Then the Master gave the signal for all masks to be removed, and the guests regarded each other with flushed and happy faces. There was one exception however, and the master called loudly to Death’s Head, who stood somewhat apart from the rest: ‘Sir, remove your mask.’
The figure pulled back the cowl, exposing its horrible grinning head to the light, then turned slowly as if to survey every person in the room.
‘I wear no mask,’ it said, simply.
HOW I MET WITH A FAMOUS CHARACTER IN A CAFÉ
SITTING in a large café, one day, I saw the strangest sight. For an old man, a wretched, dusty, unkempt dotard, entered at the far end, and shuffled swiftly along the room. And as he passed the little tables, the crowds of women there smiled on him, threw him flowers, tried to seize his hand, and endeavoured in a hundred ways to attract his attention and win his regard.
‘Now, this is surely the strangest thing that ever happened,’ I said, as the old man approached; ‘is he a famous poet, then, or has he a cellar-full of diamonds, that the women should love him so!’
He must have heard me, or noted the surprise written on my face, for when he came closer, he stayed his feet for a moment, and muttered in my ear:—
‘I was ever a great lady-killer! My name is Time’; and he chuckled horribly.
THE MUTINY
THERE was once a Jew, who lived many years in England and in time became very rich. For this, he was made a lord, and was known henceforth as Lord Roasbif. So he bought a large estate in the country, and lived the life of a good old English country gentleman.