House lost crowded appearance of earlier days of week. Interest already transferred to constituencies. GORST among absentees. SARK looking for him everywhere. Been reading article in magazine where GORST writes:--"A lady resident in East London informed me that she once knew a man who was attending fourteen doctors at the same time. The man died." SARK wants to know what was the matter with the doctors? Why the man was attending them? And whether this is cited as case of overwork, or of death resulting from infectious disease? The worst of SARK is that his curiosity is almost feminine in its intensity. _Business done._--Foundation stones of new Ministry laid. [Illustration: Cap'en Tommy Casabianca Bowles.] _House of Lords, Thursday._--Quite a crowded House. THE MARKISS, not seen in his place since he became Prime Minister, now there faced by ROSEBERY. Large attendance and eager interest explained by attempt to purloin Seals of SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR. In dim and distant future this likely to rank with the Diamond Necklace Affair. SARK, who has been reading Radical newspapers on incident, tells me all about it. As soon as Vote of Censure passed on CAWMELL-BANNERMAN, MARKISS became possessed of uncontrollable passion for instant possession of his seals of office. How was it to be done? CAWMELL a Scotchman; not easy to get loose property out of his grip. MARKISS, instinct with influences of spacious times of Queen ELIZABETH, not to be trifled with. Clapped his hands. Enter faithful henchman, one SCHOMBERG. A stoutly-built man of herculean strength, bowed legs, grizzled beard, short thick hair like hand-spikes standing up above pair of ears resembling nothing so much as Tower Bridge when, in opening, either flap stands out at angle of forty-five degrees. A certain piquancy given to his features by front tooth protruding like tusk of wild boar. "SCHOMBERG," said THE MARKISS, hoarsely, "I want CAWMELL-BANNERMAN'S Seals. His address is 6, Grosvenor Place, S.W. He comes home late, with a latch-key. Take twenty stout fellows, as like yourself as the country produces. Await his coming. Take the Seals. If he resists, a slit weasand will scarcely be noticed in a population of (according to the last census) 4,349,166. _But bring the Seals._" That is SARK'S idea of the episode after reading the papers. THE MARKISS'S version differs in some details. _Business done._--THE MARKISS, challenged by ROSEBERY, says new Ministry have no policy at present. However, since ROSEBERY seems anxious on point, will send over to WHITELEY'S and see what can be done. * * * * * [Illustration: SUNDERED LIVES. _Bertie._ "I THOUGHT YOU TWO NEVER MET WITHOUT KISSING. ANYTHING THE MATTER? THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER?" _Muriel._ "NO, YOU SILLY! HATS!"] * * * * * A DISCOVERY IN LIQUEURS.