"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.