THE FIFTH STRING
"Oh, I see," carelessly observed the other, "you refer to that extra string."
"Yes," answered the puzzled violinist, examining it closely.
"Allow me to explain the peculiar characteristics of this magnificent instrument," said his satanic majesty. "This string," pointing to the G, "is the string of pity; this one," referring to the third, "is the string of hope; this," plunking the A, "is attuned to love, while this one, the E string, gives forth sounds of joy.
"You will observe," went on the visitor, noting the intense interest displayed by the violinist, "that the position of the strings is the same as on any other violin, and therefore will require no additional study on your part."
"But that extra string?" interrupted Diotti, designating the middle one on
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