Victor Frankenstein returned to his room. He found a letter from Alphonse Frankenstein. The letter said:
“My dear Victor,
You are waiting for a letter about your return. I wanted to write a happy letter. But I cannot do that. I have very bad news for you. How can I tell you our sadness? You have been away for a long time. But you still love us. I must tell you the truth.
William is dead! That sweet child is gone. Victor, someone murdered him!
I will tell you what happened. Last Thursday, May 7th, we went for a walk. I went with Elizabeth Lavenza and your two brothers. We went to Plainpalais. The evening was warm and calm. We walked for a long time. It was dark when we started to go home. Then we saw that William and Ernest Frankenstein were gone.
We sat on a bench and waited. Soon, Ernest Frankenstein came back. He asked for his brother. Ernest Frankenstein said they were playing. William ran away to hide. Ernest Frankenstein looked for him for a long time. But he could not find William.
We were very worried. We looked for William until night. Elizabeth Lavenza thought he went home. But he was not there. We went back with torches (large sticks with fire at the end for light). I was very afraid for my boy. Elizabeth Lavenza was also very sad.
At five in the morning, I found him. My lovely boy lay on the grass. He did not move. The murderer left marks on his neck. William was dead.
We took him home. Elizabeth Lavenza saw my face and she knew the secret. She wanted to see the body. I tried to stop her. But she went into the room. She looked at William’s neck. She cried, ‘Oh God! I killed my darling child!’
She fainted. When she woke up, she cried and sighed. She told me something. That evening, William wanted to wear a miniature (a very small painting of a person). It was a picture of your mother. Now the picture is gone. The murderer probably stole it. We cannot find the killer. But the killer will not bring William back.
Come home, dear Victor. Only you can help Elizabeth Lavenza. She cries all the time. She thinks the murder is her fault. We are all very unhappy. Please come and help us. Your mother is gone. I am glad she did not see the death of her youngest son.
Come, Victor. Do not think about revenge. Come with peace and love. We need your affection.
Your father,
Alphonse Frankenstein.”
Henry Clerval watched my face while I read. He saw my joy change to despair. I threw the letter on the table. I covered my face with my hands.
“My dear Frankenstein,” Henry Clerval said. “What happened? Why are you so sad?”
I told him to read the letter. I walked up and down the room. I was very upset. Henry Clerval also cried when he read the news. He said he could not comfort me. The loss was too great.
“I must go to Geneva immediately,” I said.
We went to get horses. Henry Clerval spoke kind words during our walk. He said William was now at rest with his mother. He said William felt no more pain. But we must feel pity for the family who stayed alive.
The horses arrived. I got into a carriage (a vehicle pulled by horses). I said goodbye to Henry Clerval. My journey was very sad. At first, I wanted to go fast. But when I got near Geneva, I moved slowly.
I was afraid. I did not see my home for six years. Everything was different now. One terrible change happened. I was worried about other bad things. I stayed in Lausanne for two days because I was so nervous.
I looked at the lake. The water was calm. The mountains were white with snow. Nature was beautiful and it helped me feel better. I continued my journey to Geneva.
The road was next to the lake. I saw the dark Jura mountains. I saw the top of Mont Blanc. I cried like a child. I asked the mountains if they were happy to see me. Or were they laughing at my sadness?
I reached the area near Geneva. It was dark. The gates of the town were closed. I had to stay in a village called Secheron. I could not sleep. I decided to visit the place where William died.
I crossed the lake in a boat. I saw lightning (a flash of bright light in the sky) on the mountains. A storm was coming fast. I climbed a small hill to watch the storm. The rain started to fall.
The storm became very strong. Thunder crashed over my head. The lightning made the lake look like fire. Then everything became very dark again. The storm was everywhere.
I walked during the storm. I cried out, “William! This storm is for you!” Suddenly, I saw a figure behind some trees. I watched it closely. A flash of lightning showed the figure clearly.
It was a giant. It was the ugly monster I made. My heart beat fast. What was he doing here? Was he the murderer of my brother? I was sure of it. No human could kill a child like that. The monster was the killer!
I wanted to follow him. But another flash of lightning showed him on the rocks. He climbed the high mountain easily. Then he disappeared.
I stayed there for a long time. The rain continued. I thought about the monster. I made him two years ago. Was this his first crime? I let a terrible creature into the world. He loved death and misery.
I was wet and cold, but I did not care. I only thought about the monster. I felt like I let a demon out of a grave. He was destroying everything I loved.
The sun came up. I went to the town. The gates were open. I went to my father’s house. I wanted to tell the police about the murderer. But then I stopped.
Who would believe my story? I created a giant man. He met me at night on a mountain. People would think I was a madman. The monster was too fast to catch. He could climb mountains. I decided to stay silent.
I entered the house at five in the morning. I went to the library. I looked at the picture of my mother. She was kneeling by her father’s coffin. Below her was the miniature (small picture) of William. I cried when I saw it.
Ernest Frankenstein entered the room. He welcomed me. He wished I came three months ago. Then, the family was happy. Now, the family was full of misery. Ernest Frankenstein said our father was very sad. He said Elizabeth Lavenza blamed herself for the death.
I tried to calm Ernest Frankenstein. I asked about my father and Elizabeth Lavenza. Ernest Frankenstein said Elizabeth Lavenza was very unhappy. But then he said, “The murderer is discovered.”
“The murderer is discovered!” I cried. “That is impossible! No one can catch him!”
Ernest Frankenstein was surprised. He did not understand me. He said the news made them very sad. No one believed it at first. Even Elizabeth Lavenza did not believe it.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“It is Justine Moritz,” Ernest Frankenstein said.
“Justine Moritz! No! She is innocent!” I said.
Ernest Frankenstein said there was evidence. Justine Moritz was sick after the murder. A servant found the picture of your mother in her pocket. The servant went to a magistrate (a type of judge). Now Justine Moritz was in prison.
I told Ernest Frankenstein that they were all mistaken. I knew the murderer. I said Justine Moritz was good and innocent.
Then Alphonse Frankenstein entered the room. He looked very old and sad. He tried to be happy to see me. But he was very quiet.
“Victor says he knows the murderer,” Ernest Frankenstein told him.
“We know too,” Alphonse Frankenstein said. “It is very sad. Justine Moritz was like a daughter to us.”
“No, father,” I said. “Justine Moritz is innocent.”
“I hope she is innocent,” Alphonse Frankenstein said. “She will have a trial (a meeting in court to see if she is guilty) today. I hope the judge lets her go.”
I was sure Justine Moritz was innocent. I did not think the court would find her guilty. I could not tell my story. People would think I was crazy. I was the only person who knew the truth about the monster.
Elizabeth Lavenza joined us. She was more beautiful than before. She was very happy to see me. She asked me to help Justine Moritz.
“If Justine Moritz is a killer, then no one is safe,” Elizabeth Lavenza said. “I love her. If she dies, I will never be happy again.”
“She is innocent, Elizabeth,” I said. “We will prove it. Do not be afraid.”
“You are very kind, Victor,” Elizabeth Lavenza said. “Everyone else thinks she is guilty. That makes me very sad.” She started to cry.
Alphonse Frankenstein told her to stop crying. He said the laws were just. He said he would help Justine Moritz in the court.