ed. Would you wish to hear any further details of these unhappy
beings," he asked.

"No, sir," replied the stranger. "You are very kind and obliging, but
I have heard enough for the present. Have you a person named Fenton in
your establishment?"

"Not, sir, that I know of; he may be here, though; but you had
better inquire from the proprietor himself, who--mark me, sir--I
say--harkee--you have humanity in your face--will probably refuse to
tell you whether he is here or not, or deny him altogether. Harkee,
again, sir--the fellow is a villain--that is, _entre nous_, but mum's
the word between us."

"I am sorry," replied the stranger, "to hear such a character of him
from you, who should know him."

"Well, sir," replied the other, "let that pass--_verbum sap_. And now
tell me, when have you been at the theater?"

"Not for some months," returned the other.

"Have you ever heard Catalani shake?"

"Yes," replied the stranger. "I have had that pleasure."

"Well, sir, I'm delighted that you have heard her, for there is but one
man living who can rival her in the shake; and, sir, you have the honor
of addressing that man."

This was said so mildly, calmly, rationally, and with that gentlemanlike
air of undoubted respectability, which gives to an assertion such an
impress of truth, that the stranger, confused as he was by what he
had seen, felt it rather difficult to draw the line at the moment,
especially in such society, between a sane man and an insane one.

"Would you wish, sir," said the guide, "to hear a specimen of my
powers?"

"If you please," replied the stranger, "provided you will confine
yourself to the shake."

The other then commenced a squall, so tuneless, wild, jarring, and
unmusical, that the stranger could not avoid smiling at the monomaniac,
for such he at once perceived him to be.

"You seem to like that," observed the other, apparently much gratified;
"but I thought as much, sir--you are a man of taste."

"I am decidedly of opinion," said the stranger, "that Catalani, in her
best days, could not give such a specimen of the shake as that."

"Thank you sir," replied the singer, taking off his hat and bowing. "We
shall have another shake in honor of your excellent judgment, but
it will be a shake of the hand. Sir, you are a polished and most
accomplished gentleman."

As they sauntered up and down the room, other symptoms reached them
besides those that were then subjected to their sight. As