desktop-read usage and syntax ::error, strange character

[ken <gebser@mousecar.com>]

For some reason, when booting after a crash, the desktop isn't loaded; 
that is, the files which were loaded in the previous (crashed) session 
aren't loaded again.  I suspected this was due to 
"~/.emacs/.emacs.desktop.lock", so I deleted it.  Then I close emacs and 
start it again, but still the desktop isn't loaded.

So then I try to load it by hand, ie, I run "M-x desktop-read"... this 
yields the error: "eval-buffer: Symbol's value as variable is void: Î".  
Yes, the last character is a capital "I" with a carot above it.  If, 
from the "*scratch*" buffer I run (desktop-read "/home/user/.emacs.d/"), 
I get exactly the same error message.

Anyone know what's going on?