GENTLEMAN (_opening his travelling-bag_). Ah! (_producing a revolver_) there's rather a curious story connected with this revolver! LADY (_alarmed, and trying to look unconcerned_). Indeed? GENTLEMAN. I never travel without one--every chamber loaded and ready for use, so that I have six lives at my disposal--a very comfortable feeling to have! Don't you think so? LADY. Yes, very much so, indeed! GENTLEMAN. Here are the photographs (_producing packet_); here is one of them (_about to show a portrait_). No, I make a mistake; this is one of myself. LADY (_aghast_). Yours? GENTLEMAN (_smiling_). Yes! this is the one! (_presenting a second portrait_). You'll observe a remarkable protuberance of this part of the skull (_pointing to it_); that's the organ of destructiveness. I have it myself, only not _quite_ so strongly developed! (_touching his head_); don't you perceive it? LADY. Yes--I--see! But I confess I cannot understand how _you_ happen to be in possession of these _remarkably interesting_--works of art? GENTLEMAN (_smiling_). A very simple matter--my occupation necessitates my associating with this particular class of "her Majesty's subjects"--as I happen to be-- LADY (_quickly_). Hush! I know! You need not tell me! GENTLEMAN (_anxiously_). What is the matter? You are positively trembling--with cold, no doubt! Allow me to wrap this rug round you. LADY. No, no! GENTLEMAN. Nay, I insist! (_placing his rug round LADY'S feet_). LADY. But you will feel the want of it yourself, especially as it seems you have passed the night in the train! GENTLEMAN. Exactly! Six hours ago I was in Dartmoor Prison! LADY. Dartmoor! (_Aside._) He confesses it! GENTLEMAN (_smiling_). Not a very attractive residence. I would gladly have left it before, but, unfortunately, I was detained! LADY. Detained! GENTLEMAN (_smiling_). I may say _chained_ to it--by my confounded profession! LADY (_aside_). He calls it a _profession!_ GENTLEMAN. There's no saying how long the Home Secretary might have kept me there; but I couldn't stand it any longer, so I managed to make my escape, and now I'm free once more! LADY (_suddenly starting up with a scream_). Stop, sir! Don't say any more! Have pity on me, for mercy's sake! (_falling on her knees and clasping her hands_). GENTLEMAN (_astounded_). My dear madam-- LADY (_hysterically_). I know who you are; I know all about the scar on your forehead! But I won't betray you--I won't, indeed! Here, take my purse!--take my watch! (_thrusting the articles into the GENTLEMAN'S hands_)--_all_ I have, good Mr. Burkshaw!--but spare my life! GENTLEMAN. Your life? Mr. Burkshaw? What--what do you mean? LADY. Mercy! mercy! GENTLEMAN (_seriously_). My dear madam! Pray compose yourself! You have evidently fallen into some strange error; in a word, I happen to be-- LADY. Yes, yes! I know who you happen to be! Take my advice and jump out of the train!