There were two candles burning on the table when I next opened my eyes, and my friend the procurator was reading away as before. I tried to interest myself for a second or two; I rubbed my eyes, and endeavored to be wakeful; but I could not, and was fast settling down into my former state, when certain words struck on my ear and aroused me: “The well-born Herr von Rigges further denounces the prisoner Harpar--” “Read that again,” cried I, aloud, “for I cannot clearly follow what you say.” “'The well-born Herr von Rigges, '“ repeated he, “'further denounces the prisoner Harpar as one of a sect banded together for the darkest purposes of revolution!'” “Forgive my importunity, Herr Procurator,” said I, in my most insinuating tone, “but in compassion for the weakness of faculties sorely tried by fever, will you tell me who is Rigges?” “Who is Rigges? Is that your question?” said he, slowly. “Yes, sir; that was my question.” He turned over several pages of his voluminous report, and proceeded to search for the passage he wanted. “Here it is,” said he, at last; and he read out: “'The so-called Rigges, being a well-born and not-the-less-from-a-mercantile-object-engaging pursuit highly-placed and much-honored subject of her Majesty the Queen of England, of the age of forty-two years and eight months, unmarried, and professing the Protestant religion.' Is that sufficient?” “Quite so; and now, will you, with equal urbanity, inform me who is Harpar?” “Who is Harpar? Who is Harpar? You surely do not ask me that?” “I do; such is my question.” “I must confess that you surprise me. You ask me for information about yourself!” “Oh, indeed! So that I am Harpar?” “You can, of course, deny it We are in a measure prepared for that. The proofs of your identity will be, however, forthcoming; not to add that it will be difficult to disprove the offence.” “Ha, the offence! I 'm really curious about that. What is the offence with which I am charged?” “What I have been reading these two hours. What I have recited with all the clearness, brevity, and perspicuity that characterize our imperial and royal legislation, making our code at once the envy and admiration of all Europe.” “I 'm sure of that But what have I done?” “With what for a dulness-charged and much-beclouded intellect are you afflicted,” cried he, “not to have followed the greatly-by- circumstances-corroborated, and in-various-ways-by-proofs-brought-home narrative that I have already read out.” “I have not heard one word of it!” “What a deplorable and all-the-more-therefore-hopeless intelligence is yours! I will begin it once more.” And with a heavy sigh he turned over the first pages of his manuscript.