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THE FIFTH STRING
the extra lengths of the other four strings. To cut it off would destroy the others, and then pity, hope, love and joy would cease to exist in the soul of the violin."
"How like life itself," Diotti reflected, "pity, hope, love, joy end in death, and through death they are born again."
"That's the idea, precisely," said Satan, evidently relieved by Diotti's logic and quick perception.
The violinist examined the instrument with the practised eye of an expert, and turning to Satan said: "The four strings are beautifully white and transparent, but this one is black and odd looking.
"What is it wrapped with?" eagerly inquired Diotti, examining the death string with microscopic care.
"The fifth string was added after an
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