number of costly trinkets which hung to a thick gold watch-chain he wore
round his neck. Diamond rings sparkled on his fingers, and it was all real.
“I cannot recover from my astonishment,” said the learned man. “What
does all this mean?”
“Something rather unusual,” said the shadow; “but you are yourself an
uncommon man, and you know very well that I have followed in your
footsteps ever since your childhood. As soon as you found that I have
travelled enough to be trusted alone, I went my own way, and I am now in
the most brilliant circumstances. But I felt a kind of longing to see you once
more before you die, and I wanted to see this place again, for there is
always a clinging to the land of one’s birth. I know that you have now
another shadow; do I owe you anything? If so, have the goodness to say
what it is.”
“No! Is it really you?” said the learned man. “Well, this is most
remarkable; I never supposed it possible that a man’s old shadow could
become a human being.”
“Just tell me what I owe you,” said the shadow, “for I do not like to be in
debt to any man.”
“How can you talk in that manner?” said the learned man. “What
question of debt can there be between us? You are as free as any one. I
rejoice exceedingly to hear of your good fortune. Sit down, old friend, and
tell me a little of how it happened, and what you saw in the house opposite
to me while we were in those hot climates.”
“Yes, I will tell you all about it,” said the shadow, sitting down; “but then
you must promise me never to tell in this city, wherever you may meet me,
that I have been your shadow. I am thinking of being married, for I have
more than sufficient to support a family.”
“Make yourself quite easy,” said the learned man; “I will tell no one who
you really are. Here is my hand,-I promise, and a word is sufficient between
man and man.”
