that has estranged him' from his beloved—an explanation ensues, and matters end as happily as a comic duet can make them.
Mr. Levy was delighted with the plot, and after suggesting that the gentleman must accidentally sit upon the pie, and put a fork or two into his pocket, and by otherwise misconducting himself contribute to the actual fun of the piece; and impressing upon us that we must on no account go in for "comedy dialogue," he took his departure. The dualogue was duly finished, christened "Love in a Maze," and sent in. By the next post we received a cheque for ten guineas on the Union Bank.
The ensuing morning, as we sat at breakfast, Maxwell, who had been amusing himself with the Times supplement, suddenly sprang to his feet exclaiming,
"By Jove! here's something about the Talboys!" and he handed me the paper, pointing to an advertisement that ran as follows:—
"Talboys or Talbot.—If this advertisement should meet the eye of Mrs. Emily Talboys or Talbot, widow of the late Esau Talboys or Talbot, master mariner, who died in Australia on the 14th or 18th of November last, and late of Essex Street, Strand, she is requested to send her address to Tenby and Campbell, solicitors, Brabant Court, London. Any person who can furnish such a clue to the present residence of Mrs. Talboys or Talbot, as shall lead to her discovery, shall receive a reward of Ten Pounds."
We bolted our breakfast and hurried, as fast as a
