Markheim by Robert Louis Stevenson. Short summary

5 seconds

Markheim killed an antique dealer. As he searched for the victim’s money, he met his inner self. Markheim realized he would have to kill some more. He met the antique dealer’s maid and had her call the police.

1 minute

A typical «Christmas story.»

On the first day of Christmas Eve, Markheim walked into the antique dealer’s shop. The shopkeeper knew him: the youngster had sold him things more than once — stolen, not from his late uncle’s collection. But this time the deal failed. As the antique dealer turned away, Markheim plunged a dagger into him.

The murderer had been watching the house. He knew that the only maid had left, but should return soon. Besides, Markheim was frightened by the possibility that customers might drop by the shop. With a bundle of keys he went into the inner chambers and searched for money.

Suddenly he saw a man who looked strangely like himself. He said that if he had begun to kill, he would have to continue on this road. He foresaw the murder of the maid. But Markheim decided to stop and not let the evil take over. The stranger’s face brightened and he disappeared.

Markheim surrendered himself to the police.