Litchfield enquirer., 1860-03-29

there was nothing left but the conclusion that he had made his way along narrow ledge of not more than four inehes broad, tt some other house to the right of ours, ant that with the most excessive quickness. Int ledge was at least forty feet perpendicular above crowded street, with no other resting place between it and the ground, and in full view of all passers-by, some of whom would have been surely attracted by the spectacle of a naked scarlet man balancing himself up on next to nothing over their heads. The matter indeed seemed inexplicable, but stl felt it my duty to persevere in my investi gations. since the minds of both my wift and daughter had been greatly shaken by the occurrence, and if could only find some reasonable explanation, knew that half that mischief would be done away with l spared, therefore, neither pains nor money to this end. The police were set to work reward was offered for the discovery of the person who had committed the outra ge; and all passengers through the street in question upon that morning, between 10 and 10 .l5, were exhorted to come forward and witness to any peculiar appearance visible. at that time and place. All, however, was in vain, until about fortnight afterwards. The subject was by that time avoided by us as much as possible, while the ladies were pres ent; but one forenoon, while my son and were speaking of it as the maid was laying the luncheon-cloth, he observed: Do you know, father, have been thinking good deal about the odd appearance of that hor- rible mans head, aud have come to the conclusion that it was not bald at all, but sAared"
 Good" said I. "I'm pretty sure, my lad, you're right; and in that case, he must have been an escaped lunatic. This gives us clue
 Please sir" interrupted the maid with a courtesy, "Mr. John Stokes, at No. 23, av ad is cad shaved lately for scarlet fever"
 For scarlet fevcr," cried l "Emeka, Eureka r' and I clapped my hat on, and rushed off to No. 23 like lunatic myself.
 MT. John Stokes was still grievously i'll, and not to be seen by anybody but his law yer said the servant.
 "And am not his lawyer, my good man? Can't you see?"
 So went up, as had cojectured would be the case, to the third story, the same in which was our own sitting-room in No 19 Poor Mr. John Stokes was lying in bed and luckily, fast asleep-with the identical shaved head and scarlet face that had been so impressed upon all our memories.
 He has been 6eirious for days. poor fellow,' said the nurse; land it would be a pity to wake him for any business matter would it not?"
 l said that it would be great pity, and that it was not to be thought of; aud then asked whether the sick man was ever left alone.
 "Never, sir"
 Are you quite sure of that!" said se- vercly
 "Well, sir, may say "never;" that is, except just for my going down stairs for his breakfast"
 And what time does he breakfast7"
 "Well, sir, about ten o'clock"
 Between ten and quarter past, SUD- post?"
 "Yes, sir" replied the astonished nurse; 'just so."
 The window nearest to our house was. I found, unboltcd. It was clear that MT. John Stokes-who afterwards got we'll of his fever, and, hope, recovered his hair was the apparit:on that had SO spoiled our breakfast fortnight ago, and set our diges- tions wrong ever since.
 The only mystery remaining was how, even in delirium. human feet could have remained invisible to any eyes save ours.