What name shall I say, sir ?" "You need not mind announcing me,--I'm an old acquaintance,--just show me the room." "I beg pardon, sir, but Mr.Meekins, the editor of the '_Telegraph_,' is engaged with him at present; and positive orders are given not to suffer any interruption." "No matter; do as I bid you.

Is that it?
Oh, I hear his voice.

There, that will do.

You may go down-stairs, I'll introduce myself." [Illustration: CAPTAIN MICKEY FREE RELATING HIS HEROIC DEEDS.] So saying, and slipping a crown into the waiter's hand, I proceeded cautiously towards the door, and opened it stealthily.

My caution was, however, needless; for a large screen was drawn across this part of the room, completely concealing the door, closing which behind me, I took my place beneath the shelter of this ambuscade, determined on no account to be perceived by the parties.
Seated in a large arm-chair, a smoking tumbler of mulled port before him, sat my friend Mike, dressed in my full regimentals, even to the helmet, which, unfortunately however for the effect, he had put on back foremost; a short "dudeen" graced his lip, and the trumpet so frequently alluded to lay near him.
Opposite him sat a short, puny, round-faced little gentleman with rolling eyes and a turned up nose.