Ignaz Denner

Ignaz Denner, a horror story by E. T. A. Hoffmann, written in 1814 and published in 1816 in vol. 1 of Nachtstücke. Hoffmann at first intended to entitle it Der Revierjäger. The scene is set in Germany near Fulda. Andres, a gamekeeper of Count Vach, marries an Italian orphan girl and brings her back to Germany. They are miserably poor, and the wife is in danger of death after the birth of her first child, when Ignaz Denner, a supposed merchant, effects a cure, so earning Andres's gratitude. After two years Denner reveals himself for what he is, a robber chief, and demands Andres's help, under threat of killing the latter's wife and child. Andres helps reluctantly, though his only act is to rescue the wounded Denner. He learns that his wife, who has borne him a second child, has inherited a sum of money, and goes to Frankfurt to fetch it. He returns to find his younger child murdered and his wife in despair. He also learns that robbers have stormed Count Vach's castle and killed the Count. All is the work of Denner. He is arrested, and brazenly inculpates Andres, who confesses to the deed under torture. Andres is about to be executed when evidence is given that he was in Frankfurt at the time of the crime.

What has long been suspected now becomes clear: Denner is in league with the Devil. Andres is released, but his wife dies. Denner escapes, persuades Andres to help him by revealing that he is his father-in-law, and then abuses Andres's kindness by attempting to murder the elder son, whereupon Andres shoots him. The diabolical past of Denner and his father, whose real name was Trabacchio, is revealed.