the ingenious plea that he wishes to take some flowers up
to London, borrows a spade and pickaxe from TIM, to whom it
appears he owes ninepence, which he promises--like the villain
he is--to repay "the very next time he sees him in Church."_

_William_ (_going off with a flourish and a Shakspearian couplet_).
My _mind's_ made up. Hence _all_ thoughts _that_ are good!
Crimes _once_ commenced, _Must_. End in--blood! [_Act drop._

_A Female Spect._ They don't seem in no 'urry to come to th' Gho-ast
part, seemin'ly.

_Her Swain._ Ye wudn't have 'em do th' Gho-ast afoor th' Murder, wud
ye?

ACT II.--_The interior of the Red Barn. WILLIAM _discovered
digging MARIA's grave in his shirt-sleeves, and thereby
revealing that his shirt-front is as false as his heart.
He announces that "Nothing can shake him, now, from his
pre-determined purpose," and that "the grave gapes for its
coming victim."_

_Enter MARIA, disguised in a brown bowler hat and a very
tight suit of tweed "dittoes," in which she looks very like
the "Male Impersonator" at a Music-hall. The Audience receive
her with derision and the recommendation to go and get her
hair cut._

_Maria_. Here am I in disguise at the Red Barn. And yet something
seems to whisper to me that danger is near. WILLIAM, where, _where_