lAM INTRODUCED TO MY ARISTOCRATIC

BURGLAR. j An old school chum of mine who had i risen to tha very front; rank of English j vocaliatg, had come down from London to j eing at aseries of three concerts given by the j Mudbury Philharmonic Society. He estab lished himself at the leading hotel of the town, where he requested me to dine •with him on the second evening of hie engagement. Wo dined apart from the tcMc~d'hoie, at which sat a gentleman who web conspicuous above all the other diners on account of his striking individuality, He waa of splendid physique, snd in hia •wall-fitting dres3 suit would have attracted attention anywhere. Hia features were refined and clearly cut, oE a somewhat sandy complexion, and from hiu erect carriage he waa evidently a military man, or iad been. But there was one — just ona — dißfignrement on his obherwias handsome Bnd genial features, and that was an ugly cicatrice of a slightly bluish tint and semi circular Ehape on his broad, open forehead. It was about three inches long, and ran just beneath the hair on the head. His hair waa brushed down well on to the fore head with a view to hiding this ecar, and in repose the blemish waa hidden to a great extent. When the head waa in movement, howevor, fche fringe of hair lifted frequently and so expoßed the mark. As will be apparent presently, it i 3 neces sary that I should particularise thi3 meana of identification, since the present narrative centres on it. "WHO MIGHT THAT MIIiITABY-LOOKING SWELL BE, FBSV?" I BBbefl my friend while discussing the xralnuta and wine. "He might be the Prince of Wales, bnb I happen to know that ho ia not," was the -jocular reply. " .Don't be ridiculous, old man; bubtelimo who he ia." " Well, rsally I don't; know nnything of him personally. He is Btay ing here, and ia registered as Captain Melbrooke. I played a few guinea at bil liards this afternoon, with him for & partn9rj and if ha had baon born on & billiard table and 'nursed' among its * cushions,' he could nob have become more exp9tt with the cuo than he ie. 