e was successful. A large section of the wall slid back,
revealing a dark opening.

After a few seconds' natural hesitation the brave girl stepped through
the aperture.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Raymond Bluetherski lay asleep. On his dressing-table rested the fatal
ball of paper.

Suddenly a portion of the wall moved back and Madge Capperton appeared
in the opening. As noiselessly as possible she crept forward and
snatched up the despatches. In a few seconds she would be safe!

At that instant Bluetherski awoke, leapt out of his bed and grasped her
roughly by the arm. But he had reckoned without Capperton.

The commanding figure of the detective appeared in the room. He levelled
a large revolver at Bluetherski, and the latter threw up his hands with a
cry of baffled hate.

CHAPTER XIX.

In a moonlit garden Clement Carmichael was waiting impatiently.
Presently Madge came to him with a radiant face and placed the lost
despatches in his hands. His reputation was saved!

Seizing the girl in his arms he pressed his lips to hers in a long
passionate kiss.

THE END.

* * * * *

CASUS BELLI.

(_For a sensitive Scot._)

Tea-shop, how I loathe thee!
Our connection's o'er;
Henceforth I don't know thee
Any more.

'Tisn't that I did not
On thy pastry dote;
'Tisn't that it slid not
Down my throat;

'Tisn't that thy crumpets
Fell a trifle flat--
If I've got the hump it's
Not from that.

'Tisn't that the waitress
Tried to wink at me,
Or let fall a stray tress
In my tea;

'Tisn't that I tossed thee
Tenpence in the till
For a snack that cost thee
Almost _nil_....

Nay, 'twas _this_ unnerved me--
Just a sc[)o]ne alone,
Which the lass who served me
Called a sc[=o]ne.

* * * * *

IN A GOOD CAUSE.

In connection with his chief Cartoon of this week, _Mr. Punch_ begs to
invite his readers to help the kind people of Holland on whom the care
of so many Belgian refugees has fallen. Contributions will be gladly
received by the International Women's Relief Committee (Miss Chrystal
Macmillan, Treasurer), 7, Adam Street, Adelphi, W.C.

* * * * *

Illustration: _Scene: A Recruiting Station in Ireland._ IN ORDER NOT TO
LOSE A STALWART RECRUIT WHO HAPPENS TO BE UNDER THE STANDARD HEIGHT
MEASUREMENT THE EXAMINING OFFICER MAKES A BRILLIANT SUGGESTION TO
SE