The crystal claw

The story opens in the glittering winter of Mürren, where the narrator finds himself sharing a table with the charismatic Dr. Feng at the elegant Kürhaus hotel. Snow‑capped peaks frame a lively scene of skiers, curlers, and newlyweds whose quiet charm catches the old doctor’s eye. The crisp Alpine air and the bustle of the resort create a vivid backdrop for a friendship that quickly deepens.

Dr. Feng, a spry septuagenarian with a mysterious past, becomes the narrator’s guide to the mountains, leading expeditions across powdery slopes and through hidden alpine paths. Their shared adventures reveal a world where sport, conversation, and the sheer beauty of the high Alps blend into something almost magical. Yet beneath the frosty surface, hints of an enigmatic secret—whispered in quiet tavern corners—suggest that the serenity of the snow‑covered landscape may conceal a deeper intrigue waiting to unfold.