"But," interrupted Al, coloring, "I don't want anything said about it. Please omit any reference to my family." "Well," said the reporter, "just as you say; but it is easy to see that you have not been an advance agent very long. Why, my dear boy, the article which I am going to write will be copied all over the country, and might be the means of restoring your sister to you. But there, there"--as Al was about to speak--"I'll consider your wishes in the matter, and if I say anything about your sister it will only be a passing reference, couched in the most delicate terms. And now, then, what about the company? How many thousand dollars' worth of diamonds has the leading lady lost during the last week? Which of the men of the company is engaged to be married to one of Gould's daughters? Don't be bashful; tell me all you have to tell, and I'll use all of the stuff I can. You've given me an A1 interview, and I'm glad to have a chance to do you a good turn." Al had a few alleged facts about certain members of the New York Comedy Company, and he proceeded to retail them to his companion, who made notes of them. "They're rather chestnutty," he said, as he returned his notebook to his pocket, "but I'll fix them up in as good shape as I can, and they may help you out a little. However, you mustn't expect a big house to-morrow night, for you won't have it." With this cheering assurance the _Banner_ scribe took his leave. It had occurred to Al, too, that the notices which had been furnished him by Mr. Wattles were somewhat "chestnutty." "Never mind," he said to himself, "somehow or other I'll fix things so that we'll have a big house. But, judging from the way I have begun, my first engagement as advance agent is not going to be much of a 'snap.'" Al was busy during the entire day seeing that the paper--that is, the posters, window hangers, etc.--of the company was displayed to the best advantage. This work had been done after a fashion some days before by the local manager, but the way in which the duty had been performed did not suit the young advance agent, and he kept men "hustling" all day. "What's the use?" said the manager of the theater, with a weary smile. "It's sure to be a losing engagement, anyhow." "Maybe not," returned Al. "You'd better get the 'standing-room-only' sign dusted off, in case we need it." "Rats!" was the response. "Young man, when you know this business and this town as well as I do, you'll sing a different tune. We shall have about two hundred people in the house to-morrow night--maybe not quite so many." And he exhibited the advance sheet, which Al examined with a sinking heart. Only half a dozen seats had been sold for the performance. CHAPTER XIII. A STROKE OF LUCK. "Something has got to be done," said the young advance agent. "Everything possible has been done," returned the manager, pettishly. "The amount of the thing is that we have struck an unlucky night, and there's no help for it."