_Rule 2._ "I.C.'s actually attacking P.D.V.'s will on no account fire, but, advancing stealthily, will offer their pistol-wrist to the enemy, who will at once lock it in a deathly grip. After a brief struggle, swaying this way and that, the P.D.V. will, on the word 'Four,' put on another beard and have the I.C. thrown into prison." And so forth. I have no serious fault to find with these tactics. On the contrary. But I rather think that in the first Act an incident was introduced (no doubt in the spirit of the little girl's explanation _a propos_ of her riddle, "That was just put in to make it more difficult"), which was not quite cricket as it is played by the best people in these stage shockers. But I am on dangerous grounds. Let me say that Mr. HANNAFORD BENNETT has been distinctly ingenious in his adaptation from M. GASTON LEROUX'S hectic feuilleton; that Miss SYBIL THORNDIKE put in a much finer quality of work than is usually supplied with this kind of heroine; that Miss DAISY MARKHAM as her friend played very gaily and prettily as long as the situation allowed it, and that Messrs. FRANKLIN DYALL, LEWIS CASSON, NICHOLAS HANNEN, ARTHUR PUSEY, MAJOR JONES, COLSTON MANSELL and the Prompter all did notable work. T. * * * * * [Illustration: _Joseph Rouletabille_ (Mr. ARTHUR PUSEY) to _Frederic Larsan_ (Mr. FRANKLIN DYALL). "FATHER, I AM A JOURNALIST; I CANNOT TELL A LIE. YOU DID IT!"] * * * * * Our Erudite Contemporaries. "No doubt the inhabitants of the seaside resorts are duly grateful as they turn their faces to the trippers and the sun. Like Niobe, they are all smiles."--_Provincial Paper._ * * * * * "It certainly was a heavy swell, but the good ship 'Onward' had, so to speak, got its sea legs, and so had the party aboard; and although we rolled, it was a long steady roll which in time became almost most enjoyable." _Isle of Man Weekly Times._ It is on occasions like these that the Manxman finds his third leg so useful. * * * * * CUTCHERY CATS. [In order to check the depredations of mice and rats the Government of India have directed the maintenance of cats in every public office ("Cutchery"). Rations do not err on the side of over-abundance, and the cats in consequence are not always the most favourable specimens.] What time five notes on the cutchery gong The aged orderly rings, And he who calleth the waiting throng Striketh his work and sings, There cometh a man with broken meats, Cheerily calling, and him there greets With wailing of souls that are tried too long, A bevy of Fearsome Things.