Slowly unfolding it, he turned to Al's full-page advertisement, and said: "You writ that, didn't you?" "I did," admitted our hero, promptly. "Well, that settles it. Come along." "But hold on," laughed Al. "It isn't a crime in these parts to advertise a theatrical performance, is it?" "Yes," replied the deputy, without hesitation, "it is--the way you advertise." "What is the matter with my advertisement?" asked the astonished boy. "You don't know, eh?" "I certainly do not." "Well, of course my business here is only to serve the warrant, but I'll read the advertisement over to you." "Go ahead," said Al, thinking that there might be a misprint in the page. The deputy sheriff read: "See the New York Comedy Company, Augustus Wattles, Manager. "See this great company in 'Loved and Lost.' "See the real locomotive, under a full head of steam. "See the real steam yacht. "See all this. "But-- "Please don't look at the queer old man in the third row of the orchestra." The deputy laid the paper down and glared at his prisoner with a triumphant air. "Well?" said Al, greatly puzzled. "Didn't you write that and cause it to be inserted in the _Bugle_?" "I did." "That settles it, then." "It may settle it for you, but it doesn't for me," said the boy. "What is the matter with the ad.?" "You know well enough what the matter is with it." "I do not. Is it a crime in this town to try to boom a show by any legitimate means?" "No; but it is a crime to try to boom it the way you have; it is a crime here and everywhere else, as you will find out if you try the same game again in another town." Here Miss March, who had listened in silence until this moment, interposed. "What is the matter, sir?" she cried. "I read the advertisement, and I am sure there was nothing in it that could offend anyone." The deputy, who until now had forgotten or neglected to doff his hat, did so. "As far as you see, miss," he said, "the ad. is all right." "Well, what is there--what can there be--that I do not see?" the young lady cried. "You are not acquainted in this town, are you, young lady?" the deputy asked. "I am not." "That accounts for it, then. But this young fellow is acquainted here, and he knew just what he was doing when he wrote that advertisement." "Yes, I think I did," interposed Al, "But will you please tell me right now why you are here?" "I am here in my capacity of deputy sheriff of this county," replied the official, with dignity, "and also as a personal friend of Mr. Marmaduke Merry." "Mr. Marmaduke Merry!" exclaimed Al. "Yes. No wonder you start and turn pale at the mere mention of that name." "But I did not start or turn pale. Who is Mr. Marmaduke Merry?" "You pretend not to know?" "I pretend nothing at all; I do not know. I never heard the name of Marmaduke Merry before in my life."