_POSTLETHWAITE enters at L. C. pulling in RATCLIFFE, without his beard, moustache, and over coat, and in a modern walking suit._ I never applied for the appointment; there's some mistake. POS. Mistake, nonsense! here it is in the newspaper, and you know as well as I do that newspapers never make mistakes. Captain Charles Ratcliffe appointed superintendent of the rural police. RAT. (_aside_) What the devil's to be done?--luckily I've got rid of my disguise! POS. How very odd I should happen to run up against you. Eh! at five o'clock in the morning too. RAT. Yes, I was going home from a bachelor's party. (_confused_) POS. Little dreaming that at that moment you held the distinguished position of commander-in-chief of the rural police force of this important district. RAT. Pshaw! I shall resign at once. (_going_) POS. (_pulling him back_) You can't till your successor is appointed. RAT. (_aside_) There's no escape, I must brazen it out: lucky I have got rid of my disguise, at any rate I shall see her once more! (_aloud, and in an assumed tone of authority_) ahem! (_seats himself_) now I am ready to listen to you. POS. (L.) That's right--you must know then. (_seats himself_) RAT. (R.) One moment, are you about to address me in my official capacity? POS. Of course, I am. RAT. Then don't sit down. POS. But really my back aches to that degree-- RAT. Then I'll receive your deposition to-morrow. (_gets up and going_) POS. No, no! (_pushing RATCLIFFE in his chair again_) I'll stand up there! and now, my dear fellow-- RAT. A little less familiarity, if you please, young man. POS. Very well--you must know then, old chap-- RAT. Again-- POS. Well, then, your worship! there, will that do? you must know then, your worship, that I've just been robbed of a very considerable sum of money. RAT. You? POS. Well, my cousin, Mrs. Somerton has--and as I'm going to marry her, what's her's is mine, and what's mine's my own; but you know all about that, governor--I mean your worship. RAT. Which property I suppose, you wish to recover? POS. Of course, I do; you'll excuse me, my dear boy, Charley, I mean your worship, but that's a remarkable stupid observation of your's. RAT. Silence--was the robbery you speak of accompanied by violence?