owner had just finished and picked out bracelets to give them. As they left the jewelers' they decided to stop at the inn for a quick beer before heading back.
 
Wilhelm spotted them as they entered. Stuttgart was apprehensive. "I don't know," he shook his head. "I have a bad feeling about this."
 
"Shut up!" Wilhelm sneered. "It's going to work." Smiling he waved at them to come over.
 
Karl and Erik were a bit dubious about speaking to him but went over anyway. "What do you want?" Karl asked suspiciously.
 
"Just wanted to know if you two were doing anything later," Wilhelm replied. "That boar was spotted again at the same place. A bunch of us are going out there this afternoon. Thought you would be interested in case you aren't 'too' busy," he added.
 
Erik looked at Karl. "Want to give it a shot?"
 
Karl grinned and nodded. "We'll be out there around mid-afternoon. There's something we need to take care of first."
 
"Good," Wilhelm said. "We'll meet you there."
 
After they left, Wilhelm smiled menacingly. "And will there be a big surprise waiting for you." He picked up his stein. 
"Here's to good riddance."
 
The guys arrived just as lunch was about to be served. But before they sat, they took the girls to the patio to give them 
their surprise.
 
"Karl, it's beautiful!" Caroline exclaimed as he put the gold bracelet on her arm. Penelope was equally ecstatic when Erik opened the box and slipped the silver bracelet on her arm.  Lady Von Kempstein came out on the patio to call them in when she saw the young couples kissing. Smiling she turned and went back in. Several minutes later they 
joined her and Herr Von Kempstein. She looked at the girls' arms and noticed the new addition.
 
"Oh, it's just a little something," Karl said with a wink at Caroline. "We ran into Wilhelm and Stuttgart," he said as his plate was served. "Seems the boar has been spotted at the river again."
 
"We're going out there this afternoon," Erik said. "They're joining us later."
 
Penelope stopped her fork in mid-air. "I thought we were going to spend the afternoon here?"
 
"When we get back, we'll go on an evening carriage ride," Karl said.
 
The gypsy men were waiting in the brush not far from the river's edge. "Are you sure she said they would be coming 
back here?" one of the men said. "The girl said they would be here," the chieftain replied. "Be patient."
 
Karl and Erik were riding along the trail by the river. "I don't see any tracks," Erik said disappointingly. "And where are 
the rest of them? They should have been here by now."
 
"Let's keep going. They'll catch up with us," Karl said.
 
"I hear horses," one of the men said.
 
The chieftain parted the bushes. "I see two riders coming this way. It must be them. Be ready," he whispered.
 
"Not one sign," Erik said. "I wonder who told Wilhelm, and why haven't the others showed up. I say we leave. I don't like the feel of it."
 
"I agree," Karl added.
 
Suddenly their horses reared, catching them off guard. The sudden bolt made them lose their grip on the reins and fall to the ground. Before they could gather themselves the bushes came alive as sticks and clubs rendered them unconscious.
 
CHAPTER 27
 
"My dear, please sit on the sofa and calm yourself," Lady Von Kempstein pleaded. "You'll worry yourself into an ill state." She motioned for Beuler to pour them each a glass of wine.
 
Penelope shook her head. "No thank you." She stopped pacing. "Caroline, we have to go with them," she said. "Come on."
 
Despite pleas from her aunt to stay and wait, Penelope ran upstairs to change with Caroline right behind, telling Beuler to have two horses ready. In ten minutes the girls were on their way into the village, figuring they could catch them at the inn.
 
As the girls were leaving, both Barons stopped in front of the inn frequented by Karl and Erik and entered. When they 
questioned the innkeeper, the man said he had not seen them since that morning. "But," he added, he's (pointing to Stuttgart) been acting peculiar. He's been drinking a lot. My barmaid said he was mumbling about some gypsy and a curse."
 
As the men approached, they could hear Stuttgart babbling. He drink several huge gulps before looking up and seeing both Barons in front of him. He slowly put the stein down. "Where are Karl and Erik?" Baron Von Marischoff asked. Stuttgart shifted his eyes back to his cup and took another gulp. "Where are they?" the Baron angrily demanded. Stuttgart didn't answer.
 
Wilhelm had been in the backroom with one of the barmaids and came out. He stopped when he saw the men and went to go back into the backroom. In his haste, he tripped over one of the chairs. The noise caught both Barons' 
attention. Wilhelm collected himself and got up from the floor, straightening his clothes.
 
"Have you seen my son?" Baron Von Marischoff asked.
 
Acting surprised, Wilhelm replied, "No, not since our hunt. Why? Has something happened?"
 
"That's odd," Baron Von Kempstein replied. "Only just this afternoon they told us they had talked with you and Stuttgart about spotting the boar down by the river. They added that you would be joining them later."
 
"Neither Stuttgart nor I have seen them. Why would they lie and say they did?" Wilhelm said.
 
"Indeed. Why would they?" Baron Von Kempstein asked skeptically.
 
"Are you saying that I lied?" Wilhelm scoffed.
 
Stuttgart had finished the last of his beer and slammed the glass down. "That's it! I can't stand this!" He turned. 
"Why don't you tell them the truth? You know where they are right now!"
 
"I don't know where they are!" Wilhelm gritted.
 
"Oh, yes you do," Stuttgart shouted.
 
Wilhelm sneered at him. "You're a drunken idiot! Pay no attention to him."
 
Baron Von Marischoff turned to Stuttgart. "Where are they?"
 
"They are at a gypsy camp by the river."
 
"Gypsy camp! Why?" Baron Von Kempstein asked. "Perhaps you had better tell us."
 
Wilhelm knew once Stuttgart started there would be no stopping him. He sized up the distance to the front door and made a run for it. Baron Von Marischoff had brought a couple of his men with him to help search. "Get him!" he ordered. The men quickly caught Wilhelm and held him tightly. Baron Von Kempstein ordered the innkeeper to 
get the constable. In a few minutes he arrived. "Now, Stuttgart," Baron Von Kempstein said, "Tell us the story." Wilhelm struggled against the men as Stuttgart related the whole scheme. "He's lying!" Wilhelm shouted nervously.
 
"Let's ride out there and find out," Baron Von Marischoff said.
 
They were getting on their horses when the girls arrived, relieved to have made it on time. "What are you doing here?" Baron Von Kempstein asked.
 
"We came to help," Penelope said.
 
"What good would that do?" he asked. "Go back and wait."
 
"We have to come along," Penelope pleased. "I can't explain why, we just have to be there."
 
Baron Von Kempstein nodded. "Alright. Come on."
 
 

CHAPTER 28
 
Things were getting worse for Karl and Erik. The shouts of the gypsy men were getting louder and angrier. They envisioned what kind of tortures the men had planned for them and hoped help would somehow soon come.
 
They saw the young girl peer around then come over. “Have you thought over what I asked you?” she asked with a grin. “You hear the men. They are very angry.”
 
“The answer is still no,” Karl spat.
 
“That is what you say,” she said. “How about your friend? Perhaps he thinks differently.” She shifted her attention to 
Erik.
 
“My answer is the same,” he said.
 
The girl’s eyes became slits. “You’ll be begging for them to stop, but it won’t do any good!” she sneered and walked away.
 
In the mean time, the rescue party, lead by a more sober Stuttgart, were at the spot by the river where they had begun their hunt. He led them down the narrow path till they reached a clump of bushes. “We headed toward the middle where we came to a clearing. That’s where we first found the gypsy camp.” The men looked at Wilhelm, who remained calm. “Let’s go,” the constable said.
 
The situation at the camp was worsening. Karl and Erik saw the men coming toward them with torches and knives. The girl was with them, a menacing grin on her face. The leader ordered four men to until Karl and Erik and take them to the middle of the camp close to the main fire. There they were each bound to a pole that leaned at a 20 degree 
angle toward the fire. The leader/chieftain approached them, his eyes dark with anger. “When we are through with you, you will never be able to touch any woman again!” he growled. “Tie their heads to the poles!” he ordered.
 
Karl and Erik’s heads were roughly held against the poles while their heads were tied with leather. They saw the chieftain put two knives into the coals. “Once these knives are red hot, each of you will feel the hot blade burn your eyes as you will be blinded forever.” Once of the men stirred the coals to make the knives hotter. In minutes the blades were a bright red. The chieftain and one other man picked up the blades and came nearer. “I think we’ll do it one at a time, starting with you (pointing at Erik).”
 
The chieftain brought the knife closer to Erik’s face. He could feel the intense heat from the blade as it came closer, his eyes beginning to burn already. He took a deep breath and stiffened when a voice yelled “STOP!”, the blade mere inches from his eyes.
 
The chieftain turned to see several riders fast approaching, guns drawn and pointed at him. “Untie them!” the constable ordered.
 
“No!” the chieftain said firmly. “They are being punished for taking advantage of a young girl.”
 
“They had nothing to do with it!” Penelope exclaimed. “They were with my friend and I.”
 
“That is a lie!” the young girl spat. “See what they did to me!” She tore her blouse off, exposing her bruised shoulder. “That is what they did!”
 
At that moment, one of the women, who had been gathering berries in the forest, came over to the group, holding a small leather bag. “Look what I found hidden in some bushes.” The young girl snatched the bag from the woman. “It is mine!” she shouted. The woman and the girl began to fight over the bag. As they fought, the bag opened and out fell several gold coins. The girl knelt on the ground and quickly began putting them in the bag.
 
“Where did you get those?” the chieftain asked.
 
“They were given to me,” the girl replied, clutching the bag tightly to her chest.
 
“By who?” the constable asked.
 
The girl pointed to Karl and Erik. “They did.”
 
“They couldn’t have,” Penelope said. “They were with us.”
 
“You say I lie?” the girl asked venomously.
 
“Yes, I say you lie,” Penelope answered.
 
“There is one way to settle this,” the chieftain said. “Fetch the old woman.”
 
One of the men went to a small wagon on the far end of the camp. It wasn’t long before a small woman hobbled, with the help of the man, over to the group. As she came closer, they could see she looked as if she had lived for many centuries. In her tiny hand she carried a small bag. She was seated on a chair next to the fire.
 
“Who is this?” Von Kempstein asked.
 
“This is Terena, the oldest of our camp. She is the one who works the black magic as you call it. She will be able to see who is telling or not telling the truth.”
 
The young gypsy girl tried to hide the nervousness that was coursing through her body. She shifted her eyes to Wilhelm, who chose to ignore her. “What is this mumbo jumbo?” he protested.“I do have to say how is this prune-faced old drone supposed to know who and who isn’t?” Baron Von Marischoff asked.
 
“There are many things that people such as you do not understand or believe,” the old woman spoke in a raspy voice. She motioned the chieftain to help her up. “Take me over to the young men. I want to look into their eyes, for the eyes do not lie.”
 
“The old woman cannot see beyond her nose!” the young girl sneered.
 
“Quiet!” the old woman said.
 
She stood in front of Karl. She peered deeply into his hazel eyes. Karl felt her thoughts probing the depths of his mind. 
“This young man is innocent,” she said. She went on to Erik, probing his mind in the same manner. “He too is innocent.” Penelope and Caroline breathed a sigh of relief.
 
“Now I will look into yours,” the old woman said to the young gypsy girl. The girl began backing away, knowing that she would be found out a lie. The chieftain caught her by the arm. The girl struggled to free herself but the chieftain held her tight by both arms. The old woman peered closely. “She is lying. The coins were not given to her by these
two (pointing to Karl and Erik). She is also lying about being used by them also. I see the face of someone there….” She turned and looked at each member of the rescue party. She stopped when she got to Wilhelm. “This is the one,” she nodded. “And this one as well,” pointing to Stuttgart.
 
“Are you going to believe a prune-faced old bitch?” Wilhelm protested. “Everyone knows gypsies lie!”
 
CHAPTER 29
 
The young girl finally broke free. "YOU!" she yelled. "You gave those coins to me and told me to say it was them. Then you tore my clothes and beat me to make it look like they did it in return for more coins!"
 
Wilhelm reined his horse to feel, but was blocked by Von Marischoff's men. "Tie both their hands," the constable told them. "We will take these two back to town and put them in jail," he added, then said to the chieftain. "Untie those two young men." The chieftain had them untied. Karl and Erik rubbed their wrists and climbed on behind Penelope and Caroline.
 
"The girl must come back with us," the constable said.
 
"We will deal with her," the chieftain told him. "You have my word on it." He took the bag of coins from her and gave them to the constable. "Take these with you."
 
The constable nodded, then at the Barons, who nodded in agreement. "Deal with her then. I would suggest that you go elsewhere and never return." The chieftain nodded.
 
The group left the camp. The chieftain turned to the girl, who cringed at the anger in his eyes. "You have shamed this camp with your lies and nearly brought death to us all. You are banished from this camp. Whatever happens to you will be because you deserve it." He motioned for two of the men to take her to the edge of the camp and shove her toward the forest. The old woman opened her bag and pulled out some herbs, put them in the pot and closed her eyes, moving her lips in silence. When she was through, she nodded and smiled at the chieftain.
 
Once the party had reached the main road, the constable and two of Von Marischoff's men escorted Wilhelm and Stuttgart to the village while the rest went with Von Kempstein. When they reached the manor, everyone went inside to the parlor. Lady Von Kempstein immediately had Bueler pour wine for everyone. Everyone calmed down as they reiterated what happened. "I simply cannot understand why they would do such a thing. I've known their parents for a long time."
 
"Who can say why?" Baron Von Kempstein said. "I'm glad to have my son home."
 
"So am I," Von Marischoff added.
 
"I'm happy we made it there on time," Penelope said.
 
Everyone agreed. "Bueler, have the kitchen set up two more places for dinner," Lady Von Kempstein said. "As for me, I'm going to have a short lie down."
 
"That sounds good to me," Caroline said, stifling a yawn. "All this excitement has made me tired."
 
"Come girls. We'll retire upstairs," Lady Von Kempstein said as she arose. "We will see you gentlemen in an hour or so."
 
The women left the parlor and headed up the stairs. Penelope thought she heard a scream, like someone in pain. She stopped for a bit. "Anything wrong?" her aunt asked. Penelope realized she was the only one who heard it. She shook her head. "Nothing's wrong," she replied. Once the girls were in their room, they undressed and took off their 
bracelets and lay down. Soon they were asleep.
 
CHAPTER 30
 
Penelope woke up slowly. As she focused, she noticed the room was dark and musty smelling. She blinked to focus more. The room was dark and musty smelling. “Caroline! Caroline! Wake up!” she cried, shaking her sleeping friend.
 
“Huh! What?” Caroline sleepily moaned.
 
“We’re back!”
 
“Yes, from the gypsy camp,” Caroline mumbled. “Now let me sleep.”
 
“No! We’re back to the present!”
 
Caroline grudgingly sat up. “See for yourself,” Penelope said. Caroline rubbed her eyes and looked around the room. “What time is it?” she asked.
 
Penelope picked up her watch. It showed 6 p.m. As she looked at the date her eyes shot wide open. “Damn!”
 
“What?”
 
“Look at my watch and tell me what you see.”
 
Caroline took the watch and rubbed her eyes. “It says 6 o’clock.”
 
“Look at the date!”
 
Caroline squinted her eyes to focus. Immediately her eyes shot wide open. “It can’t be! We’ve been asleep only 4 hours?! I could have sworn two days had past!” She gave the watch back to Penelope and started looking around the room. “What the….! I don’t understand.”
 
“We did it!” Penelope exclaimed. “We lifted the curse!”
 
The girls got out of bed and dressed. Penelope looked at the bedside table. The bracelet Erik had given her was not there. “Caroline, check your bedside table.” Caroline looked on her side of the bed. She noticed her bracelet was not there. “My bracelet is gone!”
 
“Mine is as well,” Penelope said. “Let’s look around.”
 
The girls left the room and went down the hallway. The floor boards creaked as they walked toward the stairs and as they descended the stairs. The girls took their time as in some places the boards were cracked. Once they had reached the bottom they headed toward the drawing room. Inside the room was filled with cobwebs and a thick layer of dust. The wooden furniture was rotted from dampness and neglect. The stones that comprise the fireplace were now chipped and falling out. Penelope’s eyes shifted to the wall above the fireplace mantle. There was nothing, the painting that had been there upon their arrival was gone. “Caroline, the painting is gone.” Caroline turned. “I wonder where it is?”
 
“I don’t know,” Penelope shook her head. “Let’s go to the kitchen.”
 
The girls eased down the hallway, brushing aside cobwebs as they made their way to the kitchen. Penelope went to enter and nearly fell as one of the boards split in two. The kitchen looked like a disaster area. The fireplace was all caved in, the wooden shelves were all rotted, and the ceiling beams were sagging. The girls back away and headed back to the front and out the patio door toward the family cemetery. The path was so overgrown with weeds and bushes that in some places they were taller than the girls themselves. They found the gate, which was rusty and off the 
hinges, and went inside. Gingerly picking their way, they found a huge stone. Brushing aside the leaves and limbs they saw the names of Baron and Lady Von Kempstein. They continued their search and found no other stones. Maybe we didn’t,” Caroline said somewhat sadly.
 
They went back inside to the drawing room. Caroline went to sit in one of the chairs and immediately found herself on the floor. “OOH!” she moaned. Penelope giggled, which Caroline did not appreciate and gave her a dirty look. “That wasn’t funny,” Caroline huffed, rubbing her backside. Penelope helped her up then looked at the vacant spot above the fireplace. “We did it,” she said, “but in doing so, we lost them. There’s no point in us staying here,” she sighed. “Let’s pack and head back to town.”
 
Sadly, they went back upstairs, packed, and left out the front door. As Penelope locked the door, a warm soft breeze caressed them. “Did you feel that?” Penelope asked. Caroline nodded. “Let’s go.”
 
They put their bags in the trunk and went to get in. Both girls stopped to look one last time then got inside. As they drove down the path, it kept getting wider. As they turned toward the village, Caroline was the first to notice the change of scenery. The trees no longer hid the sunlight, nor were there rocks in the road, instead there was a two-lane paved road. In just a very few minutes they were approached what they thought was the edge of the village.
 
Abruptly, Penelope stopped the car. For several minutes they just sat there, too stunned to move. “This can’t be!” Penelope gasped. “Did we change it that much?”
 
Caroline saw the sign. “The name is the same, but….”
 

CHAPTER 31
 
Instead of the quaint little village, there were modern brick buildings although in some places there were reminders of the past. Penelope drove slowly through the town. No longer were there horse-drawn carts, small cars lined the streets. The citizens were dressed in modern style and walked about smiling and care free, no longer the look of fear on their faces. As they headed toward the middle of town, Penelope found a parking space in front of a restaurant. The girls slowly edged out of the car.
 
"Damn, Caroline, are you sure this is it?" Penelope asked stunned.
 
"Yes," Caroline replied, equally as stunned.
 
"Ms. Kemper!" Penelope heard her name being called and turned in the direction of the voice. Her eyes popped wide. "Is that the lawyer?!" she exclaimed, knowing that no one else in the town new her.
 
The man smiled as he approached. "Ms. Kemper, do you not recognize me? I am Herr Stricker," he said, extending his hand. "I have been waiting for you. How are you?"
 
"Can we talk?"
 
"My office is just a couple of doors down," he replied.
 
The girls followed him to a small office building. Herr Stricker couldn't help but be amused at the stunned look on their faces. They went up a flight of steps till they came to the first door at the top. He opened up and led them inside. "Please sit." The girls sat in plush leather chairs. "Would you care for something, perhaps some coffee or would you prefer something a stiffer?"
 
"I would like something stiffer, please," Caroline quickly responded.
 
"So would I," Penelope quickly added.
 
Herr Stricker poured them each a glass of wine and gave it to them; then poured one for himself and sat at his desk. "I think I know what you are going to ask," he said. "But I want you to tell me."
 
"Either I'm dreaming or this isn't the real thing."
 
"Maybe you should start at the beginning," he said, leaning back.
 
Dazed and confused, the girls related the events, going into great detail of what happened, especially when they woke up. "I can't believe that we were only asleep for four hours," Penelope added at the end. The girls noticed that Herr Stricker was not shocked or surprised. "How come you're not laughing at us?" Caroline asked. "You believe everything that we told you."
 
Herr Stricker smiled. "The Black Forest holds many mysteries and myths, so it is not surprising you are puzzled. What you described could very well have happened for real."
 
This puzzled the girls more than ever. "Maybe if we knew what happened to the Von Kempstein and Von Marischoff families, maybe that would help."
 
Herr Stricker took a sip of wine. "The whole entire episode you described actually did happen. I happen to know because my great, great, great grandfather handled both the estates, and he kept very good records of his dealings with them." He got up and went over to a small safe and opened it. He pulled out a large plastic bag that held two 
hard bound books. "These books contain everything that happened. Right down to the very details you have described." He opened the books. "Karl Von Kempstein and Erik Von Marischoff left to go to America. Erik's father had 
invested in a company that was locating to America and Erik left to see to the business. Karl went with him to help him run the business. Karl returned when his parents died and then left to return to America. He never returned. The estate was left in the care of my family. Unfortunately, we could not afford to keep up the castle so it fell into a state of disrepair and that is the way we left it, except for a few of the paintings and some relics that we have stored in our local museum."
 
"What about the Von Marischoff family?" Penelope asked.
 
"The Baron died unexpectedly, and with no other family but Erik, he had the manor and all the land sold."
 
"What is going to happen to the Von Kempstein manor?"
 
"The town wants to restore it to its original state and have it be a tourist attraction. We have a few attractions already, but the tourists want to see how the upper elite lived." Herr Stricker pulled an envelope out of the desk drawer. "This document is to be signed by a surviving descendent of the family giving the town permission to restore it. I have tried but have been unsuccessful in finding any of Karl's descendents. This leaves you."
 
Penelope took the document, and with help from Caroline, read it over. She paused and then took a pen and signed the document. "I think it would be a good idea."
 
"Of course, any monies from the tours would go for upkeep of the estate."
 
Penelope nodded. "You said you a few tourist attractions."
 
"Yes. One of them concerns the two young men who caused Karl and Erik trouble."
 
"What happened to them?" Caroline asked.
 
"The two young men were locked up in the local jail. The next day the constable when to check up on them, only to find the cell empty. No trace of them was ever found, nor was there any indication they had broken free."
 
"So?" Penelope quizzed.
 
"So, it is said that every couple of days the constable would hear the bars clanging and someone yelling 'Let us out!'. The original jail was abandoned and is now a local attraction. The lost prisoners have become a local legend."
 
CHAPTER 32
 
“Did anyone ever figure out why they left?” Penelope asked.
 
“Some say it was a curse that the old woman at the gypsy camp put on them,” Herr Stricker replied. “And the gypsy girl that had caused all this was cast out by her own troop and went into the forest. Some say to this very day her spirit walks among the trees. The original jail is just down street. Why do we take a walk.”
 
They left the office and walked toward the middle of town. The girls saw a large group of people standing around a dilapidated stone building. “This was the original jail,” Herr Stricker told them. They came closer and heard a tourist guide tell them about the legend associated with the building. The group moved on, but the girls stayed. They walked around the chain fence which surrounded the building. When they got to the back of the building, they began hearing rattling noises from inside. A mournful voice echoed, “Let us out!” The girls quickly left and went back to the front. “We heard the voices!” Penelope exclaimed. Herr Stricker’s brows arched. “You did?”
 
They returned to Herr Stricker’s office and sat, both girls took a sip of wine to calm their nerves. “There is another legend they speak about,” Herr Stricker said. “It was about the sudden arrival of a cousin and her friend. When Karl and Erik were kidnapped by the gypsies, it was she and her friend who proved their innocence, and then just as suddenly, they were gone.”
 
The girls couldn’t say a word. Penelope looked at the time. “We had better head to Frankfurt. We have a plane to catch tomorrow.”
 
Herr Stricker could see the girls were sad and knew what it could be. “I am sorry to see you leave so soon, but I understand. As for what happened, one never knows when one will meet again.”
 
Herr Stricker escorted them down the stairs to the front door. “Have a good flight back.”
 
The girls walked back to the car. “What do you supposed he meant by that last statement?” Penelope pondered at Caroline. They both turned to wave good-bye but saw the building they had come out of and Herr Stricker had disappeared. “I think we need to leave, and quickly,” Caroline said nervously. “I’ve had enough of this place.”
 
“I agree,” Penelope said.
 
The drive to Frankfurt took most of the night. The next afternoon the girls were on the flight back to the states. During the entire trip, not much was said. Everything that had happened had left them in a daze, pondering did it really happen or was it just a dream.Once they landed and had gotten their luggage, each went to their own apartment to rest and sort things out.
 
Two days later, Caroline called. “Want to go out for a drink?”
 
“Sounds like a good idea,” Penelope said. “The usual place.”
 
“See you in half an hour.”
 
They met at a small bar which was located about a couple of blocks from a sports arena. They sat at their usual table and had their usual drinks. Penelope left to use the ladies room, leaving Caroline alone. She did not see the stranger approach her. “Who is this beautiful lady?”
 
Caroline thought she recognized the voice and turned to look up. She gasped in shock. “It can’t be!” she thought. 
“Wh…wh…who?” she stuttered.
 
The handsome stranger pulled out a gold bracelet. “You don’t remember this?”
 
“Karl!” she rasped as he put the bracelet on her arm and sat beside her.
 
Penelope came out of the ladies’ room and saw the stranger sitting very close to Caroline. “Oh my God!” she whispered. “Could it be?” She went over to the table. “Hello, cousin,” Karl said.
 
Penelope plopped in her chair, stunned. She saw his head turn up. She followed his movement and nearly fainted. “I think this is yours,” the deep voice said with a smile, placing the silver bracelet on her arm. “Erik,” she whispered.
 
THE END

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