"This subterfuge will avail you nothing," said the deputy, who was becoming theatrical. "We know all." "All what?" Al could not help laughing, and this evidently angered the overzealous deputy. "I am not here to bandy words with you, young man," he said; "I have already spent too much time in talk." "That's what I think," smiled Al. "I'm glad we agree upon that point. Come along." "I am ready." "One moment," interposed Miss March. "Won't you please tell me, sir, of what crime Mr. Allston is accused?" "I will," the deputy replied, with a look that was very evidently intended to be languishing. "I can refuse you nothing, miss. He is accused of holding one of Rockton's most respected citizens up to public ridicule; and Mr. Marmaduke Merry is the man." "But," interrupted Al, more bewildered than ever, "haven't I told you that I never heard of this man, Merry, before?" "You have told me so--yes." "Well, I told the truth." "You will have to convince the court of that." "But what has my ad. to do with Mr. Merry? His name is not mentioned in it." "Ah, that is where your cunning comes in. But doesn't everyone in Rockton know that for years and years Mr. Merry has always occupied a seat in the third row of the orchestra at the first performance of a new play?" At last Al grasped the situation. "Oh!" he exclaimed, "that's what you mean?" "That is what I mean." "And you think I meant Mr. Merry when I referred to the 'queer old man'?" "Of course I do, and so does Mr. Merry." "Both of you are very much mistaken." "For your own sake, I hope you will be able to prove that statement." "Why, I never heard of Mr. Merry until you mentioned his name." "You have said so several times since I have been here, but I do not believe you. However, I am not your judge. But if you did not mean Mr. Merry, whom did you mean?" "Nobody at all; the old man was only a creation of my imagination." The deputy coughed, and had the audacity to wink knowingly at Miss March. "This is a great tale," he said, "and will be believed, I don't think. You have got yourself and the local management into a scrape, my lad. But what could be expected?" At this moment there was a tap upon the door. "Come in," the actress cried. A servant entered. "A card for you, Miss March." The young lady took the bit of pasteboard and glanced at it; then she exclaimed: "Mr. Marmaduke Merry!" "Mr. Marmaduke Merry!" echoed the deputy. "Show him up, please," the actress said. CHAPTER XIX. A STARTLING ACKNOWLEDGMENT. "He is here!" With this theatrical exclamation, a man pushed his way past the servant and entered the room. "I am Mr. Marmaduke Merry," he announced. Both Al and Miss March gazed with considerable curiosity and interest at the visitor.