The new-comer bowed to the assembled company and walked straight up to Alden Lytton, who advanced to meet him.
"You are Mr. Alden Lytton, I presume?" said the deputy-sheriff.
"Why, of course I am, Mr. Bowlen! You know that quite well, don't you?" smiled Alden.
"I thought I did; but I wished to be quite sure in a case like this. You are my prisoner, Mr. Alden Lytton," said the deputy-sheriff, so calmly and distinctly that every one in the room both heard and understood the strange words.
Yet no one uttered an exclamation of surprise. I think they were all too much stunned for that.
Alden Lytton simply stared in silent amazement at the officer, while others, including the two bridegrooms, gathered around him.
"What did you say just now? Perhaps I did not hear you aright," inquired Alden, elevating his eyebrows, for there was something that struck him as unreal, ludicrous and bordering upon the burlesque in the whole situation.
"I said that you were my prisoner, Mr. Alden Lytton," answered the deputy-sheriff, gravely. "I repeat that you are my prisoner[."]
"Prisoner!" echoed a score of voices, giving expression at length to their amazement.
"Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he is my prisoner. I think I spoke plainly enough; and I hope I shall have no trouble in making the arrest," answered the deputy-sheriff, who, if he were not behaving very rudely, was certainly not doing his duty very courteously.