As we started across the floor I could see that Kennedy was framing a question with great care.
"Do you ever use snakes in films, Mr. Manton?" he asked.
"Why, no!" The promoter stopped in his surprise. "That is, not if we ever can help it. The censorship won't pass anything with snakes."
"You have used them, though?"
"Yes. Once we made a short-length special subject, nothing but snakes."
Manton became enthusiastic. "It was a wonder, too; a pet film of mine.
We made it with the direct co-operation and supervision of the greatest
authority on poisonous snakes in the country, Doctor Nagoya of
Castleton Institute."
XXVI
A CIGARETTE CASE
Kennedy's face betrayed only a remote interest. "Have you any copies of that particular film?"
"Just the negative, I believe."
"Could I have that for a few days?"