nge story in some form or other to the last
generation, or to the one before the last. No matter: if he has told it
they have forgotten it,--that is, if they have ever read it; and whether
they have or have not, the story is singular enough to justify running
the risk of repetition.

This young man, with a curious name of Scandinavian origin, appeared
unheralded in the town, as it was then, of Cantabridge. He wanted
employment, and soon found it in the shape of manual labor, which he
undertook and performed cheerfully. But his whole appearance showed
plainly enough that he was bred to occupations of a very different
nature, if, in deed, he had been accustomed to any kind of toil for his
living. His aspect was that of one of gentle birth. His hands were not
those of a laborer, and his features were delicate and refined, as well
as of remarkable beauty. Who he was, where he came from, why he had come
to Cantabridge, was never clearly explained. He was alone, without
friends, except among the acquaintances he had made in his new residence.
If he had any correspondents, they were not known to the neighborhood
where he was living. But if he had neither friends nor correspondents,
there was some reason for believing that he had enemies. Strange
circumstances occurred which connected themselves with him in an ominous
and unaccountable way. A threatening letter was slipped under the door
of a house where he was visiting. He had a sudden attack of illness,
which was thought to look very much like the effect of poison. At one
time he disappeared, and was found wandering, bewildered, in a town many
miles from that where he was residing. When questioned how he came
there; he told a coherent story that he had been got, under some pretext,
or in some not incredible way, into a boat, from which, at a certain
landing-place, he had escaped and fled for his life, which he believed
was in danger from his kidnappers.

Whoever his enemies may have been,--if they really existed,--he did not
fall a victim to their plots, so far as known to or remembered by this
witness.

Various interpretations were put upon his story. Conjectures were as
abundant as they were in the case of Kaspar Hauser. That he was of good
family seemed probable; that he was of distinguished birth, not
impossible; that he was the dangerous rival of a candidate for a greatly
coveted position in one of the northern states of Europe was a favorite
speculation of some of th