We unfolded the paper on our table and stared at it aghast. Its area was rather less than a square yard; in colour it favoured the yolk of bad eggs; while all over its broad expanse were ruled compartments, half of them filled with questions that no gentleman would ask another, the other half left blank for William's indignant replies. We managed with great difficulty to squeeze into the panel provided all his baptismal titles--there are four of these besides "William"--and then attacked the first real poser:-- _Are you in possession of 100 dollars, or less? If less, by how much?_ William groaned. "Reach me down Todhunter's Arithmetic, will you?" said he. I did so, and turned up the Money Market page of our daily paper. Nothing was heard for the next five minutes but grunts and sighs of despair. We then gave it up on the understanding that William must make a point of winning heavily at bridge--or would it be euchre?--on the way across. _Have you ever been in the territory of the Great Power before?_ "No," breathed William devoutly, "and, please Heaven, it shan't occur again!" _What is your reason for coming now?_ "I suppose I'd better tell the truth," he said; "they'll never believe me if I say I've come to put DEMPSEY up to that right drive of CARPENTIER'S." _Were you ever in prison, an almshouse, or an institution for the treatment of the insane? If so, which?_ "Take your time, William," I said; "think carefully." He gave a bitter laugh. "Do they want to know _all_ the gaols and asylums I've been in," he asked, "or only the more recent?" _Are you a polygamist?_ William turned deathly pale. He then fixed me with a terrible stare of accusation and reproach. "No, no, William," I protested frantically, "I assure you on my honour that _I_ haven't been talking." This assurance calmed him somewhat. Bit by bit the colour came back to his cheeks and at length he was able to remark more hopefully: "Well, there's this to be said for it, most of my wives are sportswomen. I don't _think_ they'll give me away." _Are you an anarchist?_ "No," answered William frankly, "but I possess a brother-in-law who has leanings towards Rosicrucianism. Next, please." The next was a very searching, legally-worded inquiry. It demanded at great length to be informed whether William was a person who advocated the overthrow by force or violence of the Government of the Great Power, or all forms of Law, or believed in the propriety of assassinating any or every officer of the Great Power because of his official character. William took up the paper-knife with an expression of sheer animal ferocity. "Yes," he hissed, "the whole lot. Torturing them, too!"--and fell back into his chair with peal upon peal of maniacal laughter. * * * * * * *