CHAPTER XIII.
THE STRANGER'S STORY.
'I am a native of some curious country in the upper world, where the sun shines, and where there are mountains and oceans, but I have forgotten the name of it, although it has an ancient, and not an inglorious, history, according to the opinions of human beings. I have also forgotten the name of a large island which I once conquered, and of which I was the governor. My brain, please your Majesty, is now an incomprehensible jumble; I can remember many things, but I have forgotten as many. Amongst the things I have forgotten are my own name, and the place where I was born. Among the large crowd of friends and enemies whom I once knew, and who are now only faint shadows of bygone years, there is one, however, whom I have not forgotten—it is my wife.
'I was an author in my time, and wrote several books. Amongst others a treatise on the Treaty of Tilsit, a Tragedy on the death of the Due D'Enghien, a History of the Afghan Revolution, etc. I believe I am descended from a great sea-king, named Ragnor Lodbrog, who sailed the German Ocean and the English Channel in search of prey, and carried all before him. He conquered Rouen, was bought off from Paris, and extended his excursions into
