CHAPTER II
WESTERN PLANS
"What is it, Walsh? What is the trouble?" exclaimed Mr. Pertell, as he hastened toward the proving room, where the films were tested before being "released."
"This man, Mr. Pertell! This fellow you hired as a comedy actor. He came in here just now, and I caught him starting to take notes of the first film of our new play."
"You did!" cried the manager sharply.
"Yes. He came in when it was dark; but the film broke, and I turned on the light. Then I caught him!"
"That's not so—you did not!"
The accused man—the spy he had been called—stood facing them all, the picture of injured innocence. Ruth, Alice and some of the other women members of the company drew aside, a little frightened at the prospect of trouble.
And trouble seemed imminent, for it was easy to see that Mr. Pertell was very angry. As for the other, his face was white with either anger or fear—perhaps the latter.
"I saw you taking notes of the action on that film!" cried James Walsh, the testing room expert.