ut
business is business, and only by the means I have indicated (in my
opinion) can Bisley be made to pay. Trusting that my suggestion may be
accepted in the spirit in which it is offered, I remain,

Yours truly, DIVIDEND BEFORE DEFENCE. _The Money Grubberies, the
Twenty of Shillingsworth-in-the-Pound._

* * * * *

ON THE THRESHOLD OF THEMIS.

(_A Sketch in the New Law Courts in anticipation of the very
next "Cause Celebre" that may have the good fortune to enlist the
sympathies of the British Public._)

SCENE--_A Corridor outside the Courts appropriated to the
Common Law Division of the High Court of Justice. At each of
the doors of the Court where the Great Trial of Arkass v.
Arkass and Ambo--which abounds in "scandalous revelations in
High Life"--is proceeding, a group of would-be auditors has
collected, waiting with the patience of respectable Peris for
a chance of admission to the forensic Paradise within. The
Paradise, at present, is full to overflowing, and the doors
are guarded by a couple of particularly stern and stolid
attendants. Each Peri is trying to wear out the endurance
of the rest, and to propitiate the doorkeepers by exemplary
behaviour._

[Illustration: No--but look _here_. I _know_ the Criminals.]

_A Meek Man_ (_to Doorkeeper, after standing in hopeful silence for
three-quarters of an hour_). I suppose there'll be a chance of getting
in presently, eh?

_The Doorkeeper_ (_placidly_). None whatever, Sir.

_The M.M._ But they'll be rising for luncheon in an hour or so, and
some will be coming out then, surely?

_Doork._ Not many; them as _are_ in stays in, mostly.

_The M.M._ (_with a sudden recollection that he is acquainted with one
of the Counsel engaged in the case_). Couldn't you take in my card to
Mr. TANFIELD? I'm sure he'll do anything he could for me.

[_The rest regard him with extreme disfavour, as one guilty of
unsportsmanlike behaviour._

_Doork._ It won't be no use--there ain't room in there as it is for a
billiard-cue--leastwise (_conscientiously_), a stoutish one--but I'll
get it taken in for you, if you _like_.

[_He opens the door a very little, and passes the card to an
attendant within._

_Junior Members of the Junior Bar_ (_in very clean white wigs, with
hauteur_). Thought you had orders to let Counsel in before the general
public? There _ought_ to be some rule about