B._ (_with sinister significance_). Remember, Mary, "to love, honour and
OBEY." Put down that instrument. [_With a gesture of despair she lets
the receiver fall, thus driving the girl at the exchange nearly frantic.
Suddenly the door is thrown open. Enter_ Captain George Jeffreys _with_
Sergeant-Major Tompkins _and squad of soldiers._

_G.J._ Marmaduke Beltravers, _ne_ Heinrich Hoggenheimer, the game is up.
(Marmaduke _dashes to the window. The dozen supers outside raise a howl of
execration mingled with cries of "Lynch the spy!_") You see, there is no
way of escape.

_M.B._ (_drawing revolver_). You shall not long enjoy your triumph. I have
but one cartridge, but perchance it will be enough for you. [_Pulls
trigger, but finds action rather stiff._

_G.J._ Look out, Mary! These things are rather tricky in inexperienced
hands. [Marmaduke _succeeds in pulling trigger. There is a violent
explosion and a large hole appears in_ George's _breeches._

_G.J._ (_calmly to the baffled_ Marmaduke). Bad luck! That's my cork one. I
lost the original when I got this. [_Touches V.C. pinned on his
breast._

_M.B._ (_annoyed_). Curse, and curse again! [_Gnawing his moustache he
falls in with squad._

_Sergt.-Major T._ Prisoner and escort, 'SHUN! Stand at--EASE. 'SHUN. Move
to the right in fours. Form--FOURS. RIGHT. By the left, quick--MARCH.
[_Exeunt, leaving_ Mary _in_ George's _arms. The howls of execration
redouble. Then there is a tense silence, broken by the sound of a volley._

_George._ Mary, my own! At last!

_Mary._ My hero.

CURTAIN.

* * * * *

SEASONABLE NOVELTIES.

The enterprise of the London and North-Western Railway officials, in
designing a button to obviate delays at the gate caused by the new
show-your-season order, has (we understand) spurred other lines to a
similar ingenuity. Below are some of the latest novelties in
ticket-substitutes.

THE POM-POM.--May be worn in any variety of hat. Very suitable for short
travellers. A simple inclination of the head permits verification by the
inspector. Made in two shades--dark green, covering any distance up to
twenty-five miles of town, or red (as worn by anarchists and the staff of
the L. & S.W.R.), covering a journey up to fifty miles.

UMBRELLA AND STICK TOPS, unscrewable, faced with plate-glass, permitting
the insertion of a ticket, and its easy verification on being thrust under
the nose of an off