The Equinox (Volume I, Number II)

THE EQUINOX in such questionable riddles. AccordinglyI said nothing, but tried gently to regain my liberty. Alas! his grasp was stronger than my desire of liberty, and the only result was that he pinched me closer. “T was dead,” he resumed, “and my beautiful and lofty thoughts were wandering through space, shapeless and with- out expression. The cover which enclosed the shrine in which they were kept had been stolen from me, and my foes were expecting my surrender. Happily an angel sent by God ordered me to come out every twenty-one days, and promised me that I should find here the cover which I needed. I have it now, and mean to keep it.” “But what are you talking about?” said I. “I am a man; here is my house; and I don’t know anything about your cover. You are mistaking me for some unknown person or object, sir; pray let me go.” “Let you go! Abandon once more the cover which shall keep my thoughts in! You ave mad! Besides, why do you speak? And how is it that you come in such a shape?” “T tell you lam a man. Leave me alone, or I shall have to call for assistance and give you in charge. Iam a savant and a nobleman, known all over the world, I daresay.” “T am no fool, and I shall keep you. Come, I must be off to Brighton to-night ; I have left my thoughts in the cover- less box there.” “T shall not go to Brighton, sir! Are you mad? Dol look like a piece of wood?” “The appearance has nothing to do with the case. As to madness, I fear I should have gone mad 7 I had not found you at last. Come; my men are waiting, ready for any 358