POS. (without) I tell you it’s all right, so come along.
RAT. (without) But, my dear fellow—
POSTLETHWAITE enters at L. C. pulling in RATCLIFFE, without his beard, moustache, and over coat, and in a modern walking suit.
I never applied for the appointment; there’s some mistake.
POS. Mistake, nonsense! here it is in the newspaper, and you know as well as I do that newspapers never make mistakes. Captain Charles Ratcliffe appointed superintendent of the rural police.
RAT. (aside) What the devil’s to be done?—luckily I’ve got rid of my disguise!
POS. How very odd I should happen to run up against you. Eh! at five o’clock in the morning too.
RAT. Yes, I was going home from a bachelor’s party. (confused)
POS. Little dreaming that at that moment you held the distinguished position of commander-in-chief of the rural police force of this important district.
RAT. Pshaw! I shall resign at once. (going)