ollowing closely behind, hoping to give comfort where it
appeared most sorely needed.

Up a broad staircase he ascended and at a chamber door he paused--then
entered. I followed. His presence seemed to cause the very furniture to
shake and rattle.

"Here," thought I, "I will solve the enigma. Here, without doubt, has
occurred some grand disturbance of nature. The walls of this apartment,
its casements, its decorations, have been witness to some fell crime. The
spectre of evil impresses itself upon matter."

While reflecting upon this wonderful law, which all my life I had
perceived dimly, I observed with care the evidently unhappy man. A
bedstead of rich workmanship occupied one side of the apartment. Rushing
toward it he burst forth in a cry of frenzy, swaying his hands fearfully
and ejaculating and groaning in most piteous accents.

At this juncture steps were heard outside ascending the stairs, and
several members of the household entered, bearing lights. They looked
about the room, at first timidly; then, gathering courage, peered under
the bed, opened closets, and scrutinized every nook and corner of the
apartment. Foiled in their efforts to discover the inmate they turned to
each other with amazement.

"I am positive the sounds came from this room," said one. "There is no
one to be seen here," replied another; "what can it mean?"

The culprit stood in the corner, gesticulating violently, but they with
their mortal eyes could not see him. They passed close to him, but their
lighted candles could not reveal the shadowless!

Having satisfied themselves that the room was tenantless, they departed.
Then I approached the unhappy wretch:

"Friend," said I, "let me aid you. Unburden your woo to me; I too have
suffered and am not without sin."

Casting his eyes upon me now for the first time, the man scowled with
dogged sullenness, and said:

"I want no help."

"Nay," said I, "your looks belie your words; come, go with me to my quiet
cottage; there you shall refresh yourself; you shall sleep to-night in
peace."

"Peace!" he repeated scornfully. "I know no peace; nor can I leave this
spot till every eye beholds the horrid deed that I committed here."

"Friend," said I, "tell me the nature of your crime; reveal to me your
secret and your heart will be lighter for it."

"Ha! ha!" he answered, his voice dying away in a low wail. "Look upon
that wall opposite the bed; it will speak better than I can." I looked,