16 JUNE

AT LAST I HAVE SEEN HIM BOTH LEAVING AND RETURNING. I’d decided to stay awake all night if need be, and so I told the Count that I was unusually tired, as I had worked more than normal that day. He had no objections, so we parted after I finished my dinner and I went to my room.²⁵⁹ There I extinguished the light and sat by the window, which I had opened completely—it was a bright, moonlit night.

I didn’t have to wait long. Soon after eleven o’clock I heard a rustling sound, and when I looked carefully out the window I saw a man creeping on the stone ledge outside the castle walls, apparently coming from the western tower and disappearing near the tower to the east. I then wrapped a blanket around me—and bided my time.

I waited for a long time and eventually fell asleep right where I sat. When I woke up at the break of dawn I thought the night had been wasted. It was nearly five o’clock and had become daylight; he must have returned a long time ago. But just as I thought this I noticed something moving down below, so I grabbed my spyglass. Yes, there he was! But even with the help of the lenses, I couldn’t see how he managed to climb up the steep wall. There had to be some footholds, slits carved into the walls—but it would also require strong nerves and a calm mind to be able to clamber in such a way. Yes! There are indeed footholds carved into the wall! This means I have now found a way to escape from here—and that is the most important thing. He suddenly disappeared at the eastern tower.