~~~ It would have been good if he stayed in... ~~~

A squad car cop was passing through a town in the sticks when he was amazed to find a former lieutenant from his district covering the beat. He stopped the car and asked, "Why, Mike, this wouldn't be your new beat out here in the sticks, would it?

"That it is," Mike replied grimly, "ever since I arrested Judge Ito on his way to the masquerade ball."

"You mean you pinched his honor?" asked Pat.

"How was *I( to know that his convict suit was only a costume?" Mike shrugged.

"Com'on! Everybody knows you should never book a judge by his cover!"