"Haven't you heard," he said, as he mopped his forehead, "of the Secret Society, sworn to decimate us fellows of the War Office? Began with ST. JOHN BRODRICK, who narrowly escaped assassination in the streets; went on to CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, who was threatened with sudden death. Now they've turned their attention on me. Every post brings an anonymous letter, advising me that my end approaches. They are in different handwriting, but the note-paper enjoys in common the adornment of a death's-head and cross-bones. Sometimes there's a coffin underneath; occasionally this accessory is omitted; it is made up for in the added ferocity of the communication. This makes one very uneasy. I daresay you have observed how stout CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN looks of late. It's only his shirt of mail, worn under his ordinary linen. He says he's going to Marienbad to get rid of it; that's only his joke. As for me, I don't think it's worth mincing matters. I, as you see, go the whole animal; but it's very wearing. SANDHURST told me it was a case of armour or assassination. Having tried the armour for three days, am not quite sure I should not prefer assassination. Excuse me, there's a strange man lingering in the corner." [Illustration: Woodall, V.C.] And WOODALL, shutting his head up in the helmet, warily walked off. [Illustration: WHO WOULD BE AN M.P.? _A Warning to Aspiring Legislators._] _Business done._--Appropriation Bill read a Second time. _Friday._--All over. Royal Assent given to Appropriation Bill. Curtain falls on last scene in Act I. of Session 1893; a play in two Acts. "And whose Session should you say it has been, TOBY?" asked ROWTON, a man of universal sympathies, and an insatiable thirst for knowledge.