CLEVELAND. [_Drawing a pistol._] I am better armed than you supposed, sir. It would be awkward for any collision to occur in the presence of a lady, and yet I shall not hesitate to do my duty. If you are really Captain Fuller, I shall be very glad to shake hands and drink a glass of wine with you; if Captain Armstrong, you _must_ become my prisoner. ROSE. [_Standing by her chair, trembling._] Gentlemen! Gentlemen! WALTER. I have but one reply to make: if you attempt to arrest me, I shall defend myself--and will escape if I can. [_Several shots fired within_. _Enter_ MR. METCALF _suddenly, pursued by_ TWO SOLDIERS. CLEVELAND. Ha! METCALF. [_Not seeing_ CLEVELAND, _and rushing up to_ WALTER.] Bless me, Captain Armstrong. CLEVELAND. Oh, then he is Captain Armstrong. ROSE. [_With great suddenness._] Captain Fuller, Mr. Metcalf--don't play your jests here--Captain Fuller, sir. METCALF. Eh! Eh! [_Looking confused from one to another._] A jest, Captain Fuller--capital--ha, ha, ha--[_Aside to_ ROSE.] What mischief have I tumbled into now, and who is that fellow in a very red coat and a very white wig? ROSE. [_Aside to him._] Major Cleveland. METCALF. Major Cleveland! We are all hanged and quartered--though for the matter of that, in my capacity of expounder of the alphabet, I've been quartered--on the neighbourhood, these ten years past. Your obedient servant, sir, your very obedient-- CLEVELAND. That will do, fellow. What was the cause of those shots just now? [_To_ SOLDIERS. METCALF. 'Pon my word, sir, it was the guns. CLEVELAND. Pshaw! SOLDIER. This fellow attempted to pass without the countersign. METCALF. You see, sir, I was just about to enter to call on my friend, Mr. Elsworth, to sip an afternoon glass with him, when a big-booted fellow cried out, halt. Now, sir, the idea of asking a man well in both legs to halt, is preposterous. So I said, and walked on as straight as I could, when bang, bum, whiz, came one, two, three bullets scattering after my hide-- CLEVELAND. Have done, sir. [_To_ WALTER.] I am desirous of giving you, sir, every opportunity to disprove your identity with Captain Armstrong. I chance to know that gentleman's handwriting. There is a desk with pen and ink. Will you stand that test? WALTER. [_Aside to_ ROSE.] That would never do. There isn't one of my pot-hooks that wouldn't hang me. ROSE. [_Quickly_.] Really, Major Cleveland, you might require a more reasonable test. Don't you see the Captain has a rheumatic hand? CLEVELAND. For a rheumatic hand, Miss Elsworth, he handled his sword somewhat skilfully, just now. You see, sir, resistance is useless. You will resign your sword, I trust. [_The two_ SOLDIERS, _at a sign from_ CLEVELAND, _have come up behind_ WALTER. _He is seized_. WALTER. Ha! I am your prisoner, sir. _Enter_ MR. ELSWORTH _and_ HARRY. ELSWORTH. What's this?