don't know whether he is a foreigner or not. You are to understand, madam, that he is here on sufferance. This is a royal institution, and, as a rule, we only receive lunatics of the educated class. But Jack Straw has had wonderful luck. Being too mad, I suppose, to take care of himself, he was run over in one of the streets in our neighbourhood by the carriage of an exalted personage, whom it would be an indiscretion on my part even to name. The personage (an illustrious lady, I may inform you) was so distressed by the accident-without the slightest need, for the man was not seriously hurt that she actually had him brought here in her carriage, and laid her commands on us to receive him. Ah, Mrs. Wagner, her highness's heart is worthy of her high

ness's rank. She occasionally sends to inquire after the lucky lunatic who rolled under her horse's feet. We don't tell her what a trouble and expense he is to us. We have had irons specially invented to control him; and, if I am not mistaken,' said the superintendent, turning to the assistant, 'a new whip was required only last week.'

The man put his hand into the big pocket of his coat, and produced a horrible whip, of many lashes. He exhibited this instrument of torture with every appearance of pride and pleasure. This is what keeps him in order, my lady,' said the brute, cheerfully. "Just take it in your hand.'

My aunt sprang to her feet. She was so indignant that I believe she would have laid the whip across the man's shoulders, if his

master had not pushed him back without

6

ceremony. A zealous servant,' said the

superintendent, smiling pleasantly.

excuse him.'

My aunt pointed to the cell door.

Please

Open it,' she said. 'Let me see anything, rather than set eyes on that monster again!'

The firmness of her tone evidently sur-
He knew no-

prised the superintendent.

thing of the reserves of resolution in her, which the mere sight of the whip had called forth. The pallor had left her face; she trembled no longer; her fine grey eyes were bright and steady. "That brute has roused her,' said the lawyer, looking back at the assistant, and whispering to me; nothing

will restrain her, David-she will have her way now.'

CHAPTER V.

THE superintendent opened the cell door with his own hand.

We found ourselves in a narrow, lofty prison, like an apartment in a tower. High up, in one corner, the grim stone walls were pierced by a grated opening, which let in air and light. Seated on the floor, in the angle formed by the junction of two walls, we saw the superintendent's 'lucky lunatic' at work, with a truss of loose straw on either side of him. The slanting rays of light from the high window streamed down on his prema

turely grey hair, and showed us the strange yellow pallor of his complexion, and the youthful symmetry of his hands, nimbly occupied with their work. A heavy chain held him to the wall. It was not only fastened round his waist, it also fettered his legs between the knee and the ankle. At the same time, it was long enough to allow him a range of crippled movement, within a circle of five or six feet, as well as I could calculate at the time. Above his head, ready for use if required, hung a small chain evidently intended to confine his hands at the wrists. Unless I was deceived by his crouching attitude, he was small in stature. His ragged dress barely covered his emaciated form. In other and happier days, he must have been a well-made little man; his