"Is Miss Morton able to go on with the scene?" Baker asked, as Edwards started away.
"No. She seems all broken up. I don't think she is very well. Her mother is going to take her home, as soon as she feels better."
"Will you ask Mrs. Morton to wait a little while, Mr. Edwards? Tell her that Mr. Duvall will join her presently, and go back to the city with her." Mr. Edwards nodded, and withdrew, and Duvall and Mr. Baker retired to the latter's private office.
"What did you have in mind about that new film we're going to release to-night?" Mr. Baker asked.
"I'll explain that presently. First, tell me how long it will take you to make a short section of film, say enough to show for about ten seconds?"
"I'll explain that presently. But you could make such a section of film, develop and print it, and insert it in the picture you are going to show to-night, if you had to, couldn't you?"
"Yes--if we had to. But what's the idea?"
Duvall took a bit of paper from his pocket and handed it to Baker.
"I want you to make a picture of this, and have it inserted in the film at any convenient point--say at the beginning of the second part. And you had better have the cutting and pasting-in done by some trusted person, under your personal supervision."
"But," said Baker, gazing in amazement at the bit of paper Duvall had handed him. "What's the idea of putting this in our picture? It wouldn't do at all."
"Look at that telegram Mr. Edwards just gave you. The writer says in it, 'I shall be there.' Now if the person who is causing all this trouble is going to be in the audience at the Grand Theater to-night, it is our business to find her. I say her, because I am convinced the guilty person is a woman."
A look of comprehension began to dawn upon Mr. Baker's face.
"By George!" he exclaimed. "You figure out that this will cause her to disclose herself--make some sign?"
"Then we will put it in." He laid the square of paper on his desk. "I will have the section of film made privately, and at once. I shall not tell even the other officers of the company about it. I suppose they will give me the devil, until after they know the reasons for it, but then, of course, it will be all right."
"Oh, I'll be on hand all right, although you may not recognize me. Good day." With a quick hand-shake he left the room, and went to look for Ruth and her mother. He found them in the girl's dressing-room, ready to depart. Ruth was pale and terrified, showing the most intense nervousness in every word and movement. Mrs. Morton, scarcely less affected, strove with all her power to remain calm, in order that her daughter might not break down completely. Duvall did his best to cheer them up.