Let it not be supposed, from what just said, that detailing any mystery, or penning any romance What described Frenchman, was merely the result of an excited, or perhaps of diseased intelligence But character remarks periods an example will best convey the idea

We were strolling one night down long dirty street vicinity Palais Royal Being both, apparently, occupied with thought, neither of us had spoken syllable for fifteen minutes All at once Dupin broke forth words:

" very little fellow, that's true, and would do better _Thtre des Varits "

"There ," I replied unwittingly, and not at first observing ( had I been absorbed in reflection) the extraordinary manner speaker had chimed in with my meditations In an instant afterward I recollected myself, and my astonishment was profound

"Dupin," said I, gravely, " beyond my comprehension hesitate that amazed, and can scarcely credit my senses How possible know thinking of ----- ? " Here I paused, to ascertain beyond doubt whether he really knew of whom

-- "of Chantilly," said he, "why pause ? You were remarking to yourself that his diminutive figure unfitted him for tragedy "

precisely what had formed the subject reflections Chantilly was quondam cobbler Rue St Denis, who, becoming stage-mad, had attempted the rle of Xerxes, in Crbillon's tragedy so called, and been notoriously Pasquinaded pains

"Tell me, for Heaven's sake," I exclaimed, "the method - if method - enabled to fathom my soul " even more startled than I willing to express

"It fruiterer," replied my friend, "who brought you conclusion mender of soles was not of sufficient height for Xerxes et id genus omne "

"The fruiterer ! - you astonish me - no fruiterer whomsoever "

"The man who ran up against you entered the street - it may fifteen minutes ago "

I now remembered that, , fruiterer, carrying upon his head large basket of apples, had nearly thrown me down, by accident, passed Rue C ---- thoroughfare where we stood; but what this had with Chantilly possibly understand

not particle of charltanerie about Dupin " explain," , " comprehend all clearly, first retrace the course of your meditations, moment I spoke until that rencontre fruiterer The larger links chain run thus - Chantilly, Orion, Dr Nichols, Epicurus, Stereotomy, the street stones, the fruiterer "

few persons , at some period lives, amused themselves in retracing the steps particular conclusions own minds attained The occupation is often full of interest and he who attempts it first time is astonished apparently illimitable distance and incoherence starting-point goal What, then, must my amazement when I heard the Frenchman speak what he had just spoken, and when help acknowledging that he had spoken the truth He continued:

"We talking of horses, if I remember aright, just before leaving the Rue C ---- the last subject we discussed crossed street, fruiterer, with large basket upon his head, brushing quickly past us, thrust you upon pile of paving stones collected at spot where the causeway is undergoing repair You stepped upon loose fragments, slipped, slightly strained your ankle, appeared vexed or sulky, muttered few words, turned to look pile, and then proceeded in silence not particularly attentive to what ; but observation has become with me, of late, species of necessity

"You kept your eyes ground - glancing, with petulant expression, holes and ruts pavement, ( you were still thinking stones,) until we reached the little alley called Lamartine, been paved, by way of experiment, overlapping and riveted blocks Here your countenance brightened up, and, perceiving your lips move, doubt that you murmured the word 'stereotomy,' term very affectedly applied species of pavement that you to yourself 'stereotomy' without being brought of atomies, and thus theories of Epicurus; and since, when we discussed this subject not very , I mentioned how singularly, yet with how little notice, the vague guesses noble Greek had met with confirmation late nebular cosmogony, that avoid casting your eyes upward great nebula in Orion, and I certainly expected that look up; and now assured that I had correctly followed your steps But bitter tirade upon Chantilly, which appeared in yesterday's '_Muse_,' the satirist, making some disgraceful allusions cobbler s change of name upon assuming the buskin, quoted Latin line often conversed I mean the line

Perdidit antiquum litera sonum

I had told you was in reference to Orion, formerly written Urion; and, from certain pungencies connected explanation, aware that forgotten it clear, therefore, that fail to combine the two ideas of Orion and Chantilly That combine them character smile which passed over your lips You thought poor cobbler's immolation , you stooping in your gait; but now you draw yourself your full height then sure that you reflected diminutive figure of Chantilly point I interrupted your meditations to remark that as, , very little fellow - that Chantilly - do better _Thtre des Varits "

Not long , we were looking over an evening edition "Gazette des Tribunaux," following paragraphs arrested our attention

"EXTRAORDINARY MURDERS - , about three o'clock, the inhabitants Quartier St Roch were aroused from sleep by succession of terrific shrieks, issuing, apparently, fourth story of house Rue Morgue, known sole occupancy of one Madame L'Espanaye, and her daughter Mademoiselle Camille L'Espanaye After some delay, occasioned by fruitless attempt to procure admission usual manner, the gateway was broken in with crowbar, and eight or ten neighbors entered accompanied by two gendarmes the cries had ceased; but, party rushed up the first flight of stairs, two or more rough voices in angry contention were distinguished and seemed upper part house second landing was reached, these sounds, also, had ceased and everything remained perfectly quiet The party spread themselves and hurried from room to room Upon arriving at large back chamber fourth story, (the door , being found locked, key inside, was forced open,) spectacle presented itself which struck present not less with horror than with astonishment

"The apartment was wildest disorder - the furniture broken and thrown about in all directions bedstead; and the bed removed, and thrown middle floor On chair lay razor, besmeared with blood hearth were long and thick tresses of grey human hair, also dabbled in blood, and seeming pulled out roots floor were found four Napoleons, an ear-ring of topaz, three large silver spoons, three smaller of mtal d'Alger_, and two bags, containing nearly four thousand francs in gold The drawers of _bureau_, which stood in one corner were open, and , apparently, rifled, although many articles still remained small iron safe was discovered under the bed (not under the bedstead) open, key still door It had no contents beyond few old letters, and other papers of little consequence