Instead of going up to the ticket office to purchase tickets they passed on, and reached the doorway where stood a man to receive tickets. "Where's your tickets?" demanded he of Spriggins and his companion. Mr. Spriggins turned to Tarbox expecting him to explain. "We don't need no tickets," said he in an impressive manner. "This man is an officer of the law." "No deadheads—no free list," said the ticket-taker shortly. "Stand aside!" "You don't understand me," said Tarbox. "This is Constable Spriggins, and he demands admission in the name of the United States and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." "The United States don't own this show, nor yet the State of Massachusetts. Stand aside and let those who have tickets enter." "It's no use," said the constable, rather relieved. "They won't let us in." "This officer wants to make an arrest in your building," said Tarbox, trying again. "Can't help it! He can't get in without a ticket." "You see how 'tis," said Spriggins, cheerfully. "We can't get in." "Force your way in!" said Tarbox, indignantly. "You've got the law on your side." This the constable positively refused to do. "Then buy a ticket and go in. The State will pay you back." "I've no call to do it, and I don't believe I'd get my money back." "You refuse to do your duty, do you?" "No I don't. I've tried, and I can't. You know how it is yourself." Mr. Tarbox was nonplussed. He didn't like to give up his cherished scheme of vengeance, yet how was he to carry it out? "I'll tell you what I'll do," he said; "I'll buy you a ticket, and trust to the State to pay me." "You can't collect it of me," said the constable, "even if the State don't pay you. You can buy me a ticket if you want to." But Tarbox was seized with a sudden suspicion. Spriggins might go in and see the show at his expense, and leave his duty unperformed. There was nothing to do but to go in with him, and that would involve the purchase of two tickets, and the expenditure of an entire dollar, which Tarbox, who was a close man, could not think of without mentally groaning. Nevertheless, his soul thirsted for revenge, and it was clear that revenge could not be had without expense. "Spriggins," he said, "I'll buy two tickets, and we'll go in together." The constable would have preferred to go in alone. He wanted to see the show, and if he had been unaccompanied he could have done so without any troublesome duties disturbing his enjoyment. "Jest as you say," he answered, a little nervously. Mr. Tarbox joined the line, and gradually worked his way to the ticket office. "A couple of tickets," he said, handing a dollar bill to the ticket agent. Two tickets were immediately passed to him, and he and the constable entered the tent.