"Your word of honor!" sneered Mr. Merry. "What is your word of honor good for? Who are you?" Al colored. "You have heard my name from Miss March. I am Allen Allston." The old man started. "I did not catch the name before," he said. "Surely you are not Allen Allston from Boomville?" "I am." "The noble young fellow who saved the life of my grandchild?" "Is Mayor Anderson's little girl your granddaughter, sir?" asked Al, a little embarrassed. "Of course she is. My boy, I beg your pardon." And the old man grasped Al's hand and shook it warmly, adding: "The youth who performed such a heroic act could not be guilty of such a crime as that of which you are accused. Bullfinch"--turning fiercely upon the deputy--"you are a fool!" "Sir----" "What put it into your head that he could have had any malicious intent in writing that advertisement?" "I only acted upon your instructions, sir," responded the deputy, very humbly. "Nonsense! I thought you had a little common sense. Leave the room, sir. Your presence is an insult to me and to my friends." "But the arrest, sir----" "There will be no arrest to-day; I withdraw the complaint." "But the warrant----" "Tear it up--do anything you like with it, only don't worry me any further with your nonsensical remarks. Go, sir!" The deputy slunk out of the room. Mr. Merry turned to the actress. "I am extremely pained," he began, "that such a scene should have occurred in your room. I am----" "Will you please state your business, sir?" interrupted Miss March. The old gentleman was a little disconcerted at first, but he quickly recovered himself and said: "I come, as I remarked before, to pay a tribute to genius and beauty." "Well?" Al had not supposed the girl capable of assuming such a frigid air as that with which she now confronted her aged admirer. "Will you accept these flowers?" stammered the old man. "They are a tribute to----" "Thanks," interrupted the actress. "You may leave them on the table." "You are very kind. And now----" "And now you must excuse me; I have business of importance with Mr. Allston." "Oh, certainly! May I call again?" "I am too much occupied to receive callers. Good-morning." And with perfect self-possession the young girl opened the door. Mumbling a few inaudible words, the aged admirer of the drama left the room. "I am sorry to say," remarked Miss March, "that I have seen men like him before. He means no harm, but I cannot endure such silliness. But never mind about him; let us talk about ourselves. Sit down, please, and I will try to commence where I left off. When we were interrupted I had asked you to tell me the story of your sister's disappearance----" "And I was about to do so." "Exactly. Go on." Al hesitated. "Why do you want to hear the story, Miss March?" he asked. "Because--because----" "Well?" "Because I believe that I may be your sister!" CHAPTER XX. THE LOCKET. Al started. Could Miss March seriously mean what she said?