When attachment not served other attachments may issue; order of publication

When an attachment is returned not served on a principal defendant, whether levied on property or not, further attachments and summonses may be issued until service is obtained on him, if he be a resident of the Commonwealth. If for any cause service cannot be had in the Commonwealth, upon affidavit of that fact, an order of publication shall be made against him. Code 1950, § 8-531; 1977, c. 617.