And, without another word, Sargent entered the dressing room.
"Thank you, Mr. Havener," said Frank. "You took hold of the fellow at exactly the right time."
"He didn't get what he merited," growled the stage manager.
"I was surprised that he should kick. He has been quiet enough all along. Why, when I had that trouble with Dunton, Sargent refused to stand by Dunton, although they were chums."
"Simply because Sargent was afraid Dunton would do something to get them both jailed. He knew Dunton had a terrible temper. To-day I would trust Dunton further than Sargent."
"Know it. Dunton isn't a sneak. If he hates anybody, he lets them know it. Sargent is two-faced, treacherous. He has a way of making people think he's decent, but he has shown his true character to-night."
"Is it true, Havener, that the company agreed to go out with me and stand by me till my money was gone, after which they intended to throw me over?"
"Well, I believe some of them made that kind of talk," confessed the stage manager. "We were in desperate need of a backer, you know, when you turned up with a roll. But, possibly with the single exception of Sargent, they are ready to stand by you now. They know you have done everything possible, and it is not your fault that we are in this hole. Money is scarce out here in this country, and so people can't afford to go to shows. Crops have been poor, and people are feeling blue. We've been unlucky in striking this section of the country."
"Anyhow, I am getting some experience for my money," smiled Frank. "If I ever take out another company, I shall know how to avoid some of the pitfalls we have run into this time. What's the prospect of a house to-night?"
"Pretty good, though the advance sale was light. Look out."
They went to the peep-hole in the curtain where they could look out and see the house.
In the meantime, Sargent had gone into the dressing room, where he found Douglas Dunton putting on the finishing touches of his make-up. Sargent sat down on a box and expressed himself in some very lurid language.
Dunton put in some lines to represent a heavy scowl on his forehead, then turned and surveyed Sargent.
"Because I don't want to be!" grated Sargent. "I've quit."