The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-01-07

I edge. Crofts added one piece of strangeness to the whole episode by in- forming us that there was no such student on the books of the Inner Temple. met Jack Merlow, too, one day, who positively swore he knew nothing of Thornton, though I de- scribed him to him as accurately as could. Then Burnet met Baron Page one day, out at dinner, and his lordship laughed and said, "Thornton, do you call him2 An, yes, I remem- Der, sent him to Halliwell. Gone, has he? No, don't know anything about him, but from what saw he'll be no loss to the pupil-room," with which Burnet heartily concurred. Thornton appeared to have lied to us pretty freely about the people he knew, and what little he had told us ot himself was untrue. We had the pleadings in the great case of "Spyder vs. Fly" the now leading case on tres pass-it was Burnet, by the y, who suggested the defendants cross action for detinue-and in the excitement of this splendid case Burnet was replaced in his respected position of our leader and our guide, and Thornton was al- most forgotten.
 One evening, some four weeks after the "Thornton mystery" as Crofts termed it, that lively young gentle man came back to chambers about five o'clock. He had left, as I thought, for good, at his regular hour-three o'clock. Burnet and I were alone dis cussing an intricate bill of exchange case, and Burnet was trying to con- vince me by the dramatic, though not purely legal, method of casting me for the part of bona tfde holder for value, while he took the heavy lead of &C., commodation acceptor, and argued from that position. Crofts let him continue for 8 few minutes, and then interrupted: "Just stop this for minute. l want to speak to Peprose."
 "What is it2" said.
 "Will you come to Convent Garden tonight? Pve got two seats. It's the first night of 'Babblebrook and Co., They say it's to be grand suc- cess. Ethel Kirley is in it and Charles Roby."
 was fond of the theatre, but would not appear too eager before Burnet. Ethel Kirley and Charles Roby, who was just then the greatest character comedian we had, and was making a sensation in London-these two formed tempting bait.
 "Roby is fitted with splendid part; they say he has written some of it himself," continued Crofts, as I hesi- tated.
 "Yes, yes, I'll come"
 "Who is Roby?" asked Burnet with 8 sheer.
 "Who is Roby2" replied Crofts. "That's as bad as Thornton asking what's tort? Roby the best come- dian Eve ever seen."
 Burnet granted and, as Crofts was impatient, the bill of exchange case dropped, and he and I went over to the "Cock" to dine, previous to the theatre.
 We had good places, the house was packed, and many st-nighters were there. Crofts pointed out some of the critics, whom I only knew by name. Crofts, who was a great fre- quenter of theatres, even knew some of these great men-to nod to. I mo- ticed Baron Page there; and pres ently the prince came in and was cheered loudly. I forget the play. Ethel Kirley had a prominent part and was very pleasing; but Roby's Bab6lebrook was the hit of the even- ing, and that shall never forget. It was kind of Paul Pry part, and there was lot of talk about Ba66le- brook by the dramatis persone before he entered. Suddenly, in the middle of conversation, Ethel Kirley said | "Hush, here's Bdb6le6rook." There was voice outside knew we'll, and then before we heard the burst of ap- plause that greeted the popular actor, we saw on the stage not Roby, as Bab6le6rook, but Halliwell himself.
 Good heavensl l" ejaculated Crofts, 1 in amazement, "why, it's"
 "Halliwell in the flesh or the devil in his likeness" I shouted, rubbing my eyes.
 "Hush hush [" cried the indignant spectators near me, as my remark rose high above the dying applause. I could see Baron Page shaking with laughter, and except for Crofts and myself every one seemed brimming | over with amusement at Halliwelps appearance.
 "I see it," gasped Crofts, excitedly, and loud enough for the pit to cali out, "Turn him outp "I see it. It's Thornton! That's himl Thornton Don't you seer" and he dug me vio- lently in the ribs.
 It was Thornton, but I did not re- cover from my astonishment, and seemed in kind of dazed dream dur