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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Janet Hardy in Radio City, by Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Janet Hardy in Radio City
+
+Author: Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
+Release Date: August 29, 2010 [EBook #33567]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.fadedpage.net
+
+
+
+
+
+JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY
+
+BY
+
+Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
+THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY
+
+CHICAGO
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+COPYRIGHT 1935 BY
+
+THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING CO.
+
+MADE IN U. S. A.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+   CHAPTER                                            PAGE
+        I.  Janet Gets the Lead                         13
+       II.  Shooting on Location                        20
+      III.  Surprise Callers                            30
+       IV.  High Praise                                 41
+        V.  Deadly Fangs                                47
+       VI.  The Smoky Menace                            53
+      VII.  Racing Flames                               61
+     VIII.  The Line Goes Dead                          68
+       IX.  The Fire Sweeps On                          76
+        X.  A Welcome Rescue                            90
+       XI.  New Plans                                  101
+      XII.  The Preview                                110
+     XIII.  Janet Turns Author                         118
+      XIV.  Clothes by Roddy                           126
+       XV.  Homeward Bound                             135
+      XVI.  Gorgeous Gowns                             145
+     XVII.  Hello, New York!                           154
+    XVIII.  In Radio City                              164
+      XIX.  A Manuscript Vanishes                      170
+       XX.  The Mystery Deepens                        178
+      XXI.  Insinuations                               186
+     XXII.  Shadowed!                                  193
+    XXIII.  Janet Pinch Hits                           201
+     XXIV.  Night on the Twenty-seventh Floor          208
+      XXV.  Janet Opens a Door                         214
+     XXVI.  In the Hall                                219
+    XXVII.  Suspicions                                 227
+   XXVIII.  Rehearsals Again                           233
+     XXIX.  Janet Finds a Clue                         240
+      XXX.  Opportunity Ahead                          247
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY
+
+
+
+
+JANET GETS THE LEAD
+
+Chapter One
+
+
+Janet Hardy stirred sleepily as the alarm clock sounded its lusty
+summons and it was only after a real effort that she managed to reach
+out and shut off the insistent clock.
+
+It was so early that shadows of the night still lurked in the corners
+and Janet squinted at the clock through sleep-clogged eyes. It was
+four-forty a.m.
+
+Sitting up in bed she looked across the room where Helen Thorne was deep
+in sleep, oblivious to the strident summons of the alarm which had
+echoed through their bedroom.
+
+Janet, now thoroughly awake, tossed her pillow at the slumbering Helen.
+She scored a perfect hit and Helen, sputtering and wondering what it was
+all about, popped up in bed.
+
+"Come on, sleepy head. It's time to be up and dressing if we're going to
+get to the studio in time for that six o'clock call," warned Janet.
+
+"I'll beat you to the shower," promised Helen. She jumped out of bed and
+grabbed the dressing gown on a nearby chair. There was a rush of feet
+padding down the hall and Helen made good her promise, reaching the
+shower room two jumps ahead of Janet.
+
+Fifteen minutes later, after brisk showers and thorough towelings, they
+were dressed. From the kitchen had come waftings of delicious bacon and
+eggs and they knew that George, the colored cook, was getting breakfast.
+
+When they reached the dining room they were surprised to find Helen's
+father there, a morning paper propped in front of him.
+
+Henry Thorne, world famous as the star director of motion pictures for
+the Ace Motion Picture Corp., looked up.
+
+"An early call?" he asked.
+
+"Billy Fenstow is starting to shoot his new western, 'Water Hole,' and
+we don't want to be late the first morning," explained Helen, slipping
+into her chair while Janet sat down opposite her. George, smiling a
+greeting, brought in a large platter of bacon and eggs. Then there were
+tall glasses of cold milk and thin, deliciously buttered toast.
+
+"I didn't think you'd be up so early, Dad," said Helen, between
+mouthfuls of bacon.
+
+"Guess I went to bed too early," smiled her father. "I've been awake an
+hour."
+
+"You were all tired out after finishing 'Kings of the Air,'" went on
+Helen and her father nodded his agreement.
+
+Janet, on the other side of the table, said nothing, but thought a great
+deal. She had never quite gotten over the thrill of coming to Hollywood
+and the manner in which it had been accomplished. It seemed too much
+like a dream and at times she went around pinching herself to make sure
+she wasn't asleep.
+
+Classmates back in the medium-sized city of Clarion in the middle west,
+Janet and Helen had been fast friends and their families had been
+neighbors for years. Then Henry Thorne had made a success as a director
+of motion pictures, but Helen and Mrs. Thorne had remained in the family
+home in Clarion. Back for Helen's graduation, he had been impressed by
+the acting ability of Janet and Helen, as well as their charm, and their
+graduation presents had been round trip airplane tickets from Clarion to
+Hollywood. Mrs. Thorne had come along to chaperon the party and they had
+taken a comfortable, rambling bungalow on a side street in Hollywood
+where they could be assured of privacy.
+
+Janet could recall so vividly their first day. Pictures, interviews,
+attendance at a premiere in gowns designed by the famous designer who
+created all of the gowns for the stars of the Ace company. Then a chance
+to work in a western in the production unit headed by rotund little
+Billy Fenstow and after that small parts in "Kings of the Air," which
+Henry Thorne had directed as one of the outstanding pictures on his
+company's production program.
+
+"What are you mooning about?" asked Helen, for Janet, her mind running
+back over the events of the last crowded weeks, had ceased eating.
+
+Janet flushed. "Just thinking of all the wonderful things that have
+happened since we graduated."
+
+"I hope you won't remember the unpleasant ones you experienced while we
+were making 'Kings of the Air,'" said Helen's father. He was well-built,
+with a touch of grey hair at his temples and a smile that inspired
+confidence and an almost instant feeling of friendliness.
+
+"I was pretty scared at the time," confessed Janet, "but now that the
+picture's safely completed, it's all over."
+
+"What do you think about 'Kings'?" Helen asked her father.
+
+He leaned back in his chair and Janet thought she saw a touch of
+weariness in his face.
+
+"I don't know," he said softly. "It should be a good picture, but
+whether it will be a great picture is something else again. We can only
+wait until it's out of the cutting room."
+
+Janet, although in a comparatively minor rôle, had been a key figure in
+the making of "Kings of the Air," for a rival company, attempting to
+hinder the progress of the picture, had hired an actress in the company,
+blonde Bertie Jackson, and two renegade airmen, to make every effort to
+slow up production. Janet had been kidnaped and held prisoner overnight
+while the ghost town, where the company was located, was burned and a
+big set on the desert bombed. But the resourcefulness of Curt Newsom,
+cowboy star who had a rôle in the picture, had helped expose the
+sabotage and Janet had been speedily released. As a result she had been
+promoted to Bertie Jackson's rôle and had handled it like a veteran
+trouper.
+
+Just then George, the cook, looked in to see if more bacon and eggs were
+needed, and Helen's mother, in a dressing gown, joined them.
+
+"Someone should have called me," she said.
+
+"But you don't have to report on the lot and we do," Helen reminded her
+mother.
+
+It was 5:30 o'clock when they finished breakfast.
+
+"I'll drive you over to the lot," said Henry Thorne. "Mother, you dress
+while I'm away and we'll take a long drive into the mountains and stop
+someplace for lunch. We'll sort of have a day's vacation for ourselves."
+
+Then they were away, speeding toward the studio in an open car. It was a
+glorious morning and the cool air was invigorating. Later in the day it
+would be uncomfortably hot.
+
+Billy Fenstow, director of western pictures, was on stage nine, well to
+the back of the Ace lot.
+
+There were few around the rambling studio at that hour, for production
+was past its peak and only two or three of the huge sound stages would
+be in use that day.
+
+The director, who had only a fringe of hair around his shining pate,
+greeted them cordially.
+
+"Have you read over the script of 'Water Hole'?" he asked.
+
+Janet nodded. "I like it better than 'Broad Valley,'" she smiled.
+
+Billy Fenstow fairly beamed. "Good. I wrote it myself. The other was
+only partly mine."
+
+Helen laughed and turned to Janet. "What are you trying to do,
+compliment Mr. Fenstow so he'll give you the leading rôle?"
+
+It was the director's turn to chuckle. "She doesn't have to," he said.
+"Janet is playing opposite Curt Newsom in the lead right now."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Two
+
+SHOOTING ON LOCATION
+
+
+Janet stared hard at the chubby director. It was hard to believe that
+Billy Fenstow would joke with her now. That would be too cruel.
+
+"Don't you believe me, Janet?" he asked.
+
+"It can't be possible," she murmured. "Why, I'm an unknown. You wouldn't
+put me into the leading rôle."
+
+Just then Curt Newsom, the western star arrived.
+
+"How's the new leading lady?" he asked.
+
+"I--I don't know," gasped Janet. "I'm not sure. Everything seems to be
+in kind of a whirl. I guess I'll sit down."
+
+Janet dropped into a nearby chair, oblivious of the fact that it was the
+cherished property of the director.
+
+"It's grand, Janet, simply grand," exclaimed Helen. "My, but I'm proud
+of you."
+
+Billy Fenstow came over to Janet.
+
+"You needn't be so surprised," he said.
+
+"Only don't let this go to your head. It doesn't take a whole lot of
+acting ability to be a leading lady in a western. All you've got to have
+is a fair amount of beauty, some brains, and the ability to keep on top
+of a horse."
+
+Janet, recalling her experiences in "Broad Valley," the first picture
+they had appeared in, smiled a little ruefully.
+
+"I don't know whether I'll even be able to stay on a horse," she
+admitted.
+
+"Then we'll glue you into the saddle," smiled the director.
+
+Others in the company came up. Most of them had been in the earlier
+picture and without exception they congratulated Janet on winning the
+leading rôle.
+
+The weather was ideal and Billy Fenstow intended to make the most of it
+by shooting all of the exteriors possible.
+
+Promptly at seven o'clock a large bus rolled onto the lot and the entire
+company, numbering some thirty-three, including the technicians, boarded
+the big vehicle.
+
+Their destination was a ranch well into the foothills and it was after
+noon before they arrived. This particular outfit had never before been
+used for film purposes for it was well away from the usual run of
+traffic and harder to reach than some of the layouts nearer the studio.
+
+The ranchhouse was large and comfortable and arrangements were made for
+all of the girls in the company to stay there while the men would be
+quartered in the bunkhouse with the exception of the director, who
+planned to drive back and forth from the nearest town.
+
+A truck loaded with camera and sound equipment had preceded the bus and
+the technicians went to work to assemble their materials. The pole
+corral was crowded with horses and the assistant director, "Skeets"
+Irwin, took over the task of assigning horses to the various members of
+the company.
+
+Curt Newsom had his own string, which had been brought by truck, but the
+others were to ride ranch horses. Janet drew a beautiful sorrel while
+Helen was mounted on a black with only one white foot.
+
+There was a gorgeous sunset and Billy Fenstow, always on the alert for a
+good background shot, had his cameras catch some typical ranch scenes.
+They might not fit in with the present picture but he knew some day the
+footage would come in handy.
+
+After dinner in the ranchhouse that night, Janet and Helen retired to
+the room they shared and studied the scripts which had been handed out.
+
+"Water Hole" was a typical Billy Fenstow western with lots of hard
+riding and plenty of scenery. It was the story of Curt Newsom's defense
+of his small ranch with its valuable water hole against a larger cattle
+outfit.
+
+Janet played the rôle of a school teacher while Helen was a waitress in
+the one restaurant in the little cow town to which the cowboys migrated
+every Saturday night. The girls were to have an important part in
+solving the plot to get Curt's ranch and all in all they were greatly
+pleased with their parts.
+
+Janet sat down and wrote a long letter home, telling of their good
+fortune and of her own in particular. She paused a moment and closed her
+eyes. Perhaps her mother would show the letter to Pete Benda, the city
+editor of the _Clarion Times_. And Pete, of course, would make a story.
+Perhaps he would put it in the front page under a heading, "Clarion Girl
+Gets Leading Rôle in Western Picture." She smiled a little. That would
+be rather nice.
+
+Then she awoke from her reverie and finished the letter. After that it
+was bedtime for there was an early call.
+
+They were out the next morning shortly after dawn for Billy Fenstow
+worked his companies long and hard.
+
+Janet was in several shots that day riding to and from the ranch to the
+schoolhouse and in the afternoon they went to the schoolhouse where a
+dozen youngsters had been gathered. Most of them were actual pupils of
+the little school and the cameras ground away as Janet dismissed them
+from a make-believe class and watched them hurry away from school toward
+their homes, some of them afoot and others on sturdy little cow ponies.
+
+Helen had little to do that day, but followed every action of the
+company with interest.
+
+"What do you think of it?" she asked Janet that night as they lounged on
+the broad verandah of the ranchhouse.
+
+"I like it a lot," said Janet whole-heartedly. "Of course I realize I'm
+no actress, but the picture's good and clean and it's a consolation to
+be in something like that."
+
+Helen was silent for a time.
+
+"What do you think about our future in the movies?" she asked.
+
+Janet pondered the question before answering, for she, too, had been
+wondering that very thing.
+
+"If you want to know the truth, I think we're just about where we
+belong. I know I'm not a real actress. I can get by in a picture like
+this or in some minor rôle, but I'd never make a really top-notch
+actress and it would be rather heart-breaking to stay here and do this
+year in and year out."
+
+"Then that means you'll go back to Clarion when summer's over?" Helen
+asked the question with a touch of desperate anxiety in her voice.
+
+"I suppose so," replied Janet slowly, "for I know that I won't be
+especially happy here. It's been glorious fun and it still is, but it
+can't last forever and I'm not fooling myself about that for a minute."
+
+They were silent for a time, wondering if the coming fall would bring an
+end to their close companionship. If Janet went back to Clarion, it
+would be only logical that Helen would stay on in Hollywood with her
+father and mother. The thought of parting was not a pleasant prospect to
+either girl.
+
+They went to bed later without discussing the matter further, but as the
+shooting of "Water Hole" progressed and August drew to a close, it was
+constantly in their minds.
+
+Helen's father and mother came out to visit them on location several
+times, but neither one of them mentioned any plans for Helen.
+
+"Two more days of work and we'll have the picture in the can," Billy
+Fenstow told the company one morning. "We're right on schedule and I
+want to finish that way, but we've got some hard riding scenes to get
+out of the way."
+
+The director turned to Janet.
+
+"We've got to shoot that scene of your ride from town to the ranch to
+warn Curt that his enemies are riding to wipe out his ranch," he said.
+"Are you ready?"
+
+Janet nodded and swung into the saddle of the rangy sorrel.
+
+Billy Fenstow climbed onto the light truck which carried the cameras and
+Janet's horse trotted along behind as the vehicle rolled away across the
+valley in which the ranch was located. They went for perhaps two miles
+through the hills to a hamlet along a branch line railroad which had
+served as the cow town for the picture's locale. It was here that Janet
+began her ride, but before she started she looked to the cinches.
+
+She remounted and sat easily in the saddle, waiting for the signal to
+start.
+
+Billy Fenstow waved his hand and the truck started swiftly away, Janet
+riding hard after it. She rode with a natural lithesomeness of her body.
+The light felt hat which had been crushed over her brown hair came off.
+She clutched at it instinctively, but missed, and kept on riding, her
+golden hair streaming away from her shoulders. Janet smiled to herself.
+At least that would give a realistic effect.
+
+She watched the director covertly and when he motioned again she sent
+the sorrel racing away from the camera truck at an angle so the cameras
+could get a side shot. Then the truck moved ahead of her.
+
+It was hot and dry, and anything but an easy task to ride a horse
+pounding along as hard as the big sorrel. Finally they topped the last
+hill and swept down into the valley and Janet braced herself for the
+last bit of action.
+
+Curt, near the water hole, looked up when he heard the pounding hoofs
+and Janet hurled herself from the saddle and ran to him.
+
+"Quick, Curt, they're riding hard behind me. You've got to get out of
+here. I'll stay and watch the ranch."
+
+But Curt refused and the action was cut there.
+
+Janet was dusty and sweaty and she walked to the pump and drank deeply
+of the cool, sweet water.
+
+"I can imagine there might have been a fight over this ranch in the
+early days," she said.
+
+"There was," grinned Curt, "but it wasn't nearly as big a one as we're
+putting into the picture."
+
+Janet's hardest scene for the day was over and Helen was in only one or
+two minor shots so they passed part of the afternoon packing up their
+things in preparation for the departure the next afternoon.
+
+It was nearly dinner time when a dust covered car rolled into the valley
+and approached the ranchhouse.
+
+Janet and Helen, sitting on the front steps, watched it with interest
+which deepened as they saw an Iowa license plate on the front of the
+car.
+
+"That almost looks like home," said Helen. "Why, the number's from our
+home county. Maybe it's someone we know."
+
+But the sun was flashing off the windshield, effectively shielding the
+passengers in the car.
+
+The machine swung to a stop a few feet away and Janet and Helen, when
+they saw the passengers, recognized them with mixed emotions.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Three
+
+SURPRISE CALLERS
+
+
+The newcomers were Cora Dean and Margie Blake, classmates from Clarion,
+who had been Janet and Helen's chief rivals for almost every honor
+during their last four years in school.
+
+"What under the sun do you suppose they want here?" asked Helen under
+her breath.
+
+"We'll soon find out," retorted Janet, rising and advancing to greet
+Cora and Margie.
+
+Cora was dark like Helen, while Margie's hair was almost as golden
+blonde as Janet's, the difference being that Margie used drug store
+coloring, and Janet depended on the natural shade.
+
+"Hello Cora, hello Margie. This is a surprise," said Janet as she
+greeted them and Helen echoed the sentiment a minute later.
+
+"We've been touring through the west. When we learned a company was
+shooting a picture out here we came on over. We didn't know until we
+stopped in the village that it was the company you're with." It was
+Cora, her tongue as sharp as ever, making the explanation.
+
+Margie was taking in everything and fairly gaping at the cowboys who in
+their picturesque garb, were lounging nearby waiting for the gong to
+call them to supper.
+
+Billy Fenstow came by and Janet called to him, introducing Cora and
+Margie.
+
+"Have them stay for dinner and meet the company," said the director,
+who, with the film on schedule, felt particularly hospitable.
+
+"Oh, we'd love that," gurgled Cora. "We've always wanted to see a
+picture being taken."
+
+Billy Fenstow scratched his head.
+
+"Well, we're all through for today, but if Janet and Helen could bunk
+double and give you one of the beds in their room, you could stay over
+and see the final shooting tomorrow."
+
+"Why, that would be grand," put in Margie, "and I'm sure Janet and Helen
+won't mind doubling up."
+
+There was little Janet or Helen could say, except to agree, and they
+helped Cora and Margie get their bags out of the car and escorted them
+up to the room which they occupied.
+
+At dinner that night they introduced the girls to all of the members of
+the company who ate at the ranchhouse and Janet noted that Cora could
+hardly keep her eyes off tall, handsome Curt Newsom. Curt was nice to
+them, as he was to everybody, explaining carefully all of the questions
+they asked.
+
+That night Cora asked a question that had kept her on edge all evening.
+
+"Do you suppose we could get in one of the scenes tomorrow?" she asked
+Janet. "Surely you or Helen could get the director to use us just a
+little bit."
+
+Janet was dubious. It was the last day at the ranch and there would be
+much to be done. Billy Fenstow would be in no mood for trifles such as
+working friends into scenes.
+
+"If it wasn't the last day I think it could be arranged," put in Helen,
+"but I'd hate to ask Mr. Fenstow to do it under the circumstances."
+
+Margie pouted visibly and Cora, always arrogant, flared up.
+
+"Oh, of course you won't. Just because your father's a director and they
+have to put you in pictures you won't say a good word for anyone else.
+How do we know you're even in this company?"
+
+"You'll have to take our word for it until you see the picture on the
+screen," retorted Helen.
+
+Janet could understand the tremendous desire of Cora and Margie to
+appear in a scene. It was the most natural thing in the world and she
+felt just a little sorry for them.
+
+"I'll speak to Mr. Fenstow in the morning," she promised. "If he's in a
+good mood he may find a spot for you, but if he's grouchy he'll probably
+order you away from the place."
+
+"How do you know when he's grouchy?" asked Margie.
+
+"You don't until after you've asked him," replied Janet, with a thin
+smile.
+
+Cora and Margie exhibited a tremendous curiosity, asking questions about
+everything and from almost everyone, Cora especially plaguing Curt
+Newsom, until the tall cowboy star finally found an excuse to escape
+from her constant barrage.
+
+It was late when they went to bed and Janet and Helen, sleeping in a
+narrow, single bed, did not rest well. They were awake at dawn, both of
+them feeling tired and worn.
+
+Cora and Margie, imbued with the excitement of actually being with a
+movie company, appeared as vivacious as ever.
+
+At breakfast Billy Fenstow outlined plans for the final day's shooting.
+
+"We've got one more scene to take in the village," he explained. "It's a
+shot of a group of townspeople watching the arrival of Curt and the
+rustlers he has captured."
+
+Impetuous Cora Dean broke in.
+
+"May Margie and I get in the crowd scene?" she asked eagerly.
+
+A frown appeared on Billy Fenstow's usually bland face, for he disliked
+greatly being interrupted when he was outlining his plans to his
+company.
+
+"We'll see about it later," he said curtly, and continued with his
+explanation.
+
+After breakfast Cora faced Janet.
+
+"Too bad you couldn't have said a good word for us with your director,"
+she flared.
+
+"There wasn't a real good chance," replied Janet. "I warned you last
+night not to bother him if he wasn't in a good mood."
+
+"But how was I to know?" complained Cora.
+
+"Well, you do now," said Janet, and it was hard to keep from smiling.
+But she could realize how much it would mean to Cora and Margie and it
+would be mean of her not to help them just a little so later she spoke
+to "Skeets" Irwin, the assistant director, and "Skeets" promised to get
+Cora and Margie into the crowd scene.
+
+Janet and Helen were in the same scene and they changed into their
+costumes, Janet into a dusty riding habit and Helen into a gingham dress
+and the apron that was her badge as a waitress in the village's one
+restaurant.
+
+The girls rode down to the village, Cora and Margie following in their
+own car. "Skeets" had provided them with appropriate costumes and they
+were so excited they could hardly talk.
+
+Billy Fenstow was back giving instructions to the riders who were to
+sweep down into the village while "Skeets" handled the scene at the
+village.
+
+"Don't stand around like a bunch of wooden Indians," said the assistant
+director. "Show some interest when those horsemen come over the hills. I
+want plenty of action in this scene."
+
+"Keep close to us," Janet advised Cora and Margie. "All you have to do
+is look excited."
+
+"That's going to be easy," smiled Margie. "I'm so nervous now I can't
+stay still a minute."
+
+Final instructions were given and the cameras started grinding as a
+massed body of riders swept over the crest of the hills and galloped
+madly toward the village.
+
+The girls, who had been in the restaurant, rushed into the street and
+joined the other members of the company and the villagers who had been
+pressed into service as extras.
+
+It was action and good action. Janet thrilled at the magnificent riding
+of Curt Newsom, who rode with consumate skill and grace. He was a part
+of the horse he was astride and it was no effort to Janet to register
+extreme excitement.
+
+The mounted men, a band of captives in the center of the group, reined
+in before the astonished villagers and Curt, dismounting, pulled one of
+the captives from his saddle and strode toward the door which was marked
+sheriff's office. Curt pulled the protesting rider after him,
+disappearing into the sheriff's office. That finished the sequence and
+the cameras stopped clicking.
+
+It was the last of the big scenes and the rest of the day was to be
+spent in picking up shots to fill out the story.
+
+"Do you suppose we looked all right?" asked Cora, who had been fitted
+out in a housedress and sunbonnet. Margie was similarly attired.
+
+"I'm sure you looked your parts," Janet assured them, "but don't be too
+disappointed when you see the picture. There'll only be a flash of this
+action on the screen and the 'mob' scene won't last more than a few
+seconds."
+
+"We'll see that one of the theaters at home books it," declared Margie
+firmly, "and maybe Pete Benda will run a story about us."
+
+"I wouldn't be surprised if he did," agreed Janet.
+
+They went back to the ranchhouse for lunch and Billy Fenstow beamed.
+
+"We're ahead of schedule now. Another two hours and we'll be ready to
+start for the studio where we can finish up the interiors in a couple
+more days."
+
+The bus which had brought them from Hollywood rolled into the valley and
+several of the cowboys started loading baggage and equipment aboard it.
+
+Janet and Helen went upstairs, followed by Cora and Margie. Both of the
+latter had been hinting that they would like an invitation to stay for a
+time in Hollywood, but they had been so mean and small during their high
+school days that neither Janet nor Helen could bear the thought of
+entertaining them.
+
+"Coming back to Clarion this fall?" asked Cora, her dark eyes fairly
+snapping as she waited eagerly for the answer to her question.
+
+"I haven't the slightest idea," replied Janet, quite truthfully.
+
+"How about you, Helen?" It was Margie asking this time.
+
+Helen shook her head. "Your guess is as good as mine."
+
+"Can't you stay on in pictures?" asked Cora, a tinge of sarcasm in her
+voice.
+
+That nettled Janet. "If we want to," she retorted, "but neither one of
+us can see much of a future in being actresses in western films."
+
+"With all of the influence your father has, you ought to be able to get
+into better pictures," Margie told Helen, and it was her turn to feel a
+mounting flood of color in her cheeks.
+
+"You can leave Dad out of this. He gave us an introduction, but we've
+won our parts," snapped Helen.
+
+The girls finished packing in silence and were ready to go down stairs
+when "Skeets" stuck his head in the door.
+
+"Bus is all ready to start back for the city," he said, picking up
+Janet's and Helen's bags.
+
+Cora and Margie took their own luggage and followed them down stairs.
+
+"Do you think we ought to invite them to Hollywood with us?" whispered
+Helen.
+
+"That's up to you," replied Janet, "for they would have to be
+entertained in your home."
+
+"Well, what do you honestly think?"
+
+Janet didn't answer at once, but as they reached the bus, she said, "I
+think I've had about all of the insinuations I can stand from either one
+of them."
+
+Helen smiled. "That's a help, for I feel the same way." She turned
+toward the other girls, who were putting their baggage in their car.
+
+"We may see you in Clarion before college starts this fall," she said.
+
+"Thanks for all your help," flipped Cora, seating herself behind the
+wheel. "I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves in Hollywood. We may run into you
+someplace."
+
+She threw in the gears and the car lurched away along the dusty road
+that wound through the hills to the main highway some miles away.
+
+"Wasn't she nice and cordial?" smiled Helen as she turned back to Janet.
+
+"Cora hasn't changed a bit and I don't suppose she will. What fun she
+could have if she'd only be a little less selfish," said Janet.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Four
+
+HIGH PRAISE
+
+
+By the time everything was loaded into the bus, the sun was well down
+toward the western hills and the ranch was bathed in the soft, warm
+light of the late afternoon.
+
+Curt Newsom, who had finished superintending the loading of his own
+horses into his private truck, walked over to join the girls, his spurs
+jingling as he walked.
+
+"Glad it's all over?" he asked.
+
+Janet shook her head.
+
+"Hardly. I've enjoyed it so much I really didn't want it to end, but I
+guess that all good things come to an end."
+
+"You did a splendid job as leading woman," smiled Curt. "I wish all of
+them were like you. Every once in a while the girls they assign to this
+unit get it into their heads that they are real actresses and they go
+temperamental on us. But you two worked like real troupers and took all
+of the bumps as they came."
+
+"And they came, too," grinned Helen, rubbing her right leg, for she had
+slipped and fallen from a horse two days before and her leg was black
+and blue.
+
+Curt was silent for a few moments, smiling at the efforts of "Skeets" to
+round up the last members of the company and get them aboard the big
+bus.
+
+"Are you going to stay with us?" he asked.
+
+"We don't know," replied Helen. "Fall's almost here and that means
+college time. We're both awfully young to stay on in pictures."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't say that. I've known girls younger than either one of
+you to make a success."
+
+"But they didn't last long," countered Janet.
+
+"Perhaps you're right on that," agreed Curt. "Are you going to school?"
+
+"I expect we'll decide that when we get back to Hollywood and have a
+long talk with mother and dad," replied Helen.
+
+Just then Billy Fenstow hurried up, puffing and exceedingly warm.
+
+"Everybody accounted for?" he asked his harried assistant.
+
+"All here," replied the red-faced "Skeets."
+
+"Sit down in the back seat with me," the director told the girls. "I
+want to talk with you on the way back to the city."
+
+The last members of the company were herded aboard the bus and the
+girls, Curt Newsom and the director were the last to get aboard.
+
+They sat down on the broad back seat which had been reserved for the
+director. The bus lurched into motion and rolled away from the
+ranchhouse.
+
+Billy Fenstow mopped his perspiring brow and leaned back to enjoy the
+ride.
+
+The dusty road wound through the hills, golden clouds of dust marking
+the passing of the bus.
+
+They were halfway to the main highway when the motor started to cough
+and the big vehicle slowed to a stop.
+
+The driver buried himself under the hood and tinkered with the engine
+for a few minutes. Then he climbed back into his seat and started the
+motor again.
+
+They progressed for several hundred yards and finally groaned to a stop.
+
+"Looks like we may be late in getting to dinner," said Curt. "Sounded
+like serious trouble under the hood that time."
+
+The lanky cowboy uncoiled his legs and went out to see if he could be of
+any assistance to the bus driver.
+
+Billy Fenstow, taking advantage of the stop, spoke to Janet and Helen,
+his voice so low that it was doubtful if he could be overheard by any
+other member of the company.
+
+"What about staying in the company for my next picture?" he asked.
+
+"When will it start?" Janet countered.
+
+The director mopped his brow again and grinned.
+
+"Just as soon as I can hash together a good enough story. Two weeks,
+maybe three, or it might even be a month. Why?"
+
+"We're not certain what we want to do," explained Helen. "You see,
+college starts next month."
+
+"My heavens," exclaimed the director. "What under the sun do you want to
+go to college for? You're smart enough right now."
+
+"That's just it; we aren't," replied Janet. "And we're terribly young,
+if the truth were known."
+
+Billy Fenstow looked at them critically.
+
+"Yep, you're young enough," he conceded, "but what's that got to do with
+it?"
+
+"Well, we're nothing sensational as actresses," replied Janet, "and
+neither one of us would want to go along playing minor rôles for years.
+If we ever hope to do more than that we've got to have more of a
+background in education and college seems to be the easiest and surest
+way to attain that."
+
+Billy Fenstow nodded in agreement.
+
+"Maybe you're right," he admitted, "but you could stay on with me at one
+hundred or one hundred and fifty dollars a week for a long time."
+
+"But how many weeks a year would we work at that rate? There wouldn't be
+more than twenty-five or thirty at the most and our expenses of staying
+on in Hollywood would become heavier."
+
+"Now that you put it that way, you're probably right. But when you do
+get through college, don't forget to come back and we'll see how things
+go then."
+
+The director started to get up, then sank back on the cushions.
+
+"You helped doctor the script of 'Kings of the Air,' didn't you?" he
+asked Janet.
+
+"I made a suggestion or two," she admitted.
+
+"I heard it was a little more than that," smiled the director. "Why
+don't you see what you could do with a western script for me. I haven't
+got an idea and if I turn it over to the studio writers, I'll probably
+get another stereotyped plot."
+
+"Are you serious?" demanded Janet.
+
+"Very much so. You might be able to put together something with a new
+angle. Mind you, it must be simple in action, for I've got to operate on
+a slim budget, but we must have a satisfactory love angle and a
+plausible plot. Think you can do anything with it?"
+
+"I'll try; I'll do my best," promised Janet.
+
+"Then I guess I'll take a little vacation when we get back to Hollywood.
+I'll need the story in about ten days, or at least a complete outline by
+that time."
+
+The tubby little director lifted himself off the seat and ambled down
+the aisle to learn how much longer they would be detained and Janet
+watched him go with a strange elation in her heart.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Five
+
+DEADLY FANGS
+
+
+Helen looked at her companion through smiling, quizzical eyes.
+
+"Well, what do you make of that?" she asked.
+
+"I'm a little bit dizzy, but I guess Mr. Fenstow meant what he said. Do
+you suppose I can really turn out an acceptable story for a western
+picture?" Janet turned and shot the question squarely at Helen.
+
+"I'm sure you can. That is," she amended, "if you don't let the thought
+of it scare you."
+
+"I'll give it a lot of time and thought before I start writing the
+story."
+
+"There isn't much time," warned Helen, and Janet knew that her companion
+was right.
+
+Ten days--sometimes it seemed like an endless length of time; then again
+it vanished like magic and she had a feeling that this might be the
+case.
+
+Some members of the company left the bus and walked around to stretch
+their legs; the others remained quietly in their seats, only a few of
+them talking for they were glad the strain of making the picture was at
+an end.
+
+Janet sniffed the late afternoon air. There seemed to be a faint odor of
+smoke, but she decided some of the men in the company must be smoking
+nearby.
+
+The heat abated somewhat as they waited for the driver to repair the
+engine and a sharp breeze swept down out of the hills sending little
+swirls of dust dancing along the winding road ahead of them.
+
+Helen leaned close to her companion.
+
+"Smell smoke?" she asked.
+
+"Not now, but I thought I did a few minutes ago," replied Janet.
+
+"I'm sure I can now," went on Helen, sniffing intently.
+
+Janet thought she caught another whiff of smoke, but she couldn't be
+sure.
+
+Curt Newsom, who had been trying to help repair the engine, came back
+along the bus. His face was smudged with grime and dirt and his hands
+were covered with grease. He raised one of them and motioned for Janet
+and Helen to join him. The girls left their seats and walked down the
+bus, Curt meeting them at the doorway.
+
+"Come on," he said sharply and in a manner that was little like his own.
+
+He strode away through the dry grass, which crackled like tinder under
+his boots. He was a good fifty yards away from the bus and far beyond
+earshot when he stopped and faced the girls.
+
+"It will be hours before that bus can be repaired," he told them.
+"Someone will have to go back to the ranch or the nearest village and
+phone for another vehicle to come out from the city."
+
+The freshening breeze stirred up a cloud of dust which enveloped them
+for a moment. Curt sneezed heavily and then sniffed.
+
+"Smell anything?" There was desperate intentness in his question.
+
+Janet and Helen wrinkled their noses and sniffed eagerly.
+
+Helen shook her head.
+
+"Not now, but a while ago I thought I smelled smoke."
+
+"So did I," added Janet. "It was kind of like tobacco smoke and then it
+wasn't."
+
+Curt shook his head. "I'm afraid it isn't tobacco smoke. I've been
+getting whiffs of it right along. Smells like a brush fire to me, but I
+can't locate any sign of smoke."
+
+"What do you mean by brush fire?" asked Janet.
+
+Curt looked at her sharply and then his eyes swept the rugged
+countryside where the sparse grass was brown and the brush as brittle as
+glass.
+
+"It's like a prairie fire--only worse. It's even worse than a forest
+fire. It spreads more rapidly. Once a fire gets started in this dry,
+combustible stuff, it's almost impossible to stop it. Either a good rain
+comes along or the blamed thing just burns itself out."
+
+"But I should think you could dodge a brush fire," put in Helen.
+
+"Maybe you could if you knew which way it was going to jump. But it
+moves almost like lightning and it's on you before you know it."
+
+The cowboy star cast an anxious eye over the rolling hills, but there
+was no sign of smoke, no spear of flame to flash a warning of impending
+trouble.
+
+"Keep your nose busy and your eyes and ears on the job. You might even
+stir around in the hills a bit. If you see anything that looks like it
+might spell trouble, let me know. I'm going back to try and help the
+driver. We'll give you plenty of time to get back before we start on if
+we just happen to find the trouble."
+
+Curt, his spurs jingling musically, strode away, and Janet and Helen
+watched him go with mingled feelings. His words had aroused a very
+definite sense of alarm in their minds and they were a little white as
+they faced each other.
+
+"I'm sure I smell smoke now," said Helen, sniffing intently. Janet did
+likewise, but she couldn't be sure, and the breeze was getting sharper.
+
+"We'll scout around these hills. Let's try that one," Janet pointed to a
+ragged outcropping of rock that towered above the rest.
+
+"It's going to be hard to climb," cautioned Helen.
+
+"I know, but once we're on top we'll be able to see all over this
+country. If there's any sign of a brush fire, we'll be able to see it
+from there."
+
+"I suppose you're right. Wish I had left my heavy boots on. These shoes
+aren't made for this kind of walking," and Helen looked down at the
+low-heeled, comfortable oxfords she wore. They were all right for street
+wear, but when it came to climbing about over thin, rocky soil, they
+provided only a minimum of protection.
+
+The outcropping Janet had selected was even steeper than they had
+anticipated and as they climbed, the outline of the bus in the valley
+became smaller. They stopped several times to rest and on the last
+occasion Janet sat down on a flat, sun-baked rock. There was a certain
+fetid odor about it but she thought nothing of it until Helen, who was
+about to sit down beside her, screamed.
+
+Without thinking and so swiftly it must have been a reflex action, she
+hurled herself away from the rock.
+
+She dropped in a twisting, rolling fall and as she turned she glimpsed a
+venomous head with lashing fangs which flashed out once from the rock
+and then disappeared.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Six
+
+THE SMOKY MENACE
+
+
+Janet fell heavily, turning over several times before she finally came
+to rest against a clump of dry brush.
+
+Helen was at her side almost instantly, her face drawn and tense.
+
+"Did it strike you?" she asked, deep anxiety marking her words.
+
+Janet, still dazed by the shock of hurling herself to the ground, looked
+up and managed a wan smile. She shook her head and with Helen giving her
+a hand, got to her feet.
+
+"No, I'm all right. Just scared a little. It was so sudden."
+
+"The snake was coiled up on the back of the rock. I saw it just as you
+sat down. For a second I was speechless; then I seemed to explode into a
+scream," explained Helen.
+
+"It's a good thing for me that you did," said Janet. "I don't think the
+snake missed it more than inches. We'd better get some stout clubs if
+we're going to do any more climbing around these rocks."
+
+"One thing, we're not going to sit down on any of them," declared Helen,
+who was watching the pile of rocks with open suspicion. There was still
+that fetid smell in the air, but no sign of any snakes.
+
+They looked about for sticks which could be used for clubs and Helen
+found several sizeable sticks which would serve that purpose.
+
+The incident had unnerved them more than they cared to confess and they
+sat down to rest on the sandy soil, taking care that nothing was near
+them which would conceal a snake.
+
+The afternoon deepened and the sun was about to sink over the western
+hills when they roused themselves and started on toward the summit of
+the promontory they had been climbing.
+
+Janet stopped and sniffed the air. The odor of smoke seemed stronger
+now, yet there was no visible sign of it.
+
+Helen also smelled it, for the wind, if anything, was sharper now.
+
+"If there's a fire burning somewhere near here, it might be bad for us,"
+she said. "This dry grass and underbrush would burn like tinder."
+
+"That's what Curt fears," added Janet.
+
+They stopped to rest once more before they started the final ascent to
+the rocky outcropping from which they hoped to be able to survey the
+entire surrounding country.
+
+As they started up the final slope, the smell of the smoke became
+stronger. Looking back into the valley where the bus was stalled, Janet
+could see the men in the company all grouped around the front end. It
+was evident that the trouble had not been repaired. Some distance from
+the bus a lone figure was striding along the trail, evidently bound for
+the nearest ranch or village where he could telephone for another bus
+and a repair crew.
+
+They toiled up the last few yards to the summit of the promontory and
+reached it only to drop down in an open space, gasping for breath, for
+the last part of the climb had been arduous.
+
+A sharp cry from Helen drew Janet's attention away from the bus, which
+now seemed far down in the valley.
+
+"There's fire burning in that further valley," cried Helen, an
+involuntary note of alarm in her voice.
+
+Janet turned quickly and gazed in the direction Helen was pointing. Her
+companion was right. There was fire in one of the distant valleys. From
+their elevation they could see a low, creeping wave of smoke shot
+through with an occasional tongue of flame.
+
+The wind, riffling past them now, was sweeping the fire in their
+direction at a steady pace, but it was at least two miles away, perhaps
+even further, estimated Janet.
+
+"Does it look serious?" asked Helen.
+
+"I should say it does," replied Janet quickly. "One of us must get back
+to the bus at once and warn Curt. This is what he's feared."
+
+"I'll stay," said Helen, but Janet noted that her companion's face paled
+at the thought of staying on top of the ridge and watching the fire
+sweep toward her.
+
+"No you won't. If there's any staying to be done up here, I'll be the
+one," decided Janet. "Besides, I can run faster than you and your shoes
+are in no condition to go racing over this rough ground. You start down
+now and tell Curt exactly what's happening. Tell him the fire is moving
+steadily in our direction and I can't see that anyone is in front of it
+attempting to beat it out or to build barriers to halt it."
+
+"But I hate to leave you here alone," protested Helen.
+
+"Never mind that. You get back to the bus. Hurry!" There was an anxious
+note of appeal in Janet's last words and Helen flung down the stick she
+had been carrying and started back down the slope.
+
+Janet watched her for a time as she darted around outcroppings of rock.
+Then she turned and gazed at the low wall of smoke which was being
+whipped along by the wind.
+
+From that distance it was hard to imagine that the advancing smoke and
+fire could be such a deadly thing--that it could lay waste to everything
+in its path, leaving, where it had passed, only a sear and desolate
+landscape.
+
+The wind seemed to be strengthening with the passing of each minute. The
+crest of the advancing fire topped the ridge of another valley and
+started down the near slope, but it was still better than a mile and a
+half away. Occasionally a jet of flame rose higher than the others, as
+though some madman had tossed a torch high into the air at his
+exhilaration over the destruction the flames were causing.
+
+The afternoon was waning rapidly and in the valleys between Janet and
+the flames the light was fading. She turned and gazed back down the long
+slope. Helen was almost at the bus, making every effort at speed and
+Janet felt sorry for her for she knew Helen must be suffering intense
+pain from her too-thin shoes for the rocks would bruise her feet badly.
+
+Janet saw Helen reach the bus and the men turned their attention from
+the stalled motor to the newcomer. Janet thought she could distinguish
+Curt Newsom looming above the others but she couldn't be sure.
+
+In less than a minute a solitary figure detached itself from the group
+around the bus and started up the slope toward Janet. From the long
+stride and the graceful carriage of the body she knew it was the cowboy
+star, coming up to get a first-hand glimpse of the advancing fire.
+
+Someone down at the bus turned on the headlights, and twin beams of
+light flashed through the gathering purple of the evening.
+
+Janet heard a scurrying up the other slope and a jack rabbit, scenting
+the danger of the approaching wall of smoke and fire, dashed past her.
+She knew that later there would be an onrush of the smaller animals
+seeking to evade the danger. But for some reason Janet felt strangely
+calm.
+
+The fire was still more than a mile away. True, it was advancing
+steadily, but the thought of being trapped by flames had never really
+entered her mind and she refused to be stampeded now.
+
+She turned back to watch the progress of Curt Newsom as he raced up the
+slope. It was almost dusk now where she was standing but she could see
+him coming steadily toward her. He would be beside her in another
+minute.
+
+The cowboy star, puffing heavily from the race up the rocky slope,
+reached Janet's side.
+
+The smell of smoke was stronger now and the flames were brighter as
+though they were eating their way through heavier underbrush.
+
+Curt's features were plainly visible in the half light of the early
+evening and Janet could see the lines of worry on his face.
+
+"It's worse than I thought from what Helen told us," he said, shielding
+his eyes and looking across the intervening valleys to the ridge down
+which the fire was now racing.
+
+"Is it serious?" asked Janet. "Are we in danger?"
+
+Curt stared at her hard, wondering just how much he dared to tell her.
+Then he decided she might as well know the truth and he spoke frankly.
+
+"The wind's rising all the time and this fire's spreading rapidly. We've
+got to get out of here within the next few minutes or we may never leave
+these valleys alive."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Seven
+
+RACING FLAMES
+
+
+Janet felt an inward surge of terror sweep over her, chilling her mind
+and body. But it lasted for only an instant. She was too calm, too
+sensible to become panic stricken now. They might be in a tight spot but
+she had confidence that the angular, capable cowboy would be able to
+pull them through.
+
+"We've got to get back to the bus and warn them of the danger. Maybe the
+boys will have the engine fixed by the time we're back."
+
+Curt turned for a final look at the advancing wall of smoke and flame.
+
+A steady procession of small animals, driven from their homes, was
+racing through the underbrush and an occasional frightened rabbit would
+almost bump into them in its blind haste to find safety.
+
+"Come on!" said Curt. He held out his hand and Janet grasped it. With
+the cowboy leading the way, they plunged down the slope. It was risky
+business, going at that speed, but speed was essential and they dared a
+twisted ankle to reach the bus with the least possible delay.
+
+Janet dropped the stick she had been carrying and grasped Curt's strong
+wrist with both of her own hands. They were fairly flying down the
+incline, Janet's legs working mechanically as she followed the lead of
+the cowboy star.
+
+They crashed through a low fringe of underbrush and reached the twisting
+roadway. Half a hundred feet away was the bus, its lights glowing, but
+no other sign of animation coming from the mechanical monster.
+
+The smoke was not yet thick in this valley and for this Janet was
+thankful for the other members of the company obviously had not become
+panicky.
+
+Billy Fenstow saw them first.
+
+"What about the fire?" he asked.
+
+"It's bad. We've got to get out of here and without losing any time. How
+about the bus?"
+
+"It won't even cough," moaned the director.
+
+"Any word from the man you sent for help?"
+
+"Not yet. What'll we do?" There was an anxious note in Billy Fenstow's
+voice.
+
+"I don't know yet, but we'll do something."
+
+Curt strode forward to the front end of the bus where the male members
+of the company were grouped.
+
+"Any chance of getting going within the next five or ten minutes?" he
+asked the director, who was almost buried under the hood.
+
+"Afraid not," came the smothered reply. "I've found the trouble but it's
+going to take about half an hour to get it fixed."
+
+Curt turned and faced Bill Fenstow.
+
+"That's too long," he warned the director. "The wind's getting worse and
+that fire's coming fast now. In another half hour this valley will be an
+inferno. It will be impossible for anyone to live in it."
+
+"Then we'd better start back for the ranch afoot," said the director.
+
+Curt's laugh was hard and thin and Janet, hearing it, thought it was a
+desperate laugh.
+
+"The fire would overtake us before we could get near the ranch," said
+Curt. "We've got to make a stand and we might as well make it here."
+
+"What can we do?" It was the director asking the question.
+
+"We can start a backfire and burn off as much ground around here as
+possible. While some of us are doing that the others can see what they
+can do in getting the bus fixed. If it's done in time, we'll run for it;
+if it isn't this is as good a place as any."
+
+Helen came close to Janet.
+
+"Is it that bad?" she whispered.
+
+"I'm afraid it is," admitted Janet. "Scared?"
+
+"Scared to death," confessed Helen.
+
+"So am I," admitted Janet. "But maybe there is something we can do to
+help the men."
+
+Every member of the company was anxious and willing to do whatever they
+could and Curt Newsom snapped directions at them. Most of the men raced
+out into the brush and almost instantly small fires sprang up. They ate
+their way rapidly through the undergrowth and as they neared the bus
+itself were beaten out, the men using coats, blankets or whatever
+article they could find in the bus. In less than ten minutes there was a
+growing blackened area around the stalled vehicle. Their object was to
+create a large enough burned over area so that the main wall of the
+advancing fire would move around them.
+
+Curt told them frankly that the heat would be bad, almost unbearable,
+but they could live through it.
+
+The ridge from which Janet and Helen had discovered the fire was
+outlined against a sky shot with crimson for it was quite dark now.
+Small animals, scurrying before the red menace, were racing past almost
+constantly.
+
+The fires which had been started around the bus were spreading out in a
+great circle, eating their way hungrily along the parched ground. In the
+light from them Janet could see Curt stalking here and there, directing
+one group and then another, and pausing now to beat down some flame with
+his blanket.
+
+Both girls felt particularly helpless, for there seemed to be nothing
+they could do, and Helen, her light shoes torn and thin, was
+particularly wretched, for her feet were sore and bruised.
+
+A sharp cry came from one of the men who had remained with the driver in
+an effort to get the bus repaired. Someone leaped into the seat, there
+was the whir of the starter and the heavy vehicle shook as its powerful
+motor thundered into motion.
+
+The driver slid out from under the hood. His face was a smear of grease
+and his shirt was badly torn, for he had been working in close quarters.
+He stumbled, reeling from fatigue, but someone caught him and lifted him
+into the bus. Another man sounded the horn and the fire-builders, led by
+Curt and Billy Fenstow, returned to the bus.
+
+"Think the motor will hold up?" Curt snapped at the driver.
+
+"It ought to, but I can't be sure," was the tired reply.
+
+"What do you want to do?" The cowboy fired the question at the director.
+
+"Get out of here and get out quick!" cried the director.
+
+"Where'll you go?" Curt snapped the question back.
+
+Billy Fenstow stared at him for just a moment.
+
+"Hollywood, of course. Everybody in!"
+
+But Curt laid a restraining hand on the director.
+
+"The road ahead curves back directly into the path of the flame. If we
+swing around this promontory, we'll be cut off ahead and before we can
+get back the flames will be over this section of the road. We can only
+go back."
+
+"Then back to the ranch we go," decided the director, and again he
+called, "Everybody in!"
+
+Members of the company jammed their way into the bus and Curt took the
+wheel for the driver was too exhausted to handle the heavy vehicle.
+
+The smoke was thick now and the first flames were licking their way over
+the crest of the ridge far above them.
+
+With the motor roaring heavily, Curt threw in the gears and swung the
+big vehicle about in a sharp circle. Then, with the headlights vainly
+trying to bore through the almost stifling smoke, they raced back down
+the road.
+
+It was dangerous going, for Curt's vision was cut down to less than
+three rods, but speed was essential now and they plunged through the
+smoky night at a reckless pace.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Eight
+
+THE LINE GOES DEAD
+
+
+Lights in the interior of the bus were out now for Curt didn't dare run
+the risk that they might interfere with his vision. The heavy vehicle
+swayed from side to side as they bounced over the winding road and Janet
+and Helen clung to each other for protection.
+
+Smoke was swirling across the road and the acrid fumes swept through the
+open windows of the bus, but there was no time now to close them.
+
+They raced out of the valley they had been in, shot up over a slight
+rise, and descended into another valley, the glare of the flames being
+lost to view for the time.
+
+"Think we'll make it?" gasped Helen, clinging tightly to Janet's right
+arm.
+
+"We've got to," replied Janet. "The last shots for the picture are in
+the bus."
+
+"I'm not worrying about the picture; it's us," retorted Helen. "My eyes
+hurt; so do my feet."
+
+Janet couldn't help smiling for Helen was very much matter of fact.
+
+There was a sharp report under the bus, like a gunshot or the backfire
+of the exhaust. But it was neither and the girls were thrown heavily
+against the side of the bus as the left rear tire let go.
+
+The heavy machine swayed dangerously with Curt fighting for control. The
+brakes screamed as they ground to a stop and Curt leaped out to survey
+the damage. The driver followed him and then Billy Fenstow followed.
+
+The driver turned on his flashlight and Janet could hear Curt's muttered
+exclamation of disgust.
+
+"We can change; we've got a spare," the driver said.
+
+"We've got to and we'll have to work fast," snapped Curt.
+
+Under the lashing directions of the cowboy star, other members of the
+company turned to and lent a hand. Tools were taken out, a big jack was
+placed under the rear axle, and the work started.
+
+From somewhere behind came the ominous roar of the fire and the sky
+behind the ridge they had just topped crimsoned. Helen, her thin oxfords
+badly cut, shifted miserably from one foot to another and longed for a
+hot bath in which to soak her aching feet.
+
+While Curt and several assistants wrestled with the task of getting the
+flat tire off, the driver managed to get the spare wheel down from its
+rack at the rear.
+
+"Not much air in it," he grumbled.
+
+"There never is," snapped Curt, "but you know how to use a pump."
+
+Billy Fenstow seized the pump, fastened the hose to the valve on the
+tire, and bent his tired body to the task of increasing the air pressure
+in the big tire.
+
+It was a tedious, wracking job, and the men alternated, working at top
+speed for a minute, then giving way to another fresher one.
+
+Curt, scanning the horizon above the ridge, urged them to greater haste.
+
+"Fire's getting close," he warned. "We've got to get under way."
+
+Billy Fenstow unfastened the pump and Curt seized the big steel wheel
+with its huge casing. Other willing hands helped him get it on the axle.
+Anxious fingers sped the bolts into place and they tightened them as
+rapidly as possible.
+
+"Get going!" Curt yelled at the driver.
+
+"How about the jack?"
+
+"Never mind that. Throw her in gear and she'll come off. That fire's
+coming fast now."
+
+As though in answer to Curt's warning, the flames shot over the top of
+the nearest ridge and started down. They seemed to be racing now with
+the speed of a greyhound, leaping from thicket to thicket with
+unbelievable rapidity.
+
+Janet and Helen, clinging together on the back seat, watched it with
+fascinated eyes. The fire was a living, advancing thing that might
+surround and swallow them in its flaming greed. The thought sent a
+deadening chill through Janet and for a moment she closed her eyes to
+the red spectacle.
+
+The motor of the bus roared again as Curt trod heavily on the starter.
+The big vehicle pulsated with power and there was the crash of gears as
+they lurched ahead and the left rear wheel dropped off the jack.
+
+Like a frightened elephant the bus leaped forward, its headlights once
+more boring through the smoke-laden night air.
+
+Curt drove with reckless abandon, tramping the accelerator down almost
+to the floor boards. His passengers were flung from one side of the
+lunging vehicle to another, but they knew that only in speed now lay
+their hope for salvation and none of them cried out as their bruised
+bodies were flung back and forth.
+
+Janet and Helen managed to wedge themselves in a corner where, by
+clinging together, they could escape with only a minimum of bouncing
+about.
+
+Suddenly the road straightened out and the smoke thinned. Janet
+recognized where they were. It was the last half mile which led back to
+the ranch where they had completed shooting the new picture only that
+afternoon.
+
+They had outdistanced the racing flames and Curt reduced the wild speed
+of the bus. In less than five minutes they swung into the broad yard of
+the ranch, but there were no lights in the house nor in the bunkhouse.
+
+Curt blasted sharply on the horn, but there was no sign or sound of life
+anywhere.
+
+"Looks like everyone's sound asleep," said Billy Fenstow, who was
+rubbing his bruises gingerly.
+
+"They've probably taken to the hills," replied Curt.
+
+They unloaded and entered the ranchhouse. Curt lighted a lamp and it was
+evident from the disorder in the rooms that the owners had fled hastily.
+The corrals were open and all of the stock had been turned loose.
+
+Janet and Helen stopped beside the water tank. Their throats were dry
+and tasted heavily of smoke so they drank deeply of the cool, fresh
+water.
+
+Curt, pausing for a moment, stuck his whole head in the tank, and then
+drank from the cup the girls offered him. As he gulped down the water he
+watched the crimson horizon northwest of the ranch.
+
+"Looks like we're going to be safe here unless the wind swings around a
+little more," he observed.
+
+"I'm worried about the folks. They know what time we were going to start
+back and they'll be frantic when they hear about the fire," said Helen.
+
+"Phone line may still be up," said Curt. "Go in the house and see if you
+can get a call through."
+
+Helen turned and hastened toward the house while Curt rejoined the men,
+who were staying near the bus. The driver was buried under the hood
+again, making sure that there would be no recurrence of their previous
+engine trouble.
+
+Janet followed Helen into the ranchhouse. The phone, an old-fashioned
+wall instrument, was in the dining room. There was a large plate of
+cookies, evidently left from supper, on the table, and neither girl
+could resist helping herself to several. Helen munched them as she
+cranked the telephone and listened for an answer from the operator in
+the nearest town. At last the response came.
+
+Helen, talking rapidly, gave her father's address and phone number in
+Hollywood. In less than five minutes the call was through and she heard
+her father's voice on the other end of the wire.
+
+"Hello, Dad. This is Helen."
+
+"Where are we? Back at the ranch. No, we're safe enough. The bus broke
+down and we had to turn back when the fire cut us off.
+
+"Now don't worry, Dad. Curt Newsom says he thinks the fire will swing
+around us. If it doesn't, we can take to the hills back of the ranch.
+We'll come through all right. Tell Mother not to worry.
+
+"What's that----?"
+
+Helen repeated the question, then looked blankly at Janet.
+
+"See if you can hear him," she urged and Janet took the receiver.
+
+"Hello, Mr. Thorne," she said. But there was no answer. She repeated the
+question and this time when there was no answer mechanically hung up the
+receiver.
+
+"The line's dead," she told Helen. "The fire must have brought down the
+poles."
+
+The girls stared hard at each other through smoke-rimmed eyes. The
+telephone had given them a sense of security, a feeling of contact with
+the outside world. Now they were cut off with the flames behind them and
+only the rugged hills ahead.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Nine
+
+THE FIRE SWEEPS ON
+
+
+When Janet and Helen returned to the spacious ranch yard, they found the
+men in the company gathered in a council of war near the bus. They were
+debating whether to risk remaining at the ranch or attempt to push on
+into the hills and onto higher ground.
+
+Billy Fenstow felt the ranch would be safe and was loath to attempt to
+go any further, but Curt Newsom, who had been watching the shifting
+clouds of crimson, was wary.
+
+"A little more and the wind will shift enough to bring the fire down
+into this valley. Once it's here it will travel like a race horse and
+we'll never reach safety," he warned.
+
+The director pointed to several heavy steel containers which held the
+last of the shots for "Water Hole."
+
+"Who's going to lug those through the hills?" he demanded.
+
+"We could take turns," retorted Curt. "Here's a better one. Are those
+cans watertight?" He shot the question at one of the cameramen.
+
+"They're safe enough, all right," he replied.
+
+"Then let's fasten wires to the handles and lower them into the well
+here. If we have to run for it, we'll not be bothered with these heavy
+containers and we'll know the last shots are safe."
+
+Billy Fenstow agreed that Curt's suggestion was an excellent one and
+they scattered in search of a coil of wire. One was found near the
+bunkhouse. It was fastened to one of the containers and the heavy steel
+receptacle was lowered into the well. The wire was cut and the upper end
+securely fastened to a timber. Then the operation was repeated, the
+second can being lowered until it reached the bottom of the well. Curt
+snipped the wire with a pair of pliers and fastened the end with the
+first one.
+
+Janet had been watching the skyline intently. Perhaps she was simply
+over-wrought, but she felt sure that the crimson glow had brightened as
+though the fire was nearer their own valley.
+
+"Watch the skyline," she urged Helen. "See if the glow is brightening."
+
+Helen peered through the half-light. Then she shook her head.
+
+"I can't be sure, but I think the fire must be nearer," she said. "Had
+we better tell Curt?"
+
+"Yes. He'll want to know."
+
+The girls called the lanky cowboy aside and Janet confided her fears to
+him.
+
+Curt spun on his heels and stared into the flame-rent sky.
+
+"Maybe I'm imagining things, but it looks bad," he muttered. Then he
+called Billy Fenstow over to him and the rotund little director agreed
+that the fire must be getting nearer.
+
+Curt sniffed the smoke. "It's getting thicker. We'd better get out of
+here."
+
+"What about the bus?" demanded the director.
+
+"We'll use that as far as we can. There's a trail that goes at least a
+mile back in the hills. After that we'll have to go on afoot."
+
+Orders snapped from Curt's lips. Back into the bus piled the company,
+Janet and Helen were among the last and they stopped long enough beside
+the well for deep drinks of the cool water. It might be many an hour
+before they would have such an opportunity again.
+
+Curt took the wheel for he knew the trail into the hills. The motor
+roared with a heavy song of power and they were away once more, fleeing
+before the ever-hungry flames.
+
+Janet and Helen sank back on the cushions of the rear seat. The trail
+was soft and sandy and although the bus lurched heavily at times, they
+had an opportunity to relax a little.
+
+Helen slipped off her oxfords and rubbed her aching feet.
+
+"Oh, for a good, hot bath," she moaned. "My feet will never be the same
+again."
+
+"Mine ache a little even with my boots on," admitted Janet. She would
+have liked to have slipped out of her boots and wriggled her toes but
+they were too hard to lace up again.
+
+Curt was driving with a desperate intentness as the going became more
+difficult. The trail had faded into two thin tracks and it was rougher
+now.
+
+Sharp rocks protruded and at any moment a tire might give way. But they
+kept on boring into the hills. The engine was working hard now as they
+ascended a grade and Janet looked back through the broad, rear window of
+the bus.
+
+The valley they had just left was plainly visible and topping the ridge
+above the ranchhouse were the first racing tongues of flame. They had
+started just in time.
+
+Helen turned around and together the girls watched the fire skip down
+the slope. When the scene was finally shut off by their own descent into
+another valley, the fire was almost to the ranchhouse and Janet felt
+sick at heart as she thought of the destruction which was inevitable for
+the friendly, rambling old structure.
+
+The trail they had been following faded completely away and Curt brought
+the bus to a stop.
+
+"Want to get out and walk or shall we go on in the bus?"
+
+The director's reply came quickly.
+
+"Where can we go?"
+
+Curt shrugged his shoulder.
+
+"You know as well as I do. We've got to go someplace; anywhere to stay
+ahead of the fire."
+
+"Then jam the bus along as far as it will go," ordered the director.
+
+"Who's going to pay for the damage?" demanded the driver.
+
+"Never mind that," snapped Curt. "The first thing is to save our own
+necks. Then we'll worry about the bus."
+
+"But I'll have to report what happened to the company."
+
+"You'll be lucky to get back and make a report," retorted the cowboy.
+
+They lurched into motion once more, traveling almost blindly now, and
+much slower.
+
+Curt felt his way around clumps of underbrush and outcroppings of rock.
+The wind, swirling along with them, carried a heavy curtain of smoke.
+
+They were rolling down a long slope when a front tire let go with an
+explosion like that from a young cannon and Curt twisted desperately at
+the wheel, fighting for control of the big vehicle. The driver jumped to
+help him and between the two of them they brought it to a halt without
+an upset.
+
+Curt jumped out to survey the damage and returned almost at once.
+
+"No chance of repairing the tire even if there was time," he announced.
+"We'll see how much further we can go."
+
+With both Curt and the bus driver clinging to the wheel, they started
+on, though traveling at a painfully slow pace.
+
+At the bottom of the valley they stopped, a thin ribbon of a stream
+blocking their way.
+
+Once more the cowboy lunged out into the smoke-filled night to stamp
+through the shallow waters of the stream. The bottom seemed fairly firm
+and Curt returned and took the wheel.
+
+"We'll try to go through, but everyone unload. No use to carry any
+excess weight."
+
+The entire company piled out of the bus and watched Curt start across
+the stream. He made good progress, the front wheels climbing out on the
+other bank and for a moment it looked like he was going across. Then the
+sand gave way and the back wheels churned up a spray of sand and dirty
+water.
+
+Curt snapped off the ignition and jumped out of the bus.
+
+"We're stalled for keeps," he informed them, "but this is about as good
+a place as we'll find. We'll start backfires and then when it gets bad,
+we can get under a bank along this creek. There'll be water to help us
+here."
+
+Under Curt's dynamic orders, half a dozen backfires were started, the
+men working like mad to clear away the underbrush and destroy all
+inflammable material near the creek bank where they had decided to make
+their stand.
+
+There was little that Janet and Helen could do, but they insisted on
+seizing old coats, wetting them in the stream, and using them to beat
+out the flames of the backfires when they had spread far enough.
+
+The burned area widened rapidly, but Curt spurred his workers on with
+renewed pleas and cajoling. One of the cameramen, slipping away to the
+bus for a minute, trained his camera on the scene and started grinding
+away. The crest of the hill above them was now outlined in a strong,
+crimson and the shadowy forms of the workers were visible as they
+hastened from one backfire to another. Janet saw the cameraman working,
+but she knew their work had progressed far enough so the absence of one
+man would not make a great deal of difference. Then, too, she knew that
+he might get some shots which would be invaluable in some film needing
+good fire sequences.
+
+Fortunately the bank they had selected had been heavily undercut by the
+stream and would afford them protection. Curt set several of the men to
+the task of digging further into the bank and they worked with
+improvised tools taken from the bus.
+
+Janet and Helen soaked the coats they had been using again and returned
+to the task of beating down the backfires. Curt joined them for a
+minute.
+
+"Better get back under the bank. This thing is going to come down this
+slope like a hurricane," he warned.
+
+"We'll wait until the others start down," said Janet, but he took their
+coats and shoved them toward the creek.
+
+"Get going," he ordered, and his voice was firm.
+
+They obeyed, for already the fire was starting down the slope and the
+girls hastened to the creek bed.
+
+The water was shallow, not more than six inches deep in any place and
+the bottom was sandy. Helen slipped off her torn shoes and wiggled her
+toes in the cool luxury of the water. Just then she forgot to worry all
+about the fire in the pleasant delight of having her feet comfortable if
+even for the moment.
+
+Men who had been working on the backfires came tumbling over the bank,
+falling and splashing into the water, but no one minded being dirty or
+wet.
+
+Janet could hear a roaring that sounded like the beat of scores of
+kettle drums--a roaring that was increasing in intensity and furore.
+
+Splashing along the sandy bottom, she came to a lower place in the bank
+where she could look up the slope.
+
+A solid wall of flame topped the crest, then swept down with an amazing
+rapidity. The air was hot and searing like a blast from an over-heated
+furnace.
+
+A handful of men were still grouped around Curt, working until the last
+moment to spread the backfire as far as possible.
+
+Helen, padding through the shallow water, joined Janet and they watched
+the awesome scene together. The roar of the onrushing fire increased and
+waves of heat beat against their faces. Janet knew that it must be
+terrific out on the slope and she wondered when Curt would lead his men
+in.
+
+One of them, gasping and choking, ran toward the creek, lunged past
+them, and hurled himself face downward in the water.
+
+Seconds later Janet heard Curt's cry and the rest of the men, with Curt
+and Billy Fenstow bringing up the rear, ran toward the creek bank.
+
+The director stumbled and fell heavily and the cowboy bent down and
+picked him up. Carrying the director in his arms, Curt, staggering under
+the extra burden, ran on. One of the men leaped over the bank to help
+and together they eased the little director into the water.
+
+Curt turned instantly and watched the rushing flames. The roar was so
+loud now that it was impossible to communicate with one another except
+by shouting and Curt ran from one to another, shouting and pounding them
+down under the bank where they would get the utmost protection.
+
+Reaching out he jerked Janet and Helen sharply and jostled them under
+the bank.
+
+"Get under there and stay under. Put a wet cloth to your nose and mouth.
+Don't breath any more than you have to."
+
+Neither one of them possessed handkerchiefs, for these articles had gone
+astray long before. One sleeve of Janet's dress had been ripped and she
+tore the whole thing out, ripped it again, and gave Helen one half of
+it. They dipped the cloth in the creek, squeezed a little of the water
+out, and applied the makeshift mask to their faces.
+
+Burning brands, carried along by the wind, were dropping in the creek
+now, hissing and sputtering as they struck the water where they soon
+became blackened embers.
+
+Janet, turning toward the opposite bank, saw a clump of underbrush burst
+into flame. The fire, whipped by the rising wind, spread out rapidly.
+Venturing a peep above the creek bank, a searing blast of heat struck
+her forehead and she could feel her hair curl. One glance was enough,
+for a towering wall of flame seemed to be rising straight into the sky.
+
+Janet ducked back under the protection of the bank and dipped the cloth
+into the water again. She straightened up again and glanced toward the
+bus. The cameraman who had been grinding away steadily had deserted the
+bus and was dragging his camera with him. He reached the shelter of the
+bank and other willing hands helped him set up the machine in a position
+that was well protected.
+
+It was impossible to hear now and Janet felt Helen crowding close toward
+her. They looked at each other through staring eyes--eyes that reflected
+the inward fear that gripped their hearts. The heat was stifling now.
+The cloths they had soaked with water were drying with incredible
+rapidity and Janet remembered Curt's warning to breath as lightly as
+possible. Helen, shoeless, was standing in the water. A hot ember
+dropped beside them and struck one of Helen's legs before it had cooled.
+She winced at the pain, but there was no escape.
+
+It seemed as though the entire opposite slope of the valley suddenly
+burst into flame and the intensity of the heat redoubled. Janet held her
+breath and dipped down into the stream to wet the cloth again. Helen did
+likewise a moment later and they gained some relief.
+
+Billy Fenstow and Curt Newsom were crouched beside the cameraman who was
+still grinding away at the red terror.
+
+Again the cloths on their faces dried and their breaths came in great
+choking gasps. Janet felt as though her heat-seared lungs would burst.
+She wanted to cry, but the tears were whipped away by the hot blasts.
+
+The flame on the opposite slope seemed to reach a new peak of intensity
+and the water at their feet ran crimson. Then the roar lessened, the
+peak of the fire was past.
+
+Janet, through smoke-rimmed eyes, saw it sweep over the far crest of the
+valley. Scattered fires were left burning in its wake, but the main
+advance of the fire had rushed on seeking new conquests.
+
+As the red glow ebbed, they crept out from under the bank and dropped
+with abandon into the shallow waters. It mattered little that embers,
+some of them still hot, were drifting in the stream, or that the water
+itself was now lukewarm--it was a haven from the horror that had just
+passed.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Ten
+
+A WELCOME RESCUE
+
+
+Janet couldn't even guess how many minutes they rested on the stream bed
+with the water washing away the aches in their weary bodies. As usual,
+Curt took the initiative when he had regained a portion of the abundant
+vitality that flowed through his veins.
+
+The cowboy sat up and surveyed the scene. A dozen fires were still
+burning in the valley and the horizon ahead of them, tinged in crimson,
+marked the passing of the fire demon.
+
+Billy Fenstow, digging sand out of his ears and sputtering heartily, was
+the first to speak.
+
+"Curt, how in thunder are we ever going to get out of here?"
+
+The cowboy shook his head.
+
+"Walk," he moaned, looking down at the once fancy boots which had never
+been intended for the heavy work in which they had been used that night.
+
+Billy Fenstow groaned in anguish.
+
+"Then I guess I'll just settle down and wait for a flood to come along
+and wash me down the valley or until I come to some culvert where I'll
+stick."
+
+The cameraman who had ground away steadily through the thick of the
+raging flames crept over to his machine. It had been subject to terrific
+heat and there was only a small chance that the negative had come
+through without serious damage.
+
+"How many feet did you shoot?" asked the director.
+
+The photographer squinted at the footage indicator on the camera, but
+there was not enough light to note the figures.
+
+"If the film isn't ruined they'll be the best scenes of a blaze like
+this that have ever been filmed," he predicted.
+
+Janet struggled into a sitting position and looked around. Her eyes
+sought the bus, with only faint hopes that the vehicle had come through
+unscathed. If it had, it would offer their one hope of escape for she
+felt that repairs might be made to the tires and if not, maybe they
+could limp along.
+
+But her hopes were doomed to disappointment. The bus was a glowing mass
+of steel. Fire had swept over it, igniting the upholstery and burning
+out the entire interior of the bus. It was a hollow shell with gaping
+windows.
+
+Curt Newsom stood up.
+
+"There's no use sitting around here wondering what we'll do," he said.
+"If a couple of the boys will come along, I'll start back to the trail
+and we'll keep going until we find someone or can reach a telephone."
+
+Two other cowboys joined Curt.
+
+"The rest of you might follow us and get back as far as the ranch. Maybe
+there'll be a little drinking water left in that well," advised Curt as
+he started up the trail, hobbling painfully on his twisted boots.
+
+Helen looked at her oxfords. They were in even worse shape than Curt's
+boots.
+
+"I guess I'll have to stay here," she said, half to herself and half to
+Janet. "I'd never make it back to the ranch."
+
+Janet picked up the water soaked piece of cloth she had used as a mask
+to shield her face.
+
+"Wrap this around one foot and use your piece for your other foot. Then
+slip your oxford on loosely. That ought to ease the pain."
+
+Helen looked grateful and tried the suggestion at once. She wrapped the
+damp cloth around as tightly as possible and then pulled on her shoes.
+It was a snug fit, but there was a soft cushion for her bruised feet to
+rest upon. She stood up and tried walking.
+
+"That's much better. Thanks a lot, Janet."
+
+Billy Fenstow took charge then.
+
+"We'll start for the ranch and go as far as we can," he decided. "There
+may be some shelter there and we're in no condition to stay out any
+longer than necessary."
+
+With the director in the van, the singed and tired band started back for
+the ranch. After a short distance they struck the trail. It was faint,
+but they managed to follow it without too much difficulty.
+
+Hot blasts of air seemed to sweep down from all sides and breathing
+became a painful exercise again. Janet wished that she might have just
+one cool, sweet breath of air--just one.
+
+Helen stumbled and Janet reached out and caught her companion before she
+fell.
+
+"All right?" asked Janet anxiously, for Helen was not of as sturdy stock
+as she.
+
+"I'll make it," replied Helen, the words coming from tight-set lips.
+
+But Janet was not so sure that Helen could do it. They fell further and
+further behind the others, but at last they topped the final ridge and
+looked down in the valley where the ranch had been, where they had
+filmed so many scenes of "Water Hole," the new picture.
+
+It was too dark to see the outlines of the ranchhouse but Janet could
+discern several large, glowing piles of embers and she knew that even
+the buildings at the ranch had been destroyed by the fire. Perhaps the
+well was still filled with pure sweet water. Her throat seemed drier at
+the thought and she turned her full attention to Helen, who needed a
+supporting arm for the final, down hill lap of their journey.
+
+The cowboys were the first to reach the ranchyard and Janet could hear
+them ripping the cover off the well. There was a shout ahead of them.
+
+"The water's okay. Hurry up!" It was one of the cowboys, and the news
+gave them the courage to quicken their lagging steps.
+
+Billy Fenstow handed Janet a blackened dipper, but she insisted that
+Helen take the first drink. There was plenty of water and they all drank
+their fill while Billy Fenstow scrambled around the timbers above the
+well hunting for the wires which had been fastened to the film
+containers they had lowered into the well. He found them at last, but
+decided they were safer in the water than any place else.
+
+"What about going on?" asked one of the cowboys.
+
+"No use in that. Someone had used the dipper before we got here, so that
+means Curt is up ahead of us and he's traveling much faster than we
+could. We'll do better to wait right here where they'll find us. Try and
+make yourselves comfortable."
+
+But the director's last words were of little help. The air was still dry
+and searing and there was no shelter anywhere. Fires still glowed all
+over the valley and little clouds of smoke swept around them.
+
+Janet and Helen walked over to the ranchhouse, but the embers were
+glowing so brightly that it was impossible to get very close.
+
+"I ache all over," confessed Helen. "When I finally get into bed I'm
+going to sleep the clock around."
+
+"Count me in on that program," nodded Janet. "Well, we might as well sit
+down and keep as comfortable as possible."
+
+But they went back to the well for another drink before trying to relax
+on the ground.
+
+The men were gathered a short distance away, talking in low voices about
+their harrowing escape. They conversed in monotones that soon lulled the
+girls' tired minds and before she knew it Janet found herself dozing.
+They were fitful little naps, broken with sudden thoughts of the fire.
+Then she would snap to complete wakefulness, only to have her fatigue
+overcome her again. She had dozed perhaps half a dozen times when the
+increasing chill of the air awakened her.
+
+Helen, curled up on the ground, was breathing steadily and deeply and
+had not noticed the change in the atmosphere.
+
+Janet scanned the horizon. There was no scarlet in the northwest
+now--only a dense blackness that seemed to be growing thicker. The
+southeastern sky was still vividly flame seared.
+
+The men had ceased their talking, but an occasional glow of a cigarette
+marked the dark huddle where they had gathered. A slight snore could be
+heard and Janet attributed it to their tubby little director. A flash of
+lightning illumined the mounting clouds and Janet shivered at the
+thought of a storm sweeping down on them after the fire.
+
+Helen must have felt the shiver run through Janet's body for she stirred
+sleepily.
+
+"I'll sleep another hour," she mumbled, and Janet knew her companion
+thought they were back home. There was no need to awaken Helen now. She
+might just as well get as much relaxation as possible.
+
+Helen slipped back into a deep sleep and Janet kept a lone vigil. The
+clouds swept higher and a distant rumble of thunder came down from the
+hills.
+
+The men were moving restlessly now and Janet could hear Billy Fenstow
+berating the weather. But there was nothing they could do about it
+except complain a little and then hope that someone would reach them
+before the coming storm broke.
+
+Janet wondered how far Curt and the two cowboys who had gone with him
+had been able to travel. Perhaps their aching feet had forced them to
+stop. But, knowing Curt, she had a feeling that he would get through and
+bring help to them as soon as possible.
+
+Helen sat up, rubbing her blood-shot eyes.
+
+"More fire?" she asked as the rumble of the thunder smote her ears.
+
+"Well, not quite that bad. Just a thunderstorm."
+
+Helen shivered. "We'll catch our death of cold," she groaned, and Janet
+had to admit that Helen's fears were not unwarranted. After the heat of
+the fire and the fatigue, they would be excellent candidates for severe
+colds or anything else that happened along.
+
+Several of the men who had been hunting around the ranchyard returned to
+the well.
+
+"Can't even find half a board," one of them reported. "The fire swept
+everything clean."
+
+Billy Fenstow turned to Janet and explained.
+
+"I had a couple of the boys out looking for some boards or anything we
+could use to build a shelter for you girls."
+
+"That was thoughtful," replied Janet, "but we'll get along all right."
+
+Billy grumbled to himself. He wasn't so sure. The girls had stood a lot
+already and there was a limit to their endurance.
+
+A patter of rain struck them, the drops sizzling as they came down on
+the remains of the ranchhouse.
+
+Janet's spirits dropped and for the first time in weeks she felt like
+having a good, old-fashioned crying spell, but there wasn't any pillow
+where she could bury her head and she didn't want to cry in front of the
+men in the company.
+
+The valley was hushed for a moment. Even the thunder was silent in the
+breathless pause that often comes just before a mid-summer storm vents
+its fury.
+
+It was during this pause that Helen, watching the hills below the storm
+clouds, caught a flash of light. It was too low for lightning and she
+gripped Janet's right arm.
+
+"There's a car coming!" she cried.
+
+Janet turned hopefully and looked in the direction Helen pointed, but
+there was no sign of light and she heard an involuntary sob escape from
+Helen.
+
+Then it came again, two twin beams of light cutting around a hill. Helen
+was right! A car was coming and Janet, unashamed, felt the tears flowing
+freely down her cheeks.
+
+Billy Fenstow was talking to himself.
+
+"I knew that lanky cowboy would do it," he said, repeating it over and
+over as though he were a human talking machine, stuck on a single note.
+
+A horn sounded a warning note as the oncoming vehicle swung into the
+ranchyard just as the sky opened and the first sweep of rain struck the
+valley. Forgetting all else, they ran toward the machine, which proved
+to be a hulking truck, with a covered top.
+
+Janet and Helen reached the rear. Someone reached down and pulled them
+under the shelter of the top. A flashlight blazed into their faces and a
+strong arm encircled Janet's shoulder. It was Helen's father and they
+knew that their worries for that eventful night were over.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Eleven
+
+NEW PLANS
+
+
+The sky seemed to open wide and a great torrent of rain descended on the
+heat-ridden earth, but Janet and Helen, in the shelter of the truck,
+were safe.
+
+"All right, honey?" demanded Helen's father, and, assured that his
+daughter was no more than bruised and weary, he turned to Janet.
+
+"How about you, Janet?" he asked.
+
+"Tired and dirty--that's all," she managed to smile.
+
+"Here's blankets," he said, picking two off a pile on the floor of the
+truck. "Throw these around your shoulders."
+
+The air was chill now and the girls obeyed without hesitation for their
+own clothes were in a bad state of disrepair.
+
+"How did you find us?" asked Helen when they were seated on the floor of
+the truck, and bouncing along toward the main highway which would take
+them back to Hollywood.
+
+"Curt Newsom got through. We were frantic after the line went dead when
+you were talking to us from the ranchhouse. We were coming in the truck
+and met Curt and the other two cowboys along the trail. From what they
+told us we knew that none of you could stand it to be out in the storm
+and we made all possible speed."
+
+"How's mother?" asked Helen.
+
+"Terribly worried." He turned toward Janet. "We'll phone your folks as
+soon as we get home. The fact that a film company was caught in the
+center of the fire was broadcast over a national chain and I'm afraid
+they may be gravely alarmed."
+
+"I'll call them at once," agreed Janet.
+
+They talked at length of their experiences and at last Helen's father
+turned to Fenstow.
+
+"Lose all of your last-day takes?" he asked.
+
+"Don't believe we lost a one," replied the other director. "We put the
+film cans in the well. One of my boys shot some swell scenes of the fire
+if the camera didn't get too hot and ruin the negative."
+
+"Then I suppose you'll use a fire in your next western?" chuckled Henry
+Thorne.
+
+"Can't say," replied Billy Fenstow. "That will be up to Janet."
+
+"Why Janet?"
+
+"She's going to do my next scenario."
+
+"You're not joking?"
+
+"Of course not. I've gone kind of stale and I thought she could inject
+some fresh material. At least she's going to get a fair chance to see
+just what kind of a film story she can turn out."
+
+"Then I'm predicting that she'll do a good job if it's anything like the
+caliber of her usual work," replied Helen's father.
+
+"Don't count on me too much," cautioned Janet. "This is a new field and
+I may get in so deep I'll never get anything creditable."
+
+The truck swung around a sharp curve. Ahead of them was a blaze of light
+from the headlights of a score of cars which were parked along the paved
+road. Raucous squawks of horns greeted the approaching truck.
+
+It was still raining hard, but a trim figure, clad in a raincoat,
+detached itself from a group in front of one of the cars and hurried
+toward the truck.
+
+"Hello mother. Here I am," called Helen. "Both of us are all right."
+
+She jumped from the truck and into her mother's arms. After a brief
+embrace, her mother spoke quickly.
+
+"We mustn't stand here. You'll catch cold. Here, get under my coat and
+we'll hurry to the car. Janet, you stay in the truck until we can pull
+along here."
+
+Henry Thorne looked down at Janet.
+
+"Pretty tired?"
+
+"Just about all in," she confessed and she found it hard to muster a
+smile.
+
+"Had enough of Hollywood?" he asked quietly.
+
+Janet looked up quickly.
+
+"I don't know, honestly I don't. The way I feel right now all I want is
+sleep and lots of it."
+
+He nodded understandingly and just then the car drove up beside the
+truck and they jumped down and entered it.
+
+Henry Thorne took the wheel while his wife and the girls made themselves
+comfortable in the back seat. Mrs Thorne very wisely made no effort to
+ask them about the events of the night, but tucked them in with blankets
+and before the car had gone half a mile both girls were sound asleep.
+
+The next thing Janet knew someone was shaking her shoulder. It was Mrs.
+Thorne.
+
+"We're home and you can be in bed in five minutes," she said. Janet
+rubbed a little of the sleep from her tired eyes--just enough so she
+could see to get into the house.
+
+Helen, walking ahead of her, moaned now at every step, for her feet had
+been badly bruised by the stones.
+
+Mrs. Thorne hurried ahead to run a tub of hot water while her husband
+drove the car around to the garage. With Mrs. Thorne helping them, the
+girls were soon in fresh pajamas.
+
+Janet decided on a warm shower and Helen followed her under the spray.
+Then Mrs. Thorne treated the bruises on Helen's feet and both girls
+piled into bed.
+
+"Sleep as long as you want to," she said as she snapped off the light.
+
+Janet didn't even hear the click of the switch. She dropped into a deep
+slumber, one so heavy that there were no dreams of fires and storms.
+
+When she finally awoke it was broad daylight. Fresh, sweet air filled
+their room. There was no smell of smoke, no threat of storm, and she
+wondered, for a moment, if she could have been dreaming about the night
+before. It was just possible that it had been a nightmare. Then she
+stretched and the aching muscles of her legs told her that indeed it had
+not been a nightmare.
+
+Janet looked over to Helen's bed. Her friend was still sleeping heavily
+so Janet slipped out of bed quietly, donned her dressing gown, and went
+down to the bathroom.
+
+Mrs. Thorne heard her moving about and looked in for a minute.
+
+"We telephoned your folks last night," she said. "They'd heard the radio
+broadcast and were greatly relieved when we told them both of you were
+safe."
+
+"Oh, thanks so much. I was so sleepy I forgot all about it," confessed
+Janet.
+
+"Helen getting up?" asked Mrs. Thorne.
+
+"No, she's sleeping soundly."
+
+"Then come in to lunch without going back to dress," said Helen's
+mother.
+
+"You mean breakfast?" asked Janet.
+
+Mrs. Thorne smiled. "No, I mean lunch, and a very late lunch at that.
+It's well after two o'clock now."
+
+Janet, finishing her shower, rubbed her body briskly with a heavy towel,
+and slipped the dressing gown on over her pajamas. Then she joined Mrs.
+Thorne in the dining room.
+
+"The morning papers made quite a story of it," said Mrs. Thorne, handing
+Janet a copy.
+
+A bold headline was blazoned across the entire top of the front page:
+
+"MOVIE COMPANY ESCAPES FIRE!"
+
+Then, in terse, action sentences, the story told of the narrow escape of
+Billy Fenstow's western unit. Janet found Helen's name and her own
+mentioned. She was glad that the story gave Curt Newsom full credit for
+the cool-headed work which had saved their lives. Curt deserved every
+word of it.
+
+Helen joined them a few minutes later, limping a little for her feet
+were still aching from the bruises.
+
+The girls passed the remainder of the afternoon resting and at dinner
+that night became involved in a serious discussion with Helen's father
+and mother.
+
+After the dessert, Henry Thorne pushed back his chair and looked at them
+quizzically.
+
+"Summer's about over," was his opening remark and Janet knew that he had
+something on his mind. She had a hunch that she could guess what the
+trend of the conversation was to be.
+
+"You girls made up your minds what you want to do?"
+
+He seemed to have his eyes fixed on Janet, as though looking to her for
+the decision which would guide Helen.
+
+"First of all I want to try to do the story Billy Fenstow asked me to
+do," retorted Janet. "After that I think I'll have had enough of
+Hollywood."
+
+"Getting tired of being an actress?"
+
+"Not at all, I'm just realizing my limitations and after all, I do want
+more education--the type of broadening education that I can get in a
+university."
+
+Henry Thorne swung toward his own daughter.
+
+"What do you think, Helen?"
+
+"Why, I haven't made up my mind yet, Dad. I like Hollywood, I've been
+having a grand time, but I guess I've never really thought of staying on
+here definitely. It was understood from the first that this was just a
+glorious vacation and that when summer ended Mother and I would go back
+to Clarion and I'd go to college."
+
+"I expect that's right," nodded her father. "It did start out to be just
+a vacation proposition and you girls can make it that if you want, but
+I've a new plan that may appeal to you. How would you like to go to
+Radio City in New York for several weeks?"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twelve
+
+THE PREVIEW
+
+
+The girls stared hard at Henry Thorne. It was so like him to toss off an
+important statement in an off-hand manner that it left them almost
+gasping for breath.
+
+"Why, Dad, what do you mean?" demanded Helen.
+
+"Just what I said," smiled her father. "How would you and Janet like to
+go to Radio City for several weeks?"
+
+"I'd like it fine," put in Janet quickly and Helen chorused her own
+agreement.
+
+"Now tell us what it's all about," insisted Helen.
+
+"I'm a little vague on it myself," admitted her father, "except that the
+studio is planning an extensive promotion stunt to boost my last
+picture, 'Kings of the Air,' and the general manager, Mr. Rexler, is
+going to send a part of the cast to New York City where they'll put on a
+radio drama based on the action in the new picture. The whole idea is to
+whet the appetites of the film fans by giving them just enough of the
+story over the air to make them rush to the nearest theater and see the
+actual picture."
+
+"But where do we come in?" asked Janet. "We were only very minor members
+of the cast."
+
+"True enough, but some of the principals are now working on other
+pictures and it would be impractical to release them and send them east
+for a promotional stunt so some of the lesser members of the company
+will make the trip."
+
+"Maybe we're lucky to be lesser members," smiled Helen. "When do we
+start?"
+
+"I don't know exactly. The release date for 'Kings' is next month, so I
+expect you'll leave here in a few weeks."
+
+"That will give me just time enough to try the scenario for Billy
+Fenstow," said Janet. "Maybe I'd better start work on it tonight."
+
+"You look pretty tired. Better wait until morning when you'll be
+thoroughly rested," advised Helen's father.
+
+They adjourned to the living room where they gathered around a large
+table and discussed possible story plots that Janet could use. She made
+several notes and then, with Helen, retired early.
+
+A second night of sleep found the girls feeling greatly refreshed. Henry
+Thorne loaned Janet his own portable typewriter and she set it on a low
+table beside the swimming pool, found some yellow copy paper in the
+house, rolled a fresh sheet into the typewriter, and sat down waiting
+for an idea to pop into her head.
+
+"Hello, author!" said someone from behind her and she swung about to
+face Curt Newsom, who had walked up unheralded.
+
+"Hello, Curt. Sit down. My, but I'm glad to see you. Are you all right
+after the fire?"
+
+The cowboy smiled. "As right as I'll ever be. I was scared half to death
+that night. Say, I saw Billy Fenstow this morning. The picture's all
+together now and they're going to screen it at the Bijou down the street
+after the regular feature. Better be there tonight."
+
+"I'll be there in fear and trembling," smiled Janet.
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't feel that way about it. I think you did a lot better
+than most of the girls I've had in the company."
+
+"Thanks, Curt. That was nice of you to say that, but I realize I have
+very definite limitations as an actress."
+
+"Well, I'm not so hot as an actor," he admitted. "About all I have to do
+is stick on a horse and shoot a gun loaded with blank cartridges."
+
+"That isn't all and you know it," reproved Janet.
+
+Curt looked at the typewriter and the blank sheet of paper.
+
+"I'm keeping you from your work. I only dropped in to tell you about the
+preview tonight. I've got to get along."
+
+"I'm supposed to be generating ideas for Mr. Fenstow's next script,"
+confessed Janet, "but the mental generator seems to have gone on a
+strike."
+
+"What's the story going to be about?"
+
+"You guess," smiled Janet.
+
+"Well, why don't you have a young heiress, pretty much spoiled, who owns
+a ranch. She's never seen it so she goes west for a trip and while there
+learns that most of her fortune has been wiped out through the declining
+value of securities and by embezzlement of some of her trustees. About
+all she has left is the ranch and a brother who is pretty much
+worthless."
+
+"It's a grand idea," exulted Janet. "Then of course we could have a
+cattle war, some rustling, maybe a vein of gold found on the ranch, and
+plenty of action."
+
+"You're supposed to write the story," chided Curt. "Well, I must get
+along."
+
+"Thanks for the help. I'll make you coauthor," called Janet as Curt
+strode toward the street.
+
+Curt's suggestion gave her the nucleus of her story. It would be a
+little different treatment of the western theme. Janet started working,
+her fingers flowing rhythmically over the keys. She wrote simply. All
+that was required of her was a good, comprehensive outline of the story.
+The studio writers would put in the dialogue.
+
+But Janet's interest grew as the story progressed and she found herself
+putting in conversation and bits of description of the characters. She
+was so absorbed that Helen came and stood beside her for several minutes
+before she was aware of her presence.
+
+"Going strong?" she asked.
+
+Janet, barely interrupting the smooth flow of her story, nodded.
+
+"Preview's tonight at the Bijou after the regular feature. Curt Newsom
+stopped to tell us."
+
+"Then you'd better stop writing now. You've been at it steadily for more
+than hour. You want to feel peppy tonight when we go to see the
+preview."
+
+Janet finished the paragraph and pulled the sheet of copy from the
+machine. She had written eight pages and the top and bottom margins were
+narrow. She wanted to keep on writing, but knew that Helen's advice was
+sound. She wanted to be rested enough to enjoy "Water Hole," to see
+herself, for probably the only time in her life, as the leading lady of
+a motion picture.
+
+They met Billy Fenstow at the box office and he handed them tickets for
+a few seats which had been reserved for his friends.
+
+"Nervous?" he asked Janet.
+
+"A little. How is it?"
+
+"Wait and see. Here comes Mr. Rexler."
+
+The girls turned in time to see the taciturn general manager of the Ace
+studio stride into the lobby. Close behind him was Helen's father. Janet
+felt her heart sink. Here was the chief of the studio on hand to
+pronounce final judgment on the picture. But Bill Fenstow seemed
+unperturbed and she forced herself to be calm.
+
+They all went in together. The feature was a south sea love drama
+produced by a rival studio and it was typical program picture with
+nothing to make it outstanding in interest.
+
+Then the picture they had been waiting for flashed on the screen.
+"'Water Hole,' directed by Billy Fenstow, starring Curt Newsom and
+produced by the Ace Motion Picture Corp." Then came the credits for the
+story, photography, etc., and finally the cast of characters with Curt's
+name at the top. Janet felt her heart stop for one breathless moment,
+Her name--_Janet Hardy_--was the second in the cast and directly under
+that was Helen's.
+
+Then the picture zoomed away to a fast start with the action that always
+characterized a Billy Fenstow production. Janet tried to be critical,
+but she couldn't help enjoying the picture and her voice didn't sound so
+terribly bad as it came out of the loudspeakers.
+
+The picture ended all too suddenly. The house lights came up and Janet
+found herself staring at the others, waiting for their verdict.
+
+Rexler was the first to speak. He leaned over and tapped Billy Fenstow
+on the shoulder.
+
+"Nice show, Billy. Got the girl signed up?"
+
+Billy turned to Janet.
+
+"How about it; want to sign a contract to stay with my unit?"
+
+Suddenly Janet knew that she didn't. It had been a wonderful summer,
+climaxed in the picture she had just seen with herself as leading lady,
+but now she was just a little homesick. Then, too, there was the trip to
+Radio City.
+
+"Not right now," she told the director. "Later, perhaps, but not now."
+
+The general manager looked at her strangely.
+
+"I wouldn't be surprised if it is the smartest thing you could do. If
+you change your mind, let me know."
+
+He stood up and stalked down the aisle, but Janet knew now that she
+would never change her mind.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Thirteen
+
+JANET TURNS AUTHOR
+
+
+Early the next morning Janet returned to the task of writing the story
+for Billy Fenstow's next picture. The story developed rapidly and she
+found plenty of opportunities to provide the hard-riding action for
+which Curt Newsom was famous.
+
+She worked steadily until mid-forenoon when Helen joined her in the
+garden.
+
+"How is it going?" she asked.
+
+"It's lots of fun, and I think I have a fairly good idea. Whether I'm
+getting it across is another thing," smiled Janet. "I suspect the
+regular studio writers will think it pretty much a mess when they get
+their hands on it."
+
+"I wouldn't care much what they think as long as Mr. Fenstow likes it.
+After all, he's the one who will accept or reject it and the check you
+get will depend on his approval."
+
+Janet leaned back in her chair and gazed at the scudding white clouds
+far overhead.
+
+"How much do you suppose they'll pay if they accept the story?" she
+mused.
+
+"Sometimes they pay thousands of dollars," said Helen.
+
+"But only for outstanding books or plays. I mean for little stories like
+this; the kind that perhaps have an idea in them that can be developed
+further by the studio staff."
+
+"Maybe a thousand dollars," ventured Helen.
+
+"That would be enough," said Janet, a faraway look in her eyes.
+
+"Now just what do you mean by that?" Helen wanted to know.
+
+"A thousand dollars would go a long ways toward guaranteeing me a
+college education. Why, with what I've saved out of our salaries this
+summer, I'd have nearly two thousand dollars and I could make that go a
+long ways toward four years of college."
+
+"I've saved a lot this summer, too," admitted Helen. "Dad and mother
+were talking this morning. We're going back to Clarion."
+
+Helen was silent for a moment. Then Janet spoke.
+
+"When are you going back?"
+
+"Soon; perhaps next week. But you and I will go on to New York to help
+with the radio promotion of 'Kings of the Air.'"
+
+"Will you be happy in Clarion after a summer here?" asked Janet,
+watching her companion closely.
+
+"I'm sure I will. After all, I'm a small town girl and all this amazes
+and scares me a little. Perhaps when college days are over I'll want to
+come back and try to make a name for myself in pictures. Dad thinks that
+would be wise."
+
+"What school are you going to go to?" Janet asked the question with
+bated breath. They had always planned on going to their own state
+university, Corn Belt U., but she thought it possible that Helen's
+father might have expressed some other preference since their arrival on
+the coast.
+
+"Corn Belt U.," replied Helen. "Dad left that entirely up to me and of
+course I wanted to follow out our plans."
+
+Janet sighed heartily. She was elated at Helen's words for it meant that
+the pleasant companionship they had enjoyed through high school days
+could continue through college.
+
+"We'll have lots of fun," said Helen, "but if we go on to Radio City for
+the promotion work we'll have to register late. Perhaps we can arrange
+for that while we're home. It isn't more than half a day's drive from
+home to school."
+
+"I'm sure we can, especially if we explain that the trip to New York
+will enable us to earn more money for our college educations."
+
+"But, Janet, you know we don't actually have to earn our way through
+school. Dad's got plenty and your father is comfortably fixed."
+
+"I know it, but it's a matter of pride. I'd like to have as much of my
+own money as possible for college. If I got in a pinch, I'd yell for
+Dad's help, I suppose."
+
+They talked on about college plans and were finally interrupted when
+Mrs. Thorne summoned them to lunch,
+
+More plans for their return to Clarion were made at the luncheon table.
+Packing would have to be started soon.
+
+"Let's pick out our college wardrobes here in Hollywood. Then we'll be
+sure and have the latest styles."
+
+"Maybe Hollywood styles won't be campus styles," smiled Janet, "but I
+would like a chance to wear that wonderful gown Roddy made for me to a
+college party."
+
+It was pleasant to think of their first experience in Hollywood when
+Roddy, the famous designer of gowns at the Ace studio, had created
+gorgeous evening gowns for them to wear at their first movie premiere.
+Janet could imagine that wearing such gowns at a party on the campus at
+Corn Belt U. would create quite a sensation, and she thrilled pleasantly
+at the thought.
+
+After luncheon was over, Janet returned to her writing and Helen joined
+her beside the pool, stripping the wrapper off a copy of the _Clarion
+Times_, which had arrived on the noonday mail.
+
+"Look at this; what nerve!" exclaimed Helen, shoving the front page of
+the paper at Janet. She pointed to a story in the center of the page.
+
+Janet stared at the headline with unbelieving eyes.
+
+    "LOCAL GIRLS FEATURED IN MOVIE."
+
+Her eyes followed down to the story, which heralded the fact that Cora
+Dean and Margie Blake, Clarion girls touring in the west, had been
+drafted for rôles in a western picture by Billy Fenstow, the famous
+director. Janet read on.
+
+"Miss Dean and Miss Blake report that Janet Hardy and Helen Thorne also
+have rôles in the picture," the story said.
+
+It was then that Janet flushed. She could have told Cora and Margie just
+what she thought of them if they had been anywhere within hearing
+distance but fortunately for them, perhaps, they were a good many miles
+away.
+
+"How do you suppose the _Times_ got that story?" asked Janet, the flush
+fading from her cheeks.
+
+"I know," said Helen with emphasis. "Cora wrote to Pete Benda, the city
+editor, and gave him all of the information which is in the story.
+Imagine her telling him 'that we are also in the picture.' I'm certainly
+going to see that 'Water Hole' is shown in the theaters at home. That
+will kind of spoil their story."
+
+Janet laughed. "Perhaps Cora and Margie did feel that they had the major
+rôles. You never can tell what others will think is important."
+
+"It would be a joke on them if the film cutters left out the sequence
+they're in," chuckled Helen.
+
+Janet looked at her quickly.
+
+"Don't you suggest that to anyone," she warned.
+
+"I won't," promised Helen.
+
+Janet handed the paper back to her companion and went on with her work.
+She spent most of the afternoon at the typewriter and when she was
+through, felt that she had done a good day's work. The manuscript would
+be ready with only another morning's writing.
+
+Billy Fenstow, dropping in after dinner for a visit with Helen's father
+inquired about the story and Janet handed him the first draft of as much
+as she had completed.
+
+The little director read it with interest, the lines around his eyes
+gathering in little puckers as he skimmed through the typed pages. Janet
+almost held her breath through all the time he was reading and she saw
+Henry Thorne leaning forward, trying to read some reaction on Billy
+Fenstow's face.
+
+When the director had finished, he looked up and smiled at Janet.
+
+"Reads well," he commented. "Of course there are a lot of rough spots,
+but we'll be able to use it."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Fourteen
+
+CLOTHES BY RODDY
+
+
+Janet felt her pulse pounding. Acceptance of the story would mean a
+great deal toward swelling her college fund and she leaned forward
+eagerly.
+
+"You mean you'll accept it?" she asked.
+
+"If your final chapters are as good as these, we'll take it," replied
+Mr. Fenstow. "Of course we won't be able to pay a whole lot since the
+studio staff will have to whip it into shape, but we'll make it worth
+your while."
+
+"How much do you think it will be?" this was from Helen, whose interest
+in the sale of the story was almost as great as Janet's.
+
+Billy Fenstow mopped his forehead.
+
+"That will be up to Mr. Rexler. I'd say that it wouldn't be more than a
+thousand dollars."
+
+"Really!" gasped Janet, who had visions of her college fund mounting in
+one great jump.
+
+"Well, maybe not that much, but I'll get all I can for you. Now you
+finish it up as rapidly as possible."
+
+"It will be ready tomorrow noon," promised Janet.
+
+Billy Fenstow left a short time later and after he had gone, Henry
+Thorne spoke to them about the journey back to Clarion.
+
+"Now that Janet is practically assured the sale of her story, we'd
+better make our plans. Can you be ready to start home next Monday?"
+
+The girls looked blankly at each other. Of course they had known that
+their stay in Hollywood was near an end, but to put the date so soon was
+something of a shock.
+
+Mrs. Thorne spoke first.
+
+"I'm sure we can, Henry. But we'll almost need a truck to take back all
+of the things we've accumulated."
+
+"I'll have some professional packers come out and make whatever boxes
+are needed," her husband assured her.
+
+"But we've got to get clothes," wailed Helen. "We want to wear Hollywood
+styles when we go to college."
+
+Her father bit the end of his cigar and looked at it thoughtfully.
+
+"Why don't you call on Roddy?"
+
+"But he wouldn't do clothes for us; we couldn't afford it," said Helen.
+
+"He might do it for you as a special favor to me," grinned her father.
+"As a matter of fact, I think he mentioned something about it the other
+day. Wanted to know when you were leaving and said he might be able to
+do something for you."
+
+"We'll see him the first thing in the morning," said Helen.
+
+"I won't," spoke up Janet. "I've got to finish the story whether I have
+clothes made by Roddy or not."
+
+"That's the fight, Janet," said Henry Thorne.
+
+"When do we go on to Radio City?" asked Helen.
+
+"You'll have only a couple of days at home. Then you'll have to go on to
+New York."
+
+"How long will we be there?" Janet wanted to know.
+
+"I'm not sure. At least ten days; perhaps more."
+
+"Which means we'll have to hurry back home and start in to school as
+soon as our work at Radio City is over," put in Helen. "I wonder how it
+will seem to be before a microphone?"
+
+"Not any worse than before a camera," said Janet.
+
+They talked on at length of plans for their college days and although it
+was late when they went to bed, Janet was up early and working at her
+typewriter. The final two chapters of her story unrolled easily and
+rapidly and at eleven o'clock she leaned back in her chair. The job was
+done.
+
+Helen had gone on to the studio to talk with Roddy and Janet was to join
+her after lunch. Janet stood up and stretched. Her back ached from the
+strain of bending over her typewriter and she went into the house and
+changed into her trim swimming suit. Fifteen minutes in the pool washed
+away the aches and when she emerged she felt greatly refreshed.
+
+Janet dressed carefully for she wanted to look well when she talked to
+Roddy. Mrs. Thorne was the only other one at home for lunch and they
+enjoyed a pleasant meal.
+
+Janet picked up the finished manuscript and took it with her to the
+studio. She left it at Billy Fenstow's office and went on to the
+building where Roddy had his office and where the wizard of design
+created the gorgeous fashions that were worn by the stars in the big
+productions at the Ace studio.
+
+Helen was in Roddy's own fitting room and Janet joined her there. Roddy
+appeared in a few minutes and after greeting her warmly, set about the
+task of providing her with a new outfit.
+
+"Tell me just what you want," he smiled.
+
+"Honestly, I don't know. I'm going to college," said Janet.
+
+"Then let me decide," he begged and Janet agreed.
+
+The next hours passed in a swirl of fittings and cloth which was draped
+this way and that around them, and when they were through neither girl
+knew exactly what had happened.
+
+"That's all," said the little designer. "I'll send them to your home. It
+will be a week before they're ready."
+
+"Thanks so much," said the girls as Roddy waved them out of the office.
+
+"What do you suppose he's going to make?" asked Janet.
+
+"Well, I know there'll be a sport outfit and an afternoon dress; perhaps
+something for the classroom; about three apiece."
+
+"But how will we ever pay for them? The materials alone will be more
+than we can afford."
+
+"Let's not worry about that. I have a hunch that there will never be a
+bill for them."
+
+They met Helen's father near the studio entrance and they all drove home
+together.
+
+"I've had a long talk with the general manager," he said. "You've got to
+be in Radio City in about ten days."
+
+"That won't mean much time at home," said Janet.
+
+"Nor much to get to Corn Belt U. and get our late registrations fixed
+up," added Helen.
+
+"Don't worry about that. All those details can be taken care of," said
+her father. "Just plan to have a good time in Radio City when you get
+there."
+
+Both girls knew that they would enjoy their broadcasting experience in
+New York to the utmost. There might be a little fear of the microphone
+but they knew that facing a camera couldn't be any harder than one of
+the silent "Mikes."
+
+At dinner that night they told of their hours with Roddy and speculated
+again at the creations which his fertile mind would turn out for them.
+
+"No use to try and guess," warned Helen's father. "You never can predict
+what Roddy will do."
+
+On the following day Janet received a telephone call from Billy Fenstow.
+
+"Can you come over to the studio?" he asked.
+
+"Just as soon as a taxi can get me there," she promised.
+
+Helen and her mother were down town shopping and Janet phoned for a
+taxi. She slipped into a fresh dress while she was waiting and then was
+whirled away to the studio. Envious eyes watched her go through the
+gates which were shut to so many.
+
+Janet found the little director in his office back at stage nine, her
+pile of manuscript in front of him.
+
+"I've finished the story and Mr. Rexler has gone over it," said the
+director, after greeting Janet and waving her toward a chair.
+
+She waited breathlessly for his next words.
+
+"We both think it will do. Mind, it isn't anything sensational, but it
+does have a new twist or two and can be made into a Curt Newsom feature
+very well."
+
+He paused and picked up a check which was on his desk.
+
+"There will have to be a great deal done to the story by our own writing
+staff, so we felt seven hundred and fifty dollars would be a fair price
+to offer for the story," he said handing the check to Janet.
+
+She took it mechanically and turned it over. Then looked at the name on
+the face of the check. It was payable to Janet Hardy.
+
+"Thanks so much, Mr. Fenstow. It's very satisfactory."
+
+"Too bad you won't stay on. I'd give you the lead," he urged.
+
+"I'm sorry, but I've made up my mind. Perhaps when college days are
+over, I'll come back and apply for a job."
+
+"You'll get one if I'm still on the lot grinding out westerns," he
+promised.
+
+Janet left the little office and walked across the sprawling motion
+picture plant. It was probably her last visit for the hours left before
+their departure would be filled with thoughts of packing. It was a dull
+time at the studio, with only one or two pictures in production, but
+with the coming weeks every sound stage would be humming with activity
+as new celluloid dramas were rushed to completion for the entertainment
+of millions of movie fans. Janet knew that she would not be a part of
+it, but there was a tremendous satisfaction in recalling the experiences
+of the past weeks and looking forward to the new ones that were bound to
+come at Radio City.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Fifteen
+
+HOMEWARD BOUND
+
+
+Hours filled with packing and last minute details took their time up
+almost until the actual hour of the departure of their plane. They
+finished finally at midnight and they were to take the four o'clock
+eastbound plane for the midwest. New schedules had been inaugurated
+since they had come west and they would be home in time for dinner that
+night.
+
+Helen's mother came in.
+
+"You girls must get some sleep, or you'll look pretty much worn out when
+you reach Clarion."
+
+"I'm too excited to sleep," confessed Janet.
+
+"Then let's take a swim in the pool. That ought to relax us," urged
+Helen.
+
+They slipped into their suits and for nearly half an hour enjoyed the
+pool. The moon was well up in the cloudless sky and it was an ideal
+night. Neither girl said very much, just floated on the pool, wondering
+what the coming weeks would have in store for them.
+
+When they finally emerged from the water they were ready to call it a
+day and they were sound asleep by one o'clock.
+
+Mrs. Thorne called them at three. It was still dark, but a hot breakfast
+was ready for them in the dining room. Even up to the last minute it
+seemed as though there were a host of things to do and they took a final
+survey of the house before they closed their bags. Two cabs were
+waiting; one for them and the other to take their bags.
+
+It was exactly three-thirty when they started for the airport. The
+streets were deserted and lights were on in only a few of the homes.
+Their cab swung on to a boulevard and flashed past the entrance of the
+Ace studio. Janet caught only a glimpse of the plant, but she felt a
+queer tightening of her heart, and she wondered if she had been wise in
+deciding to leave Hollywood. But it was too late now. She had made her
+decision.
+
+At the airport the big twin-motored transport was on the ramp, its
+motors idling and flickers of blue flame coming out of the exhaust under
+the wing.
+
+An attendant at the gate checked the tickets Henry Thorne held in his
+hand and they were escorted to the plane where their stewardess assigned
+their seats. The cabin of this ship was even more luxuriously furnished
+than the one in which they had flown west and Janet settled herself
+comfortably into the thickly upholstered chair. Their baggage was stowed
+in the tail of the plane and then she saw the pilots come out of the
+office.
+
+They stepped into the cabin and walked up the narrow aisle to their own
+compartment. Both of them were youthful and Janet wondered that they had
+the marvelous skill in their hands necessary to guide the huge plane on
+its flight.
+
+Two more passengers hastened up to the gate and were escorted to the
+cabin. Then the stewardess checked the list of reservations. In addition
+to Henry Thorne and his party, there were only the two late-comers, both
+of whom were men.
+
+The motors roared and the plane rolled ahead, gaining speed rapidly.
+Before Janet knew it they were off the ground and soaring into a half
+light of the early day. A blanket of lights unfolded beneath them, but
+the lights were strangely dim and the plane headed away for the
+mountains, climbing steadily to have safety in crossing the dangerous
+peaks.
+
+Night faded rapidly now and they were well into the mountains at
+sunrise. They were heading northeast, flying now over great stretches of
+desolate land where there was nothing but sand and sagebrush, and
+sometimes precious little sagebrush.
+
+Salt Lake City was beneath them almost before they knew it and when the
+plane landed there Janet and Helen got out to stretch their legs while
+the crews were changed and the plane refuelled. Then they were in the
+air again, climbing once more to get above the continental divide and
+after that came the descent to Cheyenne. Lunch was served aboard the
+plane with Omaha the next stop and they roared on east as the sun rolled
+westward.
+
+Janet was watching the landscape below closely now for this was her home
+state--a land dotted with many farms and huddles of houses that were the
+villages, tied together by strips of white highway and an occasional
+train that seemed to be puffing along a ladder which had been laid on
+the ground.
+
+Almost before she knew it the motors of the plane lessened their roar
+and a town appeared underneath. It was Rubio, the nearest regular stop
+on the transcontinental line.
+
+The giant transport settled down easily. Janet felt the wheels touch and
+she looked eagerly through the heavy glass of the window for the first
+glimpse of her father and mother.
+
+She saw them on the ramp, gazing anxiously at the plane as it wheeled up
+to the concrete slab.
+
+Janet, the first out of the plane, ran to greet them. Her mother
+embraced her affectionately and her father gave her a hearty hug.
+
+"My, but it's good to see you!" he declared. "We've missed you so much."
+
+"And I've missed you, but I've had a grand time," replied Janet, locking
+her arms in theirs.
+
+The Thornes came up and there were greetings all around. Then Henry
+Thorne and Janet's father supervised the loading of the luggage into the
+Hardy sedan.
+
+The car was crowded, but they had so much to talk about and were so
+eager to say it that the inconvenience of short space mattered little.
+
+Taking turns, Janet and Helen, rather breathlessly, told the story of
+their summer in Hollywood while John Hardy whirled them smoothly and
+safely along the ribbon of concrete that led from Rubio to Clarion.
+
+They stopped at the Thorne home and unloaded most of the luggage there.
+
+"You're coming over to dinner," Mrs. Hardy told them. "Is six-thirty all
+right?"
+
+"We'll be there," promised Mrs. Thorne, who was anxious for all of the
+news of her friends in Clarion.
+
+When they were home, Janet and her father and mother sat down in the
+comfortable living room and she told them more in detail of her
+adventures in the west, of the making of the western films and of their
+narrow escape from death in the fire.
+
+"We were greatly worried by the radio report," said her father, "but the
+call from the Thornes reassured us."
+
+Janet's mother spoke up.
+
+"Are you going on to New York City?"
+
+"Yes, mother. We'll only have a few days at home. Then Helen and I are
+to go on to New York for a few days for a promotional broadcast on Mr.
+Thorne's new picture, 'Kings of the Air.' You know, we had minor rôles
+in it and some members of the cast are being sent east to take part in
+this promotion work. I think it will be great fun."
+
+"But how about college?" her father wanted to know.
+
+"That's one of the things I'll have to see about while I'm home this
+time. Maybe you would drive Helen and me over to Corn Belt U. some time
+tomorrow or the next day so we could see about registration? We'll have
+to arrange to enter classes late."
+
+"We can go tomorrow," nodded her father. "I've arranged to spend most of
+the rest of the week at home. Mother and I want to hear _all_ about
+Hollywood."
+
+"I didn't see it all," smiled Janet. "But it's a grand place, at least
+in which to spend one summer."
+
+The Thornes arrived promptly at the dinner hour and they visited at
+length over a leisurely meal. At eight o'clock Henry Thorne glanced at
+his watch.
+
+"The manager of the Pastime telephoned just before dinner to say that he
+had received a print of 'Water Hole,' a new western, and would add it to
+his regular program tonight. Think you'd like to go?"
+
+"Why, Janet, isn't that the picture you and Helen were in?" asked her
+mother.
+
+Janet nodded and turned to Henry Thorne, who was smiling.
+
+"I believe you had that print of the film shipped east on the plane with
+us," she accused.
+
+"What of it?" he parried.
+
+"Of course we'll go," said Janet's mother. "We'll leave the dishes right
+on the table. It isn't every day that I get such an opportunity."
+
+Helen slipped away from the table and Janet could hear her at the phone
+calling for Pete Benda, the city editor of the _Times_.
+
+"Pete? This is Helen Thorne. Yes, I'm back in town. Drop in at the
+Pastime this evening if you'd like to see the parts that Cora Dean and
+Margie Blake took in that western picture they wrote you about. No,
+never mind a story about us now. We've had plenty of publicity."
+
+Helen hung up the receiver and turned to face Janet.
+
+"Do you think that was nice?" asked Janet, but there was an upward twist
+of her lips.
+
+"Maybe it wasn't exactly nice, but it was a lot of fun," conceded Helen.
+
+There was just a tang of fall in the air and they slipped on light
+jackets, deciding to walk to the theater, which was less than half a
+dozen blocks away.
+
+Janet's father insisted on buying the tickets for the party and they had
+excellent seats well down in the front of the theater. Janet thought she
+saw Pete Benda slide into a seat ahead of them, but she couldn't be
+sure.
+
+The regular feature came to an end and the western, which had been
+added, flashed on the screen. Janet felt her pulse quicken as the title
+and the cast of characters, with her own name under Curt Newsom's. The
+action started and she glanced at her father and mother. They were
+completely absorbed in the picture.
+
+Janet enjoyed it thoroughly. After all, it _was_ a pretty good picture
+for a western and the clothes Roddy had designed for Helen and her added
+just the right touch of smartness.
+
+The action came to a driving climax and then the picture was over and
+people around them started to leave. As they walked down the aisle Pete
+Benda joined them.
+
+"Congratulations, girls. That was a nice show. Say, where were Cora and
+Margie?"
+
+"Didn't you see them?" asked Helen naively.
+
+"Don't kid me," growled Pete. "Where were they?"
+
+"If you had been looking closely at the crowd in one of the scenes in
+the town you would have seen them," smiled Helen. "Better come tomorrow
+night and look again."
+
+"Maybe I will," admitted Pete, "but if I do it will be to look at Janet
+and you. Say, what's this I hear about you going on to Radio City?"
+
+"That's something that will keep," said Helen. "See you later."
+
+On the way home Janet's father and mother told her how proud they were
+of her work and she felt a real sense of elation, for compliments from
+them meant more than from anyone else.
+
+It was well after midnight when she finally went to sleep in the bed in
+her own attractive room. Tomorrow there would be the trip to Corn Belt
+U. and then on to New York in a few days.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Sixteen
+
+GORGEOUS GOWNS
+
+
+The next morning both the Hardy and the Thorne households were up early
+for it had been decided to make the trip to Newton, the seat of Corn
+Belt U., during the morning. The girls could complete their plans for
+registration during the afternoon and in the evening they could return
+home in good time.
+
+Janet was nearly through breakfast when an express messenger called at
+the door.
+
+"Package for Miss Janet Hardy," he announced. "Air express, too."
+
+Janet signed for the package. It was long and unusually well wrapped and
+when she saw the return address, "Ace Motion Picture Corp., Costume
+Department," she tingled all over, for she knew that inside were the
+dresses George Roddy, or Adoree as he was know professionally, had
+created for her.
+
+Janet's mother helped her rip aside the heavy brown paper with which the
+cardboard box was wrapped. Inside were layers of tissue and then they
+gazed upon the first dress, a sport outfit of green wool in lines so
+plain that its daring was startling. The jacket fitted snugly with a tie
+about the throat and the ends extended over Janet's shoulders.
+
+After that came an afternoon dress, a rich brown velvet that caught and
+threw back at them the morning light. The skirt was plain with the upper
+half of the dress in a Russian blouse design with the plain roll collar
+of cloth of gold.
+
+"Why, it's the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen," exclaimed Janet's
+mother. "How did this all happen?"
+
+Briefly, Janet told how Roddy had taken an interest in them and in
+seeing that they had attractive and striking clothes.
+
+There was one more dress, a garment designed for classroom wear. This
+was a corduroy--a deep blue that was dazzling in its intensity.
+
+Before Janet could get it completely out of its heavy tissue wrappings
+the telephone rang and when she answered Helen's excited voice came
+tumbling over the wire. She, too, had received her box from Roddy--a
+sports outfit, an afternoon dress and another dress for classroom wear.
+
+"Let's wear one of our new dresses when we go to the university to
+register," said Helen, and Janet agreed. Each of them had corduroys and
+they decided to wear these.
+
+Janet took the last garment, the corduroy one, from its wrappings and
+hurried upstairs to try it on. Her mother hastened after her, as eager
+as Janet to see how the new dress fitted and looked.
+
+Janet wriggled into the cool, smooth garment and whirled to face her
+mother. Her hair was a bit touseled and her cheeks flushed from the
+excitement and the vivid blue of the dress only heightened her youthful
+charm.
+
+"You look beautiful, dear," breathed her mother. "I've never seen
+anything more lovely."
+
+Janet turned back to her mirror and gazed at the dress Roddy's agile
+mind had conceived for her. It _was_ striking.
+
+The blue corduroy hung well, fitting closely around her slim hips and
+opening at the throat with a semi-military cut. A neat little pocket was
+placed just above her heart. The sleeves were wrist length, rather full
+at the shoulders and tapering to a close fit just above her hands where
+they were caught and tied with two silver bands.
+
+Someone came pounding up the stairs. It was Helen, who burst into the
+room like a young hurricane. Like Janet, she was attired in one of her
+new dresses. It was corduroy, but of an umber hue that was set off to
+perfection by Helen's dark hair and the olive coloring of her face.
+There was just enough difference in the two dresses to make them varied,
+yet at a glance an observer could tell that they had been created by the
+same master hand.
+
+Helen even had on brown hose and shoes that matched her dress.
+
+"Where are your new shoes?" she demanded.
+
+Janet delved further into the box. At the bottom was a shoe box and she
+opened it with shaking fingers. This was more than she had ever dared
+imagine. She drew forth a pair of blue kid slippers and tucked in them
+were three pairs of blue hose to match her dress and shoes. She changed
+shoes and hose and stood up again, whirling in front of the mirror. The
+costume now was perfection itself. She ran a comb through her golden
+hair and knew the thrill that comes from knowing a costume is perfect.
+
+"Do you suppose we'll be asked to join a sorority at school?" asked
+Helen.
+
+"If they see you in these dresses I imagine you can join any or all of
+them," smiled Mrs. Hardy. "Come now, we must be ready when the men want
+to start."
+
+On the echo of her words a horn sounded below. Janet dabbed a little
+powder on her face and joined Helen as they hurried down stairs. Even
+their fathers were elated over the new dresses and both girls felt that
+their cups of happiness were filled to overflowing.
+
+"Honestly," confided Helen, "I hate to wear this in the car. I'd like to
+take it off and then put it on when we get near school."
+
+"I suppose you'd like to ride all of the way wrapped up in a blanket or
+something," chided Janet. "But I'll admit that I hate to sit down in
+this dress."
+
+It was a beautifully clear morning and John Hardy sent his big car
+speeding over the paved road at a fast pace. They were in Newton in
+ample time to drive around the university grounds and have a leisurely
+lunch before going to the office of the dean of women to take the first
+steps in registering.
+
+The campus of Corn Belt U. was lined with stately elms that had watched
+over the destiny of the school for more than three quarters of a
+century. The main buildings were of Indiana limestone with a few of the
+older ones of red-faced brick, now well covered with a rich growth of
+English ivy.
+
+Janet knew that she would enjoy going to school here. There was a spirit
+of calm and dignity about the campus that appealed to her.
+
+At lunch they talked of plans for school and of what they would take.
+
+"I'm going to get all of the dramatics and English I can absorb,"
+declared Helen. "Perhaps a little history, too."
+
+"How about you, Janet?"
+
+"I think my major courses will be journalism, and perhaps just a little
+in the way of dramatics."
+
+"Not thinking about going back to Hollywood and joining Billy Fenstow's
+company when you're through, are you?" chided the director.
+
+"Well, I might have that idea in mind if no newspaper will take me on as
+a reporter," conceded Janet.
+
+Luncheon over they went directly to the administration building where,
+after a short wait, they were ushered into the office of the dean of
+women.
+
+Mrs. Laird was a pleasant woman of about fifty and Janet saw her keen
+eyes take in every inch of their costumes in a glance and she thought
+she saw just a trace of suspicion arise in the dean's eyes.
+
+Janet's father explained their mission, pointing out that because of
+their coming trip to Radio City they would be late in taking up class
+work.
+
+"It's a little unusual to arrange registration in this way," said the
+dean, "but I believe you can be accommodated."
+
+For an hour they went over class schedules, the dean advising them on
+the courses best suited to what they had in mind. She assisted them in
+filling out the final registration cards and paused at one question.
+
+"Do you hope to join a sorority?" she asked.
+
+"We won't be here in time for the rushing parties," replied Janet.
+"Perhaps that had better wait until another semester, that is, if any of
+the groups should want us for membership."
+
+The dean's cool eyes surveyed the fashionably dressed girls.
+
+"I rather imagine you could take your pick of the sororities right now
+if the girls were here," she said.
+
+The registration was over. The girls were to have rooms in Currier Hall,
+an old but comfortable dormitory.
+
+"The dean seemed a little cool," said Helen.
+
+"I noticed that, too," Janet said. "Evidently she doesn't think much of
+the plans which call for us hurrying away to New York."
+
+"Can't be helped; we're going," said Helen.
+
+When they returned home a telegram was waiting for Henry Thorne.
+
+"This interests you girls more than it does me," he said, handing the
+message to his daughter.
+
+Helen read it eagerly.
+
+"Have Janet and Helen report next Monday morning at Radio City at ten
+o'clock," she said.
+
+"That means we'll have to leave here Saturday night. Why, that's only
+tomorrow night!" gasped Janet.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Seventeen
+
+HELLO, NEW YORK
+
+
+They were so busy until after dinner that night that Janet had no time
+to scan the evening paper. When she picked up the _Times_ it was with
+pleasant surprise for in the middle of the front page was a story by
+Pete Benda, reviewing "Water Hole" and describing the rôles Janet and
+Helen played.
+
+"Miss Hardy gave a most pleasing portrayal in the rôle of the heroine,"
+Pete had written, "and a good many local people will enjoy this picture
+to the utmost. It is far above the average western."
+
+Near the end was a line. "Cora Dean and Margie Blake, local girls who
+were also in the picture, may be seen in a crowd scene at the village."
+Janet smiled as she thought of the humiliation that Cora would feel.
+Well, it had been a mean trick of Cora's to write Pete Benda that she
+and Margie had leading rôles.
+
+Helen's father made complete plans for their trip to New York for the
+Ace company was paying all expenses as well as salaries to Janet and
+Helen while they were in the east.
+
+Both Janet and Helen packed the new dresses Roddy had sent them in the
+large bags which they were taking with them. There might be little
+actual opportunity to wear them, but they wanted to be prepared.
+
+Their train for Chicago left at ten o'clock and they arrived at the
+station in ample time, Janet's father conveying them there. He had
+reserved a drawing room for them and they felt elated over that.
+
+The _Chicago Limited_ was on time to the minute, the puffing locomotive
+drawing its long string of Pullmans to an easy stop. The girls had
+drawing room A in car fifty-seven. The porter took their bags as they
+turned to say good-bye to their parents.
+
+"Got plenty of money?" Janet's father asked in a whisper.
+
+"Plenty, Dad. And I'll get paid while I'm in New York."
+
+But he slipped her a small, black book that resembled a check book.
+
+"Put this in your purse. It will come in handy if you have an
+emergency," he said.
+
+Calls of "Bo-o-oard," rang along the train. Final good-byes were said
+and the girls stepped into the vestibule of their car. The train started
+easily and they waved to their parents. Then they were out of the train
+shed, picking up speed rapidly for the remainder of the night run to
+Chicago.
+
+They retired to their drawing-room, finished in restful tones of rose
+and gray, and slipped into pajamas. Both being tired, they went to bed
+at once, Janet in the upper berth and Helen in the lower.
+
+The car was air conditioned and they slept restfully, neither one of
+them awakening until they were in the outskirts of Chicago.
+
+"What are you going to wear today?" asked Helen, stretching luxuriously
+between the crisp, cool sheets.
+
+"My corduroy dress," said Janet. "It's excellent for travel; comfortable
+and it won't muss easily."
+
+"That appeals to me," replied Helen, slipping out of bed and starting to
+dress while Janet lowered herself out of the upper.
+
+The train was past Englewood by the time they were dressed and their
+porter came in to take their bags.
+
+"Going to wear a hat?" asked Janet.
+
+"Not with this dress; I haven't anything that goes well with it."
+
+Janet tipped the porter and a red cap, waiting on the platform, took
+their bags. Their New York train was only four tracks away and would
+depart within an hour so their bags were taken directly to the Pullman,
+where another drawing room had been reserved for the Chicago-New York
+trip.
+
+After making sure that their bags were in the drawing room, Janet and
+Helen went into the great, high ceilinged dining room in the station.
+They enjoyed a hearty breakfast of delicious country ham and eggs with
+crisp toast and a cool glass of milk.
+
+Janet bought several morning papers and they returned to the train shed.
+Trains which had been rushing across the plains all night in their dash
+for Chicago were still arriving, while on other tracks long strings of
+coaches, ready to start carrying passengers away from the city, were
+being backed down the tracks.
+
+Re-entering their New York train, they found seats in the luxurious
+limousine-lounge car at the rear of the train where the observation
+platform was enclosed in glass. A radio was tuned softly and all of the
+latest magazines were available.
+
+Travel was light that day and at the start of the trip they were the
+only ones in the lounge car as the train rolled smoothly out of the
+station.
+
+There was a brief pause at Englewood, then they were off again, picking
+up speed as the train skirted the southern edge of Lake Michigan where
+great industrial plants were perched along the shore and lake freighters
+seemed to spring out of the prairie as the rails crossed canals.
+
+At lunch time they were well into Indiana. Only a few more passengers
+had boarded the train and they had the dining car practically to
+themselves.
+
+As the afternoon advanced they dipped into Ohio and stops were more
+frequent. By late afternoon the train was well filled and space in the
+lounge car was almost at a premium.
+
+Janet and Helen went to bed early that night for the coming day promised
+to be an unusually busy and exciting one for them--they would have their
+first glimpse of New York, visit Radio City, and receive their
+assignments for the radio play they were to be in.
+
+"What are you going to wear tomorrow?" asked Helen as she snuggled down
+between the crisp sheets.
+
+"I don't know, perhaps the corduroy dress I had on today," replied
+Janet. "It's so comfortable and I think it's becoming."
+
+"I guess I'll vote that way, too," said Helen, and a minute later both
+girls were asleep.
+
+They were up early the next morning, breakfasting as the train sped out
+of the Jersey hills and straightened out for its dash across the
+tidewater flats to Jersey City. They shot past commuter trains at almost
+regular intervals for their limited had the right of way.
+
+As they neared the terminal, the porter took their bags and Helen handed
+him a tip. Her father had deliberately routed them over a line which
+ended in Jersey City so that they might have their first real glimpse of
+the towering New York skyline from a ferryboat.
+
+The passengers poured off the train and onto the nearby ferry. Bells
+clanged, smoke rolled from the twin stacks, and the bulky boat nosed out
+into the river.
+
+Helen crowded close to Janet as the full majesty of the skyline was
+unfolded. To their right was the lower city with its cluster of
+skyscrapers while to their left was mid-town with the Empire State
+towering almost into the clouds. A little beyond that the sharp spire of
+the Chrysler building rose skyward.
+
+On the New York side of the Hudson liners were sandwiched into the docks
+and Janet grabbed Helen's arm and pointed to one. It was the _Europa_,
+famed speed liner. A little further along was the _Rex_, pride of the
+Italian merchant marine.
+
+Then the ferry was nosing into its pier. Gates clanged, their baggage
+was loaded aboard a taxi, and almost before they knew it they were
+whirling away toward the heart of the city. Helen had given their hotel
+address.
+
+Up onto an elevated roadway sped their cab where it rocketed along at
+forty-five miles an hour. Then they shot onto an incline and eased down
+into a street below. Traffic lights slowed them up now, but in less than
+ten minutes after leaving the ferry they were in Times Square, the very
+heart of the throbbing city, where Broadway and Seventh Avenue cross to
+form a great triangular opening.
+
+At the hotel desk Janet registered for both of them.
+
+"We were to have reservations," she said.
+
+The clerk checked the registration list and marked their names off. Then
+they were whisked away to their rooms, high up and on the inside, where
+they could sleep in something like quiet. They had two rooms with a
+connecting bath.
+
+"Well, what do you think of the city?" asked Helen.
+
+"I'm still a little breathless," admitted Janet. "Los Angeles was
+large--but New York--it just seems to swallow you up."
+
+They dressed carefully in preparation for their trip to Radio City and
+at nine-thirty o'clock went down stairs and inquired the best way to
+reach their destination. The clerk on duty suggested that they walk.
+
+"It's only a short distance. Go one block to Sixth Avenue, turn to the
+left, and continue six blocks to Radio City."
+
+The morning air was clear and cool as they set forth, walking briskly
+and taking in everything about them. On Sixth Avenue elevated trains
+rumbled overhead, but up the street they could see the towering building
+which housed Radio City and their steps quickened.
+
+They reached their destination in a few minutes and turned to the right
+to the entrance which led to the offices of the World Broadcasting
+Company, the chain which was to put their program on the air. The lobby
+was of chromium and black and they stepped into a modernistic elevator
+that whisked them upward so rapidly they were breathless.
+
+They stepped out at the twenty-seventh floor and into a luxuriously
+furnished lobby where there were comfortable chairs and restful lights.
+A young woman at the reception desk looked up as the girls advanced.
+
+"We're to join the company from the Ace studios," Janet explained.
+
+"Your names?" The inquiry was purely impersonal.
+
+"Janet Hardy and Helen Thorne."
+
+The young woman checked their names and called a page.
+
+"Take them to studio K," she directed.
+
+Janet and Helen turned and followed the page, who was leading them to a
+new chapter of their lives--one more thrilling than they could have
+imagined even in their deepest dreams.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Eighteen
+
+IN RADIO CITY
+
+
+The page ushered them into the studio and the first person they saw was
+Curt Newsom, the tall cowboy star who had also had a part in "Kings of
+the Air."
+
+Curt hastened to greet them.
+
+"When did you get in?" he asked.
+
+"This morning," replied Janet. "My, but it's good to see you again. I
+didn't know you were going to be in this promotional unit."
+
+The cowboy flushed and grinned somewhat sheepishly.
+
+"Well, to tell the truth, I've always wanted to try broadcasting a
+little and I finally pestered the general manager out on the coast until
+he sent me along and ordered them to give me a part. Come on and meet
+the director of this unit."
+
+Curt led them over to a small group where a rather slender, dark-haired
+man was speaking. He turned to face them as they approached and Janet
+noted that he wore unusually thick glasses, indicating that his eyes
+were in need of heavy correction.
+
+"This is Mr. Ben Adolphi," said Curt, by way of introduction. "Mr.
+Adolphi has been assigned by the World Broadcasting Company to handle
+this promotion work."
+
+He introduced each of the girls to the radio director and Mr. Adolphi
+smiled pleasantly.
+
+"I shall get at your parts presently," he said. "Please be seated."
+
+They found comfortable chairs at one side of the studio and Janet
+enjoyed the opportunity to look around the room for it was here that
+they would put on their radio show. The ceiling was high and evidently
+covered with a cloth which absorbed sound readily. The walls were also
+covered with a cloth of heavy texture and the carpet on the floor felt
+an inch thick.
+
+At the rear of the room was a low platform which might be used for an
+orchestra and to the left, through a heavy plate glass window, was the
+control room where the engineers regulated the volume of the program and
+fed it out on the air. Near the door was a desk with a microphone on it
+for the announcer, and beyond that was a tall steel stand with several
+microphones, attached to adjustable arms, on it. These could be placed
+in any portion of the room to pick up the program to the best advantage.
+
+Mr. Adolphi joined them within a few minutes. He carried a handful of
+script with him and handed one section to Janet and another to Helen.
+
+"You understand that this company is comparatively small when you think
+of the one used in the production of the picture?" he reminded them. "It
+will be necessary for you to take several parts, but all of them will be
+minor rôles since I understand neither of you have had any experience
+in broadcasting."
+
+The girls nodded their understanding, and the director plunged on.
+
+"We are going to give only the high spots of the film story over the
+air, but in addition we are going to weave in some of the actual drama
+and the thrills attached to the shooting of the picture--some of the
+behind-the-scenes incidents. Understand?"
+
+Again they nodded.
+
+"We have not been able to get all of this material that we desired and
+Mr. Newsom has informed me that you have a fair ability at writing."
+
+This was aimed at Janet and she replied promptly.
+
+"I enjoy writing," she said, "but the question of ability hasn't been
+very well determined yet."
+
+"But you sold a script for film purposes only recently," pressed the
+director.
+
+"Yes, that's true, but I think it was more luck than anything else."
+
+"Be that as it may, I'd like you to write some of the intimate and
+unusual things that go on in the production of such a picture. Get in
+all of the thrilling material possible. Get me?"
+
+"I think so," replied Janet, recalling the vivid hours that had marked
+the production work on "Kings of the Air" when the company was out in
+the desert and she had been kidnaped.
+
+"Then take the rest of the day off and try to get some of the material
+into my hands tomorrow morning. We'll have it whipped into shape by the
+studio continuity writers, for this program goes on the air day after
+tomorrow."
+
+"I'll do my best, Mr. Adolphi," promised Janet, and the director hurried
+away to give further instructions to others in the company.
+
+Helen looked at Janet admiringly.
+
+"Well, you certainly get yourself into all kinds of work," she smiled.
+"Now you'll have to go back to the hotel room and pound away on a rented
+typewriter while I go down and see a show in the Music Hall."
+
+"Oh, don't do that," begged Janet, who was anxious to see the interior
+of the world's largest theater. "Wait another day until I can go with
+you. There'll be plenty for you to see in New York beside the Music
+Hall."
+
+"All right," agreed Helen. "We'll plan on that for tomorrow afternoon."
+
+As they left the studio they bumped into a slender, dark-haired girl who
+was hurrying in.
+
+"Clumsy fools," Janet heard the other girl murmur as she went on and
+Janet's face flushed for it had been as much the other's fault as their
+own.
+
+They dropped down to the street level in the elevator and Janet started
+back for the hotel while Helen walked toward Fifth avenue to enjoy a
+window shopping tour along the exclusive shops that had made the avenue
+famous throughout the world.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Nineteen
+
+A MANUSCRIPT VANISHES
+
+
+Janet went directly to their hotel and asked at the desk about renting a
+typewriter. Arrangements were made to have one delivered at her room
+within half an hour and she went to change into an older dress,
+something that wouldn't be hurt by wrinkles that were bound to come as
+she labored over the typewriter.
+
+The machine was delivered promptly and Janet used a supply of the hotel
+stationary for her writing material. At first the idea of setting down
+intimate little things about the filming of the picture had appeared
+easy, but now that the task was before her, the words and ideas did not
+come freely.
+
+Janet wondered if she dared to record the story of the sabotage when the
+company was on desert location. She could imagine that it would make
+grand material for broadcasting purposes and so she set resolutely about
+the task. The worst that could happen would be for Mr. Adolphi to reject
+it entirely. Janet finally got started and once under way the flow of
+words came smoothly and her fingers moved rapidly over the keyboard.
+
+She worked steadily for more than an hour, got up, stretched, walked
+around the room and returned to the writing. She wasn't attempting to
+make it a complete story, just giving the sequences as they had happened
+during the filming of "Kings of the Air" and the mysterious events which
+had taken place out on the desert. It was natural that Janet should hint
+that the plotting was the work of another concern for it had been common
+talk in their own company later that Premier Films, also producing an
+air story, had attempted to keep their own film from a successful
+conclusion. But it had only been talk for there was no definite proof.
+
+Helen came hurrying in just as Janet finished her work.
+
+"How is it going?" she asked.
+
+"All through," replied her companion. "Have a good time?"
+
+"Grand. I never knew there could be so many beautiful shops in such a
+small area. Come on now. I want to ride a subway."
+
+"I'll have to change clothes," said Janet.
+
+"Never mind changing for a subway trip. We'll go down to the Battery. I
+inquired the way at the desk."
+
+Janet slipped on a light brown coat and followed Helen down and across
+to the Times Square subway station where they found themselves engulfed
+in the crowd and the noise. Helen dropped two nickels in the turnstile
+and they went through the gate, Helen still in the lead and striding
+along as though she were the veteran of many a ride in the subway
+instead of a rank beginner.
+
+A train roared out of the darkness of the tube and Janet saw a sign,
+"South Ferry," on the windows.
+
+"This is our train," cried Helen, shoving her companion ahead of her and
+into one of the seats. Other passengers piled in, the doors clanged and
+they were roaring through the tunnel far under the street level. Their
+train was an express and occasionally they shot past a slower local. The
+air was close with an odor that is peculiar to a subway, but Janet
+enjoyed the ride, watching the crowd in the car. It was evident that
+most of them were accustomed to using the subway several times a day and
+they were either visiting or reading evening papers, which they had
+folded so they would take up the least possible room.
+
+At the South Ferry station they walked up to the street levels and
+entered Battery park. Janet paused a moment, struck by the beauty of the
+harbor in the late afternoon. Beyond the Battery was the Statue of
+Liberty and even further the tidewater flats of Jersey.
+
+Several freighters, which had cleared their docks a few minutes before,
+were going down the harbor and Janet and Helen, standing along the
+Battery wondered for what distant port they might be bound.
+
+They walked past the Aquarium. On another afternoon they would come back
+and spend several hours going through that fascinating building.
+
+"I'm tired," confessed Janet. "Let's get back to the hotel now, clean
+up, and have dinner. Perhaps we'll go to a show after that."
+
+Helen readily agreed to the suggestion and they returned to the South
+Ferry station where they caught an uptown express that took them to
+Times Square at a dizzy pace.
+
+When they emerged from the tube, the shadows were lengthening in the
+heart of the city. Sidewalks were crowded with hundreds of men and women
+on their way home after a day's work in the city. They paused for
+several minutes to watch the teeming mass of humanity and then turned
+and entered their hotel.
+
+Janet was the first to step into their rooms and the instant she passed
+the threshold a feeling of foreboding gripped her and she stopped so
+suddenly that Helen bumped into her.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Helen, looking up quickly.
+
+Janet looked a little sheepish. "I don't know. For some reason I thought
+there was something wrong in here."
+
+"Want me to scream?" smiled Helen. "I can do a good job of that and I
+guarantee to get someone here in less than a minute with one scream."
+
+In spite of the banter Janet was far from reassured for a feeling of
+unrest had settled down upon her. She snapped on the lights in the room
+and looked around.
+
+Apparently nothing had been disturbed and Helen walked past her and went
+on into her own room. A puff of wind stirred the curtains at the
+half-opened window and Janet walked over and looked out. There was no
+fire escape nearby and it would have been impossible for anyone to have
+gained access to their room in that manner. But then, she asked herself,
+why would anyone want to enter their room. They carried no personal
+jewelry of any value and the money they had left in the room was of such
+a small amount that it would not make robbery worth while.
+
+In the next room Helen was humming to herself as she undressed and
+prepared to take a shower. Janet dropped down on the bed to rest a
+moment. It had been a hectic day and she was tired. Her eyes dropped and
+she fell into a deep sleep.
+
+Helen finished her shower, looked in at Janet, then returned to her own
+room, where she partially dressed, put on a dressing gown, and sat down
+to write a letter home chronicling the events of her first day in New
+York.
+
+Janet awoke as suddenly as she had fallen asleep. Helen had turned out
+the light in her room and it was quite dark now, the only light coming
+through the half-opened door that led to the bathroom and on to Helen's
+room.
+
+Janet turned on the light over the desk where she had been writing and
+glanced down at the manuscript she had been working on. She turned and
+called sharply to Helen.
+
+"Did you pick up the manuscript I finished this afternoon?" she asked.
+
+"Haven't seen it since we left for the Battery," replied Helen. "The
+last I knew it was right beside your typewriter. Maybe you're too sleepy
+to see it."
+
+"I'm not that sleepy," retorted Janet.
+
+Perhaps she had put it on the dresser and she turned toward that article
+of furniture but there was no sign of the manuscript there. She pulled
+open the drawers, but the manuscript was not there and Helen joined her
+in the hunt.
+
+"Sure you haven't taken it to your room and mislaid it?" asked Janet, a
+deep pucker of worry lining her forehead.
+
+"We'll look to make sure," said Helen and they hastened to her room, but
+the search there was just as fruitless as the one in Janet's room. Janet
+even looked in the closets, but there was no encouragement there. In a
+last hope, she went through the wastepaper basket, but she was doomed to
+disappointment and turned to Helen, her voice shaking with emotion.
+
+"There's no doubt about it now," she declared. "Someone entered our
+rooms while we were away and stole the manuscript I had been working
+on!"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty
+
+THE MYSTERY DEEPENS
+
+
+The girls stared helplessly at each other and Helen was finally the
+first to speak.
+
+"But Janet, that can't be possible. It must be here somewhere."
+
+Janet shook her head firmly. "It isn't here and we both know it. My
+premonition when we entered the room was right. Something is decidedly
+wrong."
+
+"But what can we do about it?" asked Helen.
+
+"I'm going to call the clerk," said Janet, picking up the telephone. She
+explained briefly what had happened. "The assistant manager is here.
+He's coming up in five minutes," she said when she replaced the
+instrument on the stand.
+
+Helen rushed back to her own room to finish dressing and was fully
+clothed when the assistant manager arrived. He made a careful
+examination of the door and the lock and then went all over the rooms
+with the girls, but as Janet had felt convinced, there was no further
+trace of the missing papers.
+
+"I regret this deeply," said the hotel official, "and can only promise
+that every effort will be made to see that the papers are returned if
+they are still in the building." He excused himself to question the
+housekeeper about any maid who might have been working in the room while
+the girls were away.
+
+In less than five minutes he returned, a maid following close behind
+him.
+
+"I think the mystery is solved," he explained. "The maid says she came
+in to put fresh towels in the bathroom and someone knocked at the door.
+She answered and a man from the World Broadcasting Company said he had
+come to get your manuscript. He came right on in and picked up the
+papers beside the typewriter. Of course she should not have admitted
+him, but he appeared to know just what he wanted."
+
+"What did he look like?" Janet asked the maid.
+
+"Well, I didn't pay particular attention, but he was small and I guess
+you would call him dark. He had on a hat and it was pulled down over his
+forehead. He took the papers and went on out. Said they'd be waiting for
+you at the broadcasting office tomorrow."
+
+"I believe this solves the mystery," said the assistant manager.
+
+"I hope so," agreed Janet. "We're sorry to have caused you so much
+trouble."
+
+When the hotel official and the maid had taken their departure, Helen
+turned to her companion.
+
+"I didn't know the radio people were in such a hurry for the material
+you were working on," she said.
+
+"Neither did I," replied Janet, "but I guess it is all right. Let's have
+dinner now and then perhaps a show. I feel tremendously relieved about
+the manuscript."
+
+They added a dab of powder and a touch of rouge to their faces and went
+downstairs. Further down the block they had noticed an attractive Old
+English Inn and they walked there where they enjoyed a leisurely dinner.
+
+"What shall we do now?" asked Helen as she finished the dish of ice
+cream which was their dessert.
+
+"Shall we go back to Radio City and see the Music Hall?" asked Janet.
+
+"I'd like nothing better. We're on our way."
+
+They strolled along at a leisurely pace, turned into Sixth Avenue and
+headed north toward the great mass of gray limestone which was Radio
+City. Overhead the trains rumbled along the elevated, but Janet and
+Helen had eyes only for Radio City.
+
+Ahead of them opened the doors of the world's largest theater and with
+their hearts beating faster than usual they purchased their tickets and
+walked into the grand foyer, the most majestic, breath-taking enclosure
+either of them had ever been in. Their feet sank into the heavy pile of
+the great carpet and their eyes feasted on the beauty of the towering
+bronze doors which led into the theater itself.
+
+Then they went on into the Music Hall, which with its sixty-two hundred
+seats, was the largest of the world's modern theaters. A great expanse
+of space greeted their eyes, the theater sloping gently forward to the
+huge stage. An orchestra, in full dress, was rising from the depths of
+its pit as though lifted by the hand of some unseen giant. The orchestra
+broke into a full swell of music and Janet and Helen, sinking into deep,
+comfortable seats, were enraptured. Above them hidden lights changed the
+color effect of the ceiling continuously. Then the overture was over and
+the curtains of the stage parted and for half an hour they enjoyed a
+musical entertainment based on Coney Island, the famed fun center of the
+city. After that came the feature picture, and they enjoyed every moment
+of the nearly three hours of entertainment.
+
+When it was over they walked out slowly, for the Music Hall was one
+great part of Radio City. Tomorrow, across the street and up on the
+twenty-seventh floor, they would be in another but very vital part of
+Radio City, in the broadcasting studios of the World Broadcasting
+Company. As they walked down Sixth Avenue they glanced aloft and far up
+in the building a blaze of light shone from windows. Some company was
+busy up there tonight, providing thousands of radio fans with drama or
+music for their entertainment and they thrilled at the thought that
+within a very short time, they, too, would be a part of the radio world.
+
+Back in their rooms that night Janet glanced at the place beside the
+typewriter where the manuscript had disappeared. She would have liked to
+have telephoned Curt Newsom and told the lanky cowboy about the incident
+but he had not mentioned where he was staying. She thought of
+telephoning Mr. Adolphi, their radio director, but dismissed that for
+she felt that he might think her foolish. Undoubtedly he had sent for
+the manuscript.
+
+They were up early the next morning, refreshed after a night of sound
+sleep. A quick shower was followed by a rapid but thorough toilet and
+they were ready for what they might have in store for them. They had
+breakfast in the grill room which opened off the main lobby of their
+hotel and then started for Radio City.
+
+There was a touch of fall in the air and they walked briskly, pushing
+through other hurrying throngs of men and women who were on their way to
+work.
+
+The elevator shot them up to the twenty-seventh floor in a dizzy,
+breathless rush and they stepped out into the reception room. A page
+took them to studio K and there were only two others there when they
+entered--Ben Adolphi, their director, and Curt Newsom. The cowboy star
+looked a little pale.
+
+"Sick?" asked Janet.
+
+Curt shook his head. "Not exactly, but I didn't sleep very well last
+night. Too much noise here in the city. I'm going to move. My hotel's
+right on Times Square."
+
+"Why, we're staying there too," said Helen. "Our hotel is the
+Dorchester. We slept fine."
+
+"I'm staying there," replied Curt, "but I don't see how you slept. I
+heard fire engines and police patrols and street cars and newsboys all
+night. I might as well have been down in the subway trying to sleep on
+an express train."
+
+The radio director looked at Janet.
+
+"Manuscript ready?" he asked.
+
+Janet stared at him and he repeated the question.
+
+"Haven't you got it?" she asked.
+
+"Certainly not," he snapped, evidently a little provoked at what he
+considered dull wits.
+
+"But the maid at the hotel said someone from the studio called yesterday
+afternoon for it. It's gone!"
+
+"Certainly I didn't send for it," he retorted. "Evidently it was some
+one's idea of a practical joke."
+
+"I don't think it was much of a joke," said Curt quietly. "If the
+manuscript Janet was working on has disappeared, it vanished because
+someone was afraid of what she might write."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-one
+
+INSINUATIONS
+
+
+At the cool words of the cowboy star, the radio director whirled to face
+him.
+
+"Just what do you mean by that," he demanded, his face flushing.
+
+"I mean just this," retorted Curt. "There was a very real attempt made
+on the coast to stop the filming of 'Kings of the Air' and it begins to
+look like that attempt is being carried on even in New York in an effort
+to stop the promotion of the picture. All I've got to say is that
+someone had better be careful."
+
+"Are you insinuating anything?" demanded the radio director.
+
+"I'm not insinuating; I'm just saying," said the cowboy star firmly.
+
+The director turned back to Janet.
+
+"You're sure the manuscript was stolen?"
+
+"It was unless someone in the studio here has it," she replied.
+
+"I'll make inquiries," he promised, "but I am sure no one in the studio
+would have sent for it."
+
+Mr. Adolphi left studio K and Janet, Helen and Curt Newsom were alone.
+
+"You're not kidding about the manuscript being missing?" Curt asked.
+
+"No, Curt, I'm terribly serious. We went out for a time yesterday
+afternoon. While we were gone the maid came in to leave clean towels and
+while she was in the room a man came in. He said he was from the studio
+here and had come for the manuscript. Naturally the girl didn't object
+and he walked out with the papers."
+
+"What did you have in the story?"
+
+"Oh, a lot about the final days in the desert. How the attempts were
+made to stop the picture, the bombing from the sky and my own
+kidnaping."
+
+"Did you hint that some other company was responsible for this?" The
+question was snapped at Janet.
+
+"Come to think of it, I did, but of course I didn't mention any company
+by name."
+
+Curt scratched his head in frank worry.
+
+"You know," he confessed, "this thing has got me puzzled. There is some
+powerful agency at work to stop the picture Helen's father made and I
+believe its influence must extend right here into this studio. You girls
+be sure and watch your step and especially at night."
+
+"But nothing will happen to us," protested Helen.
+
+"No, I don't suppose there will, but you keep on the alert just the
+same," Curt warned them.
+
+Mr. Adolphi returned and shook his head in response to Janet's inquiring
+gaze.
+
+"I've checked everyone in the studio," he said, "and no one knows
+anything about it. Can you do the manuscript over?"
+
+"Probably," assented Janet, "but I'd prefer not to under the
+circumstances."
+
+The director did not insist and Janet thought perhaps he even seemed a
+little relieved.
+
+Other members of the company arrived. Several of them had been in the
+film company on the coast but most of them were from the regular stock
+company which the studio maintained for its dramatic needs. Most of them
+were pleasant enough. Only one of them turned Janet against her and that
+was the small, dark-haired actress who had bumped into her the day
+before and called her a "clumsy fool." That was Rachel Nesbit and Janet
+thought her eyes a trifle too close together and her mouth too hard. It
+looked as though it was difficult for Rachel to look pleasant and there
+was a sulky twist to her lips.
+
+Janet soon found that Rachel was the pampered member of the studio's
+stock company. She was considered an actress of ability and she arrived
+late and left early during rehearsals. Her one redeeming grace was that
+she came through when she was before a microphone. Janet also learned
+that Rachel was writing in addition to her acting and that she had had
+several of her skits produced on the air.
+
+As soon as the company was assembled, Director Adolphi plunged into the
+task of rehearsing. Sound men brought in the necessary paraphernalia and
+through the hours of the morning they went over the first scene which
+was to be presented in their radio show. The program was to be unusual,
+running half an hour for five consecutive nights, each of them
+increasing the tempo and mystery of the action. Janet, reading the
+script, could feel the thing getting into her blood and she was anxious
+for the hour to come when they would actually go on the air.
+
+She had no fear of the microphone, now, for that had vanished while she
+was working for Billy Fenstow in the westerns with Curt Newsom and
+Helen.
+
+The trio had lunch together that noon, and returned immediately to the
+studio, where rehearsals continued into the afternoon and at the close
+of the day the director rather grudgingly conceded that the company had
+made excellent progress.
+
+"Be here tomorrow sharply at nine," he cautioned as he dismissed them
+for the day.
+
+Members of the company scattered quickly, some of them hurrying away to
+catch trains for their suburban homes.
+
+Janet, Helen, and Curt Newsom walked slowly toward the elevators. The
+corridor down which they walked was practically deserted for none of the
+studios flanking it were in use. They entered the main lobby of the
+World Broadcasting Company office. From a loudspeaker on the reception
+desk came the voice of a world-famous crooner which Helen recognized
+instantly.
+
+"That's a program I'd like to see," she told Curt.
+
+"Come on, then. Now that we are members of a radio company, we ought to
+be able to crash the gates."
+
+The cowboy star inquired the way to the proper studio and they turned
+and walked down a long corridor to Studio A, the largest and most costly
+of all of the broadcasting rooms of the World Company. It was like a
+little theater, with sloping seats and a stage upon which the performers
+worked before the microphone. At the back was a large orchestra, while
+up to the front of the stage the famous crooner was singing into a
+"mike."
+
+"Why, he doesn't look at all like I thought he would," exclaimed Helen
+as they peered through the plate glass windows which flanked one wall of
+the studio. "He's much older."
+
+"Many of us are disillusioned about our heroes and heroines," said Curt
+quietly. "Let's eat. I'd like a steak."
+
+"Sounds good to me," agreed Janet, and even Helen was willing to leave
+the studio after another minute or two of gazing at the crooner.
+
+They ate in a small but attractive restaurant off Sixth Avenue and after
+a leisurely meal Curt hurried away to keep an appointment and Janet and
+Helen, though tired from the long day's grind of rehearsals, strolled
+over to Fifth Avenue to look into shop windows. After half an hour on
+the avenue, they started back to their Times Square hotel, heading west
+on one of New York's dark and little-frequented cross streets.
+
+They were halfway down the long, dimly lit block when Helen seized
+Janet's arm.
+
+"Someone's following us!" she whispered.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-two
+
+SHADOWED!
+
+
+Despite Helen's whisper of warning, Janet never missed a stride. If
+anything, she quickened her pace.
+
+"Keep up with me," she replied, "and don't look around."
+
+From somewhere behind Janet could hear steady footfalls that quickened
+as they walked faster.
+
+"Are you sure someone is following us?" asked Janet.
+
+"Positive," replied Helen. "There was someone back of us on the avenue
+and he turned onto this street right after we did."
+
+"But it must be coincidence," insisted Janet.
+
+"But remember what Curt said about our knowing too much of the
+mysterious events that went on during the last days of the filming of
+'Kings of the Air,'" said Helen. "He warned us to watch out."
+
+There was no answer to that for Curt had warned them and Janet was glad
+that they were near the bright lights of Broadway. She felt safer now.
+As the noise of that great artery of traffic deepened, they slowed their
+pace and Janet turned and looked around.
+
+There was no one on the street behind them. She grasped Helen's arm and
+both girls stopped.
+
+"There's no one following us," smiled Janet. "It was just imagination."
+
+"It wasn't imagination and you know it," declared Helen. "Whoever it was
+could easily have slipped into a doorway. Maybe he's watching us this
+very moment."
+
+Janet felt a shiver of nervousness race along her spine. It was not
+pleasant to think of being shadowed, especially in New York where there
+were so many people and so few friends.
+
+They turned into Times Square and entered the lobby of their hotel. At
+the desk they inquired for mail and each received letters from home.
+
+Once up in the privacy of their rooms, they undressed, slipped into
+comfortable pajamas and dressing gowns, and read their letters. There
+was little actual news from Clarion, but just hearing from their fathers
+and mothers was nice.
+
+"Dad is anxious to hear the first part of the program," said Helen as
+she finished her letter. "He says they'll all be over at our house
+grouped around the radio when we go on."
+
+"Nervous about it?" asked Janet.
+
+"Not particularly about the program, but there's something about the
+whole thing that has me uncertain. The company seems to be on edge as
+though there was some danger hanging over the heads of everyone."
+
+"Perhaps talk about the trouble on the coast has reached them,"
+suggested Janet.
+
+"That may be. But I'm so anxious for the program to be a success. This
+picture has meant so much to Dad; it's the air epic that he has wanted
+to do for years. If it goes over in a big way, the Ace Company will
+renew his contract for a substantial time and give him a big increase in
+salary."
+
+Shortly after that they retired and both girls slept soundly.
+
+Next day at the studio the pressure was on again and Director Adolphi
+whipped them through the rehearsals at a terrific pace. Several changes
+in script were necessary and the director sent a page to the scenario
+department on the run. He returned in a few minutes with Jim Hill, the
+writer who had handled the continuity for the radio play.
+
+"Listen, Jim," he snapped. "This sequence is punk. It will fall flat on
+the air and too much money is being spent on this program. Get some
+punch into this or I'll see that another writer gets the job."
+
+Jim Hill was tall, lean and pleasant, with dark eyes that shot back
+sparks at the director's criticism.
+
+"You okayed this script once," he reminded Adolphi, "but I'll see what I
+can do about it."
+
+Dark, pretty Rachel Nesbit stepped forward.
+
+"I'm pretty good at that sort of thing," she declared, flashing a
+winning smile at Jim Hill. "Perhaps I could help on the rewriting."
+
+The continuity writer looked at her glumly.
+
+"Your stuff is all right for lighter things, but this is straight action
+drama," he said shaking his head.
+
+"But I can at least try," insisted Rachel, and the worried continuity
+writer finally acceded to her insistent requests. He left the studio
+with Rachel accompanying him.
+
+Janet turned to Curt Newsom.
+
+"I thought all of the work on this script was being handled with the
+utmost precaution and that no one outside was to do anything on it?"
+
+"I guess that's right, but Rachel can hardly be called an outsider since
+she belongs to the studio's stock company."
+
+"But she sells some of her radio skits free lance," insisted Janet.
+
+"That's right," agreed Curt. "I hadn't thought of that."
+
+He hastened over to Director Adolphi.
+
+"No one with any outside contacts is supposed to work on this script or
+in the company," he told the director.
+
+"That's right," replied Mr. Adolphi. "There's an iron-clad contract with
+the Ace Motion Picture Corporation to that effect."
+
+"Then you'd better get Rachel back here. She'll read the rest of the
+script and know what the final broadcast will be."
+
+"Oh, but Rachel's all right. Of course she does a little free lance
+stuff, but she can be depended upon."
+
+"I'm not arguing that point," said Curt firmly. "I'm just telling you to
+get Rachel back here unless you want a violation of your contract
+reported to the Ace Company."
+
+"I didn't think you'd stoop to such a dirty trick," sneered the radio
+director.
+
+"You don't even need to think," snapped Curt, his eyes flashing. "You
+just live up to the agreements of that contract and you'll have no more
+trouble."
+
+With his temper considerably ruffled, Mr. Adolphi left the studio and
+other members of the company stared wide-eyed at the husky cowboy star
+for most of them held their director in awe, but Curt had spoken firmly
+and there had been nothing else for Adolphi to do unless he violated the
+contract.
+
+He returned to the studio in less than five minutes with Rachel Nesbit
+at his heels. The minute she entered the room, she rushed toward Janet,
+her hands clenched and her eyes snapping sparks of anger.
+
+"You're responsible for this insult," she stormed at Janet. "I'd like to
+step on you."
+
+"Oh, calm down, Rachel," said the director. "It was this skinny cowboy
+who started the trouble."
+
+The radio actress and continuity writer whirled toward Curt Newsom.
+
+"Go ahead and step on me," he grinned, and a titter of giggles ran
+through the rest of the company.
+
+Rachel's dark cheeks flamed anew with anger, but she kept her tongue and
+turned away in silence.
+
+The rehearsal continued. They were getting well along in the production
+and Janet felt that it was going smoothly. It was a condensed version of
+the real story of "Kings of the Air" and so to Janet and Helen it was
+familiar material.
+
+Promptly at noon the director stopped the rehearsal.
+
+"Half an hour for lunch," he announced and the company scattered at
+once.
+
+Janet and Helen walked down the long corridor to the reception room
+where a hurrying figure almost bumped into them.
+
+It was Jim Hill, the continuity writer. He stopped suddenly and his face
+lighted up as he recognized them.
+
+"Just the girls I'm looking for!" he exclaimed. "Lunch time?"
+
+Janet nodded.
+
+"Then have lunch with me," and before they could remonstrate, he hurried
+them toward the elevator and they dropped downward with a suddenness
+that always unnerved Janet.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-three
+
+JANET PINCH HITS
+
+
+Janet and Helen found that Jim Hill was extremely pleasant and likeable,
+but he appeared to be laboring under some severe nervous strain and
+Janet noticed that his hands shook when he picked up a glass of milk.
+
+"This script for your broadcast has about got me down," he confessed.
+"I've got to keep lots of punch in the action and yet I can't give away
+the actual plot of the film. On top of that old Adolphi is a regular
+crab and it doesn't seem like anything will suit him. This whole show of
+yours has to be okayed Saturday night by the Ace film people and if they
+don't like it they can cancel out and give it to another company."
+
+"Is there any danger of that?" asked Janet.
+
+"I'll say there is. This is a juicy contract and two other chains would
+like to get it on their networks. Believe me, there is some intense
+rivalry in getting big contracts like this. Why the Acme and the Sky
+High chains would be willing to pay a large sum just to see us fizzle
+the rehearsal Saturday night."
+
+Janet was silent for a time. She had sensed the tension in the studio
+without knowing exactly what was behind it. Now she knew what was wrong.
+
+Jim Hill was speaking again.
+
+"Both of you girls are from the original film company on the coast,
+aren't you?" he asked.
+
+Helen nodded in agreement.
+
+"Then perhaps you would have some suggestions that might help me out of
+this tangle," suggested the continuity writer.
+
+"Mr. Adolphi suggested that several days ago and I worked one whole
+afternoon on it, but someone stole the manuscript I had finished out of
+my room," explained Janet.
+
+Jim whistled softly to himself.
+
+"So that's how it stands." Janet and Helen weren't sure whether he was
+talking to them or to himself.
+
+The continuity writer pushed back his chair and stared at them
+appraisingly.
+
+"I wish you'd help me and I'll promise that your script won't be stolen
+from your hotel room. What do you say?"
+
+Janet looked at Helen, and her companion nodded approvingly. The
+decision was easy to make for Jim was likeable and both of the girls
+wanted the broadcast to be a success.
+
+"All right, we'll do it," said Janet.
+
+"You mean you'll do it," Helen corrected her. "I'm not good as a writer
+and you can fairly make a typewriter talk. I'll just hang around and
+give you whatever advice I can and try not to be a nuisance."
+
+"Say, that's great," said the continuity writer. "When can you begin?"
+
+"As soon as we are through rehearsing this afternoon," promised Janet.
+
+"How long will it take?"
+
+"I don't know," she confessed. "Radio continuity is something new for
+me. I'll simply do the rough stuff and you'll have to smooth it over."
+
+"Then suppose you come to my office as soon as you're through and you
+can work right on into the evening. Helen and I will see that you are
+well supplied with coffee, sandwiches and whatever you want in the way
+of eats."
+
+"I'll be there," promised Janet. "Now we've got to get back to the
+studio."
+
+At rehearsal that afternoon neither their director nor Rachel Nesbit
+were in a good mood and Rachel made it obvious that despite Curt's
+explanation she still blamed Janet and Helen for being taken off the
+continuity work on the script.
+
+"It was the chance of a lifetime," Janet overheard her telling another
+girl in the company. "What if there is a clause about keeping the script
+secret. I'd know it as soon as the final chapter is placed in the hands
+of the company for rehearsal."
+
+"But we won't get the final chapter until Saturday afternoon," replied
+the other. "They're taking no chances about any leaks on this program so
+any of the other companies can interfere with their contract for this
+big film broadcast."
+
+Janet had no idea just how much the broadcast of their program would
+mean to the World Broadcasting Company, but from all the talk in the
+studio, she knew that it must be an exceedingly large sum. The vice
+president in charge of programs dropped into the studio that afternoon
+and watched them work for over an hour. At the end of that time, when
+the director called a brief recess, Janet saw him conferring with Mr.
+Adolphi. Whatever passed between them evidently was not pleasant to the
+director for he called them back at once and they started all over
+again, the director driving them with an intensity that approached a
+white-hot fury.
+
+At last the rehearsal was over and most of them were completely worn
+out. Janet, fortunately, had been spared most of the director's
+criticism while poor Helen had come in for several bitter attacks from
+him.
+
+"I'm going on to the hotel, take a shower and crawl into bed," said
+Helen. "Another day like this will put me in bed for a week."
+
+"I'll be along later," said Janet. "Get the mail at the desk and if
+there are any letters for me, leave them on my bed."
+
+They parted, Helen taking the elevator down and Janet turning toward the
+suite of rooms where the continuity writers worked. At the end of a long
+corridor, she found Jim Hill's office, a tiny cubby that contained only
+a desk, chair and typewriter stand.
+
+"I thought you'd forgotten all about this writing date," said Jim,
+looking up. "I've patched up the sequence that Adolphi objected to this
+afternoon, but I'm still in a mess over the last episode. It's got to
+carry a lot of punch and this is the chapter we've got to guard until
+the last afternoon of rehearsal. There are more leaks in a big studio
+like this than you can shake a fist at."
+
+"But who would give away this information?" asked Janet.
+
+"That's not hard to guess," replied Jim. "It could be someone jealous of
+another member of the company, or someone who wanted a job with another
+broadcasting outfit and who figured that by double crossing his or her
+present employer, a better job could be obtained."
+
+Jim stood up and motioned for Janet to take his place at the typewriter.
+Briefly he explained what he had been trying to work out and Janet
+thought his ideas sounded good. But somewhere the winning punch was
+lacking.
+
+She scanned the last pages of script which he had written. Then she
+rolled a fresh sheet of copy paper into the typewriter and started work.
+A new interest took possession of her and the fatigue of the day dropped
+away as she got into the swing of the writing.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-four
+
+NIGHT ON THE TWENTY-SEVENTH FLOOR
+
+
+Jim Hill peered over her shoulder for a time. Then satisfied at the work
+she was doing, he slipped away and went in quest of a basket of lunch.
+It was nearly half an hour before he returned and by that time Janet had
+completed two pages of manuscript.
+
+Jim laid the lunch out on his desk and while Janet munched a thick, cold
+meat sandwich and quaffed a glass of cold milk, he read the pages with
+real care.
+
+"Say, this is just the stuff my script lacked," enthused the continuity
+writer. "My gosh, Janet, you ought to be on the staff here. We pay money
+for fresh ideas like these."
+
+Janet stopped munching the sandwich and looked at Jim Hill with real
+interest.
+
+"You actually think it is good?" she asked.
+
+"I'll say it's good. Of course a lot of work has to be done to put it in
+finished form, but you've got the meat of it here. I'm going to take
+this down to McGregor. He's still in his office."
+
+Before Janet could ask about McGregor and who he was, Jim Hill picked up
+the manuscript and his own work and fled down the hall.
+
+When he returned ten minutes later a square hulk of a man, who had thick
+pompadour hair and peered through thick lensed glasses, followed him
+into his office.
+
+"Janet," said the younger writer, "I want you to know Mr. McGregor, who
+is head of our continuity department. I showed him your manuscript and
+he agrees with me that it is just what we want for the final episode in
+the program for Ace Pictures. Can you go on working tonight? We've got
+to have the finished draft in the morning."
+
+There was a dire appeal in young Jim Hill's eyes. Janet couldn't have
+ignored that and then Mr. McGregor spoke.
+
+"It is extremely important that we have the Ace contract," he said in
+his slow, precise way. "Other companies are also anxious for it and if
+our dress rehearsal Saturday night fails to meet the approval of the Ace
+officials, we may lose the contract, which would then go to one of our
+rivals. We are none too sure but what they have certain people within
+our own staff who might sell them some of our secrets about this
+program."
+
+"I know the situation," said Janet. "I'm tired, but I'll keep on until I
+either go to sleep or am through."
+
+Mr. McGregor smiled approvingly and Jim Hill felt like shouting.
+
+"That's splendid," said the continuity chief. "I'm going to send Jim
+along to bed. He's to report here early tomorrow morning to start the
+rewriting of your story. You keep on as long as you can. When you are
+through you can lock the script in the right hand drawer of Jim's desk.
+Here is a key for you and Jim has one already."
+
+The head of the continuity department departed and Jim Hill lingered on
+for a minute or two.
+
+"Want some more lunch?" he asked.
+
+Janet, who had turned back to her typewriter, shook her head.
+
+"How about a cup of coffee to keep you awake a while longer? I don't
+want you to go to sleep before you get this material hashed out for me."
+
+"Go on, Jim. I'll get along all right. It won't take long now if I'm not
+interrupted."
+
+Jim Hill took the hint and departed quietly and Janet continued with her
+work. It was something she thoroughly enjoyed doing. This writing was
+creating something out of whole cloth. Of course it would have to have a
+special revision by Jim tomorrow to work it into the script, but when it
+finally went on the air there would still be a lot of her material in
+the radio play.
+
+Janet worked for more than half an hour and then leaned back in her
+chair for her arms ached and her eyes were blurred.
+
+The studio was strangely silent. From somewhere at a distance came the
+soft strains of an orchestra but there was no sound in the corridor
+where the writer's offices were located.
+
+Janet picked up the sheets of copy she had written and scanned the
+material. She smiled a bit as she read it and admitted that it did real
+well.
+
+Placing the sheets back on the desk, she inserted a fresh page of copy
+paper into the typewriter. She would be through in a few more minutes.
+She glanced at her wrist watch before she started in again. It was
+eleven-forty. By midnight she would be through.
+
+Janet was about to resume her work when a queer sensation started at the
+base of her spine and shot up her back. It was a feeling she couldn't
+quite describe and she sat perfectly motionless for several seconds.
+
+Through her mind shot the thought that someone was watching her, peering
+at her from the darkness of the long corridor.
+
+Janet turned suddenly, but there was no one behind her. She got up and
+went to the door where she could look down the corridor, but there was
+no one in sight. The office across the corridor from Jim's was dark and
+the windows only mirrored the shadowy depths.
+
+Despite the fact that she saw no one, Janet was not wholly reassured and
+she looked about Jim's office. There were shades at the windows and the
+door which could be pulled down and she closed the door and drew all of
+the curtains. Before returning to the desk, she snapped the spring lock
+on the door. That done, she went back to the typewriter, but it was hard
+to concentrate now.
+
+Janet forced herself to the task. She knew she must finish and at last
+got into the mood of her script again, working now at high speed and
+wholly forgetful of the strange feeling which had alarmed her.
+
+Somewhere in the distance a bell tolled midnight as she finished the
+last page and pulled it triumphantly from the typewriter. The job was
+done and she felt that it was well done.
+
+The pages she had written were scattered over the top of the desk and as
+she reached out to pick them up, one of them floated to the floor. Janet
+half turned to pick it up. As she did so, her eyes fell on a small gap
+in the curtains she had drawn on the windows along the corridor.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-five
+
+JANET OPENS A DOOR
+
+
+A half stifled scream escaped from her lips. Someone was staring at her
+intently through the small opening. The light from the desk lamp was
+just strong enough to reveal two eyes. That was all, but Janet saw the
+desperate intentness with which they were focused upon her.
+
+Then the eyes vanished and there was no sound from the corridor.
+Involuntarily Janet leaped to her feet, her trembling hands seeking the
+curtain and closing the gap. She wanted to cry out, but the words stuck
+in her throat and she realized that to scream would be useless for there
+was no one along the corridor at this hour of the night who could help
+her.
+
+Stepping back from the curtained window, Janet listened intently for the
+sound of footfalls in the corridor. Then she remembered that it was
+heavily carpeted and one could move along it without making a noise.
+
+Visibly shaken, she finally rallied her nerves and stooped down to pick
+up the sheet of copy which had fallen from the desk. Almost mechanically
+she placed the sheets in order and stacked them neatly. That done she
+sat down at the desk to decide what to do.
+
+There was no question in her own mind but what someone was after the
+manuscript she had finished and someone outside the studio. The
+disappearance of the manuscript from her hotel room tied up with this
+latest event and Janet knew that some agency was determined that the
+story of the last eventful days of the filming of "Kings of the Air"
+should never be told as a part of the radio play they were to present.
+Whether the unknown force was the Premier Film Company or a radio rival
+of the World Broadcasting Company, she couldn't even guess, but in
+either case she knew that she was in a particularly unpleasant position,
+and wished that Jim was with her.
+
+Janet unlocked the right hand drawer of Jim's desk and pulled it out.
+For ordinary purposes it was strong enough, but to place a valuable
+manuscript in it was something that made her hesitate.
+
+She turned around and stared at the curtains at the windows and the door
+along the corridor. They were drawn tightly now. It would be impossible
+for anyone to see in the office.
+
+What should she do with the manuscript? Would it be safe in her own
+hands when she walked down the long corridor she must traverse before
+she reached the reception lobby and the battery of elevators?
+
+Janet didn't feel she wanted to risk that, yet she knew it would be
+unsafe in the drawer of Jim's desk.
+
+Suddenly her gaze fell upon the telephone and she smiled a little
+foolishly. She picked up the instrument and waited for the operator in
+the main office to answer.
+
+There was no response.
+
+Janet jiggled the hook several times, but still there was no answer. She
+did not know that the particular branch exchange on that floor which
+served the publicity department did not have an operator on duty after
+midnight.
+
+Janet's spirits drooped when she failed to get a response through the
+telephone and once more she looked about the room for some place to hide
+the manuscript.
+
+Suddenly she hit upon a plan of action. Seizing the manuscript she
+hastened over near the outside window, reached down and pulled up the
+heavy carpet which covered the floor. Working swiftly she placed the
+manuscript under the carpet, spreading the sheets out so there would be
+no noticeable bulge in the floor covering.
+
+That done Janet returned to the desk, picked up a handful of blank copy
+paper, folded it quickly, and stuffed it into a large envelope. Taking
+up a pen she scrawled these words on the envelope: "Jim Hill--Here is
+the manuscript you wanted. Hope it is something that will fit into your
+program. Janet Hardy."
+
+Janet didn't even stop to blot the wet ink, dropping the envelope into
+the drawer, and closing and locking the receptacle.
+
+She felt better after that. At least she felt she had done her best to
+save the manuscript. Now the problem was to get up enough courage to
+attempt the walk down the long, darkened corridor.
+
+Janet slipped the key to the drawer of Jim's desk into her left shoe,
+mechanically patted her hair, and decided that she might just as well be
+on her way.
+
+It took nerve to open that door, and to step out into the hall from
+which someone had been staring at her only several minutes before. But
+somehow Janet managed it.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-six
+
+IN THE HALL
+
+
+From a distance came the soft strains of an orchestra playing in one of
+the more distant studios on the same floor, but there was no movement in
+the corridor.
+
+Janet paused at the door. Should she snap out the lights? If no one came
+along they would burn all night, yet if she turned them off, she would
+be in utter darkness.
+
+Then she realized that she was silhouetted in the light. Anyone who
+might trouble her would be even more handicapped than she in the
+darkness and her fingers pressed the switch.
+
+As the lights went out, Janet stepped quickly away from the door, her
+feet treading silently on the heavy carpet which covered the floor of
+the hall.
+
+Janet pressed close against the wall, listening for some sound which
+would indicate that someone was lurking in the corridor. There was only
+the far away music of the orchestra as it played a dreamy waltz. From
+outside a clock boomed, but Janet couldn't remember whether it was a
+half after midnight or a quarter to one. It didn't matter much, she
+decided.
+
+Convinced at last there was no one moving along the corridor, she
+started feeling her own way along. The end of the corridor was marked by
+a very dim light that failed to penetrate more than a dozen feet in any
+direction. It was toward this glow that Janet started.
+
+It was a ghostly and unnerving business, but she couldn't spend the
+whole night in Jim's office. It just wasn't possible. She had to get
+out.
+
+Fighting to keep down a mounting fear, Janet quickened her steps. Then
+she stopped abruptly. Just why she did that, she would never know, but
+her instinct warned her that someone was near.
+
+She turned toward an office door she had just passed. It was open and a
+flood of light poured out to blind Janet's tired eyes. The beam from the
+electric torch was so bright it fairly seared its way into her fatigued
+mind.
+
+Then the stabbing light vanished and Janet heard a swift movement. A
+hard hand was clapped over her mouth and she felt an arm slide around
+her neck.
+
+Before she could scream or move, a soft cloth, which reminded her of a
+hospital, was slapped against her face and the fumes of ether penetrated
+her nose and throat. Janet attempted to struggle but two capable arms
+held her fast.
+
+She felt herself losing consciousness. She felt delightfully tired and
+dreamy. Once she rallied her senses, but the next time she slipped away
+into unconsciousness and her captor, satisfied that she would cause no
+trouble for some time, let her fall into a heap on the floor.
+
+While Janet remained unconscious, a lithe figure darted into Jim Hill's
+office and the flash sought the drawer into which she had dropped the
+manuscript.
+
+A small steel instrument, expertly inserted, forced the drawer open and
+the beam of light fell upon the inscription Janet had placed on the
+envelope. The intruder's breath was drawn in sharply and it was evident
+that this was the property sought.
+
+Removing the envelope and placing it in his pocket, the unknown closed
+the drawer and slipped out into the corridor. Bending down over Janet,
+the figure vanished. Someone watching closely could have seen it dodge
+into the main reception room, but there was no one there to watch--only
+Janet unconscious on the floor.
+
+Just how long she remained slumped on the floor she would never know
+exactly; probably it was not more than half an hour at the most.
+
+Finally lights penetrated her tired mind and the sweetish smell of the
+ether assailed her returning consciousness. Someone was shaking her
+gently and someone else was rubbing her arms.
+
+"Wake up, Janet, wake up!" a voice kept repeating.
+
+It sounded strangely like Helen's voice, but Helen, she realized, had
+gone home hours before.
+
+"Take a drink of this," another voice commanded and Janet obeyed almost
+automatically for she was far from being in full command of her senses.
+
+The cool water, flowing down her aching throat, helped and she tried to
+sit up.
+
+"Take it easy," a voice cautioned and she let her head drop back against
+someone's knees.
+
+Lights were on now in the corridor and as consciousness returned Janet
+recognized Helen leaning over her. Curt Newsom was massaging her arms
+and grumbling to himself in anger.
+
+"Feeling better?" Helen asked as Janet's eyes opened wide.
+
+"I'll be all right, soon. I'd like another drink of water," said Janet.
+
+A second glass of water followed the first and she felt stronger as her
+head cleared.
+
+"What happened?" she asked.
+
+"That's what we'd like to know," said Curt. "We found you unconscious on
+the floor a few minutes ago and the place smelled like a hospital."
+
+"Look at Jim Hill's desk and see if the right hand drawer has anything
+in it," Janet whispered to Curt and the tall cowboy hurried away to do
+her bidding.
+
+He returned almost instantly, shaking his head.
+
+"Someone's pried the drawer open with a jimmy," he declared. "There
+isn't a thing in the drawer."
+
+Helen looked stricken.
+
+"Don't tell me that manuscript you worked on all evening was in that
+drawer," she said.
+
+Janet looked beyond Helen and Curt to where half a dozen studio
+employees, most of them from the engineering department, were clustered
+looking at her and wondering what it was all about.
+
+"I put the manuscript there just before I started down the hall," nodded
+Janet. "It looks like it's gone."
+
+There was a flicker of her right eyelid, barely visible to Helen and
+Curt, and they caught its meaning and played the parts Janet wanted.
+
+"Then that means they won't be able to bolster up the program for Ace
+Pictures," wailed Helen. "The World Broadcasting Company will probably
+lose its contract."
+
+"Yep, and we'll all lose our jobs," groaned Curt. "Well, there's nothing
+we can do about it now. We might as well go back to the hotel. We'll
+report to Director Adolphi in the morning. Think you can walk if I
+steady you?" The question was aimed at Janet.
+
+"I'll make it all right," she said, but the steadying influence of
+Curt's arm was welcome,
+
+They walked down the corridor, across the reception lobby, and then sped
+downward in an elevator.
+
+When they were outside and comfortably ensconced in a taxi, Helen faced
+her companion.
+
+"Is the manuscript safe?" she asked.
+
+"Unless Radio City burns down," replied Janet.
+
+"Well, for goodness sake, where is it?"
+
+"I slipped it under the rug in Jim's office and spread the sheets out so
+there won't be a hump which would attract attention. I'll have to get up
+early and phone him at the studio for he's coming down to start the
+revision of my material."
+
+"You'll do no such thing," cut in the cowboy. "You've earned a morning
+of sleep. I'll phone Jim Hill myself and explain where the manuscript is
+hidden."
+
+"Now I want to know just what happened." It was Helen speaking.
+
+Janet shook her head.
+
+"I don't know. I knew someone was prowling in the corridor, but I
+couldn't stay there in the office all night and I couldn't get a phone
+connection out. After I'd hidden the manuscript I turned out the light
+in the office and started down the hall. Someone turned a flashlight
+into my face, then I was grabbed around the neck and finally a cloth
+filled with ether was smashed against my face. About that time I forgot
+to remember and the next thing I knew you two were with me."
+
+"How many jumped on you?" asked the cowboy.
+
+"I can't be sure, but I'd say that it was one man who was capable of
+moving very rapidly."
+
+"One man could do it all right," nodded Curt. "I wish I could get my
+hands on him and I'd teach him a thing or two."
+
+"How did you two happen to get into the corridor? That's a question I'd
+like to have answered," said Janet.
+
+"I became worried when you didn't get back to the hotel at midnight and
+I phoned Curt. He agreed to meet me at Radio City and we came up
+together. It was as simple as that," explained Helen.
+
+"Well, for once I'm glad someone worried about me," confessed Janet.
+"And, oh what a headache that ether gave me. The water tasted good, but
+I feel queer inside now. Bed is going to seem like heaven."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-seven
+
+SUSPICIONS
+
+
+When she was alone in her room, Janet fairly tumbled into bed but not
+until she had picked up a letter Helen had brought up from the desk and
+placed on the bedside table. When she was stretched out comfortably in
+bed, Janet opened the letter. It was from home, her mother telling of
+news of the neighborhood and of interesting little things about the
+house.
+
+Janet finished the letter, tucked it under her pillow, and snapped out
+the light. She was glad that her mother did not know of the stirring
+events of that night.
+
+Janet slept late the next morning, for her fatigue had been heavier than
+she had imagined. After an invigorating shower, she returned to her own
+room and there found a note propped on the writing table.
+
+"Have gone on to Radio City," wrote Helen. "Will meet you there for
+lunch if you're awake."
+
+Janet partially dressed and pulled on her dressing gown. Then she called
+the World Broadcasting Company and got a connection with Jim Hill's
+office. The young continuity writer answered at once.
+
+"This is Janet Hardy. I just wanted to know if you were able to dig the
+copy out from under your carpet."
+
+"I'll say I was," replied Jim. "It's good stuff, Janet. Say, what under
+the sun went on here last night?"
+
+"I'd like to really know," she replied.
+
+"Well, the studio officials are all upset about it. They were worried
+enough trying to land the big contract with the Ace Motion Picture
+Corporation and now they fairly have the jitters. The studio is being
+gone over with a fine-toothed comb to see if some clue can be unearthed.
+Have you thought of anything that would help?"
+
+"To tell the truth, I've just gotten up and I don't think well without
+any breakfast," confessed Janet. "Maybe I'll have an idea or two by the
+time I reach the studio."
+
+"It's almost time for lunch," Jim reminded her.
+
+"I'm to meet Helen for lunch at the studio," replied Janet.
+
+"Then count me in on that and maybe we can get a line on who this was
+chasing around the studio last night."
+
+Janet completed dressing and started for the studio. The morning was
+clear and cool and it seemed impossible now that such events could have
+happened the night before in the studio. She swung into Sixth Avenue,
+walking briskly, and headed for Radio City.
+
+When Janet arrived at the studio, the rehearsal in studio K was at an
+end for the morning and members of the company were hurrying out for
+lunch. Rachel Nesbit, her dark eyes flashing, pushed past Janet with
+little ceremony and Janet thought that the director looked away and
+flushed. But then, she might have been imagining that for Director
+Adolphi and Rachel were known to be close friends.
+
+Helen came hurrying up, followed by Curt Newsom.
+
+"How are you feeling now?" she asked.
+
+"Hungry," confessed Janet. "What's the news around the studio?"
+
+"Oh, everybody is looking at everybody else and wondering who did it.
+They all seem to think it was an inside job for outsiders couldn't have
+known that you were working on that script, much less where you were
+working. I guess suspicion centers pretty strongly right on this
+company."
+
+"That would mean someone in our own unit has sold out to a rival company
+and is doing everything in their power to keep this broadcast from being
+a success," mused Janet.
+
+"That's putting it politely," put in Curt. "I'd say that someone is a
+skunk, and I hate skunks."
+
+Jim Hill joined them just then. He looked tired and worried.
+
+"Let's eat," he said, and the others agreed, the group adjourning to a
+nearby restaurant. They obtained a secluded table where they could talk
+with little risk of being overheard by prying ears.
+
+After giving their orders, Jim turned to Janet.
+
+"Been able to think up any clues?" he asked.
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"I've tried to think of every event that took place, but I can't
+remember any special smell, or noise, and I didn't even feel the
+garments of my assailant. I'm afraid I'm of no help."
+
+"Not much," conceded Jim, running his fingers through his hair.
+
+"What have you found out, Curt?"
+
+The cowboy star likewise had nothing to contribute.
+
+"I've got plenty of suspicions, but not a grain of proof," he grumbled.
+
+"That's just it. We all have suspicions but no proof and this program
+must be in dress rehearsal tomorrow night and there can't be any boners
+pulled then. We've simply got to solve this mystery before then. Until
+this is cleared up the script won't be safe for a minute unless someone
+is with it all of the time."
+
+"Where is it now?" demanded Janet.
+
+"In my office with the door locked and an office boy standing guard in
+front of the door."
+
+"That doesn't sound very safe to me. Suppose someone well known should
+come along and send the boy on an errand. He'd leave the door and there
+your manuscript would be unprotected."
+
+"Oh, it's safe enough," smiled Jim. Then he paused suddenly.
+
+"Say, maybe you're right. That could happen, especially if one of the
+program directors or other officials happened along. I told the boy to
+be sure and stay on the job, but he'd run an errand for any one of
+them."
+
+Jim stood up.
+
+"Go ahead with your lunches. I'll skip up and get the script and rejoin
+you. It won't take five minutes."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-eight
+
+REHEARSALS AGAIN
+
+
+Jim Hill hastened away, but it was fifteen minutes before he returned
+with a large envelope with the manuscript. When he arrived his face was
+flushed and he was breathing rapidly.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Helen, who sensed that Jim was greatly upset.
+
+"Plenty. It was a good thing I got there when I did."
+
+"You mean someone was after the manuscript?" demanded Janet.
+
+"I mean someone had it," retorted Jim. "But I got it back and without
+much trouble."
+
+"Who was in your office?" It was Curt who fired that question.
+
+Jim looked at them steadily.
+
+"It was Adolphi."
+
+He waited for the significance of his words to sink in and smiled a
+little grimly at the bewilderment which was reflected on their faces.
+
+"Surprised? Say, maybe you think I wasn't. And now I don't know what to
+think."
+
+"Tell us everything that happened after you reached the studio floor,"
+urged Janet.
+
+Jim took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead, where glistening
+beads of perspiration had gathered.
+
+"When I swung down the corridor I saw the boy had left my door so I ran
+the rest of the way," he said. "The carpet's thick and I made little if
+any noise. The door of my office was open and Adolphi was thumbing
+through the pile of script I had been working on. When I came up behind
+him he jumped almost across the desk."
+
+"What did he say?" asked Helen.
+
+"Said he'd found the door of my office open and since he knew I was
+working on the script thought he would look it over while I was out at
+lunch."
+
+"What did you do?" It was Curt speaking.
+
+"I picked up the script, stuffed it into an envelope, and told Adolphi
+he could see it when McGregor, my continuity chief, put his okay on it.
+I asked Adolphi if he was sure my office was open and he got sore.
+Wanted to know what I was trying to insinuate and all that sort of
+thing. But I think he felt guilty as thunder. Gosh, but I'd like to know
+how he got in there after all my precautions."
+
+"I can tell you," said Curt. "He simply walked down the hall, told the
+boy to go on an errand, and then used a skeleton key on your door."
+
+"It couldn't have been as easy as that," protested Helen.
+
+"Things like that are done easily," smiled Curt. "Mark my words, you
+watch our director closely. He isn't putting his best foot forward in
+getting us in shape. I wouldn't be surprised if he has sold out to some
+other company."
+
+"That's a terrible thing to say about anyone," said Janet.
+
+"It's worse to do it," Curt insisted.
+
+They finished their lunch and returned to Radio City where they were
+whisked up to the twenty-seventh floor in one of the express elevators.
+
+"Stop in after the rehearsal this afternoon," Jim told them. "I'll have
+the final script in shape by then."
+
+The afternoon was a fatiguing one, for Adolphi, as though possessed of a
+demon, found fault with everything and almost everyone. The only one who
+noticeably escaped his ire was Rachel Nesbit, and Janet had to admit
+that Rachel handled her work in a way that defied criticism. Curt Newsom
+came in for some especially bitter comments.
+
+"Too bad we can't get a horse in here so you'd feel at home," snapped
+the director after Curt had bungled one bit of action.
+
+"I don't like skunks," shot back Curt and turned away.
+
+The director, his face flaming, grabbed Curt's arm.
+
+"You've got to explain that," he cried.
+
+"Do you want me to?" asked Curt, looking straight into the face of the
+incensed director.
+
+Adolphi dropped his arm and turned away, and in that action he stirred
+Janet's suspicions anew. If he were without guilt, she felt he would
+have forced Curt to a showdown. But he had turned away and Janet thought
+she caught just a flicker of Rachel Nesbit's eyes.
+
+Then they were back at work, rehearsing until well after the usual
+dinner hour. When the director finally released them, most of the
+company was dizzy with fatigue,
+
+"He's trying to wear us out so we won't be able to put on a good show
+tomorrow night," muttered Curt. "I've a good notion to drop him down an
+elevator shaft and see if he'll bounce."
+
+Jim Hill was waiting for them.
+
+"I thought you'd never come," he said. "Adolphi been pretty tough?"
+
+Janet nodded. "He couldn't have been much worse."
+
+"He's got a reputation for driving his casts just before the final show.
+Sometimes he gets marvelous results; then, again, the thing will fall
+flat with everyone all worn out."
+
+"He's trying to break us in two," grumbled Curt, whose feet were
+hurting.
+
+Jim Hill took them down to his office and they ordered sandwiches sent
+in while they went over the manuscript. It had been given the approval
+of the continuity chief and was to be incorporated into the program.
+
+"I think it's good stuff," said Janet as she laid down the script.
+"You've caught the spirit of the picture at last. If this doesn't boom
+public interest in 'Kings of the Air' to a high pitch, I'll be a very
+mistaken young lady."
+
+The others agreed with her that Jim had struck the right note.
+
+"Now the thing to do is to get Adolphi to swing it through for me
+tomorrow night. He can if he wants to."
+
+"That's a real question, too," said Curt. "I suspect he's the guy behind
+all of the trouble and we'll find Rachel Nesbit right in with him."
+
+They left a few minutes later, Jim Hill taking the precious manuscript
+with him.
+
+Parting on Sixth Avenue, Jim signalled for a cab.
+
+"I'm not taking any chances tonight," he said.
+
+They watched him get into the cab and he waved as the taxi shot away and
+swung onto a side street. But before it disappeared Janet saw something
+that caused a wave of apprehension to sweep over her.
+
+A long, rakish sedan, which had been parked further along the street,
+leaped ahead, and swung around the corner behind the taxi which was
+carrying Jim Hill and the final draft of their radio script.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-nine
+
+JANET FINDS A CLUE
+
+
+Janet's sharp cry halted Curt Newsom and Helen. They turned startled
+faces toward her.
+
+"What's the matter? Someone try to run you down?" asked Helen.
+
+"It's Jim," replied Janet. "A car's following his taxi. It started up
+from the curb and swung right behind his cab. Someone is after that
+manuscript. We've got to follow them."
+
+Curt hailed a cruising taxi and they piled in, the cowboy giving the
+driver sharp directions.
+
+"Step on it; we'll pay any fines," he said.
+
+The cab lurched away, gaining speed so rapidly they shot around the
+corner in a dizzy skid. Turning onto Fifth Avenue they saw the long,
+dark sedan and ahead of it the taxi in which Jim was riding. A stop
+light blazed in their faces and their cab ground to a halt.
+
+"Go on, go on," urged Janet, leaning toward the driver.
+
+"Can't make it," he growled, pointing to the heavy stream of cross
+traffic which was flowing ahead of them.
+
+When the light changed the taxi and its pursuing sedan had disappeared.
+
+"Pull over to the curb," Janet told their driver. "Now what shall we
+do?" she asked her companions.
+
+"Anybody know where Jim lives?" asked Curt.
+
+"I do," replied Janet.
+
+"Then let's go there and wait for him. We'll be sure that he gets home
+all right."
+
+Janet gave the driver Jim Hill's address and they raced up the avenue
+once more. In less than fifteen minutes they pulled up before an
+apartment house and Janet went into the small lobby and pressed the
+buzzer that signalled Jim's apartment. There was no reply and she
+returned to the cab, a mounting fear in her heart.
+
+She communicated the news to Curt and Helen and they fell silent,
+waiting and hoping that Jim would arrive.
+
+Minutes ticked away and the taxi driver glanced uneasily at his meter
+and wondered about his pay.
+
+"I'm going to call the studio and see if he returned there by any
+chance," said Janet, driven to action in her desperation.
+
+She walked to a nearby drug store and from a pay station there
+telephoned the World Broadcasting studio. It was as she had feared; Jim
+had not returned. In fact, there was no one in the continuity
+department.
+
+It was with a heavy heart that Janet returned to the cab. So much
+depended upon the safeguarding of the script. There was their own radio
+début for one thing. But that was comparatively minor. More than that
+was the success of the broadcast which was to arouse public interest in
+the film which Helen's father had created. This was what really counted.
+
+When she told Helen and Curt that Jim had not returned to the studio,
+the cowboy sat silent for a time.
+
+"This isn't getting us anywhere," he said. "We may get in trouble, but
+it's worth a try."
+
+Without explaining what he intended to do, he bolted toward the drug
+store and returned a minute later with an address written on a slip of
+paper. He gave this to their driver and ordered him to get there with
+the least possible delay.
+
+"Where are we going?" asked Janet.
+
+"To pay a little call on Director Adolphi."
+
+"Then you think he's mixed up in this thing?" Helen asked.
+
+"I'm sure of it now. There's something about him that just doesn't ring
+true."
+
+There was little conversation in the cab during their fast ride to the
+director's apartment and they all went up together after Curt had paid
+the taxi bill.
+
+Insistent ringing of the bell failed to bring an answer and at last they
+turned away, their hearts heavy with despair.
+
+"I'm going to report this to the nearest police station," said Curt.
+"You girls might just as well go back to your hotel. There's nothing
+further you can do."
+
+"But we seem so helpless," groaned Helen.
+
+"We're just exactly that," growled Curt as he signalled two cabs, one
+for the girls and the other for himself. "I'll phone you the minute I
+get any word of good news."
+
+Janet and Helen said little on their way back to the hotel, for a
+numbing sort of ache had taken possession of their bodies. After days of
+fatiguing rehearsals, the broadcast appeared doomed. Helen cried a
+little as their cab swung onto Broadway and the bright lights of the
+Great White Way blazed in their faces.
+
+At the hotel Janet stopped at the desk to inquire about mail and the
+clerk handed her a telegram.
+
+"It's for you," she said, handing the message to Helen, who tore it open
+with fingers that were none too steady.
+
+"Oh, this is awful," she groaned. "Dad and Mother are coming to New York
+for the first broadcast. What will I do?"
+
+"Don't answer the telegram tonight," Janet warned her. "Perhaps
+something brighter will have taken place by tomorrow."
+
+Janet opened the door of her own room and snapped on the light. As she
+did so a small envelope, which had been slipped under the door, drew her
+attention and she reached down to pick it up. Helen came in the room
+just then and looked at Janet curiously as she opened the envelope.
+
+Janet's face flushed as she read the message, which had been printed
+crudely on a sheet of fine linen paper.
+
+"What is it?" asked Helen, alarmed at the expression on Janet's face.
+
+Janet handed her the sheet of paper.
+
+"Go back to the sticks where you belong or you'll get more of what
+happened last night. This means both of you."
+
+"Why, the nerve of some people," stormed Helen. "I won't be threatened
+into leaving."
+
+"Neither will I," said Janet firmly, "but this thing is getting terribly
+serious. Last night I was made unconscious by some prowler and tonight
+Jim has disappeared with the script of our radio show."
+
+Janet paused and looked at the sheet of stationery in her hand. Then she
+lifted it to her nose and sniffed carefully. Helen looked on in
+wonderment and Janet finally handed the sheet to her.
+
+"Smell anything?" she asked.
+
+"There's just a trace of perfume," agreed Helen.
+
+"Ever smell that before?" Janet was insistent.
+
+"It does seem kind of familiar, but I don't know where."
+
+"Wasn't it in the studio?" Janet was pressing hard for an answer.
+
+"Perhaps it was."
+
+"Someone in our company?"
+
+Helen looked frankly alarmed and finally a wave of comprehension swept
+over her.
+
+"You mean Rachel Nesbit?"
+
+Janet nodded. "That's just who I mean. This sheet is scented with the
+same perfume Rachel uses. Of course hundreds of others may use it, too,
+but it at least gives us a clue. And this printing, disguised though it
+is, is that of a woman."
+
+"Then if we can find Rachel, we may be able to solve this mystery,"
+burst out Helen.
+
+"If we can scare her into telling us something," agreed Janet. "I'll
+phone the studio and get her home address. We'll go there at once."
+
+"What about Curt? He'll want to know what's going on."
+
+"This is a woman's job," replied Janet. "We'll let him try to find Jim.
+You and I are going alone on this particular mission."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Thirty
+
+OPPORTUNITY AHEAD
+
+
+They obtained Rachel's home address from the studio, slipped on their
+coats, and after making sure that they had an ample supply of money in
+their purses, hastened down and hailed a cab.
+
+Rachel lived in the Greenwich Village section and their driver swung
+over to Fifth Avenue and raced south, green lights winking a clear path
+ahead of them.
+
+There was little conversation in the cab as they sped toward the village
+and when they drew up in front of the narrow building which housed
+Rachel's apartment Janet paid the bill.
+
+"What are you going to say to her?" asked Helen.
+
+Janet shook her head. "I don't know," she admitted. "I suppose I'll
+accuse her of writing this threatening note. That ought to be enough to
+get us into her apartment and once we're there you look around for
+anything suspicious."
+
+They were entering the apartment when a car drew up to the curb and
+Janet seized her companion's arm.
+
+"Get out of sight, quick. That's the sedan which followed Jim's taxi."
+
+They slipped into the shadows to the right of the doorway and watched
+the sedan. Rachel Nesbit stepped out and after her came John Adolphi,
+director of their radio program. Janet could hear Helen's gasp for under
+the director's arm was a familiar portfolio. It was the portfolio in
+which Jim Hill had carried the manuscript.
+
+Rachel and the director disappeared into the apartment building and
+Janet, without a word to Helen, ran toward the nearest shop, a little
+fruit store in a half basement.
+
+"Where can I find a policeman?" she demanded.
+
+The shop keeper helped her phone in an alarm and in less than five
+minutes a radio car pulled up in front of the store.
+
+Janet told her story quickly and when the officers looked doubtful, she
+pleaded with them.
+
+"You've got to believe me. Every minute counts. If that script is
+destroyed the company may lose thousands of dollars worth of business."
+
+Then she put through several calls and finally reached Mr. McGregor,
+head of the continuity department. His words electrified the police and
+they swept down the streets and stormed up into the apartment building
+to the third floor where Rachel lived. In answer to their sharp knock,
+Rachel opened the door and they shouldered their way in.
+
+Janet saw Rachel's face blanch as she saw her, but Janet's heart leaped
+for on a table was the missing manuscript. Director Adolphi was pulled
+out of a closet and from his ashen lips tumbled the sordid story. He was
+really Rachel's brother and the two had conspired to steal the
+manuscript and ruin the World Broadcasting Company's chances for the
+contract with the motion picture company. Another broadcaster had
+offered him a large sum, he said, and promised a job if he would steal
+the script and ruin the program.
+
+They hastened back to the studio where a tense group awaited their
+coming. Mr. McGregor was there and so was Curt. Janet started suddenly
+when she saw Jim Hill with a bandage around his head.
+
+"What happened to you?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"Adolphi ran my cab into a curb and then pulled a gun on me and took the
+script away. Of course he had a mask on, but I recognized his voice. He
+clouted me over the head when I tried to resist and the next thing I
+knew Curt had found me at the police station where I was being given
+emergency treatment."
+
+Mr. McGregor spoke. "What about Adolphi and that precious sister of
+his?"
+
+"They are in police custody awaiting whatever charges may be filed
+against them," said Janet.
+
+Mr. McGregor nodded. "That can be done tomorrow. How about you girls?"
+
+"We're all right," replied Janet and Helen.
+
+"A little tired, maybe," added Helen, by way of an afterthought.
+
+The continuity chief looked at Jim Hill.
+
+"Think you can step in tomorrow and whip this company in to shape so
+we'll be sure of the contract?" he asked.
+
+Jim's face lighted up. "I know I can."
+
+"Then get home and get some sleep. You're in charge of the program."
+
+He turned back to Janet and Helen.
+
+"Like New York?" the question was so sudden that it caught them
+unawares.
+
+"It's exciting," gasped Helen.
+
+"It isn't always like this," smiled the continuity chief. He was looking
+intently at Janet.
+
+"How would you like to join my staff as a writer?"
+
+Janet could hardly believe her ears.
+
+"Why, I think I'd like it," she managed to say. "Yes, I know I would."
+She plunged in blindly.
+
+"Then if you girls want to stay on, there'll be a place for Helen in the
+stock company and for you on my writing staff," he said. "Think it over
+and let me know tomorrow."
+
+An hour later when they were alone in their rooms, Janet and Helen had
+their first chances to talk uninterruptedly.
+
+Helen smiled contentedly.
+
+"It's such a relief to know that the program to boost Dad's picture is
+going through all right," she said. After a pause she went on, "What
+shall we do about the jobs in Radio City?"
+
+"I think I'll accept," said Janet.
+
+"But what about school back home; what about going to Corn Belt U.?"
+
+"I've thought of that, but an opportunity to work in Radio City doesn't
+come every day. In six months we'll have had enough. Then we can go back
+and start our university careers at Corn Belt U."
+
+"What will our folks think?" asked Helen.
+
+"I believe they'll agree with us that six months here in radio work can
+be looked upon as a valuable part of our education."
+
+"Then we'll tell Mr. McGregor we'll stay?"
+
+"That's exactly what we'll tell him. Now I'm going to write the folks
+and tell them all about it," said Janet, picking up a pen and sitting
+down to the task of writing of the thrilling adventures which had
+befallen them since their arrival in New York.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Janet Hardy in Radio City, by Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
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+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Janet Hardy in Radio City, by Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Janet Hardy in Radio City
+
+Author: Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
+Release Date: August 29, 2010 [EBook #33567]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.fadedpage.net
+
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+</pre>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 1.4em'>JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY</p>
+
+
+<hr style='margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom:20px; border:none; border-bottom:1px dashed silver; width: 100%' />
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 1.6em'>JANET HARDY<br />IN RADIO CITY</p>
+
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 1.0em'>BY</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 1.4em'>Ruthe S. Wheeler</p>
+
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+     <p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 1.0em'>THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 1.0em'>CHICAGO</p>
+
+
+<hr style='margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom:20px; border:none; border-bottom:1px dashed silver; width: 100%' />
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 0.8em'>COPYRIGHT 1935 BY</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 0.8em'>THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING CO.</p>
+
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 0.8em'>MADE IN U. S. A.</p>
+
+
+<hr style='margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom:20px; border:none; border-bottom:1px dashed silver; width: 100%' />
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 1.0em'>CONTENTS</p>
+
+
+<table style='margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; font-variant: small-caps;' summary='toc'>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'><span style='font-size:smaller'>CHAPTER</span></td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'></td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><span style='font-size:smaller'>PAGE</span></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>I.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Janet Gets the Lead</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_aa'>13</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>II.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Shooting on Location</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ab'>20</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>III.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Surprise Callers</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ac'>30</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>IV.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>High Praise</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ad'>41</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>V.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Deadly Fangs</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ae'>47</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>VI.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>The Smoky Menace</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_af'>53</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>VII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Racing Flames</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ag'>61</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>VIII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>The Line Goes Dead</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ah'>68</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>IX.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>The Fire Sweeps On</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ai'>76</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>X.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>A Welcome Rescue</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_aj'>90</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XI.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>New Plans</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ak'>101</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>The Preview</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_al'>110</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XIII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Janet Turns Author</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_am'>118</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XIV.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Clothes by Roddy</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_an'>126</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XV.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Homeward Bound</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ao'>135</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XVI.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Gorgeous Gowns</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ap'>145</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XVII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Hello, New York!</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_aq'>154</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XVIII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>In Radio City</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ar'>164</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XIX.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>A Manuscript Vanishes</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_as'>170</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XX.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>The Mystery Deepens</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_at'>178</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXI.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Insinuations</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_au'>186</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Shadowed!</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_av'>193</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXIII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Janet Pinch Hits</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_aw'>201</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXIV.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Night on the Twenty-seventh Floor</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ax'>208</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXV.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Janet Opens a Door</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ay'>214</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXVI.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>In the Hall</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_az'>219</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXVII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Suspicions</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_ba'>227</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXVIII.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Rehearsals Again</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_bb'>233</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXIX.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Janet Finds a Clue</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_bc'>240</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+<td valign='top' align='right'>XXX.</td>
+<td valign='top' style='padding-left:1em;'>Opportunity Ahead</td>
+<td valign='bottom' style='padding-left:1em;' align='right'><a href='#ref_bd'>247</a></td>
+</tr>
+</table>
+<hr style='margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom:20px; border:none; border-bottom:1px dashed silver; width: 100%' />
+<div>
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_13'></a>13</span><p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 1.8em'>Janet Hardy in Radio City</p>
+
+
+<a id='ref_aa'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'>JANET GETS THE LEAD</p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'><i>Chapter One</i></p>
+
+<p>Janet Hardy stirred sleepily as the alarm clock sounded its lusty summons and
+it was only after a real effort that she managed to reach out and shut off the
+insistent clock.</p>
+
+<p>It was so early that shadows of the night still lurked in the corners and
+Janet squinted at the clock through sleep-clogged eyes. It was four-forty
+a.m.</p>
+
+<p>Sitting up in bed she looked across the room where Helen Thorne was deep in
+sleep, oblivious to the strident summons of the alarm which had echoed through
+their bedroom.</p>
+
+<p>Janet, now thoroughly awake, tossed her pillow at the slumbering Helen. She
+scored a perfect hit and Helen, sputtering and wondering what it was all about,
+popped up in bed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come on, sleepy head. It&#8217;s time to be up and dressing if we&#8217;re
+going to get to the studio in time for that six o&#8217;clock call,&#8221; warned
+Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll beat you to the shower,&#8221; promised
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_14'></a>14</span>Helen. She jumped
+out of bed and grabbed the dressing gown on a nearby chair. There was a rush of
+feet padding down the hall and Helen made good her promise, reaching the shower
+room two jumps ahead of Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Fifteen minutes later, after brisk showers and thorough towelings, they were
+dressed. From the kitchen had come waftings of delicious bacon and eggs and they
+knew that George, the colored cook, was getting breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>When they reached the dining room they were surprised to find Helen&#8217;s
+father there, a morning paper propped in front of him.</p>
+
+<p>Henry Thorne, world famous as the star director of motion pictures for the
+Ace Motion Picture Corp., looked up.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;An early call?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Billy Fenstow is starting to shoot his new western, &#8216;Water
+Hole,&#8217; and we don&#8217;t want to be late the first morning,&#8221; explained
+Helen, slipping into her chair while Janet sat down opposite her. George,
+smiling a greeting, brought in a large platter of bacon and eggs. Then there
+were tall glasses of cold milk and thin, deliciously buttered toast. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_15'></a>15</span>&#8220;I
+didn&#8217;t think you&#8217;d be up so early, Dad,&#8221; said Helen, between mouthfuls
+of bacon.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Guess I went to bed too early,&#8221; smiled her father. &#8220;I&#8217;ve
+been awake an hour.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You were all tired out after finishing &#8216;Kings of the
+Air,&#8217;&#8221; went on Helen and her father nodded his agreement.</p>
+
+<p>Janet, on the other side of the table, said nothing, but thought a great
+deal. She had never quite gotten over the thrill of coming to Hollywood and the
+manner in which it had been accomplished. It seemed too much like a dream and at
+times she went around pinching herself to make sure she wasn&#8217;t asleep.</p>
+
+<p>Classmates back in the medium-sized city of Clarion in the middle west, Janet
+and Helen had been fast friends and their families had been neighbors for years.
+Then Henry Thorne had made a success as a director of motion pictures, but Helen
+and Mrs. Thorne had remained in the family home in Clarion. Back for Helen&#8217;s
+graduation, he had been impressed by the acting ability of Janet and Helen, as
+well as their charm, and their graduation presents had been round trip airplane
+tickets from Clarion to Hollywood. Mrs. Thorne had come
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_16'></a>16</span>along to chaperon
+the party and they had taken a comfortable, rambling bungalow on a side street
+in Hollywood where they could be assured of privacy.</p>
+
+<p>Janet could recall so vividly their first day. Pictures, interviews,
+attendance at a premiere in gowns designed by the famous designer who created
+all of the gowns for the stars of the Ace company. Then a chance to work in a
+western in the production unit headed by rotund little Billy Fenstow and after
+that small parts in &#8220;Kings of the Air,&#8221; which Henry Thorne had
+directed as one of the outstanding pictures on his company&#8217;s production
+program.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What are you mooning about?&#8221; asked Helen, for Janet, her mind
+running back over the events of the last crowded weeks, had ceased
+eating.</p>
+
+<p>Janet flushed. &#8220;Just thinking of all the wonderful things that have
+happened since we graduated.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I hope you won&#8217;t remember the unpleasant ones you experienced while
+we were making &#8216;Kings of the Air,&#8217;&#8221; said Helen&#8217;s father. He
+was well-built, with a touch of grey hair at his temples and a smile that
+inspired confidence
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_17'></a>17</span>and an almost
+instant feeling of friendliness.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I was pretty scared at the time,&#8221; confessed Janet, &#8220;but
+now that the picture&#8217;s safely completed, it&#8217;s all over.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you think about &#8216;Kings&#8217;?&#8221; Helen asked her
+father.</p>
+
+<p>He leaned back in his chair and Janet thought she saw a touch of weariness in
+his face.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; he said softly. &#8220;It should be a good
+picture, but whether it will be a great picture is something else again. We can
+only wait until it&#8217;s out of the cutting room.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet, although in a comparatively minor rôle, had been a key figure in the
+making of &#8220;Kings of the Air,&#8221; for a rival company, attempting to
+hinder the progress of the picture, had hired an actress in the company, blonde
+Bertie Jackson, and two renegade airmen, to make every effort to slow up
+production. Janet had been kidnaped and held prisoner overnight while the ghost
+town, where the company was located, was burned and a big set on the desert
+bombed. But the resourcefulness of Curt Newsom, cowboy star who had
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_18'></a>18</span>a rôle in the
+picture, had helped expose the sabotage and Janet had been speedily released. As
+a result she had been promoted to Bertie Jackson&#8217;s rôle and had handled it
+like a veteran trouper.</p>
+
+<p>Just then George, the cook, looked in to see if more bacon and eggs were
+needed, and Helen&#8217;s mother, in a dressing gown, joined them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Someone should have called me,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But you don&#8217;t have to report on the lot and we do,&#8221; Helen
+reminded her mother.</p>
+
+<p>It was 5:30 o&#8217;clock when they finished breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll drive you over to the lot,&#8221; said Henry Thorne.
+&#8220;Mother, you dress while I&#8217;m away and we&#8217;ll take a long drive into the
+mountains and stop someplace for lunch. We&#8217;ll sort of have a day&#8217;s vacation
+for ourselves.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then they were away, speeding toward the studio in an open car. It was a
+glorious morning and the cool air was invigorating. Later in the day it would be
+uncomfortably hot.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow, director of western pictures, was on stage nine, well to the
+back of the Ace lot. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_19'></a>19</span>There were few
+around the rambling studio at that hour, for production was past its peak and
+only two or three of the huge sound stages would be in use that day.</p>
+
+<p>The director, who had only a fringe of hair around his shining pate, greeted
+them cordially.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have you read over the script of &#8216;Water Hole&#8217;?&#8221; he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>Janet nodded. &#8220;I like it better than &#8216;Broad Valley,&#8217;&#8221;
+she smiled.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow fairly beamed. &#8220;Good. I wrote it myself. The other was
+only partly mine.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen laughed and turned to Janet. &#8220;What are you trying to do,
+compliment Mr. Fenstow so he&#8217;ll give you the leading rôle?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>It was the director&#8217;s turn to chuckle. &#8220;She doesn&#8217;t have to,&#8221;
+he said. &#8220;Janet is playing opposite Curt Newsom in the lead right
+now.&#8221; </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ab'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_20'></a>20</span><i>Chapter Two</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>SHOOTING ON LOCATION</p>
+
+<p>Janet stared hard at the chubby director. It was hard to believe that Billy
+Fenstow would joke with her now. That would be too cruel.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you believe me, Janet?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It can&#8217;t be possible,&#8221; she murmured. &#8220;Why, I&#8217;m an
+unknown. You wouldn&#8217;t put me into the leading rôle.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Just then Curt Newsom, the western star arrived.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How&#8217;s the new leading lady?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#x2014;I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; gasped Janet. &#8220;I&#8217;m not sure.
+Everything seems to be in kind of a whirl. I guess I&#8217;ll sit
+down.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet dropped into a nearby chair, oblivious of the fact that it was the
+cherished property of the director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s grand, Janet, simply grand,&#8221; exclaimed Helen. &#8220;My,
+but I&#8217;m proud of you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow came over to Janet. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_21'></a>21</span>&#8220;You
+needn&#8217;t be so surprised,&#8221; he said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Only don&#8217;t let this go to your head. It doesn&#8217;t take a whole lot
+of acting ability to be a leading lady in a western. All you&#8217;ve got to have is
+a fair amount of beauty, some brains, and the ability to keep on top of a
+horse.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet, recalling her experiences in &#8220;Broad Valley,&#8221; the first
+picture they had appeared in, smiled a little ruefully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know whether I&#8217;ll even be able to stay on a horse,&#8221;
+she admitted.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then we&#8217;ll glue you into the saddle,&#8221; smiled the
+director.</p>
+
+<p>Others in the company came up. Most of them had been in the earlier picture
+and without exception they congratulated Janet on winning the leading
+rôle.</p>
+
+<p>The weather was ideal and Billy Fenstow intended to make the most of it by
+shooting all of the exteriors possible.</p>
+
+<p>Promptly at seven o&#8217;clock a large bus rolled onto the lot and the entire
+company, numbering some thirty-three, including the technicians, boarded the big
+vehicle.</p>
+
+<p>Their destination was a ranch well into the foothills and it was after noon
+before they
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_22'></a>22</span>arrived. This
+particular outfit had never before been used for film purposes for it was well
+away from the usual run of traffic and harder to reach than some of the layouts
+nearer the studio.</p>
+
+<p>The ranchhouse was large and comfortable and arrangements were made for all
+of the girls in the company to stay there while the men would be quartered in
+the bunkhouse with the exception of the director, who planned to drive back and
+forth from the nearest town.</p>
+
+<p>A truck loaded with camera and sound equipment had preceded the bus and the
+technicians went to work to assemble their materials. The pole corral was
+crowded with horses and the assistant director, &#8220;Skeets&#8221; Irwin, took
+over the task of assigning horses to the various members of the company.</p>
+
+<p>Curt Newsom had his own string, which had been brought by truck, but the
+others were to ride ranch horses. Janet drew a beautiful sorrel while Helen was
+mounted on a black with only one white foot.</p>
+
+<p>There was a gorgeous sunset and Billy Fenstow, always on the alert for a good
+background shot, had his cameras catch some typical
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_23'></a>23</span>ranch scenes. They
+might not fit in with the present picture but he knew some day the footage would
+come in handy.</p>
+
+<p>After dinner in the ranchhouse that night, Janet and Helen retired to the
+room they shared and studied the scripts which had been handed out.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Water Hole&#8221; was a typical Billy Fenstow western with lots of
+hard riding and plenty of scenery. It was the story of Curt Newsom&#8217;s defense
+of his small ranch with its valuable water hole against a larger cattle
+outfit.</p>
+
+<p>Janet played the rôle of a school teacher while Helen was a waitress in the
+one restaurant in the little cow town to which the cowboys migrated every
+Saturday night. The girls were to have an important part in solving the plot to
+get Curt&#8217;s ranch and all in all they were greatly pleased with their
+parts.</p>
+
+<p>Janet sat down and wrote a long letter home, telling of their good fortune
+and of her own in particular. She paused a moment and closed her eyes. Perhaps
+her mother would show the letter to Pete Benda, the city editor of the
+<i>Clarion Times</i>. And Pete, of course, would make a story. Perhaps he would
+put <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_24'></a>24</span>it in the
+front page under a heading, &#8220;Clarion Girl Gets Leading Rôle in Western
+Picture.&#8221; She smiled a little. That would be rather nice.</p>
+
+<p>Then she awoke from her reverie and finished the letter. After that it was
+bedtime for there was an early call.</p>
+
+<p>They were out the next morning shortly after dawn for Billy Fenstow worked
+his companies long and hard.</p>
+
+<p>Janet was in several shots that day riding to and from the ranch to the
+schoolhouse and in the afternoon they went to the schoolhouse where a dozen
+youngsters had been gathered. Most of them were actual pupils of the little
+school and the cameras ground away as Janet dismissed them from a make-believe
+class and watched them hurry away from school toward their homes, some of them
+afoot and others on sturdy little cow ponies.</p>
+
+<p>Helen had little to do that day, but followed every action of the company
+with interest.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you think of it?&#8221; she asked Janet that night as they
+lounged on the broad verandah of the ranchhouse.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I like it a lot,&#8221; said Janet whole-heartedly.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_25'></a>25</span>&#8220;Of course I
+realize I&#8217;m no actress, but the picture&#8217;s good and clean and it&#8217;s a
+consolation to be in something like that.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen was silent for a time.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you think about our future in the movies?&#8221; she
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>Janet pondered the question before answering, for she, too, had been
+wondering that very thing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If you want to know the truth, I think we&#8217;re just about where we
+belong. I know I&#8217;m not a real actress. I can get by in a picture like this or
+in some minor rôle, but I&#8217;d never make a really top-notch actress and it
+would be rather heart-breaking to stay here and do this year in and year
+out.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then that means you&#8217;ll go back to Clarion when summer&#8217;s
+over?&#8221; Helen asked the question with a touch of desperate anxiety in her
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I suppose so,&#8221; replied Janet slowly, &#8220;for I know that I
+won&#8217;t be especially happy here. It&#8217;s been glorious fun and it still is, but
+it can&#8217;t last forever and I&#8217;m not fooling myself about that for a
+minute.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They were silent for a time, wondering if
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_26'></a>26</span>the coming fall
+would bring an end to their close companionship. If Janet went back to Clarion,
+it would be only logical that Helen would stay on in Hollywood with her father
+and mother. The thought of parting was not a pleasant prospect to either
+girl.</p>
+
+<p>They went to bed later without discussing the matter further, but as the
+shooting of &#8220;Water Hole&#8221; progressed and August drew to a close, it
+was constantly in their minds.</p>
+
+<p>Helen&#8217;s father and mother came out to visit them on location several times,
+but neither one of them mentioned any plans for Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Two more days of work and we&#8217;ll have the picture in the can,&#8221;
+Billy Fenstow told the company one morning. &#8220;We&#8217;re right on schedule and
+I want to finish that way, but we&#8217;ve got some hard riding scenes to get out of
+the way.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The director turned to Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got to shoot that scene of your ride from town to the ranch to
+warn Curt that his enemies are riding to wipe out his ranch,&#8221; he said.
+&#8220;Are you ready?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet nodded and swung into the saddle of the rangy sorrel. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_27'></a>27</span>Billy Fenstow
+climbed onto the light truck which carried the cameras and Janet&#8217;s horse
+trotted along behind as the vehicle rolled away across the valley in which the
+ranch was located. They went for perhaps two miles through the hills to a hamlet
+along a branch line railroad which had served as the cow town for the
+picture&#8217;s locale. It was here that Janet began her ride, but before she
+started she looked to the cinches.</p>
+
+<p>She remounted and sat easily in the saddle, waiting for the signal to
+start.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow waved his hand and the truck started swiftly away, Janet riding
+hard after it. She rode with a natural lithesomeness of her body. The light felt
+hat which had been crushed over her brown hair came off. She clutched at it
+instinctively, but missed, and kept on riding, her golden hair streaming away
+from her shoulders. Janet smiled to herself. At least that would give a
+realistic effect.</p>
+
+<p>She watched the director covertly and when he motioned again she sent the
+sorrel racing away from the camera truck at an angle so the cameras could get a
+side shot. Then the truck moved ahead of her. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_28'></a>28</span>It was hot and
+dry, and anything but an easy task to ride a horse pounding along as hard as the
+big sorrel. Finally they topped the last hill and swept down into the valley and
+Janet braced herself for the last bit of action.</p>
+
+<p>Curt, near the water hole, looked up when he heard the pounding hoofs and
+Janet hurled herself from the saddle and ran to him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Quick, Curt, they&#8217;re riding hard behind me. You&#8217;ve got to get out
+of here. I&#8217;ll stay and watch the ranch.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But Curt refused and the action was cut there.</p>
+
+<p>Janet was dusty and sweaty and she walked to the pump and drank deeply of the
+cool, sweet water.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I can imagine there might have been a fight over this ranch in the
+early days,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There was,&#8221; grinned Curt, &#8220;but it wasn&#8217;t nearly as big a
+one as we&#8217;re putting into the picture.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet&#8217;s hardest scene for the day was over and Helen was in only one or two
+minor shots so they passed part of the afternoon packing up their things in
+preparation for the departure the next afternoon. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_29'></a>29</span>It was nearly
+dinner time when a dust covered car rolled into the valley and approached the
+ranchhouse.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen, sitting on the front steps, watched it with interest which
+deepened as they saw an Iowa license plate on the front of the car.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That almost looks like home,&#8221; said Helen. &#8220;Why, the
+number&#8217;s from our home county. Maybe it&#8217;s someone we know.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But the sun was flashing off the windshield, effectively shielding the
+passengers in the car.</p>
+
+<p>The machine swung to a stop a few feet away and Janet and Helen, when they
+saw the passengers, recognized them with mixed emotions. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ac'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_30'></a>30</span><i>Chapter Three</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>SURPRISE CALLERS</p>
+
+<p>The newcomers were Cora Dean and Margie Blake, classmates from Clarion, who
+had been Janet and Helen&#8217;s chief rivals for almost every honor during their
+last four years in school.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What under the sun do you suppose they want here?&#8221; asked Helen
+under her breath.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll soon find out,&#8221; retorted Janet, rising and advancing to
+greet Cora and Margie.</p>
+
+<p>Cora was dark like Helen, while Margie&#8217;s hair was almost as golden blonde
+as Janet&#8217;s, the difference being that Margie used drug store coloring, and
+Janet depended on the natural shade.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hello Cora, hello Margie. This is a surprise,&#8221; said Janet as she
+greeted them and Helen echoed the sentiment a minute later.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve been touring through the west. When we learned a company was
+shooting a picture out here we came on over. We didn&#8217;t
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_31'></a>31</span>know until we
+stopped in the village that it was the company you&#8217;re with.&#8221; It was
+Cora, her tongue as sharp as ever, making the explanation.</p>
+
+<p>Margie was taking in everything and fairly gaping at the cowboys who in their
+picturesque garb, were lounging nearby waiting for the gong to call them to
+supper.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow came by and Janet called to him, introducing Cora and
+Margie.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have them stay for dinner and meet the company,&#8221; said the
+director, who, with the film on schedule, felt particularly hospitable.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, we&#8217;d love that,&#8221; gurgled Cora. &#8220;We&#8217;ve always
+wanted to see a picture being taken.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow scratched his head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, we&#8217;re all through for today, but if Janet and Helen could bunk
+double and give you one of the beds in their room, you could stay over and see
+the final shooting tomorrow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, that would be grand,&#8221; put in Margie, &#8220;and I&#8217;m sure
+Janet and Helen won&#8217;t mind doubling up.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was little Janet or Helen could say, except to agree, and they helped
+Cora and Margie get their bags out of the car and escorted
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_32'></a>32</span>them up to the
+room which they occupied.</p>
+
+<p>At dinner that night they introduced the girls to all of the members of the
+company who ate at the ranchhouse and Janet noted that Cora could hardly keep
+her eyes off tall, handsome Curt Newsom. Curt was nice to them, as he was to
+everybody, explaining carefully all of the questions they asked.</p>
+
+<p>That night Cora asked a question that had kept her on edge all
+evening.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you suppose we could get in one of the scenes tomorrow?&#8221; she
+asked Janet. &#8220;Surely you or Helen could get the director to use us just a
+little bit.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet was dubious. It was the last day at the ranch and there would be much
+to be done. Billy Fenstow would be in no mood for trifles such as working
+friends into scenes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If it wasn&#8217;t the last day I think it could be arranged,&#8221; put
+in Helen, &#8220;but I&#8217;d hate to ask Mr. Fenstow to do it under the
+circumstances.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Margie pouted visibly and Cora, always arrogant, flared up.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, of course you won&#8217;t. Just because your father&#8217;s a director and
+they have to put
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_33'></a>33</span>you in pictures
+you won&#8217;t say a good word for anyone else. How do we know you&#8217;re even in
+this company?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll have to take our word for it until you see the picture on the
+screen,&#8221; retorted Helen.</p>
+
+<p>Janet could understand the tremendous desire of Cora and Margie to appear in
+a scene. It was the most natural thing in the world and she felt just a little
+sorry for them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll speak to Mr. Fenstow in the morning,&#8221; she promised.
+&#8220;If he&#8217;s in a good mood he may find a spot for you, but if he&#8217;s
+grouchy he&#8217;ll probably order you away from the place.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How do you know when he&#8217;s grouchy?&#8221; asked Margie.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t until after you&#8217;ve asked him,&#8221; replied Janet, with
+a thin smile.</p>
+
+<p>Cora and Margie exhibited a tremendous curiosity, asking questions about
+everything and from almost everyone, Cora especially plaguing Curt Newsom, until
+the tall cowboy star finally found an excuse to escape from her constant
+barrage.</p>
+
+<p>It was late when they went to bed and Janet and Helen, sleeping in a narrow,
+single bed, <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_34'></a>34</span>did
+not rest well. They were awake at dawn, both of them feeling tired and
+worn.</p>
+
+<p>Cora and Margie, imbued with the excitement of actually being with a movie
+company, appeared as vivacious as ever.</p>
+
+<p>At breakfast Billy Fenstow outlined plans for the final day&#8217;s
+shooting.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got one more scene to take in the village,&#8221; he
+explained. &#8220;It&#8217;s a shot of a group of townspeople watching the arrival
+of Curt and the rustlers he has captured.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Impetuous Cora Dean broke in.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;May Margie and I get in the crowd scene?&#8221; she asked
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>A frown appeared on Billy Fenstow&#8217;s usually bland face, for he disliked
+greatly being interrupted when he was outlining his plans to his company.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll see about it later,&#8221; he said curtly, and continued with
+his explanation.</p>
+
+<p>After breakfast Cora faced Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Too bad you couldn&#8217;t have said a good word for us with your
+director,&#8221; she flared.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There wasn&#8217;t a real good chance,&#8221; replied Janet. &#8220;I
+warned you last night not to bother him if he wasn&#8217;t in a good mood.&#8221;
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_35'></a>35</span>&#8220;But how
+was I to know?&#8221; complained Cora.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, you do now,&#8221; said Janet, and it was hard to keep from
+smiling. But she could realize how much it would mean to Cora and Margie and it
+would be mean of her not to help them just a little so later she spoke to
+&#8220;Skeets&#8221; Irwin, the assistant director, and &#8220;Skeets&#8221;
+promised to get Cora and Margie into the crowd scene.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen were in the same scene and they changed into their costumes,
+Janet into a dusty riding habit and Helen into a gingham dress and the apron
+that was her badge as a waitress in the village&#8217;s one restaurant.</p>
+
+<p>The girls rode down to the village, Cora and Margie following in their own
+car. &#8220;Skeets&#8221; had provided them with appropriate costumes and they
+were so excited they could hardly talk.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow was back giving instructions to the riders who were to sweep
+down into the village while &#8220;Skeets&#8221; handled the scene at the
+village.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t stand around like a bunch of wooden Indians,&#8221; said the
+assistant director. &#8220;Show
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_36'></a>36</span>some interest when
+those horsemen come over the hills. I want plenty of action in this
+scene.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Keep close to us,&#8221; Janet advised Cora and Margie. &#8220;All you
+have to do is look excited.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s going to be easy,&#8221; smiled Margie. &#8220;I&#8217;m so
+nervous now I can&#8217;t stay still a minute.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Final instructions were given and the cameras started grinding as a massed
+body of riders swept over the crest of the hills and galloped madly toward the
+village.</p>
+
+<p>The girls, who had been in the restaurant, rushed into the street and joined
+the other members of the company and the villagers who had been pressed into
+service as extras.</p>
+
+<p>It was action and good action. Janet thrilled at the magnificent riding of
+Curt Newsom, who rode with consumate skill and grace. He was a part of the horse
+he was astride and it was no effort to Janet to register extreme
+excitement.</p>
+
+<p>The mounted men, a band of captives in the center of the group, reined in
+before the astonished villagers and Curt, dismounting, pulled one of the
+captives from his saddle and strode toward the door which was marked sheriff&#8217;s
+office. Curt pulled the protesting
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_37'></a>37</span>rider after him,
+disappearing into the sheriff&#8217;s office. That finished the sequence and the
+cameras stopped clicking.</p>
+
+<p>It was the last of the big scenes and the rest of the day was to be spent in
+picking up shots to fill out the story.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you suppose we looked all right?&#8221; asked Cora, who had been
+fitted out in a housedress and sunbonnet. Margie was similarly attired.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure you looked your parts,&#8221; Janet assured them,
+&#8220;but don&#8217;t be too disappointed when you see the picture. There&#8217;ll only
+be a flash of this action on the screen and the &#8216;mob&#8217; scene won&#8217;t
+last more than a few seconds.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll see that one of the theaters at home books it,&#8221; declared
+Margie firmly, &#8220;and maybe Pete Benda will run a story about
+us.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if he did,&#8221; agreed Janet.</p>
+
+<p>They went back to the ranchhouse for lunch and Billy Fenstow beamed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re ahead of schedule now. Another two hours and we&#8217;ll be ready
+to start for the studio where we can finish up the interiors in a couple more
+days.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The bus which had brought them from
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_38'></a>38</span>Hollywood rolled
+into the valley and several of the cowboys started loading baggage and equipment
+aboard it.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen went upstairs, followed by Cora and Margie. Both of the
+latter had been hinting that they would like an invitation to stay for a time in
+Hollywood, but they had been so mean and small during their high school days
+that neither Janet nor Helen could bear the thought of entertaining them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Coming back to Clarion this fall?&#8221; asked Cora, her dark eyes
+fairly snapping as she waited eagerly for the answer to her question.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I haven&#8217;t the slightest idea,&#8221; replied Janet, quite
+truthfully.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How about you, Helen?&#8221; It was Margie asking this time.</p>
+
+<p>Helen shook her head. &#8220;Your guess is as good as mine.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t you stay on in pictures?&#8221; asked Cora, a tinge of sarcasm
+in her voice.</p>
+
+<p>That nettled Janet. &#8220;If we want to,&#8221; she retorted, &#8220;but
+neither one of us can see much of a future in being actresses in western
+films.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;With all of the influence your father has, you ought to be able to get
+into better pictures,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_39'></a>39</span>Margie told Helen,
+and it was her turn to feel a mounting flood of color in her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You can leave Dad out of this. He gave us an introduction, but we&#8217;ve
+won our parts,&#8221; snapped Helen.</p>
+
+<p>The girls finished packing in silence and were ready to go down stairs when
+&#8220;Skeets&#8221; stuck his head in the door.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Bus is all ready to start back for the city,&#8221; he said, picking
+up Janet&#8217;s and Helen&#8217;s bags.</p>
+
+<p>Cora and Margie took their own luggage and followed them down stairs.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you think we ought to invite them to Hollywood with us?&#8221;
+whispered Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s up to you,&#8221; replied Janet, &#8220;for they would have
+to be entertained in your home.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, what do you honestly think?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet didn&#8217;t answer at once, but as they reached the bus, she said,
+&#8220;I think I&#8217;ve had about all of the insinuations I can stand from either
+one of them.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen smiled. &#8220;That&#8217;s a help, for I feel the same way.&#8221; She
+turned toward the other girls, who were putting their baggage in their
+car.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We may see you in Clarion before college starts this fall,&#8221; she
+said. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_40'></a>40</span>&#8220;Thanks
+for all your help,&#8221; flipped Cora, seating herself behind the wheel.
+&#8220;I&#8217;m sure we&#8217;ll enjoy ourselves in Hollywood. We may run into you
+someplace.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>She threw in the gears and the car lurched away along the dusty road that
+wound through the hills to the main highway some miles away.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wasn&#8217;t she nice and cordial?&#8221; smiled Helen as she turned back
+to Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Cora hasn&#8217;t changed a bit and I don&#8217;t suppose she will. What fun
+she could have if she&#8217;d only be a little less selfish,&#8221; said Janet.
+</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ad'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_41'></a>41</span><i>Chapter Four</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>HIGH PRAISE</p>
+
+<p>By the time everything was loaded into the bus, the sun was well down toward
+the western hills and the ranch was bathed in the soft, warm light of the late
+afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>Curt Newsom, who had finished superintending the loading of his own horses
+into his private truck, walked over to join the girls, his spurs jingling as he
+walked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Glad it&#8217;s all over?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>Janet shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hardly. I&#8217;ve enjoyed it so much I really didn&#8217;t want it to end,
+but I guess that all good things come to an end.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You did a splendid job as leading woman,&#8221; smiled Curt. &#8220;I
+wish all of them were like you. Every once in a while the girls they assign to
+this unit get it into their heads that they are real actresses and they go
+temperamental on us. But you two worked like real troupers
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_42'></a>42</span>and took all of
+the bumps as they came.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And they came, too,&#8221; grinned Helen, rubbing her right leg, for
+she had slipped and fallen from a horse two days before and her leg was black
+and blue.</p>
+
+<p>Curt was silent for a few moments, smiling at the efforts of
+&#8220;Skeets&#8221; to round up the last members of the company and get them
+aboard the big bus.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are you going to stay with us?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We don&#8217;t know,&#8221; replied Helen. &#8220;Fall&#8217;s almost here and
+that means college time. We&#8217;re both awfully young to stay on in
+pictures.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, I wouldn&#8217;t say that. I&#8217;ve known girls younger than either one
+of you to make a success.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But they didn&#8217;t last long,&#8221; countered Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps you&#8217;re right on that,&#8221; agreed Curt. &#8220;Are you
+going to school?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I expect we&#8217;ll decide that when we get back to Hollywood and have a
+long talk with mother and dad,&#8221; replied Helen.</p>
+
+<p>Just then Billy Fenstow hurried up, puffing and exceedingly warm.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Everybody accounted for?&#8221; he asked his harried assistant.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_43'></a>43</span>&#8220;All
+here,&#8221; replied the red-faced &#8220;Skeets.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sit down in the back seat with me,&#8221; the director told the girls.
+&#8220;I want to talk with you on the way back to the city.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The last members of the company were herded aboard the bus and the girls,
+Curt Newsom and the director were the last to get aboard.</p>
+
+<p>They sat down on the broad back seat which had been reserved for the
+director. The bus lurched into motion and rolled away from the
+ranchhouse.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow mopped his perspiring brow and leaned back to enjoy the
+ride.</p>
+
+<p>The dusty road wound through the hills, golden clouds of dust marking the
+passing of the bus.</p>
+
+<p>They were halfway to the main highway when the motor started to cough and the
+big vehicle slowed to a stop.</p>
+
+<p>The driver buried himself under the hood and tinkered with the engine for a
+few minutes. Then he climbed back into his seat and started the motor
+again.</p>
+
+<p>They progressed for several hundred yards and finally groaned to a
+stop.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Looks like we may be late in getting to
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_44'></a>44</span>dinner,&#8221;
+said Curt. &#8220;Sounded like serious trouble under the hood that
+time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The lanky cowboy uncoiled his legs and went out to see if he could be of any
+assistance to the bus driver.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow, taking advantage of the stop, spoke to Janet and Helen, his
+voice so low that it was doubtful if he could be overheard by any other member
+of the company.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What about staying in the company for my next picture?&#8221; he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When will it start?&#8221; Janet countered.</p>
+
+<p>The director mopped his brow again and grinned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just as soon as I can hash together a good enough story. Two weeks,
+maybe three, or it might even be a month. Why?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re not certain what we want to do,&#8221; explained Helen.
+&#8220;You see, college starts next month.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My heavens,&#8221; exclaimed the director. &#8220;What under the sun
+do you want to go to college for? You&#8217;re smart enough right now.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just it; we aren&#8217;t,&#8221; replied Janet. &#8220;And
+we&#8217;re terribly young, if the truth were known.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_45'></a>45</span>Billy Fenstow
+looked at them critically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yep, you&#8217;re young enough,&#8221; he conceded, &#8220;but what&#8217;s
+that got to do with it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, we&#8217;re nothing sensational as actresses,&#8221; replied Janet,
+&#8220;and neither one of us would want to go along playing minor rôles for
+years. If we ever hope to do more than that we&#8217;ve got to have more of a
+background in education and college seems to be the easiest and surest way to
+attain that.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow nodded in agreement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe you&#8217;re right,&#8221; he admitted, &#8220;but you could stay on
+with me at one hundred or one hundred and fifty dollars a week for a long
+time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But how many weeks a year would we work at that rate? There wouldn&#8217;t
+be more than twenty-five or thirty at the most and our expenses of staying on in
+Hollywood would become heavier.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now that you put it that way, you&#8217;re probably right. But when you do
+get through college, don&#8217;t forget to come back and we&#8217;ll see how things go
+then.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The director started to get up, then sank back on the cushions. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_46'></a>46</span>&#8220;You
+helped doctor the script of &#8216;Kings of the Air,&#8217; didn&#8217;t you?&#8221;
+he asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I made a suggestion or two,&#8221; she admitted.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I heard it was a little more than that,&#8221; smiled the director.
+&#8220;Why don&#8217;t you see what you could do with a western script for me. I
+haven&#8217;t got an idea and if I turn it over to the studio writers, I&#8217;ll
+probably get another stereotyped plot.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are you serious?&#8221; demanded Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Very much so. You might be able to put together something with a new
+angle. Mind you, it must be simple in action, for I&#8217;ve got to operate on a
+slim budget, but we must have a satisfactory love angle and a plausible plot.
+Think you can do anything with it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll try; I&#8217;ll do my best,&#8221; promised Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then I guess I&#8217;ll take a little vacation when we get back to
+Hollywood. I&#8217;ll need the story in about ten days, or at least a complete
+outline by that time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The tubby little director lifted himself off the seat and ambled down the
+aisle to learn how much longer they would be detained and Janet watched him go
+with a strange elation in her heart. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ae'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_47'></a>47</span><i>Chapter Five</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>DEADLY FANGS</p>
+
+<p>Helen looked at her companion through smiling, quizzical eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, what do you make of that?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m a little bit dizzy, but I guess Mr. Fenstow meant what he said.
+Do you suppose I can really turn out an acceptable story for a western
+picture?&#8221; Janet turned and shot the question squarely at Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure you can. That is,&#8221; she amended, &#8220;if you don&#8217;t
+let the thought of it scare you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll give it a lot of time and thought before I start writing the
+story.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There isn&#8217;t much time,&#8221; warned Helen, and Janet knew that her
+companion was right.</p>
+
+<p>Ten days&#x2014;sometimes it seemed like an endless length of time; then
+again it vanished like magic and she had a feeling that this might be the case.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_48'></a>48</span>Some members of
+the company left the bus and walked around to stretch their legs; the others
+remained quietly in their seats, only a few of them talking for they were glad
+the strain of making the picture was at an end.</p>
+
+<p>Janet sniffed the late afternoon air. There seemed to be a faint odor of
+smoke, but she decided some of the men in the company must be smoking
+nearby.</p>
+
+<p>The heat abated somewhat as they waited for the driver to repair the engine
+and a sharp breeze swept down out of the hills sending little swirls of dust
+dancing along the winding road ahead of them.</p>
+
+<p>Helen leaned close to her companion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Smell smoke?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not now, but I thought I did a few minutes ago,&#8221; replied
+Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I can now,&#8221; went on Helen, sniffing intently.</p>
+
+<p>Janet thought she caught another whiff of smoke, but she couldn&#8217;t be
+sure.</p>
+
+<p>Curt Newsom, who had been trying to help repair the engine, came back along
+the bus. His face was smudged with grime and dirt and his hands were covered
+with grease. He raised
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_49'></a>49</span>one of them and
+motioned for Janet and Helen to join him. The girls left their seats and walked
+down the bus, Curt meeting them at the doorway.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come on,&#8221; he said sharply and in a manner that was little like
+his own.</p>
+
+<p>He strode away through the dry grass, which crackled like tinder under his
+boots. He was a good fifty yards away from the bus and far beyond earshot when
+he stopped and faced the girls.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It will be hours before that bus can be repaired,&#8221; he told them.
+&#8220;Someone will have to go back to the ranch or the nearest village and
+phone for another vehicle to come out from the city.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The freshening breeze stirred up a cloud of dust which enveloped them for a
+moment. Curt sneezed heavily and then sniffed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Smell anything?&#8221; There was desperate intentness in his
+question.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen wrinkled their noses and sniffed eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>Helen shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not now, but a while ago I thought I smelled smoke.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_50'></a>50</span>&#8220;So did
+I,&#8221; added Janet. &#8220;It was kind of like tobacco smoke and then it
+wasn&#8217;t.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt shook his head. &#8220;I&#8217;m afraid it isn&#8217;t tobacco smoke. I&#8217;ve
+been getting whiffs of it right along. Smells like a brush fire to me, but I
+can&#8217;t locate any sign of smoke.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you mean by brush fire?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Curt looked at her sharply and then his eyes swept the rugged countryside
+where the sparse grass was brown and the brush as brittle as glass.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s like a prairie fire&#x2014;only worse. It&#8217;s even worse than a
+forest fire. It spreads more rapidly. Once a fire gets started in this dry,
+combustible stuff, it&#8217;s almost impossible to stop it. Either a good rain comes
+along or the blamed thing just burns itself out.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I should think you could dodge a brush fire,&#8221; put in
+Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe you could if you knew which way it was going to jump. But it
+moves almost like lightning and it&#8217;s on you before you know it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The cowboy star cast an anxious eye over the rolling hills, but there was no
+sign of smoke, <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_51'></a>51</span>no
+spear of flame to flash a warning of impending trouble.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Keep your nose busy and your eyes and ears on the job. You might even
+stir around in the hills a bit. If you see anything that looks like it might
+spell trouble, let me know. I&#8217;m going back to try and help the driver. We&#8217;ll
+give you plenty of time to get back before we start on if we just happen to find
+the trouble.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt, his spurs jingling musically, strode away, and Janet and Helen watched
+him go with mingled feelings. His words had aroused a very definite sense of
+alarm in their minds and they were a little white as they faced each
+other.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I smell smoke now,&#8221; said Helen, sniffing intently.
+Janet did likewise, but she couldn&#8217;t be sure, and the breeze was getting
+sharper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll scout around these hills. Let&#8217;s try that one,&#8221; Janet
+pointed to a ragged outcropping of rock that towered above the rest.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s going to be hard to climb,&#8221; cautioned Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know, but once we&#8217;re on top we&#8217;ll be able to see all over this
+country. If there&#8217;s
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_52'></a>52</span>any sign of a
+brush fire, we&#8217;ll be able to see it from there.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I suppose you&#8217;re right. Wish I had left my heavy boots on. These
+shoes aren&#8217;t made for this kind of walking,&#8221; and Helen looked down at
+the low-heeled, comfortable oxfords she wore. They were all right for street
+wear, but when it came to climbing about over thin, rocky soil, they provided
+only a minimum of protection.</p>
+
+<p>The outcropping Janet had selected was even steeper than they had anticipated
+and as they climbed, the outline of the bus in the valley became smaller. They
+stopped several times to rest and on the last occasion Janet sat down on a flat,
+sun-baked rock. There was a certain fetid odor about it but she thought nothing
+of it until Helen, who was about to sit down beside her, screamed.</p>
+
+<p>Without thinking and so swiftly it must have been a reflex action, she hurled
+herself away from the rock.</p>
+
+<p>She dropped in a twisting, rolling fall and as she turned she glimpsed a
+venomous head with lashing fangs which flashed out once from the rock and then
+disappeared. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_af'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_53'></a>53</span><i>Chapter Six</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>THE SMOKY MENACE</p>
+
+<p>Janet fell heavily, turning over several times before she finally came to
+rest against a clump of dry brush.</p>
+
+<p>Helen was at her side almost instantly, her face drawn and tense.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Did it strike you?&#8221; she asked, deep anxiety marking her
+words.</p>
+
+<p>Janet, still dazed by the shock of hurling herself to the ground, looked up
+and managed a wan smile. She shook her head and with Helen giving her a hand,
+got to her feet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, I&#8217;m all right. Just scared a little. It was so
+sudden.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The snake was coiled up on the back of the rock. I saw it just as you
+sat down. For a second I was speechless; then I seemed to explode into a
+scream,&#8221; explained Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a good thing for me that you did,&#8221; said Janet. &#8220;I
+don&#8217;t think the snake missed it
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_54'></a>54</span>more than inches.
+We&#8217;d better get some stout clubs if we&#8217;re going to do any more climbing
+around these rocks.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One thing, we&#8217;re not going to sit down on any of them,&#8221;
+declared Helen, who was watching the pile of rocks with open suspicion. There
+was still that fetid smell in the air, but no sign of any snakes.</p>
+
+<p>They looked about for sticks which could be used for clubs and Helen found
+several sizeable sticks which would serve that purpose.</p>
+
+<p>The incident had unnerved them more than they cared to confess and they sat
+down to rest on the sandy soil, taking care that nothing was near them which
+would conceal a snake.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon deepened and the sun was about to sink over the western hills
+when they roused themselves and started on toward the summit of the promontory
+they had been climbing.</p>
+
+<p>Janet stopped and sniffed the air. The odor of smoke seemed stronger now, yet
+there was no visible sign of it.</p>
+
+<p>Helen also smelled it, for the wind, if anything, was sharper now.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If there&#8217;s a fire burning somewhere near
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_55'></a>55</span>here, it might be
+bad for us,&#8221; she said. &#8220;This dry grass and underbrush would burn
+like tinder.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what Curt fears,&#8221; added Janet.</p>
+
+<p>They stopped to rest once more before they started the final ascent to the
+rocky outcropping from which they hoped to be able to survey the entire
+surrounding country.</p>
+
+<p>As they started up the final slope, the smell of the smoke became stronger.
+Looking back into the valley where the bus was stalled, Janet could see the men
+in the company all grouped around the front end. It was evident that the trouble
+had not been repaired. Some distance from the bus a lone figure was striding
+along the trail, evidently bound for the nearest ranch or village where he could
+telephone for another bus and a repair crew.</p>
+
+<p>They toiled up the last few yards to the summit of the promontory and reached
+it only to drop down in an open space, gasping for breath, for the last part of
+the climb had been arduous.</p>
+
+<p>A sharp cry from Helen drew Janet&#8217;s attention away from the bus, which now
+seemed far down in the valley. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_56'></a>56</span>&#8220;There&#8217;s fire burning in that further valley,&#8221; cried Helen, an involuntary note of alarm in her voice.</p>
+
+<p>Janet turned quickly and gazed in the direction Helen was pointing. Her
+companion was right. There was fire in one of the distant valleys. From their
+elevation they could see a low, creeping wave of smoke shot through with an
+occasional tongue of flame.</p>
+
+<p>The wind, riffling past them now, was sweeping the fire in their direction at
+a steady pace, but it was at least two miles away, perhaps even further,
+estimated Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Does it look serious?&#8221; asked Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I should say it does,&#8221; replied Janet quickly. &#8220;One of us
+must get back to the bus at once and warn Curt. This is what he&#8217;s
+feared.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll stay,&#8221; said Helen, but Janet noted that her companion&#8217;s
+face paled at the thought of staying on top of the ridge and watching the fire
+sweep toward her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No you won&#8217;t. If there&#8217;s any staying to be done up here, I&#8217;ll be
+the one,&#8221; decided Janet. &#8220;Besides, I can run faster than you and
+your shoes are in no condition to go racing over this rough ground. You start
+down now and <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_57'></a>57</span>tell
+Curt exactly what&#8217;s happening. Tell him the fire is moving steadily in our
+direction and I can&#8217;t see that anyone is in front of it attempting to beat it
+out or to build barriers to halt it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I hate to leave you here alone,&#8221; protested Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never mind that. You get back to the bus. Hurry!&#8221; There was an
+anxious note of appeal in Janet&#8217;s last words and Helen flung down the stick
+she had been carrying and started back down the slope.</p>
+
+<p>Janet watched her for a time as she darted around outcroppings of rock. Then
+she turned and gazed at the low wall of smoke which was being whipped along by
+the wind.</p>
+
+<p>From that distance it was hard to imagine that the advancing smoke and fire
+could be such a deadly thing&#x2014;that it could lay waste to everything in its
+path, leaving, where it had passed, only a sear and desolate landscape.</p>
+
+<p>The wind seemed to be strengthening with the passing of each minute. The
+crest of the advancing fire topped the ridge of another valley and started down
+the near slope, but it was still better than a mile and a half away.
+Occasionally a jet of flame rose higher than
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_58'></a>58</span>the others, as
+though some madman had tossed a torch high into the air at his exhilaration over
+the destruction the flames were causing.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon was waning rapidly and in the valleys between Janet and the
+flames the light was fading. She turned and gazed back down the long slope.
+Helen was almost at the bus, making every effort at speed and Janet felt sorry
+for her for she knew Helen must be suffering intense pain from her too-thin
+shoes for the rocks would bruise her feet badly.</p>
+
+<p>Janet saw Helen reach the bus and the men turned their attention from the
+stalled motor to the newcomer. Janet thought she could distinguish Curt Newsom
+looming above the others but she couldn&#8217;t be sure.</p>
+
+<p>In less than a minute a solitary figure detached itself from the group around
+the bus and started up the slope toward Janet. From the long stride and the
+graceful carriage of the body she knew it was the cowboy star, coming up to get
+a first-hand glimpse of the advancing fire.</p>
+
+<p>Someone down at the bus turned on the headlights, and twin beams of light
+flashed through the gathering purple of the evening. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_59'></a>59</span>Janet heard a
+scurrying up the other slope and a jack rabbit, scenting the danger of the
+approaching wall of smoke and fire, dashed past her. She knew that later there
+would be an onrush of the smaller animals seeking to evade the danger. But for
+some reason Janet felt strangely calm.</p>
+
+<p>The fire was still more than a mile away. True, it was advancing steadily,
+but the thought of being trapped by flames had never really entered her mind and
+she refused to be stampeded now.</p>
+
+<p>She turned back to watch the progress of Curt Newsom as he raced up the
+slope. It was almost dusk now where she was standing but she could see him
+coming steadily toward her. He would be beside her in another minute.</p>
+
+<p>The cowboy star, puffing heavily from the race up the rocky slope, reached
+Janet&#8217;s side.</p>
+
+<p>The smell of smoke was stronger now and the flames were brighter as though
+they were eating their way through heavier underbrush.</p>
+
+<p>Curt&#8217;s features were plainly visible in the half light of the early evening
+and Janet could see the lines of worry on his face.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s worse than I thought from what Helen
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_60'></a>60</span>told us,&#8221; he
+said, shielding his eyes and looking across the intervening valleys to the ridge
+down which the fire was now racing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is it serious?&#8221; asked Janet. &#8220;Are we in
+danger?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt stared at her hard, wondering just how much he dared to tell her. Then
+he decided she might as well know the truth and he spoke frankly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The wind&#8217;s rising all the time and this fire&#8217;s spreading rapidly.
+We&#8217;ve got to get out of here within the next few minutes or we may never leave
+these valleys alive.&#8221; </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ag'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_61'></a>61</span><i>Chapter Seven</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>RACING FLAMES</p>
+
+<p>Janet felt an inward surge of terror sweep over her, chilling her mind and
+body. But it lasted for only an instant. She was too calm, too sensible to
+become panic stricken now. They might be in a tight spot but she had confidence
+that the angular, capable cowboy would be able to pull them through.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got to get back to the bus and warn them of the danger. Maybe
+the boys will have the engine fixed by the time we&#8217;re back.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt turned for a final look at the advancing wall of smoke and flame.</p>
+
+<p>A steady procession of small animals, driven from their homes, was racing
+through the underbrush and an occasional frightened rabbit would almost bump
+into them in its blind haste to find safety.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come on!&#8221; said Curt. He held out his hand and Janet grasped it.
+With the cowboy
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_62'></a>62</span>leading the way,
+they plunged down the slope. It was risky business, going at that speed, but
+speed was essential and they dared a twisted ankle to reach the bus with the
+least possible delay.</p>
+
+<p>Janet dropped the stick she had been carrying and grasped Curt&#8217;s strong
+wrist with both of her own hands. They were fairly flying down the incline,
+Janet&#8217;s legs working mechanically as she followed the lead of the cowboy
+star.</p>
+
+<p>They crashed through a low fringe of underbrush and reached the twisting
+roadway. Half a hundred feet away was the bus, its lights glowing, but no other
+sign of animation coming from the mechanical monster.</p>
+
+<p>The smoke was not yet thick in this valley and for this Janet was thankful
+for the other members of the company obviously had not become panicky.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow saw them first.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What about the fire?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s bad. We&#8217;ve got to get out of here and without losing any
+time. How about the bus?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It won&#8217;t even cough,&#8221; moaned the director. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_63'></a>63</span>&#8220;Any word
+from the man you sent for help?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not yet. What&#8217;ll we do?&#8221; There was an anxious note in Billy
+Fenstow&#8217;s voice.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know yet, but we&#8217;ll do something.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt strode forward to the front end of the bus where the male members of the
+company were grouped.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Any chance of getting going within the next five or ten
+minutes?&#8221; he asked the director, who was almost buried under the
+hood.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Afraid not,&#8221; came the smothered reply. &#8220;I&#8217;ve found the
+trouble but it&#8217;s going to take about half an hour to get it
+fixed.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt turned and faced Bill Fenstow.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s too long,&#8221; he warned the director. &#8220;The wind&#8217;s
+getting worse and that fire&#8217;s coming fast now. In another half hour this
+valley will be an inferno. It will be impossible for anyone to live in
+it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then we&#8217;d better start back for the ranch afoot,&#8221; said the
+director.</p>
+
+<p>Curt&#8217;s laugh was hard and thin and Janet, hearing it, thought it was a
+desperate laugh.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The fire would overtake us before we could get near the ranch,&#8221;
+said Curt. &#8220;We&#8217;ve got
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_64'></a>64</span>to make a stand
+and we might as well make it here.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What can we do?&#8221; It was the director asking the question.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We can start a backfire and burn off as much ground around here as
+possible. While some of us are doing that the others can see what they can do in
+getting the bus fixed. If it&#8217;s done in time, we&#8217;ll run for it; if it isn&#8217;t
+this is as good a place as any.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen came close to Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is it that bad?&#8221; she whispered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m afraid it is,&#8221; admitted Janet.
+&#8220;Scared?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Scared to death,&#8221; confessed Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;So am I,&#8221; admitted Janet. &#8220;But maybe there is something we
+can do to help the men.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Every member of the company was anxious and willing to do whatever they could
+and Curt Newsom snapped directions at them. Most of the men raced out into the
+brush and almost instantly small fires sprang up. They ate their way rapidly
+through the undergrowth and as they neared the bus itself were beaten out, the
+men using coats, blankets or whatever article they could find in the bus. In
+less than <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_65'></a>65</span>ten
+minutes there was a growing blackened area around the stalled vehicle. Their
+object was to create a large enough burned over area so that the main wall of
+the advancing fire would move around them.</p>
+
+<p>Curt told them frankly that the heat would be bad, almost unbearable, but
+they could live through it.</p>
+
+<p>The ridge from which Janet and Helen had discovered the fire was outlined
+against a sky shot with crimson for it was quite dark now. Small animals,
+scurrying before the red menace, were racing past almost constantly.</p>
+
+<p>The fires which had been started around the bus were spreading out in a great
+circle, eating their way hungrily along the parched ground. In the light from
+them Janet could see Curt stalking here and there, directing one group and then
+another, and pausing now to beat down some flame with his blanket.</p>
+
+<p>Both girls felt particularly helpless, for there seemed to be nothing they
+could do, and Helen, her light shoes torn and thin, was particularly wretched,
+for her feet were sore and bruised.</p>
+
+<p>A sharp cry came from one of the men who
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_66'></a>66</span>had remained with
+the driver in an effort to get the bus repaired. Someone leaped into the seat,
+there was the whir of the starter and the heavy vehicle shook as its powerful
+motor thundered into motion.</p>
+
+<p>The driver slid out from under the hood. His face was a smear of grease and
+his shirt was badly torn, for he had been working in close quarters. He
+stumbled, reeling from fatigue, but someone caught him and lifted him into the
+bus. Another man sounded the horn and the fire-builders, led by Curt and Billy
+Fenstow, returned to the bus.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Think the motor will hold up?&#8221; Curt snapped at the
+driver.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It ought to, but I can&#8217;t be sure,&#8221; was the tired reply.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you want to do?&#8221; The cowboy fired the question at the
+director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Get out of here and get out quick!&#8221; cried the director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where&#8217;ll you go?&#8221; Curt snapped the question back.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow stared at him for just a moment.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hollywood, of course. Everybody in!&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_67'></a>67</span>But Curt laid a
+restraining hand on the director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The road ahead curves back directly into the path of the flame. If we
+swing around this promontory, we&#8217;ll be cut off ahead and before we can get
+back the flames will be over this section of the road. We can only go
+back.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then back to the ranch we go,&#8221; decided the director, and again
+he called, &#8220;Everybody in!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Members of the company jammed their way into the bus and Curt took the wheel
+for the driver was too exhausted to handle the heavy vehicle.</p>
+
+<p>The smoke was thick now and the first flames were licking their way over the
+crest of the ridge far above them.</p>
+
+<p>With the motor roaring heavily, Curt threw in the gears and swung the big
+vehicle about in a sharp circle. Then, with the headlights vainly trying to bore
+through the almost stifling smoke, they raced back down the road.</p>
+
+<p>It was dangerous going, for Curt&#8217;s vision was cut down to less than three
+rods, but speed was essential now and they plunged through the smoky night at a
+reckless pace. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ah'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_68'></a>68</span><i>Chapter Eight</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>THE LINE GOES DEAD</p>
+
+<p>Lights in the interior of the bus were out now for Curt didn&#8217;t dare run the
+risk that they might interfere with his vision. The heavy vehicle swayed from
+side to side as they bounced over the winding road and Janet and Helen clung to
+each other for protection.</p>
+
+<p>Smoke was swirling across the road and the acrid fumes swept through the open
+windows of the bus, but there was no time now to close them.</p>
+
+<p>They raced out of the valley they had been in, shot up over a slight rise,
+and descended into another valley, the glare of the flames being lost to view
+for the time.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Think we&#8217;ll make it?&#8221; gasped Helen, clinging tightly to
+Janet&#8217;s right arm.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got to,&#8221; replied Janet. &#8220;The last shots for the
+picture are in the bus.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not worrying about the picture; it&#8217;s
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_69'></a>69</span>us,&#8221;
+retorted Helen. &#8220;My eyes hurt; so do my feet.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet couldn&#8217;t help smiling for Helen was very much matter of fact.</p>
+
+<p>There was a sharp report under the bus, like a gunshot or the backfire of the
+exhaust. But it was neither and the girls were thrown heavily against the side
+of the bus as the left rear tire let go.</p>
+
+<p>The heavy machine swayed dangerously with Curt fighting for control. The
+brakes screamed as they ground to a stop and Curt leaped out to survey the
+damage. The driver followed him and then Billy Fenstow followed.</p>
+
+<p>The driver turned on his flashlight and Janet could hear Curt&#8217;s muttered
+exclamation of disgust.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We can change; we&#8217;ve got a spare,&#8221; the driver said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve got to and we&#8217;ll have to work fast,&#8221; snapped
+Curt.</p>
+
+<p>Under the lashing directions of the cowboy star, other members of the company
+turned to and lent a hand. Tools were taken out, a big jack was placed under the
+rear axle, and the work started. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_70'></a>70</span>From somewhere
+behind came the ominous roar of the fire and the sky behind the ridge they had
+just topped crimsoned. Helen, her thin oxfords badly cut, shifted miserably from
+one foot to another and longed for a hot bath in which to soak her aching
+feet.</p>
+
+<p>While Curt and several assistants wrestled with the task of getting the flat
+tire off, the driver managed to get the spare wheel down from its rack at the
+rear.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not much air in it,&#8221; he grumbled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There never is,&#8221; snapped Curt, &#8220;but you know how to use a
+pump.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow seized the pump, fastened the hose to the valve on the tire,
+and bent his tired body to the task of increasing the air pressure in the big
+tire.</p>
+
+<p>It was a tedious, wracking job, and the men alternated, working at top speed
+for a minute, then giving way to another fresher one.</p>
+
+<p>Curt, scanning the horizon above the ridge, urged them to greater
+haste.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Fire&#8217;s getting close,&#8221; he warned. &#8220;We&#8217;ve got to get
+under way.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow unfastened the pump and Curt seized the big steel wheel with
+its huge <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_71'></a>71</span>casing.
+Other willing hands helped him get it on the axle. Anxious fingers sped the
+bolts into place and they tightened them as rapidly as possible.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Get going!&#8221; Curt yelled at the driver.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How about the jack?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never mind that. Throw her in gear and she&#8217;ll come off. That
+fire&#8217;s coming fast now.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As though in answer to Curt&#8217;s warning, the flames shot over the top of the
+nearest ridge and started down. They seemed to be racing now with the speed of a
+greyhound, leaping from thicket to thicket with unbelievable rapidity.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen, clinging together on the back seat, watched it with
+fascinated eyes. The fire was a living, advancing thing that might surround and
+swallow them in its flaming greed. The thought sent a deadening chill through
+Janet and for a moment she closed her eyes to the red spectacle.</p>
+
+<p>The motor of the bus roared again as Curt trod heavily on the starter. The
+big vehicle pulsated with power and there was the crash of gears as they lurched
+ahead and the left rear wheel dropped off the jack. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_72'></a>72</span>Like a
+frightened elephant the bus leaped forward, its headlights once more boring
+through the smoke-laden night air.</p>
+
+<p>Curt drove with reckless abandon, tramping the accelerator down almost to the
+floor boards. His passengers were flung from one side of the lunging vehicle to
+another, but they knew that only in speed now lay their hope for salvation and
+none of them cried out as their bruised bodies were flung back and forth.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen managed to wedge themselves in a corner where, by clinging
+together, they could escape with only a minimum of bouncing about.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the road straightened out and the smoke thinned. Janet recognized
+where they were. It was the last half mile which led back to the ranch where
+they had completed shooting the new picture only that afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>They had outdistanced the racing flames and Curt reduced the wild speed of
+the bus. In less than five minutes they swung into the broad yard of the ranch,
+but there were no lights in the house nor in the bunkhouse.</p>
+
+<p>Curt blasted sharply on the horn, but there was no sign or sound of life
+anywhere. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_73'></a>73</span>&#8220;Looks
+like everyone&#8217;s sound asleep,&#8221; said Billy Fenstow, who was rubbing his
+bruises gingerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;ve probably taken to the hills,&#8221; replied Curt.</p>
+
+<p>They unloaded and entered the ranchhouse. Curt lighted a lamp and it was
+evident from the disorder in the rooms that the owners had fled hastily. The
+corrals were open and all of the stock had been turned loose.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen stopped beside the water tank. Their throats were dry and
+tasted heavily of smoke so they drank deeply of the cool, fresh water.</p>
+
+<p>Curt, pausing for a moment, stuck his whole head in the tank, and then drank
+from the cup the girls offered him. As he gulped down the water he watched the
+crimson horizon northwest of the ranch.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Looks like we&#8217;re going to be safe here unless the wind swings around
+a little more,&#8221; he observed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m worried about the folks. They know what time we were going to
+start back and they&#8217;ll be frantic when they hear about the fire,&#8221; said
+Helen. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_74'></a>74</span>&#8220;Phone
+line may still be up,&#8221; said Curt. &#8220;Go in the house and see if you
+can get a call through.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen turned and hastened toward the house while Curt rejoined the men, who
+were staying near the bus. The driver was buried under the hood again, making
+sure that there would be no recurrence of their previous engine trouble.</p>
+
+<p>Janet followed Helen into the ranchhouse. The phone, an old-fashioned wall
+instrument, was in the dining room. There was a large plate of cookies,
+evidently left from supper, on the table, and neither girl could resist helping
+herself to several. Helen munched them as she cranked the telephone and listened
+for an answer from the operator in the nearest town. At last the response
+came.</p>
+
+<p>Helen, talking rapidly, gave her father&#8217;s address and phone number in
+Hollywood. In less than five minutes the call was through and she heard her
+father&#8217;s voice on the other end of the wire.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hello, Dad. This is Helen.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where are we? Back at the ranch. No, we&#8217;re safe enough. The bus
+broke down and <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_75'></a>75</span>we
+had to turn back when the fire cut us off.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now don&#8217;t worry, Dad. Curt Newsom says he thinks the fire will swing
+around us. If it doesn&#8217;t, we can take to the hills back of the ranch. We&#8217;ll
+come through all right. Tell Mother not to worry.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s that&#x2014;&#x2014;?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen repeated the question, then looked blankly at Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;See if you can hear him,&#8221; she urged and Janet took the
+receiver.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hello, Mr. Thorne,&#8221; she said. But there was no answer. She
+repeated the question and this time when there was no answer mechanically hung
+up the receiver.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The line&#8217;s dead,&#8221; she told Helen. &#8220;The fire must have
+brought down the poles.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The girls stared hard at each other through smoke-rimmed eyes. The telephone
+had given them a sense of security, a feeling of contact with the outside world.
+Now they were cut off with the flames behind them and only the rugged hills
+ahead. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ai'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_76'></a>76</span><i>Chapter Nine</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>THE FIRE SWEEPS ON</p>
+
+<p>When Janet and Helen returned to the spacious ranch yard, they found the men
+in the company gathered in a council of war near the bus. They were debating
+whether to risk remaining at the ranch or attempt to push on into the hills and
+onto higher ground.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow felt the ranch would be safe and was loath to attempt to go any
+further, but Curt Newsom, who had been watching the shifting clouds of crimson,
+was wary.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A little more and the wind will shift enough to bring the fire down
+into this valley. Once it&#8217;s here it will travel like a race horse and we&#8217;ll
+never reach safety,&#8221; he warned.</p>
+
+<p>The director pointed to several heavy steel containers which held the last of
+the shots for &#8220;Water Hole.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Who&#8217;s going to lug those through the hills?&#8221; he demanded.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_77'></a>77</span>&#8220;We could
+take turns,&#8221; retorted Curt. &#8220;Here&#8217;s a better one. Are those cans
+watertight?&#8221; He shot the question at one of the cameramen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They&#8217;re safe enough, all right,&#8221; he replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then let&#8217;s fasten wires to the handles and lower them into the well
+here. If we have to run for it, we&#8217;ll not be bothered with these heavy
+containers and we&#8217;ll know the last shots are safe.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow agreed that Curt&#8217;s suggestion was an excellent one and they
+scattered in search of a coil of wire. One was found near the bunkhouse. It was
+fastened to one of the containers and the heavy steel receptacle was lowered
+into the well. The wire was cut and the upper end securely fastened to a timber.
+Then the operation was repeated, the second can being lowered until it reached
+the bottom of the well. Curt snipped the wire with a pair of pliers and fastened
+the end with the first one.</p>
+
+<p>Janet had been watching the skyline intently. Perhaps she was simply
+over-wrought, but she felt sure that the crimson glow had brightened as though
+the fire was nearer their own valley. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_78'></a>78</span>&#8220;Watch
+the skyline,&#8221; she urged Helen. &#8220;See if the glow is
+brightening.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen peered through the half-light. Then she shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t be sure, but I think the fire must be nearer,&#8221; she
+said. &#8220;Had we better tell Curt?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes. He&#8217;ll want to know.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The girls called the lanky cowboy aside and Janet confided her fears to
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Curt spun on his heels and stared into the flame-rent sky.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe I&#8217;m imagining things, but it looks bad,&#8221; he muttered.
+Then he called Billy Fenstow over to him and the rotund little director agreed
+that the fire must be getting nearer.</p>
+
+<p>Curt sniffed the smoke. &#8220;It&#8217;s getting thicker. We&#8217;d better get out
+of here.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What about the bus?&#8221; demanded the director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll use that as far as we can. There&#8217;s a trail that goes at
+least a mile back in the hills. After that we&#8217;ll have to go on
+afoot.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Orders snapped from Curt&#8217;s lips. Back into the bus piled the company, Janet
+and Helen were among the last and they stopped long
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_79'></a>79</span>enough beside the
+well for deep drinks of the cool water. It might be many an hour before they
+would have such an opportunity again.</p>
+
+<p>Curt took the wheel for he knew the trail into the hills. The motor roared
+with a heavy song of power and they were away once more, fleeing before the
+ever-hungry flames.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen sank back on the cushions of the rear seat. The trail was
+soft and sandy and although the bus lurched heavily at times, they had an
+opportunity to relax a little.</p>
+
+<p>Helen slipped off her oxfords and rubbed her aching feet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, for a good, hot bath,&#8221; she moaned. &#8220;My feet will never
+be the same again.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mine ache a little even with my boots on,&#8221; admitted Janet. She
+would have liked to have slipped out of her boots and wriggled her toes but they
+were too hard to lace up again.</p>
+
+<p>Curt was driving with a desperate intentness as the going became more
+difficult. The trail had faded into two thin tracks and it was rougher
+now.</p>
+
+<p>Sharp rocks protruded and at any moment a tire might give way. But they kept
+on boring into the hills. The engine was working
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_80'></a>80</span>hard now as they
+ascended a grade and Janet looked back through the broad, rear window of the
+bus.</p>
+
+<p>The valley they had just left was plainly visible and topping the ridge above
+the ranchhouse were the first racing tongues of flame. They had started just in
+time.</p>
+
+<p>Helen turned around and together the girls watched the fire skip down the
+slope. When the scene was finally shut off by their own descent into another
+valley, the fire was almost to the ranchhouse and Janet felt sick at heart as
+she thought of the destruction which was inevitable for the friendly, rambling
+old structure.</p>
+
+<p>The trail they had been following faded completely away and Curt brought the
+bus to a stop.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Want to get out and walk or shall we go on in the bus?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The director&#8217;s reply came quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where can we go?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt shrugged his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You know as well as I do. We&#8217;ve got to go someplace; anywhere to
+stay ahead of the fire.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_81'></a>81</span>&#8220;Then jam
+the bus along as far as it will go,&#8221; ordered the director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Who&#8217;s going to pay for the damage?&#8221; demanded the
+driver.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never mind that,&#8221; snapped Curt. &#8220;The first thing is to
+save our own necks. Then we&#8217;ll worry about the bus.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I&#8217;ll have to report what happened to the company.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll be lucky to get back and make a report,&#8221; retorted the
+cowboy.</p>
+
+<p>They lurched into motion once more, traveling almost blindly now, and much
+slower.</p>
+
+<p>Curt felt his way around clumps of underbrush and outcroppings of rock. The
+wind, swirling along with them, carried a heavy curtain of smoke.</p>
+
+<p>They were rolling down a long slope when a front tire let go with an
+explosion like that from a young cannon and Curt twisted desperately at the
+wheel, fighting for control of the big vehicle. The driver jumped to help him
+and between the two of them they brought it to a halt without an upset.</p>
+
+<p>Curt jumped out to survey the damage and returned almost at once. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_82'></a>82</span>&#8220;No
+chance of repairing the tire even if there was time,&#8221; he announced.
+&#8220;We&#8217;ll see how much further we can go.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>With both Curt and the bus driver clinging to the wheel, they started on,
+though traveling at a painfully slow pace.</p>
+
+<p>At the bottom of the valley they stopped, a thin ribbon of a stream blocking
+their way.</p>
+
+<p>Once more the cowboy lunged out into the smoke-filled night to stamp through
+the shallow waters of the stream. The bottom seemed fairly firm and Curt
+returned and took the wheel.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll try to go through, but everyone unload. No use to carry any
+excess weight.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The entire company piled out of the bus and watched Curt start across the
+stream. He made good progress, the front wheels climbing out on the other bank
+and for a moment it looked like he was going across. Then the sand gave way and
+the back wheels churned up a spray of sand and dirty water.</p>
+
+<p>Curt snapped off the ignition and jumped out of the bus.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re stalled for keeps,&#8221; he informed them, &#8220;but this is
+about as good a place as
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_83'></a>83</span>we&#8217;ll find.
+We&#8217;ll start backfires and then when it gets bad, we can get under a bank along
+this creek. There&#8217;ll be water to help us here.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Under Curt&#8217;s dynamic orders, half a dozen backfires were started, the men
+working like mad to clear away the underbrush and destroy all inflammable
+material near the creek bank where they had decided to make their stand.</p>
+
+<p>There was little that Janet and Helen could do, but they insisted on seizing
+old coats, wetting them in the stream, and using them to beat out the flames of
+the backfires when they had spread far enough.</p>
+
+<p>The burned area widened rapidly, but Curt spurred his workers on with renewed
+pleas and cajoling. One of the cameramen, slipping away to the bus for a minute,
+trained his camera on the scene and started grinding away. The crest of the hill
+above them was now outlined in a strong, crimson and the shadowy forms of the
+workers were visible as they hastened from one backfire to another. Janet saw
+the cameraman working, but she knew their work had progressed far enough so the
+absence of one man would not make a great deal of difference. Then, too, she
+knew that <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_84'></a>84</span>he might
+get some shots which would be invaluable in some film needing good fire
+sequences.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately the bank they had selected had been heavily undercut by the
+stream and would afford them protection. Curt set several of the men to the task
+of digging further into the bank and they worked with improvised tools taken
+from the bus.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen soaked the coats they had been using again and returned to
+the task of beating down the backfires. Curt joined them for a minute.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Better get back under the bank. This thing is going to come down this
+slope like a hurricane,&#8221; he warned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll wait until the others start down,&#8221; said Janet, but he
+took their coats and shoved them toward the creek.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Get going,&#8221; he ordered, and his voice was firm.</p>
+
+<p>They obeyed, for already the fire was starting down the slope and the girls
+hastened to the creek bed.</p>
+
+<p>The water was shallow, not more than six inches deep in any place and the
+bottom was <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_85'></a>85</span>sandy.
+Helen slipped off her torn shoes and wiggled her toes in the cool luxury of the
+water. Just then she forgot to worry all about the fire in the pleasant delight
+of having her feet comfortable if even for the moment.</p>
+
+<p>Men who had been working on the backfires came tumbling over the bank,
+falling and splashing into the water, but no one minded being dirty or
+wet.</p>
+
+<p>Janet could hear a roaring that sounded like the beat of scores of kettle
+drums&#x2014;a roaring that was increasing in intensity and furore.</p>
+
+<p>Splashing along the sandy bottom, she came to a lower place in the bank where
+she could look up the slope.</p>
+
+<p>A solid wall of flame topped the crest, then swept down with an amazing
+rapidity. The air was hot and searing like a blast from an over-heated
+furnace.</p>
+
+<p>A handful of men were still grouped around Curt, working until the last
+moment to spread the backfire as far as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Helen, padding through the shallow water, joined Janet and they watched the
+awesome scene together. The roar of the onrushing fire increased and waves of
+heat beat against their
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_86'></a>86</span>faces. Janet knew
+that it must be terrific out on the slope and she wondered when Curt would lead
+his men in.</p>
+
+<p>One of them, gasping and choking, ran toward the creek, lunged past them, and
+hurled himself face downward in the water.</p>
+
+<p>Seconds later Janet heard Curt&#8217;s cry and the rest of the men, with Curt and
+Billy Fenstow bringing up the rear, ran toward the creek bank.</p>
+
+<p>The director stumbled and fell heavily and the cowboy bent down and picked
+him up. Carrying the director in his arms, Curt, staggering under the extra
+burden, ran on. One of the men leaped over the bank to help and together they
+eased the little director into the water.</p>
+
+<p>Curt turned instantly and watched the rushing flames. The roar was so loud
+now that it was impossible to communicate with one another except by shouting
+and Curt ran from one to another, shouting and pounding them down under the bank
+where they would get the utmost protection.</p>
+
+<p>Reaching out he jerked Janet and Helen sharply and jostled them under the
+bank. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_87'></a>87</span>&#8220;Get
+under there and stay under. Put a wet cloth to your nose and mouth. Don&#8217;t
+breath any more than you have to.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Neither one of them possessed handkerchiefs, for these articles had gone
+astray long before. One sleeve of Janet&#8217;s dress had been ripped and she tore
+the whole thing out, ripped it again, and gave Helen one half of it. They dipped
+the cloth in the creek, squeezed a little of the water out, and applied the
+makeshift mask to their faces.</p>
+
+<p>Burning brands, carried along by the wind, were dropping in the creek now,
+hissing and sputtering as they struck the water where they soon became blackened
+embers.</p>
+
+<p>Janet, turning toward the opposite bank, saw a clump of underbrush burst into
+flame. The fire, whipped by the rising wind, spread out rapidly. Venturing a
+peep above the creek bank, a searing blast of heat struck her forehead and she
+could feel her hair curl. One glance was enough, for a towering wall of flame
+seemed to be rising straight into the sky.</p>
+
+<p>Janet ducked back under the protection of the bank and dipped the cloth into
+the water again. She straightened up again and glanced
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_88'></a>88</span>toward the bus.
+The cameraman who had been grinding away steadily had deserted the bus and was
+dragging his camera with him. He reached the shelter of the bank and other
+willing hands helped him set up the machine in a position that was well
+protected.</p>
+
+<p>It was impossible to hear now and Janet felt Helen crowding close toward her.
+They looked at each other through staring eyes&#x2014;eyes that reflected the
+inward fear that gripped their hearts. The heat was stifling now. The cloths
+they had soaked with water were drying with incredible rapidity and Janet
+remembered Curt&#8217;s warning to breath as lightly as possible. Helen, shoeless,
+was standing in the water. A hot ember dropped beside them and struck one of
+Helen&#8217;s legs before it had cooled. She winced at the pain, but there was no
+escape.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as though the entire opposite slope of the valley suddenly burst
+into flame and the intensity of the heat redoubled. Janet held her breath and
+dipped down into the stream to wet the cloth again. Helen did likewise a moment
+later and they gained some relief.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow and Curt Newsom were
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_89'></a>89</span>crouched beside
+the cameraman who was still grinding away at the red terror.</p>
+
+<p>Again the cloths on their faces dried and their breaths came in great choking
+gasps. Janet felt as though her heat-seared lungs would burst. She wanted to
+cry, but the tears were whipped away by the hot blasts.</p>
+
+<p>The flame on the opposite slope seemed to reach a new peak of intensity and
+the water at their feet ran crimson. Then the roar lessened, the peak of the
+fire was past.</p>
+
+<p>Janet, through smoke-rimmed eyes, saw it sweep over the far crest of the
+valley. Scattered fires were left burning in its wake, but the main advance of
+the fire had rushed on seeking new conquests.</p>
+
+<p>As the red glow ebbed, they crept out from under the bank and dropped with
+abandon into the shallow waters. It mattered little that embers, some of them
+still hot, were drifting in the stream, or that the water itself was now
+lukewarm&#x2014;it was a haven from the horror that had just passed. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_aj'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_90'></a>90</span><i>Chapter Ten</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>A WELCOME RESCUE</p>
+
+<p>Janet couldn&#8217;t even guess how many minutes they rested on the stream bed
+with the water washing away the aches in their weary bodies. As usual, Curt took
+the initiative when he had regained a portion of the abundant vitality that
+flowed through his veins.</p>
+
+<p>The cowboy sat up and surveyed the scene. A dozen fires were still burning in
+the valley and the horizon ahead of them, tinged in crimson, marked the passing
+of the fire demon.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow, digging sand out of his ears and sputtering heartily, was the
+first to speak.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Curt, how in thunder are we ever going to get out of
+here?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The cowboy shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Walk,&#8221; he moaned, looking down at the once fancy boots which had
+never been intended for the heavy work in which they had been used that night.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_91'></a>91</span>Billy Fenstow
+groaned in anguish.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then I guess I&#8217;ll just settle down and wait for a flood to come
+along and wash me down the valley or until I come to some culvert where I&#8217;ll
+stick.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The cameraman who had ground away steadily through the thick of the raging
+flames crept over to his machine. It had been subject to terrific heat and there
+was only a small chance that the negative had come through without serious
+damage.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How many feet did you shoot?&#8221; asked the director.</p>
+
+<p>The photographer squinted at the footage indicator on the camera, but there
+was not enough light to note the figures.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If the film isn&#8217;t ruined they&#8217;ll be the best scenes of a blaze
+like this that have ever been filmed,&#8221; he predicted.</p>
+
+<p>Janet struggled into a sitting position and looked around. Her eyes sought
+the bus, with only faint hopes that the vehicle had come through unscathed. If
+it had, it would offer their one hope of escape for she felt that repairs might
+be made to the tires and if not, maybe they could limp along. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_92'></a>92</span>But her hopes
+were doomed to disappointment. The bus was a glowing mass of steel. Fire had
+swept over it, igniting the upholstery and burning out the entire interior of
+the bus. It was a hollow shell with gaping windows.</p>
+
+<p>Curt Newsom stood up.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no use sitting around here wondering what we&#8217;ll do,&#8221;
+he said. &#8220;If a couple of the boys will come along, I&#8217;ll start back to
+the trail and we&#8217;ll keep going until we find someone or can reach a
+telephone.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Two other cowboys joined Curt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The rest of you might follow us and get back as far as the ranch.
+Maybe there&#8217;ll be a little drinking water left in that well,&#8221; advised
+Curt as he started up the trail, hobbling painfully on his twisted boots.</p>
+
+<p>Helen looked at her oxfords. They were in even worse shape than Curt&#8217;s
+boots.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I guess I&#8217;ll have to stay here,&#8221; she said, half to herself and
+half to Janet. &#8220;I&#8217;d never make it back to the ranch.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet picked up the water soaked piece of cloth she had used as a mask to
+shield her face.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wrap this around one foot and use your piece for your other foot. Then
+slip your oxford
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_93'></a>93</span>on loosely. That
+ought to ease the pain.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen looked grateful and tried the suggestion at once. She wrapped the damp
+cloth around as tightly as possible and then pulled on her shoes. It was a snug
+fit, but there was a soft cushion for her bruised feet to rest upon. She stood
+up and tried walking.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s much better. Thanks a lot, Janet.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow took charge then.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll start for the ranch and go as far as we can,&#8221; he
+decided. &#8220;There may be some shelter there and we&#8217;re in no condition to
+stay out any longer than necessary.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>With the director in the van, the singed and tired band started back for the
+ranch. After a short distance they struck the trail. It was faint, but they
+managed to follow it without too much difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>Hot blasts of air seemed to sweep down from all sides and breathing became a
+painful exercise again. Janet wished that she might have just one cool, sweet
+breath of air&#x2014;just one.</p>
+
+<p>Helen stumbled and Janet reached out and caught her companion before she
+fell.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right?&#8221; asked Janet anxiously, for Helen was not of as
+sturdy stock as she. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_94'></a>94</span>&#8220;I&#8217;ll
+make it,&#8221; replied Helen, the words coming from tight-set lips.</p>
+
+<p>But Janet was not so sure that Helen could do it. They fell further and
+further behind the others, but at last they topped the final ridge and looked
+down in the valley where the ranch had been, where they had filmed so many
+scenes of &#8220;Water Hole,&#8221; the new picture.</p>
+
+<p>It was too dark to see the outlines of the ranchhouse but Janet could discern
+several large, glowing piles of embers and she knew that even the buildings at
+the ranch had been destroyed by the fire. Perhaps the well was still filled with
+pure sweet water. Her throat seemed drier at the thought and she turned her full
+attention to Helen, who needed a supporting arm for the final, down hill lap of
+their journey.</p>
+
+<p>The cowboys were the first to reach the ranchyard and Janet could hear them
+ripping the cover off the well. There was a shout ahead of them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The water&#8217;s okay. Hurry up!&#8221; It was one of the cowboys, and
+the news gave them the courage to quicken their lagging steps.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow handed Janet a blackened dipper,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_95'></a>95</span>but she insisted
+that Helen take the first drink. There was plenty of water and they all drank
+their fill while Billy Fenstow scrambled around the timbers above the well
+hunting for the wires which had been fastened to the film containers they had
+lowered into the well. He found them at last, but decided they were safer in the
+water than any place else.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What about going on?&#8221; asked one of the cowboys.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No use in that. Someone had used the dipper before we got here, so
+that means Curt is up ahead of us and he&#8217;s traveling much faster than we
+could. We&#8217;ll do better to wait right here where they&#8217;ll find us. Try and
+make yourselves comfortable.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But the director&#8217;s last words were of little help. The air was still dry
+and searing and there was no shelter anywhere. Fires still glowed all over the
+valley and little clouds of smoke swept around them.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen walked over to the ranchhouse, but the embers were glowing so
+brightly that it was impossible to get very close.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I ache all over,&#8221; confessed Helen. &#8220;When
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_96'></a>96</span>I finally get into
+bed I&#8217;m going to sleep the clock around.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Count me in on that program,&#8221; nodded Janet. &#8220;Well, we
+might as well sit down and keep as comfortable as possible.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But they went back to the well for another drink before trying to relax on
+the ground.</p>
+
+<p>The men were gathered a short distance away, talking in low voices about
+their harrowing escape. They conversed in monotones that soon lulled the
+girls&#8217; tired minds and before she knew it Janet found herself dozing. They
+were fitful little naps, broken with sudden thoughts of the fire. Then she would
+snap to complete wakefulness, only to have her fatigue overcome her again. She
+had dozed perhaps half a dozen times when the increasing chill of the air
+awakened her.</p>
+
+<p>Helen, curled up on the ground, was breathing steadily and deeply and had not
+noticed the change in the atmosphere.</p>
+
+<p>Janet scanned the horizon. There was no scarlet in the northwest
+now&#x2014;only a dense blackness that seemed to be growing thicker. The
+southeastern sky was still vividly flame seared. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_97'></a>97</span>The men had
+ceased their talking, but an occasional glow of a cigarette marked the dark
+huddle where they had gathered. A slight snore could be heard and Janet
+attributed it to their tubby little director. A flash of lightning illumined the
+mounting clouds and Janet shivered at the thought of a storm sweeping down on
+them after the fire.</p>
+
+<p>Helen must have felt the shiver run through Janet&#8217;s body for she stirred
+sleepily.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll sleep another hour,&#8221; she mumbled, and Janet knew her
+companion thought they were back home. There was no need to awaken Helen now.
+She might just as well get as much relaxation as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Helen slipped back into a deep sleep and Janet kept a lone vigil. The clouds
+swept higher and a distant rumble of thunder came down from the hills.</p>
+
+<p>The men were moving restlessly now and Janet could hear Billy Fenstow
+berating the weather. But there was nothing they could do about it except
+complain a little and then hope that someone would reach them before the coming
+storm broke.</p>
+
+<p>Janet wondered how far Curt and the two
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_98'></a>98</span>cowboys who had
+gone with him had been able to travel. Perhaps their aching feet had forced them
+to stop. But, knowing Curt, she had a feeling that he would get through and
+bring help to them as soon as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Helen sat up, rubbing her blood-shot eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;More fire?&#8221; she asked as the rumble of the thunder smote her
+ears.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, not quite that bad. Just a thunderstorm.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen shivered. &#8220;We&#8217;ll catch our death of cold,&#8221; she groaned,
+and Janet had to admit that Helen&#8217;s fears were not unwarranted. After the heat
+of the fire and the fatigue, they would be excellent candidates for severe colds
+or anything else that happened along.</p>
+
+<p>Several of the men who had been hunting around the ranchyard returned to the
+well.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t even find half a board,&#8221; one of them reported.
+&#8220;The fire swept everything clean.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow turned to Janet and explained.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I had a couple of the boys out looking for some boards or anything we
+could use to build a shelter for you girls.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That was thoughtful,&#8221; replied Janet, &#8220;but we&#8217;ll get
+along all right.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_99'></a>99</span>Billy grumbled
+to himself. He wasn&#8217;t so sure. The girls had stood a lot already and there was
+a limit to their endurance.</p>
+
+<p>A patter of rain struck them, the drops sizzling as they came down on the
+remains of the ranchhouse.</p>
+
+<p>Janet&#8217;s spirits dropped and for the first time in weeks she felt like
+having a good, old-fashioned crying spell, but there wasn&#8217;t any pillow where
+she could bury her head and she didn&#8217;t want to cry in front of the men in the
+company.</p>
+
+<p>The valley was hushed for a moment. Even the thunder was silent in the
+breathless pause that often comes just before a mid-summer storm vents its
+fury.</p>
+
+<p>It was during this pause that Helen, watching the hills below the storm
+clouds, caught a flash of light. It was too low for lightning and she gripped
+Janet&#8217;s right arm.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s a car coming!&#8221; she cried.</p>
+
+<p>Janet turned hopefully and looked in the direction Helen pointed, but there
+was no sign of light and she heard an involuntary sob escape from Helen.</p>
+
+<p>Then it came again, two twin beams of light
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_100'></a>100</span>cutting around a
+hill. Helen was right! A car was coming and Janet, unashamed, felt the tears
+flowing freely down her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow was talking to himself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I knew that lanky cowboy would do it,&#8221; he said, repeating it
+over and over as though he were a human talking machine, stuck on a single
+note.</p>
+
+<p>A horn sounded a warning note as the oncoming vehicle swung into the
+ranchyard just as the sky opened and the first sweep of rain struck the valley.
+Forgetting all else, they ran toward the machine, which proved to be a hulking
+truck, with a covered top.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen reached the rear. Someone reached down and pulled them under
+the shelter of the top. A flashlight blazed into their faces and a strong arm
+encircled Janet&#8217;s shoulder. It was Helen&#8217;s father and they knew that their
+worries for that eventful night were over. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ak'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_101'></a>101</span><i>Chapter Eleven</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>NEW PLANS</p>
+
+<p>The sky seemed to open wide and a great torrent of rain descended on the
+heat-ridden earth, but Janet and Helen, in the shelter of the truck, were
+safe.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right, honey?&#8221; demanded Helen&#8217;s father, and, assured that
+his daughter was no more than bruised and weary, he turned to Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How about you, Janet?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tired and dirty&#x2014;that&#8217;s all,&#8221; she managed to
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Here&#8217;s blankets,&#8221; he said, picking two off a pile on the floor
+of the truck. &#8220;Throw these around your shoulders.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The air was chill now and the girls obeyed without hesitation for their own
+clothes were in a bad state of disrepair.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How did you find us?&#8221; asked Helen when they were seated on the
+floor of the truck, and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_102'></a>102</span>bouncing along
+toward the main highway which would take them back to Hollywood.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Curt Newsom got through. We were frantic after the line went dead when
+you were talking to us from the ranchhouse. We were coming in the truck and met
+Curt and the other two cowboys along the trail. From what they told us we knew
+that none of you could stand it to be out in the storm and we made all possible
+speed.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How&#8217;s mother?&#8221; asked Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Terribly worried.&#8221; He turned toward Janet. &#8220;We&#8217;ll phone
+your folks as soon as we get home. The fact that a film company was caught in
+the center of the fire was broadcast over a national chain and I&#8217;m afraid they
+may be gravely alarmed.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll call them at once,&#8221; agreed Janet.</p>
+
+<p>They talked at length of their experiences and at last Helen&#8217;s father
+turned to Fenstow.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Lose all of your last-day takes?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t believe we lost a one,&#8221; replied the other director.
+&#8220;We put the film cans in the well. One of my boys shot some swell scenes
+of the fire if the camera didn&#8217;t get too hot and ruin the negative.&#8221;
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_103'></a>103</span>&#8220;Then I
+suppose you&#8217;ll use a fire in your next western?&#8221; chuckled Henry
+Thorne.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t say,&#8221; replied Billy Fenstow. &#8220;That will be up to
+Janet.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why Janet?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;She&#8217;s going to do my next scenario.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re not joking?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Of course not. I&#8217;ve gone kind of stale and I thought she could
+inject some fresh material. At least she&#8217;s going to get a fair chance to see
+just what kind of a film story she can turn out.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then I&#8217;m predicting that she&#8217;ll do a good job if it&#8217;s anything
+like the caliber of her usual work,&#8221; replied Helen&#8217;s father.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t count on me too much,&#8221; cautioned Janet. &#8220;This is a
+new field and I may get in so deep I&#8217;ll never get anything
+creditable.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The truck swung around a sharp curve. Ahead of them was a blaze of light from
+the headlights of a score of cars which were parked along the paved road.
+Raucous squawks of horns greeted the approaching truck.</p>
+
+<p>It was still raining hard, but a trim figure, clad in a raincoat, detached
+itself from a group in front of one of the cars and hurried toward the truck.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_104'></a>104</span>&#8220;Hello
+mother. Here I am,&#8221; called Helen. &#8220;Both of us are all
+right.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>She jumped from the truck and into her mother&#8217;s arms. After a brief
+embrace, her mother spoke quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We mustn&#8217;t stand here. You&#8217;ll catch cold. Here, get under my coat
+and we&#8217;ll hurry to the car. Janet, you stay in the truck until we can pull
+along here.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Henry Thorne looked down at Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Pretty tired?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just about all in,&#8221; she confessed and she found it hard to
+muster a smile.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Had enough of Hollywood?&#8221; he asked quietly.</p>
+
+<p>Janet looked up quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, honestly I don&#8217;t. The way I feel right now all I
+want is sleep and lots of it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He nodded understandingly and just then the car drove up beside the truck and
+they jumped down and entered it.</p>
+
+<p>Henry Thorne took the wheel while his wife and the girls made themselves
+comfortable in the back seat. Mrs Thorne very wisely made no effort to ask them
+about the events of the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_105'></a>105</span>night, but
+tucked them in with blankets and before the car had gone half a mile both girls
+were sound asleep.</p>
+
+<p>The next thing Janet knew someone was shaking her shoulder. It was Mrs.
+Thorne.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re home and you can be in bed in five minutes,&#8221; she said.
+Janet rubbed a little of the sleep from her tired eyes&#x2014;just enough so she
+could see to get into the house.</p>
+
+<p>Helen, walking ahead of her, moaned now at every step, for her feet had been
+badly bruised by the stones.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Thorne hurried ahead to run a tub of hot water while her husband drove
+the car around to the garage. With Mrs. Thorne helping them, the girls were soon
+in fresh pajamas.</p>
+
+<p>Janet decided on a warm shower and Helen followed her under the spray. Then
+Mrs. Thorne treated the bruises on Helen&#8217;s feet and both girls piled into
+bed.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sleep as long as you want to,&#8221; she said as she snapped off the
+light.</p>
+
+<p>Janet didn&#8217;t even hear the click of the switch. She dropped into a deep
+slumber, one so heavy that there were no dreams of fires and storms. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_106'></a>106</span>When she
+finally awoke it was broad daylight. Fresh, sweet air filled their room. There
+was no smell of smoke, no threat of storm, and she wondered, for a moment, if
+she could have been dreaming about the night before. It was just possible that
+it had been a nightmare. Then she stretched and the aching muscles of her legs
+told her that indeed it had not been a nightmare.</p>
+
+<p>Janet looked over to Helen&#8217;s bed. Her friend was still sleeping heavily so
+Janet slipped out of bed quietly, donned her dressing gown, and went down to the
+bathroom.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Thorne heard her moving about and looked in for a minute.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We telephoned your folks last night,&#8221; she said. &#8220;They&#8217;d
+heard the radio broadcast and were greatly relieved when we told them both of
+you were safe.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, thanks so much. I was so sleepy I forgot all about it,&#8221;
+confessed Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Helen getting up?&#8221; asked Mrs. Thorne.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, she&#8217;s sleeping soundly.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then come in to lunch without going back to dress,&#8221; said
+Helen&#8217;s mother.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You mean breakfast?&#8221; asked Janet. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_107'></a>107</span>Mrs. Thorne
+smiled. &#8220;No, I mean lunch, and a very late lunch at that. It&#8217;s well
+after two o&#8217;clock now.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet, finishing her shower, rubbed her body briskly with a heavy towel, and
+slipped the dressing gown on over her pajamas. Then she joined Mrs. Thorne in
+the dining room.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The morning papers made quite a story of it,&#8221; said Mrs. Thorne,
+handing Janet a copy.</p>
+
+<p>A bold headline was blazoned across the entire top of the front page:</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;MOVIE COMPANY ESCAPES FIRE!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then, in terse, action sentences, the story told of the narrow escape of
+Billy Fenstow&#8217;s western unit. Janet found Helen&#8217;s name and her own
+mentioned. She was glad that the story gave Curt Newsom full credit for the
+cool-headed work which had saved their lives. Curt deserved every word of
+it.</p>
+
+<p>Helen joined them a few minutes later, limping a little for her feet were
+still aching from the bruises.</p>
+
+<p>The girls passed the remainder of the afternoon resting and at dinner that
+night became
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_108'></a>108</span>involved in a
+serious discussion with Helen&#8217;s father and mother.</p>
+
+<p>After the dessert, Henry Thorne pushed back his chair and looked at them
+quizzically.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Summer&#8217;s about over,&#8221; was his opening remark and Janet knew
+that he had something on his mind. She had a hunch that she could guess what the
+trend of the conversation was to be.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You girls made up your minds what you want to do?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He seemed to have his eyes fixed on Janet, as though looking to her for the
+decision which would guide Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;First of all I want to try to do the story Billy Fenstow asked me to
+do,&#8221; retorted Janet. &#8220;After that I think I&#8217;ll have had enough of
+Hollywood.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Getting tired of being an actress?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not at all, I&#8217;m just realizing my limitations and after all, I do
+want more education&#x2014;the type of broadening education that I can get in a
+university.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Henry Thorne swung toward his own daughter.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you think, Helen?&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_109'></a>109</span>&#8220;Why, I
+haven&#8217;t made up my mind yet, Dad. I like Hollywood, I&#8217;ve been having a grand
+time, but I guess I&#8217;ve never really thought of staying on here definitely. It
+was understood from the first that this was just a glorious vacation and that
+when summer ended Mother and I would go back to Clarion and I&#8217;d go to
+college.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I expect that&#8217;s right,&#8221; nodded her father. &#8220;It did start
+out to be just a vacation proposition and you girls can make it that if you
+want, but I&#8217;ve a new plan that may appeal to you. How would you like to go to
+Radio City in New York for several weeks?&#8221; </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_al'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_110'></a>110</span><i>Chapter Twelve</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>THE PREVIEW</p>
+
+<p>The girls stared hard at Henry Thorne. It was so like him to toss off an
+important statement in an off-hand manner that it left them almost gasping for
+breath.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, Dad, what do you mean?&#8221; demanded Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just what I said,&#8221; smiled her father. &#8220;How would you and
+Janet like to go to Radio City for several weeks?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like it fine,&#8221; put in Janet quickly and Helen chorused her
+own agreement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now tell us what it&#8217;s all about,&#8221; insisted Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m a little vague on it myself,&#8221; admitted her father,
+&#8220;except that the studio is planning an extensive promotion stunt to boost
+my last picture, &#8216;Kings of the Air,&#8217; and the general manager, Mr.
+Rexler, is going to send a part of the cast to New York City where they&#8217;ll
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_111'></a>111</span>put on a radio
+drama based on the action in the new picture. The whole idea is to whet the
+appetites of the film fans by giving them just enough of the story over the air
+to make them rush to the nearest theater and see the actual
+picture.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But where do we come in?&#8221; asked Janet. &#8220;We were only very
+minor members of the cast.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;True enough, but some of the principals are now working on other
+pictures and it would be impractical to release them and send them east for a
+promotional stunt so some of the lesser members of the company will make the
+trip.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe we&#8217;re lucky to be lesser members,&#8221; smiled Helen.
+&#8220;When do we start?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know exactly. The release date for &#8216;Kings&#8217; is
+next month, so I expect you&#8217;ll leave here in a few weeks.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That will give me just time enough to try the scenario for Billy
+Fenstow,&#8221; said Janet. &#8220;Maybe I&#8217;d better start work on it
+tonight.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You look pretty tired. Better wait until morning when you&#8217;ll be
+thoroughly rested,&#8221; advised Helen&#8217;s father. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_112'></a>112</span>They
+adjourned to the living room where they gathered around a large table and
+discussed possible story plots that Janet could use. She made several notes and
+then, with Helen, retired early.</p>
+
+<p>A second night of sleep found the girls feeling greatly refreshed. Henry
+Thorne loaned Janet his own portable typewriter and she set it on a low table
+beside the swimming pool, found some yellow copy paper in the house, rolled a
+fresh sheet into the typewriter, and sat down waiting for an idea to pop into
+her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hello, author!&#8221; said someone from behind her and she swung about
+to face Curt Newsom, who had walked up unheralded.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hello, Curt. Sit down. My, but I&#8217;m glad to see you. Are you all
+right after the fire?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The cowboy smiled. &#8220;As right as I&#8217;ll ever be. I was scared half to
+death that night. Say, I saw Billy Fenstow this morning. The picture&#8217;s all
+together now and they&#8217;re going to screen it at the Bijou down the street after
+the regular feature. Better be there tonight.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be there in fear and trembling,&#8221; smiled Janet. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_113'></a>113</span>&#8220;Oh, I
+wouldn&#8217;t feel that way about it. I think you did a lot better than most of the
+girls I&#8217;ve had in the company.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thanks, Curt. That was nice of you to say that, but I realize I have
+very definite limitations as an actress.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I&#8217;m not so hot as an actor,&#8221; he admitted. &#8220;About
+all I have to do is stick on a horse and shoot a gun loaded with blank
+cartridges.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That isn&#8217;t all and you know it,&#8221; reproved Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Curt looked at the typewriter and the blank sheet of paper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m keeping you from your work. I only dropped in to tell you about
+the preview tonight. I&#8217;ve got to get along.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m supposed to be generating ideas for Mr. Fenstow&#8217;s next
+script,&#8221; confessed Janet, &#8220;but the mental generator seems to have
+gone on a strike.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the story going to be about?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You guess,&#8221; smiled Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, why don&#8217;t you have a young heiress, pretty much spoiled, who
+owns a ranch. She&#8217;s never seen it so she goes west for a trip and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_114'></a>114</span>while there
+learns that most of her fortune has been wiped out through the declining value
+of securities and by embezzlement of some of her trustees. About all she has
+left is the ranch and a brother who is pretty much worthless.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a grand idea,&#8221; exulted Janet. &#8220;Then of course we
+could have a cattle war, some rustling, maybe a vein of gold found on the ranch,
+and plenty of action.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re supposed to write the story,&#8221; chided Curt. &#8220;Well,
+I must get along.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thanks for the help. I&#8217;ll make you coauthor,&#8221; called Janet as
+Curt strode toward the street.</p>
+
+<p>Curt&#8217;s suggestion gave her the nucleus of her story. It would be a little
+different treatment of the western theme. Janet started working, her fingers
+flowing rhythmically over the keys. She wrote simply. All that was required of
+her was a good, comprehensive outline of the story. The studio writers would put
+in the dialogue.</p>
+
+<p>But Janet&#8217;s interest grew as the story progressed and she found herself
+putting in conversation and bits of description of the characters. She was so
+absorbed that Helen came
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_115'></a>115</span>and stood beside
+her for several minutes before she was aware of her presence.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Going strong?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>Janet, barely interrupting the smooth flow of her story, nodded.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Preview&#8217;s tonight at the Bijou after the regular feature. Curt
+Newsom stopped to tell us.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then you&#8217;d better stop writing now. You&#8217;ve been at it steadily for
+more than hour. You want to feel peppy tonight when we go to see the
+preview.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet finished the paragraph and pulled the sheet of copy from the machine.
+She had written eight pages and the top and bottom margins were narrow. She
+wanted to keep on writing, but knew that Helen&#8217;s advice was sound. She wanted
+to be rested enough to enjoy &#8220;Water Hole,&#8221; to see herself, for
+probably the only time in her life, as the leading lady of a motion
+picture.</p>
+
+<p>They met Billy Fenstow at the box office and he handed them tickets for a few
+seats which had been reserved for his friends.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Nervous?&#8221; he asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A little. How is it?&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_116'></a>116</span>&#8220;Wait
+and see. Here comes Mr. Rexler.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The girls turned in time to see the taciturn general manager of the Ace
+studio stride into the lobby. Close behind him was Helen&#8217;s father. Janet felt
+her heart sink. Here was the chief of the studio on hand to pronounce final
+judgment on the picture. But Bill Fenstow seemed unperturbed and she forced
+herself to be calm.</p>
+
+<p>They all went in together. The feature was a south sea love drama produced by
+a rival studio and it was typical program picture with nothing to make it
+outstanding in interest.</p>
+
+<p>Then the picture they had been waiting for flashed on the screen.
+&#8220;&#8216;Water Hole,&#8217; directed by Billy Fenstow, starring Curt Newsom
+and produced by the Ace Motion Picture Corp.&#8221; Then came the credits for
+the story, photography, etc., and finally the cast of characters with Curt&#8217;s
+name at the top. Janet felt her heart stop for one breathless moment, Her
+name&#x2014;<i>Janet Hardy</i>&#x2014;was the second in the cast and directly
+under that was Helen&#8217;s.</p>
+
+<p>Then the picture zoomed away to a fast start with the action that always
+characterized a Billy Fenstow production. Janet tried to be
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_117'></a>117</span>critical, but
+she couldn&#8217;t help enjoying the picture and her voice didn&#8217;t sound so
+terribly bad as it came out of the loudspeakers.</p>
+
+<p>The picture ended all too suddenly. The house lights came up and Janet found
+herself staring at the others, waiting for their verdict.</p>
+
+<p>Rexler was the first to speak. He leaned over and tapped Billy Fenstow on the
+shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Nice show, Billy. Got the girl signed up?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Billy turned to Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How about it; want to sign a contract to stay with my
+unit?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Janet knew that she didn&#8217;t. It had been a wonderful summer,
+climaxed in the picture she had just seen with herself as leading lady, but now
+she was just a little homesick. Then, too, there was the trip to Radio
+City.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not right now,&#8221; she told the director. &#8220;Later, perhaps,
+but not now.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The general manager looked at her strangely.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if it is the smartest thing you could do. If
+you change your mind, let me know.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He stood up and stalked down the aisle, but Janet knew now that she would
+never change her mind. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_am'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_118'></a>118</span><i>Chapter Thirteen</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>JANET TURNS AUTHOR</p>
+
+<p>Early the next morning Janet returned to the task of writing the story for
+Billy Fenstow&#8217;s next picture. The story developed rapidly and she found plenty
+of opportunities to provide the hard-riding action for which Curt Newsom was
+famous.</p>
+
+<p>She worked steadily until mid-forenoon when Helen joined her in the
+garden.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How is it going?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s lots of fun, and I think I have a fairly good idea. Whether
+I&#8217;m getting it across is another thing,&#8221; smiled Janet. &#8220;I suspect
+the regular studio writers will think it pretty much a mess when they get their
+hands on it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wouldn&#8217;t care much what they think as long as Mr. Fenstow likes
+it. After all, he&#8217;s the one who will accept or reject it and the check you get
+will depend on his approval.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet leaned back in her chair and gazed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_119'></a>119</span>at the scudding
+white clouds far overhead.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How much do you suppose they&#8217;ll pay if they accept the story?&#8221;
+she mused.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sometimes they pay thousands of dollars,&#8221; said Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But only for outstanding books or plays. I mean for little stories
+like this; the kind that perhaps have an idea in them that can be developed
+further by the studio staff.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe a thousand dollars,&#8221; ventured Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That would be enough,&#8221; said Janet, a faraway look in her
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now just what do you mean by that?&#8221; Helen wanted to know.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A thousand dollars would go a long ways toward guaranteeing me a
+college education. Why, with what I&#8217;ve saved out of our salaries this summer,
+I&#8217;d have nearly two thousand dollars and I could make that go a long ways
+toward four years of college.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve saved a lot this summer, too,&#8221; admitted Helen. &#8220;Dad
+and mother were talking this morning. We&#8217;re going back to
+Clarion.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen was silent for a moment. Then Janet spoke. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_120'></a>120</span>&#8220;When
+are you going back?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Soon; perhaps next week. But you and I will go on to New York to help
+with the radio promotion of &#8216;Kings of the Air.&#8217;&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Will you be happy in Clarion after a summer here?&#8221; asked Janet,
+watching her companion closely.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure I will. After all, I&#8217;m a small town girl and all this
+amazes and scares me a little. Perhaps when college days are over I&#8217;ll want to
+come back and try to make a name for myself in pictures. Dad thinks that would
+be wise.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What school are you going to go to?&#8221; Janet asked the question
+with bated breath. They had always planned on going to their own state
+university, Corn Belt U., but she thought it possible that Helen&#8217;s father
+might have expressed some other preference since their arrival on the
+coast.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Corn Belt U.,&#8221; replied Helen. &#8220;Dad left that entirely up
+to me and of course I wanted to follow out our plans.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet sighed heartily. She was elated at Helen&#8217;s words for it meant that
+the pleasant companionship they had enjoyed through high school days could
+continue through college. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_121'></a>121</span>&#8220;We&#8217;ll have lots of fun,&#8221; said Helen, &#8220;but if we go on to Radio City for the promotion work we&#8217;ll have to register late. Perhaps we can arrange for that while we&#8217;re home. It isn&#8217;t more than half a day&#8217;s drive from home to school.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure we can, especially if we explain that the trip to New York
+will enable us to earn more money for our college educations.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But, Janet, you know we don&#8217;t actually have to earn our way through
+school. Dad&#8217;s got plenty and your father is comfortably fixed.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know it, but it&#8217;s a matter of pride. I&#8217;d like to have as much of
+my own money as possible for college. If I got in a pinch, I&#8217;d yell for
+Dad&#8217;s help, I suppose.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They talked on about college plans and were finally interrupted when Mrs.
+Thorne summoned them to lunch,</p>
+
+<p>More plans for their return to Clarion were made at the luncheon table.
+Packing would have to be started soon.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s pick out our college wardrobes here in Hollywood. Then we&#8217;ll
+be sure and have the latest styles.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_122'></a>122</span>&#8220;Maybe
+Hollywood styles won&#8217;t be campus styles,&#8221; smiled Janet, &#8220;but I
+would like a chance to wear that wonderful gown Roddy made for me to a college
+party.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>It was pleasant to think of their first experience in Hollywood when Roddy,
+the famous designer of gowns at the Ace studio, had created gorgeous evening
+gowns for them to wear at their first movie premiere. Janet could imagine that
+wearing such gowns at a party on the campus at Corn Belt U. would create quite a
+sensation, and she thrilled pleasantly at the thought.</p>
+
+<p>After luncheon was over, Janet returned to her writing and Helen joined her
+beside the pool, stripping the wrapper off a copy of the <i>Clarion Times</i>,
+which had arrived on the noonday mail.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Look at this; what nerve!&#8221; exclaimed Helen, shoving the front
+page of the paper at Janet. She pointed to a story in the center of the
+page.</p>
+
+<p>Janet stared at the headline with unbelieving eyes.</p>
+
+<blockquote>
+<p>&#8220;LOCAL GIRLS FEATURED IN MOVIE.&#8221;</p>
+</blockquote>
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_123'></a>123</span>Her eyes followed down to the story, which heralded the fact that Cora Dean and Margie Blake, Clarion girls touring in the west, had been drafted for rôles in a western picture by Billy Fenstow, the famous director. Janet read on.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Miss Dean and Miss Blake report that Janet Hardy and Helen Thorne also
+have rôles in the picture,&#8221; the story said.</p>
+
+<p>It was then that Janet flushed. She could have told Cora and Margie just what
+she thought of them if they had been anywhere within hearing distance but
+fortunately for them, perhaps, they were a good many miles away.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How do you suppose the <i>Times</i> got that story?&#8221; asked
+Janet, the flush fading from her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know,&#8221; said Helen with emphasis. &#8220;Cora wrote to Pete
+Benda, the city editor, and gave him all of the information which is in the
+story. Imagine her telling him &#8216;that we are also in the picture.&#8217;
+I&#8217;m certainly going to see that &#8216;Water Hole&#8217; is shown in the
+theaters at home. That will kind of spoil their story.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet laughed. &#8220;Perhaps Cora and Margie
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_124'></a>124</span>did feel that
+they had the major rôles. You never can tell what others will think is
+important.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It would be a joke on them if the film cutters left out the sequence
+they&#8217;re in,&#8221; chuckled Helen.</p>
+
+<p>Janet looked at her quickly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t you suggest that to anyone,&#8221; she warned.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t,&#8221; promised Helen.</p>
+
+<p>Janet handed the paper back to her companion and went on with her work. She
+spent most of the afternoon at the typewriter and when she was through, felt
+that she had done a good day&#8217;s work. The manuscript would be ready with only
+another morning&#8217;s writing.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow, dropping in after dinner for a visit with Helen&#8217;s father
+inquired about the story and Janet handed him the first draft of as much as she
+had completed.</p>
+
+<p>The little director read it with interest, the lines around his eyes
+gathering in little puckers as he skimmed through the typed pages. Janet almost
+held her breath through all the time he was reading and she saw Henry Thorne
+leaning <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_125'></a>125</span>forward,
+trying to read some reaction on Billy Fenstow&#8217;s face.</p>
+
+<p>When the director had finished, he looked up and smiled at Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Reads well,&#8221; he commented. &#8220;Of course there are a lot of
+rough spots, but we&#8217;ll be able to use it.&#8221; </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_an'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_126'></a>126</span><i>Chapter Fourteen</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>CLOTHES BY RODDY</p>
+
+<p>Janet felt her pulse pounding. Acceptance of the story would mean a great
+deal toward swelling her college fund and she leaned forward eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You mean you&#8217;ll accept it?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If your final chapters are as good as these, we&#8217;ll take it,&#8221;
+replied Mr. Fenstow. &#8220;Of course we won&#8217;t be able to pay a whole lot
+since the studio staff will have to whip it into shape, but we&#8217;ll make it
+worth your while.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How much do you think it will be?&#8221; this was from Helen, whose
+interest in the sale of the story was almost as great as Janet&#8217;s.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow mopped his forehead.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That will be up to Mr. Rexler. I&#8217;d say that it wouldn&#8217;t be more
+than a thousand dollars.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Really!&#8221; gasped Janet, who had visions of her college fund
+mounting in one great jump.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, maybe not that much, but I&#8217;ll get all
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_127'></a>127</span>I can for you.
+Now you finish it up as rapidly as possible.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It will be ready tomorrow noon,&#8221; promised Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Billy Fenstow left a short time later and after he had gone, Henry Thorne
+spoke to them about the journey back to Clarion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now that Janet is practically assured the sale of her story, we&#8217;d
+better make our plans. Can you be ready to start home next Monday?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The girls looked blankly at each other. Of course they had known that their
+stay in Hollywood was near an end, but to put the date so soon was something of
+a shock.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Thorne spoke first.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure we can, Henry. But we&#8217;ll almost need a truck to take back
+all of the things we&#8217;ve accumulated.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll have some professional packers come out and make whatever boxes
+are needed,&#8221; her husband assured her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But we&#8217;ve got to get clothes,&#8221; wailed Helen. &#8220;We want to
+wear Hollywood styles when we go to college.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Her father bit the end of his cigar and looked at it thoughtfully. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_128'></a>128</span>&#8220;Why
+don&#8217;t you call on Roddy?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But he wouldn&#8217;t do clothes for us; we couldn&#8217;t afford it,&#8221;
+said Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He might do it for you as a special favor to me,&#8221; grinned her
+father. &#8220;As a matter of fact, I think he mentioned something about it the
+other day. Wanted to know when you were leaving and said he might be able to do
+something for you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll see him the first thing in the morning,&#8221; said
+Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I won&#8217;t,&#8221; spoke up Janet. &#8220;I&#8217;ve got to finish the
+story whether I have clothes made by Roddy or not.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s the fight, Janet,&#8221; said Henry Thorne.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When do we go on to Radio City?&#8221; asked Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll have only a couple of days at home. Then you&#8217;ll have to go
+on to New York.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How long will we be there?&#8221; Janet wanted to know.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not sure. At least ten days; perhaps more.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Which means we&#8217;ll have to hurry back home and start in to school as
+soon as our work at Radio City is over,&#8221; put in Helen. &#8220;I wonder
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_129'></a>129</span>how it will seem
+to be before a microphone?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not any worse than before a camera,&#8221; said Janet.</p>
+
+<p>They talked on at length of plans for their college days and although it was
+late when they went to bed, Janet was up early and working at her typewriter.
+The final two chapters of her story unrolled easily and rapidly and at eleven
+o&#8217;clock she leaned back in her chair. The job was done.</p>
+
+<p>Helen had gone on to the studio to talk with Roddy and Janet was to join her
+after lunch. Janet stood up and stretched. Her back ached from the strain of
+bending over her typewriter and she went into the house and changed into her
+trim swimming suit. Fifteen minutes in the pool washed away the aches and when
+she emerged she felt greatly refreshed.</p>
+
+<p>Janet dressed carefully for she wanted to look well when she talked to Roddy.
+Mrs. Thorne was the only other one at home for lunch and they enjoyed a pleasant
+meal.</p>
+
+<p>Janet picked up the finished manuscript and took it with her to the studio.
+She left it at Billy Fenstow&#8217;s office and went on to the building where Roddy
+had his office and where the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_130'></a>130</span>wizard of design
+created the gorgeous fashions that were worn by the stars in the big productions
+at the Ace studio.</p>
+
+<p>Helen was in Roddy&#8217;s own fitting room and Janet joined her there. Roddy
+appeared in a few minutes and after greeting her warmly, set about the task of
+providing her with a new outfit.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tell me just what you want,&#8221; he smiled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Honestly, I don&#8217;t know. I&#8217;m going to college,&#8221; said
+Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then let me decide,&#8221; he begged and Janet agreed.</p>
+
+<p>The next hours passed in a swirl of fittings and cloth which was draped this
+way and that around them, and when they were through neither girl knew exactly
+what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s all,&#8221; said the little designer. &#8220;I&#8217;ll send them
+to your home. It will be a week before they&#8217;re ready.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thanks so much,&#8221; said the girls as Roddy waved them out of the
+office.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What do you suppose he&#8217;s going to make?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I know there&#8217;ll be a sport outfit and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_131'></a>131</span>an afternoon
+dress; perhaps something for the classroom; about three apiece.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But how will we ever pay for them? The materials alone will be more
+than we can afford.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s not worry about that. I have a hunch that there will never be
+a bill for them.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They met Helen&#8217;s father near the studio entrance and they all drove home
+together.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve had a long talk with the general manager,&#8221; he said.
+&#8220;You&#8217;ve got to be in Radio City in about ten days.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That won&#8217;t mean much time at home,&#8221; said Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Nor much to get to Corn Belt U. and get our late registrations fixed
+up,&#8221; added Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t worry about that. All those details can be taken care
+of,&#8221; said her father. &#8220;Just plan to have a good time in Radio City
+when you get there.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Both girls knew that they would enjoy their broadcasting experience in New
+York to the utmost. There might be a little fear of the microphone but they knew
+that facing a camera couldn&#8217;t be any harder than one of the silent
+&#8220;Mikes.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_132'></a>132</span>At dinner
+that night they told of their hours with Roddy and speculated again at the
+creations which his fertile mind would turn out for them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No use to try and guess,&#8221; warned Helen&#8217;s father. &#8220;You
+never can predict what Roddy will do.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>On the following day Janet received a telephone call from Billy
+Fenstow.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Can you come over to the studio?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just as soon as a taxi can get me there,&#8221; she promised.</p>
+
+<p>Helen and her mother were down town shopping and Janet phoned for a taxi. She
+slipped into a fresh dress while she was waiting and then was whirled away to
+the studio. Envious eyes watched her go through the gates which were shut to so
+many.</p>
+
+<p>Janet found the little director in his office back at stage nine, her pile of
+manuscript in front of him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve finished the story and Mr. Rexler has gone over it,&#8221; said
+the director, after greeting Janet and waving her toward a chair.</p>
+
+<p>She waited breathlessly for his next words.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We both think it will do. Mind, it isn&#8217;t
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_133'></a>133</span>anything
+sensational, but it does have a new twist or two and can be made into a Curt
+Newsom feature very well.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He paused and picked up a check which was on his desk.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There will have to be a great deal done to the story by our own
+writing staff, so we felt seven hundred and fifty dollars would be a fair price
+to offer for the story,&#8221; he said handing the check to Janet.</p>
+
+<p>She took it mechanically and turned it over. Then looked at the name on the
+face of the check. It was payable to Janet Hardy.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Thanks so much, Mr. Fenstow. It&#8217;s very satisfactory.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Too bad you won&#8217;t stay on. I&#8217;d give you the lead,&#8221; he
+urged.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sorry, but I&#8217;ve made up my mind. Perhaps when college days are
+over, I&#8217;ll come back and apply for a job.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll get one if I&#8217;m still on the lot grinding out
+westerns,&#8221; he promised.</p>
+
+<p>Janet left the little office and walked across the sprawling motion picture
+plant. It was probably her last visit for the hours left before their departure
+would be filled with thoughts
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_134'></a>134</span>of packing. It
+was a dull time at the studio, with only one or two pictures in production, but
+with the coming weeks every sound stage would be humming with activity as new
+celluloid dramas were rushed to completion for the entertainment of millions of
+movie fans. Janet knew that she would not be a part of it, but there was a
+tremendous satisfaction in recalling the experiences of the past weeks and
+looking forward to the new ones that were bound to come at Radio City. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ao'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_135'></a>135</span><i>Chapter Fifteen</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>HOMEWARD BOUND</p>
+
+<p>Hours filled with packing and last minute details took their time up almost
+until the actual hour of the departure of their plane. They finished finally at
+midnight and they were to take the four o&#8217;clock eastbound plane for the
+midwest. New schedules had been inaugurated since they had come west and they
+would be home in time for dinner that night.</p>
+
+<p>Helen&#8217;s mother came in.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You girls must get some sleep, or you&#8217;ll look pretty much worn out
+when you reach Clarion.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m too excited to sleep,&#8221; confessed Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then let&#8217;s take a swim in the pool. That ought to relax us,&#8221;
+urged Helen.</p>
+
+<p>They slipped into their suits and for nearly half an hour enjoyed the pool.
+The moon was well up in the cloudless sky and it was an ideal night. Neither
+girl said very much, just
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_136'></a>136</span>floated on the
+pool, wondering what the coming weeks would have in store for them.</p>
+
+<p>When they finally emerged from the water they were ready to call it a day and
+they were sound asleep by one o&#8217;clock.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Thorne called them at three. It was still dark, but a hot breakfast was
+ready for them in the dining room. Even up to the last minute it seemed as
+though there were a host of things to do and they took a final survey of the
+house before they closed their bags. Two cabs were waiting; one for them and the
+other to take their bags.</p>
+
+<p>It was exactly three-thirty when they started for the airport. The streets
+were deserted and lights were on in only a few of the homes. Their cab swung on
+to a boulevard and flashed past the entrance of the Ace studio. Janet caught
+only a glimpse of the plant, but she felt a queer tightening of her heart, and
+she wondered if she had been wise in deciding to leave Hollywood. But it was too
+late now. She had made her decision.</p>
+
+<p>At the airport the big twin-motored transport was on the ramp, its motors
+idling and flickers of blue flame coming out of the exhaust under the wing.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_137'></a>137</span>An attendant
+at the gate checked the tickets Henry Thorne held in his hand and they were
+escorted to the plane where their stewardess assigned their seats. The cabin of
+this ship was even more luxuriously furnished than the one in which they had
+flown west and Janet settled herself comfortably into the thickly upholstered
+chair. Their baggage was stowed in the tail of the plane and then she saw the
+pilots come out of the office.</p>
+
+<p>They stepped into the cabin and walked up the narrow aisle to their own
+compartment. Both of them were youthful and Janet wondered that they had the
+marvelous skill in their hands necessary to guide the huge plane on its
+flight.</p>
+
+<p>Two more passengers hastened up to the gate and were escorted to the cabin.
+Then the stewardess checked the list of reservations. In addition to Henry
+Thorne and his party, there were only the two late-comers, both of whom were
+men.</p>
+
+<p>The motors roared and the plane rolled ahead, gaining speed rapidly. Before
+Janet knew it they were off the ground and soaring into a half light of the
+early day. A blanket of lights unfolded beneath them, but the lights
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_138'></a>138</span>were strangely
+dim and the plane headed away for the mountains, climbing steadily to have
+safety in crossing the dangerous peaks.</p>
+
+<p>Night faded rapidly now and they were well into the mountains at sunrise.
+They were heading northeast, flying now over great stretches of desolate land
+where there was nothing but sand and sagebrush, and sometimes precious little
+sagebrush.</p>
+
+<p>Salt Lake City was beneath them almost before they knew it and when the plane
+landed there Janet and Helen got out to stretch their legs while the crews were
+changed and the plane refuelled. Then they were in the air again, climbing once
+more to get above the continental divide and after that came the descent to
+Cheyenne. Lunch was served aboard the plane with Omaha the next stop and they
+roared on east as the sun rolled westward.</p>
+
+<p>Janet was watching the landscape below closely now for this was her home
+state&#x2014;a land dotted with many farms and huddles of houses that were the
+villages, tied together by strips of white highway and an occasional train that
+seemed to be puffing along a ladder which had been laid on the ground. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_139'></a>139</span>Almost before
+she knew it the motors of the plane lessened their roar and a town appeared
+underneath. It was Rubio, the nearest regular stop on the transcontinental
+line.</p>
+
+<p>The giant transport settled down easily. Janet felt the wheels touch and she
+looked eagerly through the heavy glass of the window for the first glimpse of
+her father and mother.</p>
+
+<p>She saw them on the ramp, gazing anxiously at the plane as it wheeled up to
+the concrete slab.</p>
+
+<p>Janet, the first out of the plane, ran to greet them. Her mother embraced her
+affectionately and her father gave her a hearty hug.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My, but it&#8217;s good to see you!&#8221; he declared. &#8220;We&#8217;ve
+missed you so much.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;And I&#8217;ve missed you, but I&#8217;ve had a grand time,&#8221; replied
+Janet, locking her arms in theirs.</p>
+
+<p>The Thornes came up and there were greetings all around. Then Henry Thorne
+and Janet&#8217;s father supervised the loading of the luggage into the Hardy
+sedan.</p>
+
+<p>The car was crowded, but they had so much to talk about and were so eager to
+say it that the inconvenience of short space mattered little. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_140'></a>140</span>Taking turns,
+Janet and Helen, rather breathlessly, told the story of their summer in
+Hollywood while John Hardy whirled them smoothly and safely along the ribbon of
+concrete that led from Rubio to Clarion.</p>
+
+<p>They stopped at the Thorne home and unloaded most of the luggage
+there.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re coming over to dinner,&#8221; Mrs. Hardy told them. &#8220;Is
+six-thirty all right?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll be there,&#8221; promised Mrs. Thorne, who was anxious for all
+of the news of her friends in Clarion.</p>
+
+<p>When they were home, Janet and her father and mother sat down in the
+comfortable living room and she told them more in detail of her adventures in
+the west, of the making of the western films and of their narrow escape from
+death in the fire.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We were greatly worried by the radio report,&#8221; said her father,
+&#8220;but the call from the Thornes reassured us.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet&#8217;s mother spoke up.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are you going on to New York City?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, mother. We&#8217;ll only have a few days at home. Then Helen and I
+are to go on to New York for a few days for a promotional broadcast
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_141'></a>141</span>on Mr.
+Thorne&#8217;s new picture, &#8216;Kings of the Air.&#8217; You know, we had minor
+rôles in it and some members of the cast are being sent east to take part in
+this promotion work. I think it will be great fun.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But how about college?&#8221; her father wanted to know.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s one of the things I&#8217;ll have to see about while I&#8217;m home
+this time. Maybe you would drive Helen and me over to Corn Belt U. some time
+tomorrow or the next day so we could see about registration? We&#8217;ll have to
+arrange to enter classes late.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We can go tomorrow,&#8221; nodded her father. &#8220;I&#8217;ve arranged
+to spend most of the rest of the week at home. Mother and I want to hear
+<i>all</i> about Hollywood.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t see it all,&#8221; smiled Janet. &#8220;But it&#8217;s a grand
+place, at least in which to spend one summer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The Thornes arrived promptly at the dinner hour and they visited at length
+over a leisurely meal. At eight o&#8217;clock Henry Thorne glanced at his
+watch.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The manager of the Pastime telephoned just before dinner to say that
+he had received
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_142'></a>142</span>a print of
+&#8216;Water Hole,&#8217; a new western, and would add it to his regular program
+tonight. Think you&#8217;d like to go?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, Janet, isn&#8217;t that the picture you and Helen were in?&#8221;
+asked her mother.</p>
+
+<p>Janet nodded and turned to Henry Thorne, who was smiling.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I believe you had that print of the film shipped east on the plane
+with us,&#8221; she accused.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What of it?&#8221; he parried.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Of course we&#8217;ll go,&#8221; said Janet&#8217;s mother. &#8220;We&#8217;ll
+leave the dishes right on the table. It isn&#8217;t every day that I get such an
+opportunity.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen slipped away from the table and Janet could hear her at the phone
+calling for Pete Benda, the city editor of the <i>Times</i>.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Pete? This is Helen Thorne. Yes, I&#8217;m back in town. Drop in at the
+Pastime this evening if you&#8217;d like to see the parts that Cora Dean and Margie
+Blake took in that western picture they wrote you about. No, never mind a story
+about us now. We&#8217;ve had plenty of publicity.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen hung up the receiver and turned to face Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you think that was nice?&#8221; asked Janet,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_143'></a>143</span>but there was an
+upward twist of her lips.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe it wasn&#8217;t exactly nice, but it was a lot of fun,&#8221;
+conceded Helen.</p>
+
+<p>There was just a tang of fall in the air and they slipped on light jackets,
+deciding to walk to the theater, which was less than half a dozen blocks
+away.</p>
+
+<p>Janet&#8217;s father insisted on buying the tickets for the party and they had
+excellent seats well down in the front of the theater. Janet thought she saw
+Pete Benda slide into a seat ahead of them, but she couldn&#8217;t be sure.</p>
+
+<p>The regular feature came to an end and the western, which had been added,
+flashed on the screen. Janet felt her pulse quicken as the title and the cast of
+characters, with her own name under Curt Newsom&#8217;s. The action started and she
+glanced at her father and mother. They were completely absorbed in the
+picture.</p>
+
+<p>Janet enjoyed it thoroughly. After all, it <i>was</i> a pretty good picture
+for a western and the clothes Roddy had designed for Helen and her added just
+the right touch of smartness.</p>
+
+<p>The action came to a driving climax and then the picture was over and people
+around <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_144'></a>144</span>them
+started to leave. As they walked down the aisle Pete Benda joined them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Congratulations, girls. That was a nice show. Say, where were Cora and
+Margie?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Didn&#8217;t you see them?&#8221; asked Helen naively.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t kid me,&#8221; growled Pete. &#8220;Where were
+they?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If you had been looking closely at the crowd in one of the scenes in
+the town you would have seen them,&#8221; smiled Helen. &#8220;Better come
+tomorrow night and look again.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Maybe I will,&#8221; admitted Pete, &#8220;but if I do it will be to
+look at Janet and you. Say, what&#8217;s this I hear about you going on to Radio
+City?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s something that will keep,&#8221; said Helen. &#8220;See you
+later.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>On the way home Janet&#8217;s father and mother told her how proud they were of
+her work and she felt a real sense of elation, for compliments from them meant
+more than from anyone else.</p>
+
+<p>It was well after midnight when she finally went to sleep in the bed in her
+own attractive room. Tomorrow there would be the trip to Corn Belt U. and then
+on to New York in a few days. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ap'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_145'></a>145</span><i>Chapter Sixteen</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>GORGEOUS GOWNS</p>
+
+<p>The next morning both the Hardy and the Thorne households were up early for
+it had been decided to make the trip to Newton, the seat of Corn Belt U., during
+the morning. The girls could complete their plans for registration during the
+afternoon and in the evening they could return home in good time.</p>
+
+<p>Janet was nearly through breakfast when an express messenger called at the
+door.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Package for Miss Janet Hardy,&#8221; he announced. &#8220;Air express,
+too.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet signed for the package. It was long and unusually well wrapped and when
+she saw the return address, &#8220;Ace Motion Picture Corp., Costume
+Department,&#8221; she tingled all over, for she knew that inside were the
+dresses George Roddy, or Adoree as he was know professionally, had created for
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Janet&#8217;s mother helped her rip aside the heavy
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_146'></a>146</span>brown paper with
+which the cardboard box was wrapped. Inside were layers of tissue and then they
+gazed upon the first dress, a sport outfit of green wool in lines so plain that
+its daring was startling. The jacket fitted snugly with a tie about the throat
+and the ends extended over Janet&#8217;s shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>After that came an afternoon dress, a rich brown velvet that caught and threw
+back at them the morning light. The skirt was plain with the upper half of the
+dress in a Russian blouse design with the plain roll collar of cloth of
+gold.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, it&#8217;s the most gorgeous thing I&#8217;ve ever seen,&#8221; exclaimed
+Janet&#8217;s mother. &#8220;How did this all happen?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Briefly, Janet told how Roddy had taken an interest in them and in seeing
+that they had attractive and striking clothes.</p>
+
+<p>There was one more dress, a garment designed for classroom wear. This was a
+corduroy&#x2014;a deep blue that was dazzling in its intensity.</p>
+
+<p>Before Janet could get it completely out of its heavy tissue wrappings the
+telephone rang and when she answered Helen&#8217;s excited voice
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_147'></a>147</span>came tumbling
+over the wire. She, too, had received her box from Roddy&#x2014;a sports outfit,
+an afternoon dress and another dress for classroom wear.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s wear one of our new dresses when we go to the university to
+register,&#8221; said Helen, and Janet agreed. Each of them had corduroys and
+they decided to wear these.</p>
+
+<p>Janet took the last garment, the corduroy one, from its wrappings and hurried
+upstairs to try it on. Her mother hastened after her, as eager as Janet to see
+how the new dress fitted and looked.</p>
+
+<p>Janet wriggled into the cool, smooth garment and whirled to face her mother.
+Her hair was a bit touseled and her cheeks flushed from the excitement and the
+vivid blue of the dress only heightened her youthful charm.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You look beautiful, dear,&#8221; breathed her mother. &#8220;I&#8217;ve
+never seen anything more lovely.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet turned back to her mirror and gazed at the dress Roddy&#8217;s agile mind
+had conceived for her. It <i>was</i> striking.</p>
+
+<p>The blue corduroy hung well, fitting closely around her slim hips and opening
+at the throat
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_148'></a>148</span>with a
+semi-military cut. A neat little pocket was placed just above her heart. The
+sleeves were wrist length, rather full at the shoulders and tapering to a close
+fit just above her hands where they were caught and tied with two silver
+bands.</p>
+
+<p>Someone came pounding up the stairs. It was Helen, who burst into the room
+like a young hurricane. Like Janet, she was attired in one of her new dresses.
+It was corduroy, but of an umber hue that was set off to perfection by Helen&#8217;s
+dark hair and the olive coloring of her face. There was just enough difference
+in the two dresses to make them varied, yet at a glance an observer could tell
+that they had been created by the same master hand.</p>
+
+<p>Helen even had on brown hose and shoes that matched her dress.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where are your new shoes?&#8221; she demanded.</p>
+
+<p>Janet delved further into the box. At the bottom was a shoe box and she
+opened it with shaking fingers. This was more than she had ever dared imagine.
+She drew forth a pair of blue kid slippers and tucked in them were three pairs
+of blue hose to match her dress and shoes. She changed shoes and hose and stood
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_149'></a>149</span>up again,
+whirling in front of the mirror. The costume now was perfection itself. She ran
+a comb through her golden hair and knew the thrill that comes from knowing a
+costume is perfect.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you suppose we&#8217;ll be asked to join a sorority at school?&#8221;
+asked Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If they see you in these dresses I imagine you can join any or all of
+them,&#8221; smiled Mrs. Hardy. &#8220;Come now, we must be ready when the men
+want to start.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>On the echo of her words a horn sounded below. Janet dabbed a little powder
+on her face and joined Helen as they hurried down stairs. Even their fathers
+were elated over the new dresses and both girls felt that their cups of
+happiness were filled to overflowing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Honestly,&#8221; confided Helen, &#8220;I hate to wear this in the
+car. I&#8217;d like to take it off and then put it on when we get near
+school.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I suppose you&#8217;d like to ride all of the way wrapped up in a blanket
+or something,&#8221; chided Janet. &#8220;But I&#8217;ll admit that I hate to sit
+down in this dress.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>It was a beautifully clear morning and John Hardy sent his big car speeding
+over the paved
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_150'></a>150</span>road at a fast
+pace. They were in Newton in ample time to drive around the university grounds
+and have a leisurely lunch before going to the office of the dean of women to
+take the first steps in registering.</p>
+
+<p>The campus of Corn Belt U. was lined with stately elms that had watched over
+the destiny of the school for more than three quarters of a century. The main
+buildings were of Indiana limestone with a few of the older ones of red-faced
+brick, now well covered with a rich growth of English ivy.</p>
+
+<p>Janet knew that she would enjoy going to school here. There was a spirit of
+calm and dignity about the campus that appealed to her.</p>
+
+<p>At lunch they talked of plans for school and of what they would take.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to get all of the dramatics and English I can
+absorb,&#8221; declared Helen. &#8220;Perhaps a little history,
+too.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How about you, Janet?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think my major courses will be journalism, and perhaps just a little
+in the way of dramatics.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not thinking about going back to Hollywood and joining Billy
+Fenstow&#8217;s company
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_151'></a>151</span>when you&#8217;re
+through, are you?&#8221; chided the director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I might have that idea in mind if no newspaper will take me on
+as a reporter,&#8221; conceded Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Luncheon over they went directly to the administration building where, after
+a short wait, they were ushered into the office of the dean of women.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Laird was a pleasant woman of about fifty and Janet saw her keen eyes
+take in every inch of their costumes in a glance and she thought she saw just a
+trace of suspicion arise in the dean&#8217;s eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Janet&#8217;s father explained their mission, pointing out that because of their
+coming trip to Radio City they would be late in taking up class work.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s a little unusual to arrange registration in this way,&#8221;
+said the dean, &#8220;but I believe you can be accommodated.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>For an hour they went over class schedules, the dean advising them on the
+courses best suited to what they had in mind. She assisted them in filling out
+the final registration cards and paused at one question. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_152'></a>152</span>&#8220;Do you
+hope to join a sorority?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We won&#8217;t be here in time for the rushing parties,&#8221; replied
+Janet. &#8220;Perhaps that had better wait until another semester, that is, if
+any of the groups should want us for membership.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The dean&#8217;s cool eyes surveyed the fashionably dressed girls.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I rather imagine you could take your pick of the sororities right now
+if the girls were here,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>The registration was over. The girls were to have rooms in Currier Hall, an
+old but comfortable dormitory.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;The dean seemed a little cool,&#8221; said Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I noticed that, too,&#8221; Janet said. &#8220;Evidently she doesn&#8217;t
+think much of the plans which call for us hurrying away to New
+York.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t be helped; we&#8217;re going,&#8221; said Helen.</p>
+
+<p>When they returned home a telegram was waiting for Henry Thorne.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This interests you girls more than it does me,&#8221; he said, handing
+the message to his daughter.</p>
+
+<p>Helen read it eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have Janet and Helen report next Monday
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_153'></a>153</span>morning at Radio
+City at ten o&#8217;clock,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That means we&#8217;ll have to leave here Saturday night. Why, that&#8217;s
+only tomorrow night!&#8221; gasped Janet. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_aq'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_154'></a>154</span><i>Chapter Seventeen</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>HELLO, NEW YORK</p>
+
+<p>They were so busy until after dinner that night that Janet had no time to
+scan the evening paper. When she picked up the <i>Times</i> it was with pleasant
+surprise for in the middle of the front page was a story by Pete Benda,
+reviewing &#8220;Water Hole&#8221; and describing the rôles Janet and Helen
+played.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Miss Hardy gave a most pleasing portrayal in the rôle of the
+heroine,&#8221; Pete had written, &#8220;and a good many local people will enjoy
+this picture to the utmost. It is far above the average western.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Near the end was a line. &#8220;Cora Dean and Margie Blake, local girls who
+were also in the picture, may be seen in a crowd scene at the village.&#8221;
+Janet smiled as she thought of the humiliation that Cora would feel. Well, it
+had been a mean trick of Cora&#8217;s to write Pete Benda that she and Margie had
+leading rôles. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_155'></a>155</span>Helen&#8217;s
+father made complete plans for their trip to New York for the Ace company was
+paying all expenses as well as salaries to Janet and Helen while they were in
+the east.</p>
+
+<p>Both Janet and Helen packed the new dresses Roddy had sent them in the large
+bags which they were taking with them. There might be little actual opportunity
+to wear them, but they wanted to be prepared.</p>
+
+<p>Their train for Chicago left at ten o&#8217;clock and they arrived at the station
+in ample time, Janet&#8217;s father conveying them there. He had reserved a drawing
+room for them and they felt elated over that.</p>
+
+<p>The <i>Chicago Limited</i> was on time to the minute, the puffing locomotive
+drawing its long string of Pullmans to an easy stop. The girls had drawing room
+A in car fifty-seven. The porter took their bags as they turned to say good-bye
+to their parents.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Got plenty of money?&#8221; Janet&#8217;s father asked in a
+whisper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Plenty, Dad. And I&#8217;ll get paid while I&#8217;m in New
+York.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>But he slipped her a small, black book that resembled a check book. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_156'></a>156</span>&#8220;Put
+this in your purse. It will come in handy if you have an emergency,&#8221; he
+said.</p>
+
+<p>Calls of &#8220;Bo-o-oard,&#8221; rang along the train. Final good-byes were
+said and the girls stepped into the vestibule of their car. The train started
+easily and they waved to their parents. Then they were out of the train shed,
+picking up speed rapidly for the remainder of the night run to Chicago.</p>
+
+<p>They retired to their drawing-room, finished in restful tones of rose and
+gray, and slipped into pajamas. Both being tired, they went to bed at once,
+Janet in the upper berth and Helen in the lower.</p>
+
+<p>The car was air conditioned and they slept restfully, neither one of them
+awakening until they were in the outskirts of Chicago.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What are you going to wear today?&#8221; asked Helen, stretching
+luxuriously between the crisp, cool sheets.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;My corduroy dress,&#8221; said Janet. &#8220;It&#8217;s excellent for
+travel; comfortable and it won&#8217;t muss easily.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That appeals to me,&#8221; replied Helen, slipping out of bed and
+starting to dress while Janet lowered herself out of the upper. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_157'></a>157</span>The train was
+past Englewood by the time they were dressed and their porter came in to take
+their bags.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Going to wear a hat?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not with this dress; I haven&#8217;t anything that goes well with
+it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet tipped the porter and a red cap, waiting on the platform, took their
+bags. Their New York train was only four tracks away and would depart within an
+hour so their bags were taken directly to the Pullman, where another drawing
+room had been reserved for the Chicago-New York trip.</p>
+
+<p>After making sure that their bags were in the drawing room, Janet and Helen
+went into the great, high ceilinged dining room in the station. They enjoyed a
+hearty breakfast of delicious country ham and eggs with crisp toast and a cool
+glass of milk.</p>
+
+<p>Janet bought several morning papers and they returned to the train shed.
+Trains which had been rushing across the plains all night in their dash for
+Chicago were still arriving, while on other tracks long strings of coaches,
+ready to start carrying passengers away from the city, were being backed down
+the tracks. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_158'></a>158</span>Re-entering
+their New York train, they found seats in the luxurious limousine-lounge car at
+the rear of the train where the observation platform was enclosed in glass. A
+radio was tuned softly and all of the latest magazines were available.</p>
+
+<p>Travel was light that day and at the start of the trip they were the only
+ones in the lounge car as the train rolled smoothly out of the station.</p>
+
+<p>There was a brief pause at Englewood, then they were off again, picking up
+speed as the train skirted the southern edge of Lake Michigan where great
+industrial plants were perched along the shore and lake freighters seemed to
+spring out of the prairie as the rails crossed canals.</p>
+
+<p>At lunch time they were well into Indiana. Only a few more passengers had
+boarded the train and they had the dining car practically to themselves.</p>
+
+<p>As the afternoon advanced they dipped into Ohio and stops were more frequent.
+By late afternoon the train was well filled and space in the lounge car was
+almost at a premium.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen went to bed early that night
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_159'></a>159</span>for the coming
+day promised to be an unusually busy and exciting one for them&#x2014;they would
+have their first glimpse of New York, visit Radio City, and receive their
+assignments for the radio play they were to be in.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What are you going to wear tomorrow?&#8221; asked Helen as she
+snuggled down between the crisp sheets.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know, perhaps the corduroy dress I had on today,&#8221;
+replied Janet. &#8220;It&#8217;s so comfortable and I think it&#8217;s
+becoming.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I guess I&#8217;ll vote that way, too,&#8221; said Helen, and a minute
+later both girls were asleep.</p>
+
+<p>They were up early the next morning, breakfasting as the train sped out of
+the Jersey hills and straightened out for its dash across the tidewater flats to
+Jersey City. They shot past commuter trains at almost regular intervals for
+their limited had the right of way.</p>
+
+<p>As they neared the terminal, the porter took their bags and Helen handed him
+a tip. Her father had deliberately routed them over a line which ended in Jersey
+City so that they might have their first real glimpse of the towering New York
+skyline from a ferryboat.</p>
+
+<p>The passengers poured off the train and onto
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_160'></a>160</span>the nearby
+ferry. Bells clanged, smoke rolled from the twin stacks, and the bulky boat
+nosed out into the river.</p>
+
+<p>Helen crowded close to Janet as the full majesty of the skyline was unfolded.
+To their right was the lower city with its cluster of skyscrapers while to their
+left was mid-town with the Empire State towering almost into the clouds. A
+little beyond that the sharp spire of the Chrysler building rose skyward.</p>
+
+<p>On the New York side of the Hudson liners were sandwiched into the docks and
+Janet grabbed Helen&#8217;s arm and pointed to one. It was the <i>Europa</i>, famed
+speed liner. A little further along was the <i>Rex</i>, pride of the Italian
+merchant marine.</p>
+
+<p>Then the ferry was nosing into its pier. Gates clanged, their baggage was
+loaded aboard a taxi, and almost before they knew it they were whirling away
+toward the heart of the city. Helen had given their hotel address.</p>
+
+<p>Up onto an elevated roadway sped their cab where it rocketed along at
+forty-five miles an hour. Then they shot onto an incline and eased down into a
+street below. Traffic lights slowed them up now, but in less than ten
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_161'></a>161</span>minutes after
+leaving the ferry they were in Times Square, the very heart of the throbbing
+city, where Broadway and Seventh Avenue cross to form a great triangular
+opening.</p>
+
+<p>At the hotel desk Janet registered for both of them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We were to have reservations,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>The clerk checked the registration list and marked their names off. Then they
+were whisked away to their rooms, high up and on the inside, where they could
+sleep in something like quiet. They had two rooms with a connecting bath.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, what do you think of the city?&#8221; asked Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m still a little breathless,&#8221; admitted Janet. &#8220;Los
+Angeles was large&#x2014;but New York&#x2014;it just seems to swallow you
+up.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They dressed carefully in preparation for their trip to Radio City and at
+nine-thirty o&#8217;clock went down stairs and inquired the best way to reach their
+destination. The clerk on duty suggested that they walk.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s only a short distance. Go one block to Sixth Avenue, turn to
+the left, and continue six blocks to Radio City.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_162'></a>162</span>The morning
+air was clear and cool as they set forth, walking briskly and taking in
+everything about them. On Sixth Avenue elevated trains rumbled overhead, but up
+the street they could see the towering building which housed Radio City and
+their steps quickened.</p>
+
+<p>They reached their destination in a few minutes and turned to the right to
+the entrance which led to the offices of the World Broadcasting Company, the
+chain which was to put their program on the air. The lobby was of chromium and
+black and they stepped into a modernistic elevator that whisked them upward so
+rapidly they were breathless.</p>
+
+<p>They stepped out at the twenty-seventh floor and into a luxuriously furnished
+lobby where there were comfortable chairs and restful lights. A young woman at
+the reception desk looked up as the girls advanced.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re to join the company from the Ace studios,&#8221; Janet
+explained.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Your names?&#8221; The inquiry was purely impersonal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Janet Hardy and Helen Thorne.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The young woman checked their names and called a page. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_163'></a>163</span>&#8220;Take
+them to studio K,&#8221; she directed.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen turned and followed the page, who was leading them to a new
+chapter of their lives&#x2014;one more thrilling than they could have imagined
+even in their deepest dreams. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ar'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_164'></a>164</span><i>Chapter Eighteen</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>IN RADIO CITY</p>
+
+<p>The page ushered them into the studio and the first person they saw was Curt
+Newsom, the tall cowboy star who had also had a part in &#8220;Kings of the
+Air.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt hastened to greet them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When did you get in?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This morning,&#8221; replied Janet. &#8220;My, but it&#8217;s good to see
+you again. I didn&#8217;t know you were going to be in this promotional
+unit.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The cowboy flushed and grinned somewhat sheepishly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, to tell the truth, I&#8217;ve always wanted to try broadcasting a
+little and I finally pestered the general manager out on the coast until he sent
+me along and ordered them to give me a part. Come on and meet the director of
+this unit.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt led them over to a small group where a rather slender, dark-haired man
+was speaking. <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_165'></a>165</span>He
+turned to face them as they approached and Janet noted that he wore unusually
+thick glasses, indicating that his eyes were in need of heavy correction.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is Mr. Ben Adolphi,&#8221; said Curt, by way of introduction.
+&#8220;Mr. Adolphi has been assigned by the World Broadcasting Company to handle
+this promotion work.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He introduced each of the girls to the radio director and Mr. Adolphi smiled
+pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I shall get at your parts presently,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Please be
+seated.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They found comfortable chairs at one side of the studio and Janet enjoyed the
+opportunity to look around the room for it was here that they would put on their
+radio show. The ceiling was high and evidently covered with a cloth which
+absorbed sound readily. The walls were also covered with a cloth of heavy
+texture and the carpet on the floor felt an inch thick.</p>
+
+<p>At the rear of the room was a low platform which might be used for an
+orchestra and to the left, through a heavy plate glass window, was the control
+room where the engineers regulated the volume of the program and fed it
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_166'></a>166</span>out on the air.
+Near the door was a desk with a microphone on it for the announcer, and beyond
+that was a tall steel stand with several microphones, attached to adjustable
+arms, on it. These could be placed in any portion of the room to pick up the
+program to the best advantage.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Adolphi joined them within a few minutes. He carried a handful of script
+with him and handed one section to Janet and another to Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You understand that this company is comparatively small when you think
+of the one used in the production of the picture?&#8221; he reminded them.
+&#8220;It will be necessary for you to take several parts, but all of them will
+be minor rôles since I understand neither of you have had any experience in
+broadcasting.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The girls nodded their understanding, and the director plunged on.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We are going to give only the high spots of the film story over the
+air, but in addition we are going to weave in some of the actual drama and the
+thrills attached to the shooting of the picture&#x2014;some of the
+behind-the-scenes incidents. Understand?&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_167'></a>167</span>Again they
+nodded.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We have not been able to get all of this material that we desired and
+Mr. Newsom has informed me that you have a fair ability at
+writing.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>This was aimed at Janet and she replied promptly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I enjoy writing,&#8221; she said, &#8220;but the question of ability
+hasn&#8217;t been very well determined yet.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But you sold a script for film purposes only recently,&#8221; pressed
+the director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yes, that&#8217;s true, but I think it was more luck than anything
+else.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Be that as it may, I&#8217;d like you to write some of the intimate and
+unusual things that go on in the production of such a picture. Get in all of the
+thrilling material possible. Get me?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think so,&#8221; replied Janet, recalling the vivid hours that had
+marked the production work on &#8220;Kings of the Air&#8221; when the company
+was out in the desert and she had been kidnaped.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then take the rest of the day off and try to get some of the material
+into my hands tomorrow
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_168'></a>168</span>morning. We&#8217;ll
+have it whipped into shape by the studio continuity writers, for this program
+goes on the air day after tomorrow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll do my best, Mr. Adolphi,&#8221; promised Janet, and the
+director hurried away to give further instructions to others in the
+company.</p>
+
+<p>Helen looked at Janet admiringly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, you certainly get yourself into all kinds of work,&#8221; she
+smiled. &#8220;Now you&#8217;ll have to go back to the hotel room and pound away on
+a rented typewriter while I go down and see a show in the Music
+Hall.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, don&#8217;t do that,&#8221; begged Janet, who was anxious to see the
+interior of the world&#8217;s largest theater. &#8220;Wait another day until I can
+go with you. There&#8217;ll be plenty for you to see in New York beside the Music
+Hall.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right,&#8221; agreed Helen. &#8220;We&#8217;ll plan on that for
+tomorrow afternoon.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>As they left the studio they bumped into a slender, dark-haired girl who was
+hurrying in.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Clumsy fools,&#8221; Janet heard the other girl murmur as she went on
+and Janet&#8217;s face flushed for it had been as much the other&#8217;s fault as their
+own. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_169'></a>169</span>They dropped
+down to the street level in the elevator and Janet started back for the hotel
+while Helen walked toward Fifth avenue to enjoy a window shopping tour along the
+exclusive shops that had made the avenue famous throughout the world.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_170'></a>170</span></p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_as'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><i>Chapter Nineteen</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>A MANUSCRIPT VANISHES</p>
+
+<p>Janet went directly to their hotel and asked at the desk about renting a
+typewriter. Arrangements were made to have one delivered at her room within half
+an hour and she went to change into an older dress, something that wouldn&#8217;t be
+hurt by wrinkles that were bound to come as she labored over the
+typewriter.</p>
+
+<p>The machine was delivered promptly and Janet used a supply of the hotel
+stationary for her writing material. At first the idea of setting down intimate
+little things about the filming of the picture had appeared easy, but now that
+the task was before her, the words and ideas did not come freely.</p>
+
+<p>Janet wondered if she dared to record the story of the sabotage when the
+company was on desert location. She could imagine that it would make grand
+material for broadcasting purposes and so she set resolutely about the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_171'></a>171</span>task. The worst
+that could happen would be for Mr. Adolphi to reject it entirely. Janet finally
+got started and once under way the flow of words came smoothly and her fingers
+moved rapidly over the keyboard.</p>
+
+<p>She worked steadily for more than an hour, got up, stretched, walked around
+the room and returned to the writing. She wasn&#8217;t attempting to make it a
+complete story, just giving the sequences as they had happened during the
+filming of &#8220;Kings of the Air&#8221; and the mysterious events which had
+taken place out on the desert. It was natural that Janet should hint that the
+plotting was the work of another concern for it had been common talk in their
+own company later that Premier Films, also producing an air story, had attempted
+to keep their own film from a successful conclusion. But it had only been talk
+for there was no definite proof.</p>
+
+<p>Helen came hurrying in just as Janet finished her work.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How is it going?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All through,&#8221; replied her companion. &#8220;Have a good
+time?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Grand. I never knew there could be so
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_172'></a>172</span>many beautiful
+shops in such a small area. Come on now. I want to ride a subway.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll have to change clothes,&#8221; said Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Never mind changing for a subway trip. We&#8217;ll go down to the Battery.
+I inquired the way at the desk.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet slipped on a light brown coat and followed Helen down and across to the
+Times Square subway station where they found themselves engulfed in the crowd
+and the noise. Helen dropped two nickels in the turnstile and they went through
+the gate, Helen still in the lead and striding along as though she were the
+veteran of many a ride in the subway instead of a rank beginner.</p>
+
+<p>A train roared out of the darkness of the tube and Janet saw a sign,
+&#8220;South Ferry,&#8221; on the windows.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is our train,&#8221; cried Helen, shoving her companion ahead of
+her and into one of the seats. Other passengers piled in, the doors clanged and
+they were roaring through the tunnel far under the street level. Their train was
+an express and occasionally they shot past a slower local. The air was close
+with an odor that is peculiar to a subway, but Janet enjoyed
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_173'></a>173</span>the ride,
+watching the crowd in the car. It was evident that most of them were accustomed
+to using the subway several times a day and they were either visiting or reading
+evening papers, which they had folded so they would take up the least possible
+room.</p>
+
+<p>At the South Ferry station they walked up to the street levels and entered
+Battery park. Janet paused a moment, struck by the beauty of the harbor in the
+late afternoon. Beyond the Battery was the Statue of Liberty and even further
+the tidewater flats of Jersey.</p>
+
+<p>Several freighters, which had cleared their docks a few minutes before, were
+going down the harbor and Janet and Helen, standing along the Battery wondered
+for what distant port they might be bound.</p>
+
+<p>They walked past the Aquarium. On another afternoon they would come back and
+spend several hours going through that fascinating building.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m tired,&#8221; confessed Janet. &#8220;Let&#8217;s get back to the
+hotel now, clean up, and have dinner. Perhaps we&#8217;ll go to a show after
+that.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen readily agreed to the suggestion and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_174'></a>174</span>they returned to
+the South Ferry station where they caught an uptown express that took them to
+Times Square at a dizzy pace.</p>
+
+<p>When they emerged from the tube, the shadows were lengthening in the heart of
+the city. Sidewalks were crowded with hundreds of men and women on their way
+home after a day&#8217;s work in the city. They paused for several minutes to watch
+the teeming mass of humanity and then turned and entered their hotel.</p>
+
+<p>Janet was the first to step into their rooms and the instant she passed the
+threshold a feeling of foreboding gripped her and she stopped so suddenly that
+Helen bumped into her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter?&#8221; asked Helen, looking up quickly.</p>
+
+<p>Janet looked a little sheepish. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know. For some reason I
+thought there was something wrong in here.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Want me to scream?&#8221; smiled Helen. &#8220;I can do a good job of
+that and I guarantee to get someone here in less than a minute with one
+scream.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the banter Janet was far from reassured for a feeling of unrest
+had settled <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_175'></a>175</span>down
+upon her. She snapped on the lights in the room and looked around.</p>
+
+<p>Apparently nothing had been disturbed and Helen walked past her and went on
+into her own room. A puff of wind stirred the curtains at the half-opened window
+and Janet walked over and looked out. There was no fire escape nearby and it
+would have been impossible for anyone to have gained access to their room in
+that manner. But then, she asked herself, why would anyone want to enter their
+room. They carried no personal jewelry of any value and the money they had left
+in the room was of such a small amount that it would not make robbery worth
+while.</p>
+
+<p>In the next room Helen was humming to herself as she undressed and prepared
+to take a shower. Janet dropped down on the bed to rest a moment. It had been a
+hectic day and she was tired. Her eyes dropped and she fell into a deep
+sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Helen finished her shower, looked in at Janet, then returned to her own room,
+where she partially dressed, put on a dressing gown, and sat down to write a
+letter home chronicling the events of her first day in New York. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_176'></a>176</span>Janet awoke
+as suddenly as she had fallen asleep. Helen had turned out the light in her room
+and it was quite dark now, the only light coming through the half-opened door
+that led to the bathroom and on to Helen&#8217;s room.</p>
+
+<p>Janet turned on the light over the desk where she had been writing and
+glanced down at the manuscript she had been working on. She turned and called
+sharply to Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Did you pick up the manuscript I finished this afternoon?&#8221; she
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Haven&#8217;t seen it since we left for the Battery,&#8221; replied Helen.
+&#8220;The last I knew it was right beside your typewriter. Maybe you&#8217;re too
+sleepy to see it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not that sleepy,&#8221; retorted Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps she had put it on the dresser and she turned toward that article of
+furniture but there was no sign of the manuscript there. She pulled open the
+drawers, but the manuscript was not there and Helen joined her in the
+hunt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sure you haven&#8217;t taken it to your room and mislaid it?&#8221; asked
+Janet, a deep pucker of worry lining her forehead.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ll look to make sure,&#8221; said Helen and they hastened to her
+room, but the search
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_177'></a>177</span>there was just
+as fruitless as the one in Janet&#8217;s room. Janet even looked in the closets, but
+there was no encouragement there. In a last hope, she went through the
+wastepaper basket, but she was doomed to disappointment and turned to Helen, her
+voice shaking with emotion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no doubt about it now,&#8221; she declared. &#8220;Someone
+entered our rooms while we were away and stole the manuscript I had been working
+on!&#8221; </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_at'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_178'></a>178</span><i>Chapter Twenty</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>THE MYSTERY DEEPENS</p>
+
+<p>The girls stared helplessly at each other and Helen was finally the first to
+speak.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But Janet, that can&#8217;t be possible. It must be here
+somewhere.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet shook her head firmly. &#8220;It isn&#8217;t here and we both know it. My
+premonition when we entered the room was right. Something is decidedly
+wrong.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But what can we do about it?&#8221; asked Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to call the clerk,&#8221; said Janet, picking up the
+telephone. She explained briefly what had happened. &#8220;The assistant manager
+is here. He&#8217;s coming up in five minutes,&#8221; she said when she replaced the
+instrument on the stand.</p>
+
+<p>Helen rushed back to her own room to finish dressing and was fully clothed
+when the assistant manager arrived. He made a careful examination of the door
+and the lock and then
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_179'></a>179</span>went all over
+the rooms with the girls, but as Janet had felt convinced, there was no further
+trace of the missing papers.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I regret this deeply,&#8221; said the hotel official, &#8220;and can
+only promise that every effort will be made to see that the papers are returned
+if they are still in the building.&#8221; He excused himself to question the
+housekeeper about any maid who might have been working in the room while the
+girls were away.</p>
+
+<p>In less than five minutes he returned, a maid following close behind
+him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think the mystery is solved,&#8221; he explained. &#8220;The maid
+says she came in to put fresh towels in the bathroom and someone knocked at the
+door. She answered and a man from the World Broadcasting Company said he had
+come to get your manuscript. He came right on in and picked up the papers beside
+the typewriter. Of course she should not have admitted him, but he appeared to
+know just what he wanted.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What did he look like?&#8221; Janet asked the maid.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, I didn&#8217;t pay particular attention, but he was small and I
+guess you would call him dark. He had on a hat and it was pulled down
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_180'></a>180</span>over his
+forehead. He took the papers and went on out. Said they&#8217;d be waiting for you
+at the broadcasting office tomorrow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I believe this solves the mystery,&#8221; said the assistant
+manager.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I hope so,&#8221; agreed Janet. &#8220;We&#8217;re sorry to have caused
+you so much trouble.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>When the hotel official and the maid had taken their departure, Helen turned
+to her companion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t know the radio people were in such a hurry for the material
+you were working on,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Neither did I,&#8221; replied Janet, &#8220;but I guess it is all
+right. Let&#8217;s have dinner now and then perhaps a show. I feel tremendously
+relieved about the manuscript.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They added a dab of powder and a touch of rouge to their faces and went
+downstairs. Further down the block they had noticed an attractive Old English
+Inn and they walked there where they enjoyed a leisurely dinner.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What shall we do now?&#8221; asked Helen as she finished the dish of
+ice cream which was their dessert. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_181'></a>181</span>&#8220;Shall
+we go back to Radio City and see the Music Hall?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like nothing better. We&#8217;re on our way.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They strolled along at a leisurely pace, turned into Sixth Avenue and headed
+north toward the great mass of gray limestone which was Radio City. Overhead the
+trains rumbled along the elevated, but Janet and Helen had eyes only for Radio
+City.</p>
+
+<p>Ahead of them opened the doors of the world&#8217;s largest theater and with
+their hearts beating faster than usual they purchased their tickets and walked
+into the grand foyer, the most majestic, breath-taking enclosure either of them
+had ever been in. Their feet sank into the heavy pile of the great carpet and
+their eyes feasted on the beauty of the towering bronze doors which led into the
+theater itself.</p>
+
+<p>Then they went on into the Music Hall, which with its sixty-two hundred
+seats, was the largest of the world&#8217;s modern theaters. A great expanse of
+space greeted their eyes, the theater sloping gently forward to the huge stage.
+An orchestra, in full dress, was rising from the depths of its pit as though
+lifted by <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_182'></a>182</span>the
+hand of some unseen giant. The orchestra broke into a full swell of music and
+Janet and Helen, sinking into deep, comfortable seats, were enraptured. Above
+them hidden lights changed the color effect of the ceiling continuously. Then
+the overture was over and the curtains of the stage parted and for half an hour
+they enjoyed a musical entertainment based on Coney Island, the famed fun center
+of the city. After that came the feature picture, and they enjoyed every moment
+of the nearly three hours of entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>When it was over they walked out slowly, for the Music Hall was one great
+part of Radio City. Tomorrow, across the street and up on the twenty-seventh
+floor, they would be in another but very vital part of Radio City, in the
+broadcasting studios of the World Broadcasting Company. As they walked down
+Sixth Avenue they glanced aloft and far up in the building a blaze of light
+shone from windows. Some company was busy up there tonight, providing thousands
+of radio fans with drama or music for their entertainment and they thrilled at
+the thought that within a very short time, they, too, would be a part of the
+radio world. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_183'></a>183</span>Back in their
+rooms that night Janet glanced at the place beside the typewriter where the
+manuscript had disappeared. She would have liked to have telephoned Curt Newsom
+and told the lanky cowboy about the incident but he had not mentioned where he
+was staying. She thought of telephoning Mr. Adolphi, their radio director, but
+dismissed that for she felt that he might think her foolish. Undoubtedly he had
+sent for the manuscript.</p>
+
+<p>They were up early the next morning, refreshed after a night of sound sleep.
+A quick shower was followed by a rapid but thorough toilet and they were ready
+for what they might have in store for them. They had breakfast in the grill room
+which opened off the main lobby of their hotel and then started for Radio
+City.</p>
+
+<p>There was a touch of fall in the air and they walked briskly, pushing through
+other hurrying throngs of men and women who were on their way to work.</p>
+
+<p>The elevator shot them up to the twenty-seventh floor in a dizzy, breathless
+rush and they stepped out into the reception room. A page took them to studio K
+and there were
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_184'></a>184</span>only two others
+there when they entered&#x2014;Ben Adolphi, their director, and Curt Newsom. The
+cowboy star looked a little pale.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Sick?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Curt shook his head. &#8220;Not exactly, but I didn&#8217;t sleep very well last
+night. Too much noise here in the city. I&#8217;m going to move. My hotel&#8217;s right
+on Times Square.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, we&#8217;re staying there too,&#8221; said Helen. &#8220;Our hotel is
+the Dorchester. We slept fine.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m staying there,&#8221; replied Curt, &#8220;but I don&#8217;t see how
+you slept. I heard fire engines and police patrols and street cars and newsboys
+all night. I might as well have been down in the subway trying to sleep on an
+express train.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The radio director looked at Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Manuscript ready?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>Janet stared at him and he repeated the question.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Haven&#8217;t you got it?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Certainly not,&#8221; he snapped, evidently a little provoked at what
+he considered dull wits.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But the maid at the hotel said someone from the studio called
+yesterday afternoon for it. It&#8217;s gone!&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Certainly I didn&#8217;t send for it,&#8221; he retorted.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_185'></a>185</span>&#8220;Evidently
+it was some one&#8217;s idea of a practical joke.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t think it was much of a joke,&#8221; said Curt quietly.
+&#8220;If the manuscript Janet was working on has disappeared, it vanished
+because someone was afraid of what she might write.&#8221; </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_au'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_186'></a>186</span><i>Chapter Twenty-one</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>INSINUATIONS</p>
+
+<p>At the cool words of the cowboy star, the radio director whirled to face
+him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Just what do you mean by that,&#8221; he demanded, his face
+flushing.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I mean just this,&#8221; retorted Curt. &#8220;There was a very real
+attempt made on the coast to stop the filming of &#8216;Kings of the Air&#8217;
+and it begins to look like that attempt is being carried on even in New York in
+an effort to stop the promotion of the picture. All I&#8217;ve got to say is that
+someone had better be careful.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are you insinuating anything?&#8221; demanded the radio
+director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not insinuating; I&#8217;m just saying,&#8221; said the cowboy star
+firmly.</p>
+
+<p>The director turned back to Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re sure the manuscript was stolen?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It was unless someone in the studio here has it,&#8221; she replied.
+</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_187'></a>187</span>&#8220;I&#8217;ll
+make inquiries,&#8221; he promised, &#8220;but I am sure no one in the studio
+would have sent for it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Adolphi left studio K and Janet, Helen and Curt Newsom were alone.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re not kidding about the manuscript being missing?&#8221; Curt
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, Curt, I&#8217;m terribly serious. We went out for a time yesterday
+afternoon. While we were gone the maid came in to leave clean towels and while
+she was in the room a man came in. He said he was from the studio here and had
+come for the manuscript. Naturally the girl didn&#8217;t object and he walked out
+with the papers.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What did you have in the story?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, a lot about the final days in the desert. How the attempts were
+made to stop the picture, the bombing from the sky and my own
+kidnaping.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Did you hint that some other company was responsible for this?&#8221;
+The question was snapped at Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come to think of it, I did, but of course I didn&#8217;t mention any
+company by name.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt scratched his head in frank worry. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_188'></a>188</span>&#8220;You
+know,&#8221; he confessed, &#8220;this thing has got me puzzled. There is some
+powerful agency at work to stop the picture Helen&#8217;s father made and I believe
+its influence must extend right here into this studio. You girls be sure and
+watch your step and especially at night.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But nothing will happen to us,&#8221; protested Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No, I don&#8217;t suppose there will, but you keep on the alert just the
+same,&#8221; Curt warned them.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Adolphi returned and shook his head in response to Janet&#8217;s inquiring
+gaze.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve checked everyone in the studio,&#8221; he said, &#8220;and no
+one knows anything about it. Can you do the manuscript over?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Probably,&#8221; assented Janet, &#8220;but I&#8217;d prefer not to under
+the circumstances.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The director did not insist and Janet thought perhaps he even seemed a little
+relieved.</p>
+
+<p>Other members of the company arrived. Several of them had been in the film
+company on the coast but most of them were from the regular stock company which
+the studio maintained for its dramatic needs. Most of them
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_189'></a>189</span>were pleasant
+enough. Only one of them turned Janet against her and that was the small,
+dark-haired actress who had bumped into her the day before and called her a
+&#8220;clumsy fool.&#8221; That was Rachel Nesbit and Janet thought her eyes a
+trifle too close together and her mouth too hard. It looked as though it was
+difficult for Rachel to look pleasant and there was a sulky twist to her
+lips.</p>
+
+<p>Janet soon found that Rachel was the pampered member of the studio&#8217;s stock
+company. She was considered an actress of ability and she arrived late and left
+early during rehearsals. Her one redeeming grace was that she came through when
+she was before a microphone. Janet also learned that Rachel was writing in
+addition to her acting and that she had had several of her skits produced on the
+air.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the company was assembled, Director Adolphi plunged into the task
+of rehearsing. Sound men brought in the necessary paraphernalia and through the
+hours of the morning they went over the first scene which was to be presented in
+their radio show. The program was to be unusual, running half an hour for five
+consecutive nights, each of them
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_190'></a>190</span>increasing the
+tempo and mystery of the action. Janet, reading the script, could feel the thing
+getting into her blood and she was anxious for the hour to come when they would
+actually go on the air.</p>
+
+<p>She had no fear of the microphone, now, for that had vanished while she was
+working for Billy Fenstow in the westerns with Curt Newsom and Helen.</p>
+
+<p>The trio had lunch together that noon, and returned immediately to the
+studio, where rehearsals continued into the afternoon and at the close of the
+day the director rather grudgingly conceded that the company had made excellent
+progress.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Be here tomorrow sharply at nine,&#8221; he cautioned as he dismissed
+them for the day.</p>
+
+<p>Members of the company scattered quickly, some of them hurrying away to catch
+trains for their suburban homes.</p>
+
+<p>Janet, Helen, and Curt Newsom walked slowly toward the elevators. The
+corridor down which they walked was practically deserted for none of the studios
+flanking it were in use. They entered the main lobby of the World Broadcasting
+Company office. From
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_191'></a>191</span>a loudspeaker on
+the reception desk came the voice of a world-famous crooner which Helen
+recognized instantly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a program I&#8217;d like to see,&#8221; she told Curt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Come on, then. Now that we are members of a radio company, we ought to
+be able to crash the gates.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The cowboy star inquired the way to the proper studio and they turned and
+walked down a long corridor to Studio A, the largest and most costly of all of
+the broadcasting rooms of the World Company. It was like a little theater, with
+sloping seats and a stage upon which the performers worked before the
+microphone. At the back was a large orchestra, while up to the front of the
+stage the famous crooner was singing into a &#8220;mike.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, he doesn&#8217;t look at all like I thought he would,&#8221;
+exclaimed Helen as they peered through the plate glass windows which flanked one
+wall of the studio. &#8220;He&#8217;s much older.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Many of us are disillusioned about our heroes and heroines,&#8221;
+said Curt quietly. &#8220;Let&#8217;s eat. I&#8217;d like a steak.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_192'></a>192</span>&#8220;Sounds
+good to me,&#8221; agreed Janet, and even Helen was willing to leave the studio
+after another minute or two of gazing at the crooner.</p>
+
+<p>They ate in a small but attractive restaurant off Sixth Avenue and after a
+leisurely meal Curt hurried away to keep an appointment and Janet and Helen,
+though tired from the long day&#8217;s grind of rehearsals, strolled over to Fifth
+Avenue to look into shop windows. After half an hour on the avenue, they started
+back to their Times Square hotel, heading west on one of New York&#8217;s dark and
+little-frequented cross streets.</p>
+
+<p>They were halfway down the long, dimly lit block when Helen seized Janet&#8217;s
+arm.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Someone&#8217;s following us!&#8221; she whispered.</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_av'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_193'></a>193</span><i>Chapter Twenty-two</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>SHADOWED!</p>
+
+<p>Despite Helen&#8217;s whisper of warning, Janet never missed a stride. If
+anything, she quickened her pace.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Keep up with me,&#8221; she replied, &#8220;and don&#8217;t look
+around.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>From somewhere behind Janet could hear steady footfalls that quickened as
+they walked faster.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Are you sure someone is following us?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Positive,&#8221; replied Helen. &#8220;There was someone back of us on
+the avenue and he turned onto this street right after we did.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But it must be coincidence,&#8221; insisted Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But remember what Curt said about our knowing too much of the
+mysterious events that went on during the last days of the filming of
+&#8216;Kings of the Air,&#8217;&#8221; said Helen. &#8220;He warned us to watch
+out.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_194'></a>194</span>There was no
+answer to that for Curt had warned them and Janet was glad that they were near
+the bright lights of Broadway. She felt safer now. As the noise of that great
+artery of traffic deepened, they slowed their pace and Janet turned and looked
+around.</p>
+
+<p>There was no one on the street behind them. She grasped Helen&#8217;s arm and
+both girls stopped.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no one following us,&#8221; smiled Janet. &#8220;It was just
+imagination.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t imagination and you know it,&#8221; declared Helen.
+&#8220;Whoever it was could easily have slipped into a doorway. Maybe he&#8217;s
+watching us this very moment.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet felt a shiver of nervousness race along her spine. It was not pleasant
+to think of being shadowed, especially in New York where there were so many
+people and so few friends.</p>
+
+<p>They turned into Times Square and entered the lobby of their hotel. At the
+desk they inquired for mail and each received letters from home.</p>
+
+<p>Once up in the privacy of their rooms, they undressed, slipped into
+comfortable pajamas and dressing gowns, and read their letters. There was little
+actual news from Clarion, but
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_195'></a>195</span>just hearing
+from their fathers and mothers was nice.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Dad is anxious to hear the first part of the program,&#8221; said
+Helen as she finished her letter. &#8220;He says they&#8217;ll all be over at our
+house grouped around the radio when we go on.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Nervous about it?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not particularly about the program, but there&#8217;s something about the
+whole thing that has me uncertain. The company seems to be on edge as though
+there was some danger hanging over the heads of everyone.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps talk about the trouble on the coast has reached them,&#8221;
+suggested Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That may be. But I&#8217;m so anxious for the program to be a success.
+This picture has meant so much to Dad; it&#8217;s the air epic that he has wanted to
+do for years. If it goes over in a big way, the Ace Company will renew his
+contract for a substantial time and give him a big increase in
+salary.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after that they retired and both girls slept soundly.</p>
+
+<p>Next day at the studio the pressure was on again and Director Adolphi whipped
+them through the rehearsals at a terrific pace. Several
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_196'></a>196</span>changes in
+script were necessary and the director sent a page to the scenario department on
+the run. He returned in a few minutes with Jim Hill, the writer who had handled
+the continuity for the radio play.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Listen, Jim,&#8221; he snapped. &#8220;This sequence is punk. It will
+fall flat on the air and too much money is being spent on this program. Get some
+punch into this or I&#8217;ll see that another writer gets the job.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hill was tall, lean and pleasant, with dark eyes that shot back sparks at
+the director&#8217;s criticism.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You okayed this script once,&#8221; he reminded Adolphi, &#8220;but
+I&#8217;ll see what I can do about it.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Dark, pretty Rachel Nesbit stepped forward.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m pretty good at that sort of thing,&#8221; she declared, flashing
+a winning smile at Jim Hill. &#8220;Perhaps I could help on the
+rewriting.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The continuity writer looked at her glumly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Your stuff is all right for lighter things, but this is straight
+action drama,&#8221; he said shaking his head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But I can at least try,&#8221; insisted Rachel, and the worried
+continuity writer finally acceded
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_197'></a>197</span>to her insistent
+requests. He left the studio with Rachel accompanying him.</p>
+
+<p>Janet turned to Curt Newsom.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I thought all of the work on this script was being handled with the
+utmost precaution and that no one outside was to do anything on
+it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I guess that&#8217;s right, but Rachel can hardly be called an outsider
+since she belongs to the studio&#8217;s stock company.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But she sells some of her radio skits free lance,&#8221; insisted
+Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s right,&#8221; agreed Curt. &#8220;I hadn&#8217;t thought of
+that.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He hastened over to Director Adolphi.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;No one with any outside contacts is supposed to work on this script or
+in the company,&#8221; he told the director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s right,&#8221; replied Mr. Adolphi. &#8220;There&#8217;s an
+iron-clad contract with the Ace Motion Picture Corporation to that
+effect.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then you&#8217;d better get Rachel back here. She&#8217;ll read the rest of
+the script and know what the final broadcast will be.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, but Rachel&#8217;s all right. Of course she does a little free lance
+stuff, but she can be depended upon.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_198'></a>198</span>&#8220;I&#8217;m
+not arguing that point,&#8221; said Curt firmly. &#8220;I&#8217;m just telling you
+to get Rachel back here unless you want a violation of your contract reported to
+the Ace Company.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I didn&#8217;t think you&#8217;d stoop to such a dirty trick,&#8221; sneered
+the radio director.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You don&#8217;t even need to think,&#8221; snapped Curt, his eyes
+flashing. &#8220;You just live up to the agreements of that contract and
+you&#8217;ll have no more trouble.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>With his temper considerably ruffled, Mr. Adolphi left the studio and other
+members of the company stared wide-eyed at the husky cowboy star for most of
+them held their director in awe, but Curt had spoken firmly and there had been
+nothing else for Adolphi to do unless he violated the contract.</p>
+
+<p>He returned to the studio in less than five minutes with Rachel Nesbit at his
+heels. The minute she entered the room, she rushed toward Janet, her hands
+clenched and her eyes snapping sparks of anger.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;re responsible for this insult,&#8221; she stormed at Janet.
+&#8220;I&#8217;d like to step on you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, calm down, Rachel,&#8221; said the director.
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_199'></a>199</span>&#8220;It was
+this skinny cowboy who started the trouble.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The radio actress and continuity writer whirled toward Curt Newsom.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Go ahead and step on me,&#8221; he grinned, and a titter of giggles
+ran through the rest of the company.</p>
+
+<p>Rachel&#8217;s dark cheeks flamed anew with anger, but she kept her tongue and
+turned away in silence.</p>
+
+<p>The rehearsal continued. They were getting well along in the production and
+Janet felt that it was going smoothly. It was a condensed version of the real
+story of &#8220;Kings of the Air&#8221; and so to Janet and Helen it was
+familiar material.</p>
+
+<p>Promptly at noon the director stopped the rehearsal.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Half an hour for lunch,&#8221; he announced and the company scattered
+at once.</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen walked down the long corridor to the reception room where a
+hurrying figure almost bumped into them.</p>
+
+<p>It was Jim Hill, the continuity writer. He stopped suddenly and his face
+lighted up as he recognized them. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_200'></a>200</span>&#8220;Just
+the girls I&#8217;m looking for!&#8221; he exclaimed. &#8220;Lunch
+time?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet nodded.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then have lunch with me,&#8221; and before they could remonstrate, he
+hurried them toward the elevator and they dropped downward with a suddenness
+that always unnerved Janet. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_aw'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_201'></a>201</span><i>Chapter Twenty-three</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>JANET PINCH HITS</p>
+
+<p>Janet and Helen found that Jim Hill was extremely pleasant and likeable, but
+he appeared to be laboring under some severe nervous strain and Janet noticed
+that his hands shook when he picked up a glass of milk.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This script for your broadcast has about got me down,&#8221; he
+confessed. &#8220;I&#8217;ve got to keep lots of punch in the action and yet I
+can&#8217;t give away the actual plot of the film. On top of that old Adolphi is a
+regular crab and it doesn&#8217;t seem like anything will suit him. This whole show
+of yours has to be okayed Saturday night by the Ace film people and if they
+don&#8217;t like it they can cancel out and give it to another
+company.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is there any danger of that?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll say there is. This is a juicy contract and two other chains
+would like to get it on their networks. Believe me, there is some intense
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_202'></a>202</span>rivalry in
+getting big contracts like this. Why the Acme and the Sky High chains would be
+willing to pay a large sum just to see us fizzle the rehearsal Saturday
+night.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet was silent for a time. She had sensed the tension in the studio without
+knowing exactly what was behind it. Now she knew what was wrong.</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hill was speaking again.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Both of you girls are from the original film company on the coast,
+aren&#8217;t you?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>Helen nodded in agreement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then perhaps you would have some suggestions that might help me out of
+this tangle,&#8221; suggested the continuity writer.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Mr. Adolphi suggested that several days ago and I worked one whole
+afternoon on it, but someone stole the manuscript I had finished out of my
+room,&#8221; explained Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Jim whistled softly to himself.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;So that&#8217;s how it stands.&#8221; Janet and Helen weren&#8217;t sure
+whether he was talking to them or to himself.</p>
+
+<p>The continuity writer pushed back his chair and stared at them
+appraisingly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I wish you&#8217;d help me and I&#8217;ll promise that
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_203'></a>203</span>your script
+won&#8217;t be stolen from your hotel room. What do you say?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet looked at Helen, and her companion nodded approvingly. The decision was
+easy to make for Jim was likeable and both of the girls wanted the broadcast to
+be a success.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;All right, we&#8217;ll do it,&#8221; said Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You mean you&#8217;ll do it,&#8221; Helen corrected her. &#8220;I&#8217;m not
+good as a writer and you can fairly make a typewriter talk. I&#8217;ll just hang
+around and give you whatever advice I can and try not to be a
+nuisance.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Say, that&#8217;s great,&#8221; said the continuity writer. &#8220;When
+can you begin?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;As soon as we are through rehearsing this afternoon,&#8221; promised
+Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How long will it take?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; she confessed. &#8220;Radio continuity is
+something new for me. I&#8217;ll simply do the rough stuff and you&#8217;ll have to
+smooth it over.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then suppose you come to my office as soon as you&#8217;re through and you
+can work right on into the evening. Helen and I will see that you are well
+supplied with coffee, sandwiches and whatever you want in the way of
+eats.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_204'></a>204</span>&#8220;I&#8217;ll
+be there,&#8221; promised Janet. &#8220;Now we&#8217;ve got to get back to the
+studio.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>At rehearsal that afternoon neither their director nor Rachel Nesbit were in
+a good mood and Rachel made it obvious that despite Curt&#8217;s explanation she
+still blamed Janet and Helen for being taken off the continuity work on the
+script.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It was the chance of a lifetime,&#8221; Janet overheard her telling
+another girl in the company. &#8220;What if there is a clause about keeping the
+script secret. I&#8217;d know it as soon as the final chapter is placed in the hands
+of the company for rehearsal.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But we won&#8217;t get the final chapter until Saturday afternoon,&#8221;
+replied the other. &#8220;They&#8217;re taking no chances about any leaks on this
+program so any of the other companies can interfere with their contract for this
+big film broadcast.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet had no idea just how much the broadcast of their program would mean to
+the World Broadcasting Company, but from all the talk in the studio, she knew
+that it must be an exceedingly large sum. The vice president in charge of
+programs dropped into the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_205'></a>205</span>studio that
+afternoon and watched them work for over an hour. At the end of that time, when
+the director called a brief recess, Janet saw him conferring with Mr. Adolphi.
+Whatever passed between them evidently was not pleasant to the director for he
+called them back at once and they started all over again, the director driving
+them with an intensity that approached a white-hot fury.</p>
+
+<p>At last the rehearsal was over and most of them were completely worn out.
+Janet, fortunately, had been spared most of the director&#8217;s criticism while
+poor Helen had come in for several bitter attacks from him.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going on to the hotel, take a shower and crawl into bed,&#8221;
+said Helen. &#8220;Another day like this will put me in bed for a
+week.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be along later,&#8221; said Janet. &#8220;Get the mail at the
+desk and if there are any letters for me, leave them on my bed.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They parted, Helen taking the elevator down and Janet turning toward the
+suite of rooms where the continuity writers worked. At the end of a long
+corridor, she found Jim Hill&#8217;s office, a tiny cubby that contained only a
+desk, chair and typewriter stand. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_206'></a>206</span>&#8220;I
+thought you&#8217;d forgotten all about this writing date,&#8221; said Jim, looking
+up. &#8220;I&#8217;ve patched up the sequence that Adolphi objected to this
+afternoon, but I&#8217;m still in a mess over the last episode. It&#8217;s got to carry
+a lot of punch and this is the chapter we&#8217;ve got to guard until the last
+afternoon of rehearsal. There are more leaks in a big studio like this than you
+can shake a fist at.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But who would give away this information?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s not hard to guess,&#8221; replied Jim. &#8220;It could be
+someone jealous of another member of the company, or someone who wanted a job
+with another broadcasting outfit and who figured that by double crossing his or
+her present employer, a better job could be obtained.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Jim stood up and motioned for Janet to take his place at the typewriter.
+Briefly he explained what he had been trying to work out and Janet thought his
+ideas sounded good. But somewhere the winning punch was lacking.</p>
+
+<p>She scanned the last pages of script which he had written. Then she rolled a
+fresh sheet of copy paper into the typewriter and started
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_207'></a>207</span>work. A new
+interest took possession of her and the fatigue of the day dropped away as she
+got into the swing of the writing. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ax'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_208'></a>208</span><i>Chapter Twenty-four</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>NIGHT ON THE TWENTY-SEVENTH FLOOR</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hill peered over her shoulder for a time. Then satisfied at the work she
+was doing, he slipped away and went in quest of a basket of lunch. It was nearly
+half an hour before he returned and by that time Janet had completed two pages
+of manuscript.</p>
+
+<p>Jim laid the lunch out on his desk and while Janet munched a thick, cold meat
+sandwich and quaffed a glass of cold milk, he read the pages with real
+care.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Say, this is just the stuff my script lacked,&#8221; enthused the
+continuity writer. &#8220;My gosh, Janet, you ought to be on the staff here. We
+pay money for fresh ideas like these.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet stopped munching the sandwich and looked at Jim Hill with real
+interest.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You actually think it is good?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll say it&#8217;s good. Of course a lot of work has to be done to put
+it in finished form, but
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_209'></a>209</span>you&#8217;ve got the
+meat of it here. I&#8217;m going to take this down to McGregor. He&#8217;s still in his
+office.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Before Janet could ask about McGregor and who he was, Jim Hill picked up the
+manuscript and his own work and fled down the hall.</p>
+
+<p>When he returned ten minutes later a square hulk of a man, who had thick
+pompadour hair and peered through thick lensed glasses, followed him into his
+office.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Janet,&#8221; said the younger writer, &#8220;I want you to know Mr.
+McGregor, who is head of our continuity department. I showed him your manuscript
+and he agrees with me that it is just what we want for the final episode in the
+program for Ace Pictures. Can you go on working tonight? We&#8217;ve got to have the
+finished draft in the morning.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was a dire appeal in young Jim Hill&#8217;s eyes. Janet couldn&#8217;t have
+ignored that and then Mr. McGregor spoke.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It is extremely important that we have the Ace contract,&#8221; he
+said in his slow, precise way. &#8220;Other companies are also anxious for it
+and if our dress rehearsal Saturday night fails to meet the approval of the Ace
+officials, we may
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_210'></a>210</span>lose the
+contract, which would then go to one of our rivals. We are none too sure but
+what they have certain people within our own staff who might sell them some of
+our secrets about this program.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I know the situation,&#8221; said Janet. &#8220;I&#8217;m tired, but
+I&#8217;ll keep on until I either go to sleep or am through.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. McGregor smiled approvingly and Jim Hill felt like shouting.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s splendid,&#8221; said the continuity chief. &#8220;I&#8217;m
+going to send Jim along to bed. He&#8217;s to report here early tomorrow morning to
+start the rewriting of your story. You keep on as long as you can. When you are
+through you can lock the script in the right hand drawer of Jim&#8217;s desk. Here
+is a key for you and Jim has one already.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The head of the continuity department departed and Jim Hill lingered on for a
+minute or two.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Want some more lunch?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>Janet, who had turned back to her typewriter, shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How about a cup of coffee to keep you awake a while longer? I don&#8217;t
+want you to go
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_211'></a>211</span>to sleep before
+you get this material hashed out for me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Go on, Jim. I&#8217;ll get along all right. It won&#8217;t take long now if
+I&#8217;m not interrupted.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hill took the hint and departed quietly and Janet continued with her
+work. It was something she thoroughly enjoyed doing. This writing was creating
+something out of whole cloth. Of course it would have to have a special revision
+by Jim tomorrow to work it into the script, but when it finally went on the air
+there would still be a lot of her material in the radio play.</p>
+
+<p>Janet worked for more than half an hour and then leaned back in her chair for
+her arms ached and her eyes were blurred.</p>
+
+<p>The studio was strangely silent. From somewhere at a distance came the soft
+strains of an orchestra but there was no sound in the corridor where the
+writer&#8217;s offices were located.</p>
+
+<p>Janet picked up the sheets of copy she had written and scanned the material.
+She smiled a bit as she read it and admitted that it did real well.</p>
+
+<p>Placing the sheets back on the desk, she inserted
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_212'></a>212</span>a fresh page of
+copy paper into the typewriter. She would be through in a few more minutes. She
+glanced at her wrist watch before she started in again. It was eleven-forty. By
+midnight she would be through.</p>
+
+<p>Janet was about to resume her work when a queer sensation started at the base
+of her spine and shot up her back. It was a feeling she couldn&#8217;t quite
+describe and she sat perfectly motionless for several seconds.</p>
+
+<p>Through her mind shot the thought that someone was watching her, peering at
+her from the darkness of the long corridor.</p>
+
+<p>Janet turned suddenly, but there was no one behind her. She got up and went
+to the door where she could look down the corridor, but there was no one in
+sight. The office across the corridor from Jim&#8217;s was dark and the windows only
+mirrored the shadowy depths.</p>
+
+<p>Despite the fact that she saw no one, Janet was not wholly reassured and she
+looked about Jim&#8217;s office. There were shades at the windows and the door which
+could be pulled down and she closed the door and drew all of the curtains.
+Before returning to the desk, she snapped the spring lock on the door. That
+done, <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_213'></a>213</span>she went
+back to the typewriter, but it was hard to concentrate now.</p>
+
+<p>Janet forced herself to the task. She knew she must finish and at last got
+into the mood of her script again, working now at high speed and wholly
+forgetful of the strange feeling which had alarmed her.</p>
+
+<p>Somewhere in the distance a bell tolled midnight as she finished the last
+page and pulled it triumphantly from the typewriter. The job was done and she
+felt that it was well done.</p>
+
+<p>The pages she had written were scattered over the top of the desk and as she
+reached out to pick them up, one of them floated to the floor. Janet half turned
+to pick it up. As she did so, her eyes fell on a small gap in the curtains she
+had drawn on the windows along the corridor. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ay'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_214'></a>214</span><i>Chapter Twenty-five</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>JANET OPENS A DOOR</p>
+
+<p>A half stifled scream escaped from her lips. Someone was staring at her
+intently through the small opening. The light from the desk lamp was just strong
+enough to reveal two eyes. That was all, but Janet saw the desperate intentness
+with which they were focused upon her.</p>
+
+<p>Then the eyes vanished and there was no sound from the corridor.
+Involuntarily Janet leaped to her feet, her trembling hands seeking the curtain
+and closing the gap. She wanted to cry out, but the words stuck in her throat
+and she realized that to scream would be useless for there was no one along the
+corridor at this hour of the night who could help her.</p>
+
+<p>Stepping back from the curtained window, Janet listened intently for the
+sound of footfalls in the corridor. Then she remembered
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_215'></a>215</span>that it was
+heavily carpeted and one could move along it without making a noise.</p>
+
+<p>Visibly shaken, she finally rallied her nerves and stooped down to pick up
+the sheet of copy which had fallen from the desk. Almost mechanically she placed
+the sheets in order and stacked them neatly. That done she sat down at the desk
+to decide what to do.</p>
+
+<p>There was no question in her own mind but what someone was after the
+manuscript she had finished and someone outside the studio. The disappearance of
+the manuscript from her hotel room tied up with this latest event and Janet knew
+that some agency was determined that the story of the last eventful days of the
+filming of &#8220;Kings of the Air&#8221; should never be told as a part of the
+radio play they were to present. Whether the unknown force was the Premier Film
+Company or a radio rival of the World Broadcasting Company, she couldn&#8217;t even
+guess, but in either case she knew that she was in a particularly unpleasant
+position, and wished that Jim was with her.</p>
+
+<p>Janet unlocked the right hand drawer of Jim&#8217;s desk and pulled it out. For
+ordinary purposes it was strong enough, but to place a valuable
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_216'></a>216</span>manuscript in it
+was something that made her hesitate.</p>
+
+<p>She turned around and stared at the curtains at the windows and the door
+along the corridor. They were drawn tightly now. It would be impossible for
+anyone to see in the office.</p>
+
+<p>What should she do with the manuscript? Would it be safe in her own hands
+when she walked down the long corridor she must traverse before she reached the
+reception lobby and the battery of elevators?</p>
+
+<p>Janet didn&#8217;t feel she wanted to risk that, yet she knew it would be unsafe
+in the drawer of Jim&#8217;s desk.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly her gaze fell upon the telephone and she smiled a little foolishly.
+She picked up the instrument and waited for the operator in the main office to
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>There was no response.</p>
+
+<p>Janet jiggled the hook several times, but still there was no answer. She did
+not know that the particular branch exchange on that floor which served the
+publicity department did not have an operator on duty after midnight. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_217'></a>217</span>Janet&#8217;s
+spirits drooped when she failed to get a response through the telephone and once
+more she looked about the room for some place to hide the manuscript.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly she hit upon a plan of action. Seizing the manuscript she hastened
+over near the outside window, reached down and pulled up the heavy carpet which
+covered the floor. Working swiftly she placed the manuscript under the carpet,
+spreading the sheets out so there would be no noticeable bulge in the floor
+covering.</p>
+
+<p>That done Janet returned to the desk, picked up a handful of blank copy
+paper, folded it quickly, and stuffed it into a large envelope. Taking up a pen
+she scrawled these words on the envelope: &#8220;Jim Hill&#x2014;Here is the
+manuscript you wanted. Hope it is something that will fit into your program.
+Janet Hardy.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet didn&#8217;t even stop to blot the wet ink, dropping the envelope into the
+drawer, and closing and locking the receptacle.</p>
+
+<p>She felt better after that. At least she felt she had done her best to save
+the manuscript. Now the problem was to get up enough courage
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_218'></a>218</span>to attempt the
+walk down the long, darkened corridor.</p>
+
+<p>Janet slipped the key to the drawer of Jim&#8217;s desk into her left shoe,
+mechanically patted her hair, and decided that she might just as well be on her
+way.</p>
+
+<p>It took nerve to open that door, and to step out into the hall from which
+someone had been staring at her only several minutes before. But somehow Janet
+managed it. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_az'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_219'></a>219</span><i>Chapter Twenty-six</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>IN THE HALL</p>
+
+<p>From a distance came the soft strains of an orchestra playing in one of the
+more distant studios on the same floor, but there was no movement in the
+corridor.</p>
+
+<p>Janet paused at the door. Should she snap out the lights? If no one came
+along they would burn all night, yet if she turned them off, she would be in
+utter darkness.</p>
+
+<p>Then she realized that she was silhouetted in the light. Anyone who might
+trouble her would be even more handicapped than she in the darkness and her
+fingers pressed the switch.</p>
+
+<p>As the lights went out, Janet stepped quickly away from the door, her feet
+treading silently on the heavy carpet which covered the floor of the
+hall.</p>
+
+<p>Janet pressed close against the wall, listening for some sound which would
+indicate that someone was lurking in the corridor. There
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_220'></a>220</span>was only the far
+away music of the orchestra as it played a dreamy waltz. From outside a clock
+boomed, but Janet couldn&#8217;t remember whether it was a half after midnight or a
+quarter to one. It didn&#8217;t matter much, she decided.</p>
+
+<p>Convinced at last there was no one moving along the corridor, she started
+feeling her own way along. The end of the corridor was marked by a very dim
+light that failed to penetrate more than a dozen feet in any direction. It was
+toward this glow that Janet started.</p>
+
+<p>It was a ghostly and unnerving business, but she couldn&#8217;t spend the whole
+night in Jim&#8217;s office. It just wasn&#8217;t possible. She had to get out.</p>
+
+<p>Fighting to keep down a mounting fear, Janet quickened her steps. Then she
+stopped abruptly. Just why she did that, she would never know, but her instinct
+warned her that someone was near.</p>
+
+<p>She turned toward an office door she had just passed. It was open and a flood
+of light poured out to blind Janet&#8217;s tired eyes. The beam from the electric
+torch was so bright it fairly seared its way into her fatigued mind.</p>
+
+<p>Then the stabbing light vanished and Janet
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_221'></a>221</span>heard a swift
+movement. A hard hand was clapped over her mouth and she felt an arm slide
+around her neck.</p>
+
+<p>Before she could scream or move, a soft cloth, which reminded her of a
+hospital, was slapped against her face and the fumes of ether penetrated her
+nose and throat. Janet attempted to struggle but two capable arms held her
+fast.</p>
+
+<p>She felt herself losing consciousness. She felt delightfully tired and
+dreamy. Once she rallied her senses, but the next time she slipped away into
+unconsciousness and her captor, satisfied that she would cause no trouble for
+some time, let her fall into a heap on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>While Janet remained unconscious, a lithe figure darted into Jim Hill&#8217;s
+office and the flash sought the drawer into which she had dropped the
+manuscript.</p>
+
+<p>A small steel instrument, expertly inserted, forced the drawer open and the
+beam of light fell upon the inscription Janet had placed on the envelope. The
+intruder&#8217;s breath was drawn in sharply and it was evident that this was the
+property sought.</p>
+
+<p>Removing the envelope and placing it in his pocket, the unknown closed the
+drawer and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_222'></a>222</span>slipped out into
+the corridor. Bending down over Janet, the figure vanished. Someone watching
+closely could have seen it dodge into the main reception room, but there was no
+one there to watch&#x2014;only Janet unconscious on the floor.</p>
+
+<p>Just how long she remained slumped on the floor she would never know exactly;
+probably it was not more than half an hour at the most.</p>
+
+<p>Finally lights penetrated her tired mind and the sweetish smell of the ether
+assailed her returning consciousness. Someone was shaking her gently and someone
+else was rubbing her arms.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wake up, Janet, wake up!&#8221; a voice kept repeating.</p>
+
+<p>It sounded strangely like Helen&#8217;s voice, but Helen, she realized, had gone
+home hours before.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Take a drink of this,&#8221; another voice commanded and Janet obeyed
+almost automatically for she was far from being in full command of her
+senses.</p>
+
+<p>The cool water, flowing down her aching throat, helped and she tried to sit
+up.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Take it easy,&#8221; a voice cautioned and she let
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_223'></a>223</span>her head drop
+back against someone&#8217;s knees.</p>
+
+<p>Lights were on now in the corridor and as consciousness returned Janet
+recognized Helen leaning over her. Curt Newsom was massaging her arms and
+grumbling to himself in anger.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Feeling better?&#8221; Helen asked as Janet&#8217;s eyes opened
+wide.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be all right, soon. I&#8217;d like another drink of water,&#8221;
+said Janet.</p>
+
+<p>A second glass of water followed the first and she felt stronger as her head
+cleared.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What happened?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s what we&#8217;d like to know,&#8221; said Curt. &#8220;We found
+you unconscious on the floor a few minutes ago and the place smelled like a
+hospital.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Look at Jim Hill&#8217;s desk and see if the right hand drawer has
+anything in it,&#8221; Janet whispered to Curt and the tall cowboy hurried away
+to do her bidding.</p>
+
+<p>He returned almost instantly, shaking his head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Someone&#8217;s pried the drawer open with a jimmy,&#8221; he declared.
+&#8220;There isn&#8217;t a thing in the drawer.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen looked stricken. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_224'></a>224</span>&#8220;Don&#8217;t tell me that manuscript you worked on all evening was in that drawer,&#8221; she said.</p>
+
+<p>Janet looked beyond Helen and Curt to where half a dozen studio employees,
+most of them from the engineering department, were clustered looking at her and
+wondering what it was all about.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I put the manuscript there just before I started down the hall,&#8221;
+nodded Janet. &#8220;It looks like it&#8217;s gone.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was a flicker of her right eyelid, barely visible to Helen and Curt,
+and they caught its meaning and played the parts Janet wanted.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then that means they won&#8217;t be able to bolster up the program for Ace
+Pictures,&#8221; wailed Helen. &#8220;The World Broadcasting Company will
+probably lose its contract.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Yep, and we&#8217;ll all lose our jobs,&#8221; groaned Curt. &#8220;Well,
+there&#8217;s nothing we can do about it now. We might as well go back to the hotel.
+We&#8217;ll report to Director Adolphi in the morning. Think you can walk if I
+steady you?&#8221; The question was aimed at Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll make it all right,&#8221; she said, but the steadying influence
+of Curt&#8217;s arm was welcome,</p>
+
+<p>They walked down the corridor, across the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_225'></a>225</span>reception lobby,
+and then sped downward in an elevator.</p>
+
+<p>When they were outside and comfortably ensconced in a taxi, Helen faced her
+companion.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Is the manuscript safe?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Unless Radio City burns down,&#8221; replied Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, for goodness sake, where is it?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I slipped it under the rug in Jim&#8217;s office and spread the sheets out
+so there won&#8217;t be a hump which would attract attention. I&#8217;ll have to get up
+early and phone him at the studio for he&#8217;s coming down to start the revision
+of my material.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ll do no such thing,&#8221; cut in the cowboy. &#8220;You&#8217;ve
+earned a morning of sleep. I&#8217;ll phone Jim Hill myself and explain where the
+manuscript is hidden.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now I want to know just what happened.&#8221; It was Helen
+speaking.</p>
+
+<p>Janet shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t know. I knew someone was prowling in the corridor, but I
+couldn&#8217;t stay there in the office all night and I couldn&#8217;t get a phone
+connection out. After I&#8217;d hidden the manuscript I turned out the light in the
+office and
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_226'></a>226</span>started down the
+hall. Someone turned a flashlight into my face, then I was grabbed around the
+neck and finally a cloth filled with ether was smashed against my face. About
+that time I forgot to remember and the next thing I knew you two were with
+me.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How many jumped on you?&#8221; asked the cowboy.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I can&#8217;t be sure, but I&#8217;d say that it was one man who was capable
+of moving very rapidly.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;One man could do it all right,&#8221; nodded Curt. &#8220;I wish I
+could get my hands on him and I&#8217;d teach him a thing or two.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How did you two happen to get into the corridor? That&#8217;s a question
+I&#8217;d like to have answered,&#8221; said Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I became worried when you didn&#8217;t get back to the hotel at midnight
+and I phoned Curt. He agreed to meet me at Radio City and we came up together.
+It was as simple as that,&#8221; explained Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, for once I&#8217;m glad someone worried about me,&#8221; confessed
+Janet. &#8220;And, oh what a headache that ether gave me. The water tasted good,
+but I feel queer inside now. Bed is going to seem like heaven.&#8221; </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_ba'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_227'></a>227</span><i>Chapter Twenty-seven</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>SUSPICIONS</p>
+
+<p>When she was alone in her room, Janet fairly tumbled into bed but not until
+she had picked up a letter Helen had brought up from the desk and placed on the
+bedside table. When she was stretched out comfortably in bed, Janet opened the
+letter. It was from home, her mother telling of news of the neighborhood and of
+interesting little things about the house.</p>
+
+<p>Janet finished the letter, tucked it under her pillow, and snapped out the
+light. She was glad that her mother did not know of the stirring events of that
+night.</p>
+
+<p>Janet slept late the next morning, for her fatigue had been heavier than she
+had imagined. After an invigorating shower, she returned to her own room and
+there found a note propped on the writing table.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Have gone on to Radio City,&#8221; wrote Helen. &#8220;Will meet you
+there for lunch if you&#8217;re awake.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_228'></a>228</span>Janet
+partially dressed and pulled on her dressing gown. Then she called the World
+Broadcasting Company and got a connection with Jim Hill&#8217;s office. The young
+continuity writer answered at once.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is Janet Hardy. I just wanted to know if you were able to dig the
+copy out from under your carpet.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll say I was,&#8221; replied Jim. &#8220;It&#8217;s good stuff, Janet.
+Say, what under the sun went on here last night?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to really know,&#8221; she replied.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Well, the studio officials are all upset about it. They were worried
+enough trying to land the big contract with the Ace Motion Picture Corporation
+and now they fairly have the jitters. The studio is being gone over with a
+fine-toothed comb to see if some clue can be unearthed. Have you thought of
+anything that would help?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To tell the truth, I&#8217;ve just gotten up and I don&#8217;t think well
+without any breakfast,&#8221; confessed Janet. &#8220;Maybe I&#8217;ll have an idea
+or two by the time I reach the studio.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s almost time for lunch,&#8221; Jim reminded her. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_229'></a>229</span>&#8220;I&#8217;m
+to meet Helen for lunch at the studio,&#8221; replied Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then count me in on that and maybe we can get a line on who this was
+chasing around the studio last night.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet completed dressing and started for the studio. The morning was clear
+and cool and it seemed impossible now that such events could have happened the
+night before in the studio. She swung into Sixth Avenue, walking briskly, and
+headed for Radio City.</p>
+
+<p>When Janet arrived at the studio, the rehearsal in studio K was at an end for
+the morning and members of the company were hurrying out for lunch. Rachel
+Nesbit, her dark eyes flashing, pushed past Janet with little ceremony and Janet
+thought that the director looked away and flushed. But then, she might have been
+imagining that for Director Adolphi and Rachel were known to be close
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>Helen came hurrying up, followed by Curt Newsom.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How are you feeling now?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Hungry,&#8221; confessed Janet. &#8220;What&#8217;s the news around the
+studio?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, everybody is looking at everybody
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_230'></a>230</span>else and
+wondering who did it. They all seem to think it was an inside job for outsiders
+couldn&#8217;t have known that you were working on that script, much less where you
+were working. I guess suspicion centers pretty strongly right on this
+company.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That would mean someone in our own unit has sold out to a rival
+company and is doing everything in their power to keep this broadcast from being
+a success,&#8221; mused Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s putting it politely,&#8221; put in Curt. &#8220;I&#8217;d say
+that someone is a skunk, and I hate skunks.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hill joined them just then. He looked tired and worried.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Let&#8217;s eat,&#8221; he said, and the others agreed, the group
+adjourning to a nearby restaurant. They obtained a secluded table where they
+could talk with little risk of being overheard by prying ears.</p>
+
+<p>After giving their orders, Jim turned to Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Been able to think up any clues?&#8221; he asked.</p>
+
+<p>She shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve tried to think of every event that took place, but I can&#8217;t
+remember any special smell,
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_231'></a>231</span>or noise, and I
+didn&#8217;t even feel the garments of my assailant. I&#8217;m afraid I&#8217;m of no
+help.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Not much,&#8221; conceded Jim, running his fingers through his
+hair.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What have you found out, Curt?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The cowboy star likewise had nothing to contribute.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve got plenty of suspicions, but not a grain of proof,&#8221; he
+grumbled.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s just it. We all have suspicions but no proof and this program
+must be in dress rehearsal tomorrow night and there can&#8217;t be any boners pulled
+then. We&#8217;ve simply got to solve this mystery before then. Until this is
+cleared up the script won&#8217;t be safe for a minute unless someone is with it all
+of the time.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where is it now?&#8221; demanded Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;In my office with the door locked and an office boy standing guard in
+front of the door.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That doesn&#8217;t sound very safe to me. Suppose someone well known
+should come along and send the boy on an errand. He&#8217;d leave the door and there
+your manuscript would be unprotected.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_232'></a>232</span>&#8220;Oh,
+it&#8217;s safe enough,&#8221; smiled Jim. Then he paused suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Say, maybe you&#8217;re right. That could happen, especially if one of the
+program directors or other officials happened along. I told the boy to be sure
+and stay on the job, but he&#8217;d run an errand for any one of them.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Jim stood up.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Go ahead with your lunches. I&#8217;ll skip up and get the script and
+rejoin you. It won&#8217;t take five minutes.&#8221; </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_bb'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_233'></a>233</span><i>Chapter Twenty-eight</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>REHEARSALS AGAIN</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hill hastened away, but it was fifteen minutes before he returned with a
+large envelope with the manuscript. When he arrived his face was flushed and he
+was breathing rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter?&#8221; asked Helen, who sensed that Jim was
+greatly upset.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Plenty. It was a good thing I got there when I did.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You mean someone was after the manuscript?&#8221; demanded
+Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I mean someone had it,&#8221; retorted Jim. &#8220;But I got it back
+and without much trouble.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Who was in your office?&#8221; It was Curt who fired that
+question.</p>
+
+<p>Jim looked at them steadily.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It was Adolphi.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He waited for the significance of his words to sink in and smiled a little
+grimly at the
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_234'></a>234</span>bewilderment
+which was reflected on their faces.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Surprised? Say, maybe you think I wasn&#8217;t. And now I don&#8217;t know
+what to think.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Tell us everything that happened after you reached the studio
+floor,&#8221; urged Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Jim took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead, where glistening beads
+of perspiration had gathered.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;When I swung down the corridor I saw the boy had left my door so I ran
+the rest of the way,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The carpet&#8217;s thick and I made
+little if any noise. The door of my office was open and Adolphi was thumbing
+through the pile of script I had been working on. When I came up behind him he
+jumped almost across the desk.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What did he say?&#8221; asked Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Said he&#8217;d found the door of my office open and since he knew I was
+working on the script thought he would look it over while I was out at
+lunch.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What did you do?&#8221; It was Curt speaking.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I picked up the script, stuffed it into an envelope, and told Adolphi
+he could see it when McGregor, my continuity chief, put his okay
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_235'></a>235</span>on it. I asked
+Adolphi if he was sure my office was open and he got sore. Wanted to know what I
+was trying to insinuate and all that sort of thing. But I think he felt guilty
+as thunder. Gosh, but I&#8217;d like to know how he got in there after all my
+precautions.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I can tell you,&#8221; said Curt. &#8220;He simply walked down the
+hall, told the boy to go on an errand, and then used a skeleton key on your
+door.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It couldn&#8217;t have been as easy as that,&#8221; protested
+Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Things like that are done easily,&#8221; smiled Curt. &#8220;Mark my
+words, you watch our director closely. He isn&#8217;t putting his best foot forward
+in getting us in shape. I wouldn&#8217;t be surprised if he has sold out to some
+other company.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a terrible thing to say about anyone,&#8221; said
+Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s worse to do it,&#8221; Curt insisted.</p>
+
+<p>They finished their lunch and returned to Radio City where they were whisked
+up to the twenty-seventh floor in one of the express elevators.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Stop in after the rehearsal this afternoon,&#8221;
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_236'></a>236</span>Jim told them.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ll have the final script in shape by then.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon was a fatiguing one, for Adolphi, as though possessed of a
+demon, found fault with everything and almost everyone. The only one who
+noticeably escaped his ire was Rachel Nesbit, and Janet had to admit that Rachel
+handled her work in a way that defied criticism. Curt Newsom came in for some
+especially bitter comments.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Too bad we can&#8217;t get a horse in here so you&#8217;d feel at home,&#8221;
+snapped the director after Curt had bungled one bit of action.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t like skunks,&#8221; shot back Curt and turned away.</p>
+
+<p>The director, his face flaming, grabbed Curt&#8217;s arm.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You&#8217;ve got to explain that,&#8221; he cried.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Do you want me to?&#8221; asked Curt, looking straight into the face
+of the incensed director.</p>
+
+<p>Adolphi dropped his arm and turned away, and in that action he stirred
+Janet&#8217;s suspicions anew. If he were without guilt, she felt he would have
+forced Curt to a showdown. But he had turned away and Janet thought she caught
+just a flicker of Rachel Nesbit&#8217;s eyes. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_237'></a>237</span>Then they
+were back at work, rehearsing until well after the usual dinner hour. When the
+director finally released them, most of the company was dizzy with
+fatigue,</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s trying to wear us out so we won&#8217;t be able to put on a good
+show tomorrow night,&#8221; muttered Curt. &#8220;I&#8217;ve a good notion to drop
+him down an elevator shaft and see if he&#8217;ll bounce.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hill was waiting for them.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I thought you&#8217;d never come,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Adolphi been
+pretty tough?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet nodded. &#8220;He couldn&#8217;t have been much worse.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s got a reputation for driving his casts just before the final
+show. Sometimes he gets marvelous results; then, again, the thing will fall flat
+with everyone all worn out.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;He&#8217;s trying to break us in two,&#8221; grumbled Curt, whose feet
+were hurting.</p>
+
+<p>Jim Hill took them down to his office and they ordered sandwiches sent in
+while they went over the manuscript. It had been given the approval of the
+continuity chief and was to be incorporated into the program.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think it&#8217;s good stuff,&#8221; said Janet as she
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_238'></a>238</span>laid down the
+script. &#8220;You&#8217;ve caught the spirit of the picture at last. If this
+doesn&#8217;t boom public interest in &#8216;Kings of the Air&#8217; to a high
+pitch, I&#8217;ll be a very mistaken young lady.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>The others agreed with her that Jim had struck the right note.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Now the thing to do is to get Adolphi to swing it through for me
+tomorrow night. He can if he wants to.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s a real question, too,&#8221; said Curt. &#8220;I suspect
+he&#8217;s the guy behind all of the trouble and we&#8217;ll find Rachel Nesbit right in
+with him.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They left a few minutes later, Jim Hill taking the precious manuscript with
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Parting on Sixth Avenue, Jim signalled for a cab.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m not taking any chances tonight,&#8221; he said.</p>
+
+<p>They watched him get into the cab and he waved as the taxi shot away and
+swung onto a side street. But before it disappeared Janet saw something that
+caused a wave of apprehension to sweep over her.</p>
+
+<p>A long, rakish sedan, which had been parked
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_239'></a>239</span>further along
+the street, leaped ahead, and swung around the corner behind the taxi which was
+carrying Jim Hill and the final draft of their radio script. </p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_bc'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_240'></a>240</span><i>Chapter Twenty-nine</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>JANET FINDS A CLUE</p>
+
+<p>Janet&#8217;s sharp cry halted Curt Newsom and Helen. They turned startled faces
+toward her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What&#8217;s the matter? Someone try to run you down?&#8221; asked
+Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s Jim,&#8221; replied Janet. &#8220;A car&#8217;s following his taxi.
+It started up from the curb and swung right behind his cab. Someone is after
+that manuscript. We&#8217;ve got to follow them.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Curt hailed a cruising taxi and they piled in, the cowboy giving the driver
+sharp directions.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Step on it; we&#8217;ll pay any fines,&#8221; he said.</p>
+
+<p>The cab lurched away, gaining speed so rapidly they shot around the corner in
+a dizzy skid. Turning onto Fifth Avenue they saw the long, dark sedan and ahead
+of it the taxi in which Jim was riding. A stop light blazed in their faces and
+their cab ground to a halt. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_241'></a>241</span>&#8220;Go on,
+go on,&#8221; urged Janet, leaning toward the driver.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Can&#8217;t make it,&#8221; he growled, pointing to the heavy stream of
+cross traffic which was flowing ahead of them.</p>
+
+<p>When the light changed the taxi and its pursuing sedan had
+disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Pull over to the curb,&#8221; Janet told their driver. &#8220;Now what
+shall we do?&#8221; she asked her companions.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Anybody know where Jim lives?&#8221; asked Curt.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I do,&#8221; replied Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then let&#8217;s go there and wait for him. We&#8217;ll be sure that he gets
+home all right.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet gave the driver Jim Hill&#8217;s address and they raced up the avenue once
+more. In less than fifteen minutes they pulled up before an apartment house and
+Janet went into the small lobby and pressed the buzzer that signalled Jim&#8217;s
+apartment. There was no reply and she returned to the cab, a mounting fear in
+her heart.</p>
+
+<p>She communicated the news to Curt and Helen and they fell silent, waiting and
+hoping that Jim would arrive. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_242'></a>242</span>Minutes
+ticked away and the taxi driver glanced uneasily at his meter and wondered about
+his pay.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to call the studio and see if he returned there by any
+chance,&#8221; said Janet, driven to action in her desperation.</p>
+
+<p>She walked to a nearby drug store and from a pay station there telephoned the
+World Broadcasting studio. It was as she had feared; Jim had not returned. In
+fact, there was no one in the continuity department.</p>
+
+<p>It was with a heavy heart that Janet returned to the cab. So much depended
+upon the safeguarding of the script. There was their own radio début for one
+thing. But that was comparatively minor. More than that was the success of the
+broadcast which was to arouse public interest in the film which Helen&#8217;s father
+had created. This was what really counted.</p>
+
+<p>When she told Helen and Curt that Jim had not returned to the studio, the
+cowboy sat silent for a time.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This isn&#8217;t getting us anywhere,&#8221; he said. &#8220;We may get in
+trouble, but it&#8217;s worth a try.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Without explaining what he intended to do, he bolted toward the drug store
+and returned <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_243'></a>243</span>a
+minute later with an address written on a slip of paper. He gave this to their
+driver and ordered him to get there with the least possible delay.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where are we going?&#8221; asked Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;To pay a little call on Director Adolphi.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then you think he&#8217;s mixed up in this thing?&#8221; Helen
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m sure of it now. There&#8217;s something about him that just
+doesn&#8217;t ring true.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>There was little conversation in the cab during their fast ride to the
+director&#8217;s apartment and they all went up together after Curt had paid the
+taxi bill.</p>
+
+<p>Insistent ringing of the bell failed to bring an answer and at last they
+turned away, their hearts heavy with despair.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;m going to report this to the nearest police station,&#8221; said
+Curt. &#8220;You girls might just as well go back to your hotel. There&#8217;s
+nothing further you can do.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But we seem so helpless,&#8221; groaned Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re just exactly that,&#8221; growled Curt as he signalled two
+cabs, one for the girls and the other for himself. &#8220;I&#8217;ll phone you the
+minute I get any word of good news.&#8221; </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_244'></a>244</span>Janet and
+Helen said little on their way back to the hotel, for a numbing sort of ache had
+taken possession of their bodies. After days of fatiguing rehearsals, the
+broadcast appeared doomed. Helen cried a little as their cab swung onto Broadway
+and the bright lights of the Great White Way blazed in their faces.</p>
+
+<p>At the hotel Janet stopped at the desk to inquire about mail and the clerk
+handed her a telegram.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s for you,&#8221; she said, handing the message to Helen, who
+tore it open with fingers that were none too steady.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Oh, this is awful,&#8221; she groaned. &#8220;Dad and Mother are
+coming to New York for the first broadcast. What will I do?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t answer the telegram tonight,&#8221; Janet warned her.
+&#8220;Perhaps something brighter will have taken place by
+tomorrow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet opened the door of her own room and snapped on the light. As she did so
+a small envelope, which had been slipped under the door, drew her attention and
+she reached down to pick it up. Helen came in the room just then and looked at
+Janet curiously as she opened the envelope. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_245'></a>245</span>Janet&#8217;s
+face flushed as she read the message, which had been printed crudely on a sheet
+of fine linen paper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What is it?&#8221; asked Helen, alarmed at the expression on Janet&#8217;s
+face.</p>
+
+<p>Janet handed her the sheet of paper.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Go back to the sticks where you belong or you&#8217;ll get more of what
+happened last night. This means both of you.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, the nerve of some people,&#8221; stormed Helen. &#8220;I won&#8217;t
+be threatened into leaving.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Neither will I,&#8221; said Janet firmly, &#8220;but this thing is
+getting terribly serious. Last night I was made unconscious by some prowler and
+tonight Jim has disappeared with the script of our radio show.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet paused and looked at the sheet of stationery in her hand. Then she
+lifted it to her nose and sniffed carefully. Helen looked on in wonderment and
+Janet finally handed the sheet to her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Smell anything?&#8221; she asked.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s just a trace of perfume,&#8221; agreed Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Ever smell that before?&#8221; Janet was insistent. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_246'></a>246</span>&#8220;It
+does seem kind of familiar, but I don&#8217;t know where.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Wasn&#8217;t it in the studio?&#8221; Janet was pressing hard for an
+answer.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Perhaps it was.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Someone in our company?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Helen looked frankly alarmed and finally a wave of comprehension swept over
+her.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;You mean Rachel Nesbit?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet nodded. &#8220;That&#8217;s just who I mean. This sheet is scented with the
+same perfume Rachel uses. Of course hundreds of others may use it, too, but it
+at least gives us a clue. And this printing, disguised though it is, is that of
+a woman.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then if we can find Rachel, we may be able to solve this
+mystery,&#8221; burst out Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;If we can scare her into telling us something,&#8221; agreed Janet.
+&#8220;I&#8217;ll phone the studio and get her home address. We&#8217;ll go there at
+once.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What about Curt? He&#8217;ll want to know what&#8217;s going on.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;This is a woman&#8217;s job,&#8221; replied Janet. &#8220;We&#8217;ll let him
+try to find Jim. You and I are going alone on this particular mission.&#8221;
+</p>
+
+</div>
+
+<div>
+<a id='ref_bd'></a>
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top: 64px;'><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_247'></a>247</span><i>Chapter Thirty</i></p>
+
+<p style='text-align:center; display:block; margin-top:8px; margin-bottom: 32px;'>OPPORTUNITY AHEAD</p>
+
+<p>They obtained Rachel&#8217;s home address from the studio, slipped on their
+coats, and after making sure that they had an ample supply of money in their
+purses, hastened down and hailed a cab.</p>
+
+<p>Rachel lived in the Greenwich Village section and their driver swung over to
+Fifth Avenue and raced south, green lights winking a clear path ahead of
+them.</p>
+
+<p>There was little conversation in the cab as they sped toward the village and
+when they drew up in front of the narrow building which housed Rachel&#8217;s
+apartment Janet paid the bill.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What are you going to say to her?&#8221; asked Helen.</p>
+
+<p>Janet shook her head. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know,&#8221; she admitted. &#8220;I
+suppose I&#8217;ll accuse her of writing this threatening note. That ought to be
+enough to get us into her apartment and once
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_248'></a>248</span>we&#8217;re there
+you look around for anything suspicious.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They were entering the apartment when a car drew up to the curb and Janet
+seized her companion&#8217;s arm.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Get out of sight, quick. That&#8217;s the sedan which followed Jim&#8217;s
+taxi.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>They slipped into the shadows to the right of the doorway and watched the
+sedan. Rachel Nesbit stepped out and after her came John Adolphi, director of
+their radio program. Janet could hear Helen&#8217;s gasp for under the director&#8217;s
+arm was a familiar portfolio. It was the portfolio in which Jim Hill had carried
+the manuscript.</p>
+
+<p>Rachel and the director disappeared into the apartment building and Janet,
+without a word to Helen, ran toward the nearest shop, a little fruit store in a
+half basement.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Where can I find a policeman?&#8221; she demanded.</p>
+
+<p>The shop keeper helped her phone in an alarm and in less than five minutes a
+radio car pulled up in front of the store.</p>
+
+<p>Janet told her story quickly and when the officers looked doubtful, she
+pleaded with them. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_249'></a>249</span>&#8220;You&#8217;ve got to believe me. Every minute counts. If that script is destroyed the company may lose thousands of dollars worth of business.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Then she put through several calls and finally reached Mr. McGregor, head of
+the continuity department. His words electrified the police and they swept down
+the streets and stormed up into the apartment building to the third floor where
+Rachel lived. In answer to their sharp knock, Rachel opened the door and they
+shouldered their way in.</p>
+
+<p>Janet saw Rachel&#8217;s face blanch as she saw her, but Janet&#8217;s heart leaped
+for on a table was the missing manuscript. Director Adolphi was pulled out of a
+closet and from his ashen lips tumbled the sordid story. He was really
+Rachel&#8217;s brother and the two had conspired to steal the manuscript and ruin
+the World Broadcasting Company&#8217;s chances for the contract with the motion
+picture company. Another broadcaster had offered him a large sum, he said, and
+promised a job if he would steal the script and ruin the program.</p>
+
+<p>They hastened back to the studio where a tense group awaited their coming.
+Mr. McGregor <span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_250'></a>250</span>was
+there and so was Curt. Janet started suddenly when she saw Jim Hill with a
+bandage around his head.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What happened to you?&#8221; she asked anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Adolphi ran my cab into a curb and then pulled a gun on me and took
+the script away. Of course he had a mask on, but I recognized his voice. He
+clouted me over the head when I tried to resist and the next thing I knew Curt
+had found me at the police station where I was being given emergency
+treatment.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Mr. McGregor spoke. &#8220;What about Adolphi and that precious sister of
+his?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;They are in police custody awaiting whatever charges may be filed
+against them,&#8221; said Janet.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. McGregor nodded. &#8220;That can be done tomorrow. How about you
+girls?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re all right,&#8221; replied Janet and Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;A little tired, maybe,&#8221; added Helen, by way of an
+afterthought.</p>
+
+<p>The continuity chief looked at Jim Hill.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Think you can step in tomorrow and whip this company in to shape so
+we&#8217;ll be sure of the contract?&#8221; he asked. </p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_251'></a>251</span>Jim&#8217;s face
+lighted up. &#8220;I know I can.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then get home and get some sleep. You&#8217;re in charge of the
+program.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>He turned back to Janet and Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Like New York?&#8221; the question was so sudden that it caught them
+unawares.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s exciting,&#8221; gasped Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It isn&#8217;t always like this,&#8221; smiled the continuity chief. He
+was looking intently at Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;How would you like to join my staff as a writer?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>Janet could hardly believe her ears.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Why, I think I&#8217;d like it,&#8221; she managed to say. &#8220;Yes, I
+know I would.&#8221; She plunged in blindly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then if you girls want to stay on, there&#8217;ll be a place for Helen in
+the stock company and for you on my writing staff,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Think
+it over and let me know tomorrow.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>An hour later when they were alone in their rooms, Janet and Helen had their
+first chances to talk uninterruptedly.</p>
+
+<p>Helen smiled contentedly.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;It&#8217;s such a relief to know that the program to boost Dad&#8217;s picture
+is going through all
+<span class='pagenum pncolor'><a id='page_252'></a>252</span>right,&#8221;
+she said. After a pause she went on, &#8220;What shall we do about the jobs in
+Radio City?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I think I&#8217;ll accept,&#8221; said Janet.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;But what about school back home; what about going to Corn Belt
+U.?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve thought of that, but an opportunity to work in Radio City
+doesn&#8217;t come every day. In six months we&#8217;ll have had enough. Then we can go
+back and start our university careers at Corn Belt U.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;What will our folks think?&#8221; asked Helen.</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;I believe they&#8217;ll agree with us that six months here in radio work
+can be looked upon as a valuable part of our education.&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;Then we&#8217;ll tell Mr. McGregor we&#8217;ll stay?&#8221;</p>
+
+<p>&#8220;That&#8217;s exactly what we&#8217;ll tell him. Now I&#8217;m going to write the
+folks and tell them all about it,&#8221; said Janet, picking up a pen and
+sitting down to the task of writing of the thrilling adventures which had
+befallen them since their arrival in New York.</p>
+
+<hr style='width:1px; margin: 0; border:none; border-bottom:8px solid white;' />
+<p style='text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; font-size: 1.0em'>THE END</p>
+
+
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Janet Hardy in Radio City, by Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Janet Hardy in Radio City, by Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Janet Hardy in Radio City
+
+Author: Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
+Release Date: August 29, 2010 [EBook #33567]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Roger Frank and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.fadedpage.net
+
+
+
+
+
+JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY
+
+BY
+
+Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
+THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY
+
+CHICAGO
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+COPYRIGHT 1935 BY
+
+THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING CO.
+
+MADE IN U. S. A.
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+                                CONTENTS
+
+   CHAPTER                                            PAGE
+        I.  Janet Gets the Lead                         13
+       II.  Shooting on Location                        20
+      III.  Surprise Callers                            30
+       IV.  High Praise                                 41
+        V.  Deadly Fangs                                47
+       VI.  The Smoky Menace                            53
+      VII.  Racing Flames                               61
+     VIII.  The Line Goes Dead                          68
+       IX.  The Fire Sweeps On                          76
+        X.  A Welcome Rescue                            90
+       XI.  New Plans                                  101
+      XII.  The Preview                                110
+     XIII.  Janet Turns Author                         118
+      XIV.  Clothes by Roddy                           126
+       XV.  Homeward Bound                             135
+      XVI.  Gorgeous Gowns                             145
+     XVII.  Hello, New York!                           154
+    XVIII.  In Radio City                              164
+      XIX.  A Manuscript Vanishes                      170
+       XX.  The Mystery Deepens                        178
+      XXI.  Insinuations                               186
+     XXII.  Shadowed!                                  193
+    XXIII.  Janet Pinch Hits                           201
+     XXIV.  Night on the Twenty-seventh Floor          208
+      XXV.  Janet Opens a Door                         214
+     XXVI.  In the Hall                                219
+    XXVII.  Suspicions                                 227
+   XXVIII.  Rehearsals Again                           233
+     XXIX.  Janet Finds a Clue                         240
+      XXX.  Opportunity Ahead                          247
+
+------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+JANET HARDY IN RADIO CITY
+
+
+
+
+JANET GETS THE LEAD
+
+Chapter One
+
+
+Janet Hardy stirred sleepily as the alarm clock sounded its lusty
+summons and it was only after a real effort that she managed to reach
+out and shut off the insistent clock.
+
+It was so early that shadows of the night still lurked in the corners
+and Janet squinted at the clock through sleep-clogged eyes. It was
+four-forty a.m.
+
+Sitting up in bed she looked across the room where Helen Thorne was deep
+in sleep, oblivious to the strident summons of the alarm which had
+echoed through their bedroom.
+
+Janet, now thoroughly awake, tossed her pillow at the slumbering Helen.
+She scored a perfect hit and Helen, sputtering and wondering what it was
+all about, popped up in bed.
+
+"Come on, sleepy head. It's time to be up and dressing if we're going to
+get to the studio in time for that six o'clock call," warned Janet.
+
+"I'll beat you to the shower," promised Helen. She jumped out of bed and
+grabbed the dressing gown on a nearby chair. There was a rush of feet
+padding down the hall and Helen made good her promise, reaching the
+shower room two jumps ahead of Janet.
+
+Fifteen minutes later, after brisk showers and thorough towelings, they
+were dressed. From the kitchen had come waftings of delicious bacon and
+eggs and they knew that George, the colored cook, was getting breakfast.
+
+When they reached the dining room they were surprised to find Helen's
+father there, a morning paper propped in front of him.
+
+Henry Thorne, world famous as the star director of motion pictures for
+the Ace Motion Picture Corp., looked up.
+
+"An early call?" he asked.
+
+"Billy Fenstow is starting to shoot his new western, 'Water Hole,' and
+we don't want to be late the first morning," explained Helen, slipping
+into her chair while Janet sat down opposite her. George, smiling a
+greeting, brought in a large platter of bacon and eggs. Then there were
+tall glasses of cold milk and thin, deliciously buttered toast.
+
+"I didn't think you'd be up so early, Dad," said Helen, between
+mouthfuls of bacon.
+
+"Guess I went to bed too early," smiled her father. "I've been awake an
+hour."
+
+"You were all tired out after finishing 'Kings of the Air,'" went on
+Helen and her father nodded his agreement.
+
+Janet, on the other side of the table, said nothing, but thought a great
+deal. She had never quite gotten over the thrill of coming to Hollywood
+and the manner in which it had been accomplished. It seemed too much
+like a dream and at times she went around pinching herself to make sure
+she wasn't asleep.
+
+Classmates back in the medium-sized city of Clarion in the middle west,
+Janet and Helen had been fast friends and their families had been
+neighbors for years. Then Henry Thorne had made a success as a director
+of motion pictures, but Helen and Mrs. Thorne had remained in the family
+home in Clarion. Back for Helen's graduation, he had been impressed by
+the acting ability of Janet and Helen, as well as their charm, and their
+graduation presents had been round trip airplane tickets from Clarion to
+Hollywood. Mrs. Thorne had come along to chaperon the party and they had
+taken a comfortable, rambling bungalow on a side street in Hollywood
+where they could be assured of privacy.
+
+Janet could recall so vividly their first day. Pictures, interviews,
+attendance at a premiere in gowns designed by the famous designer who
+created all of the gowns for the stars of the Ace company. Then a chance
+to work in a western in the production unit headed by rotund little
+Billy Fenstow and after that small parts in "Kings of the Air," which
+Henry Thorne had directed as one of the outstanding pictures on his
+company's production program.
+
+"What are you mooning about?" asked Helen, for Janet, her mind running
+back over the events of the last crowded weeks, had ceased eating.
+
+Janet flushed. "Just thinking of all the wonderful things that have
+happened since we graduated."
+
+"I hope you won't remember the unpleasant ones you experienced while we
+were making 'Kings of the Air,'" said Helen's father. He was well-built,
+with a touch of grey hair at his temples and a smile that inspired
+confidence and an almost instant feeling of friendliness.
+
+"I was pretty scared at the time," confessed Janet, "but now that the
+picture's safely completed, it's all over."
+
+"What do you think about 'Kings'?" Helen asked her father.
+
+He leaned back in his chair and Janet thought she saw a touch of
+weariness in his face.
+
+"I don't know," he said softly. "It should be a good picture, but
+whether it will be a great picture is something else again. We can only
+wait until it's out of the cutting room."
+
+Janet, although in a comparatively minor role, had been a key figure in
+the making of "Kings of the Air," for a rival company, attempting to
+hinder the progress of the picture, had hired an actress in the company,
+blonde Bertie Jackson, and two renegade airmen, to make every effort to
+slow up production. Janet had been kidnaped and held prisoner overnight
+while the ghost town, where the company was located, was burned and a
+big set on the desert bombed. But the resourcefulness of Curt Newsom,
+cowboy star who had a role in the picture, had helped expose the
+sabotage and Janet had been speedily released. As a result she had been
+promoted to Bertie Jackson's role and had handled it like a veteran
+trouper.
+
+Just then George, the cook, looked in to see if more bacon and eggs were
+needed, and Helen's mother, in a dressing gown, joined them.
+
+"Someone should have called me," she said.
+
+"But you don't have to report on the lot and we do," Helen reminded her
+mother.
+
+It was 5:30 o'clock when they finished breakfast.
+
+"I'll drive you over to the lot," said Henry Thorne. "Mother, you dress
+while I'm away and we'll take a long drive into the mountains and stop
+someplace for lunch. We'll sort of have a day's vacation for ourselves."
+
+Then they were away, speeding toward the studio in an open car. It was a
+glorious morning and the cool air was invigorating. Later in the day it
+would be uncomfortably hot.
+
+Billy Fenstow, director of western pictures, was on stage nine, well to
+the back of the Ace lot.
+
+There were few around the rambling studio at that hour, for production
+was past its peak and only two or three of the huge sound stages would
+be in use that day.
+
+The director, who had only a fringe of hair around his shining pate,
+greeted them cordially.
+
+"Have you read over the script of 'Water Hole'?" he asked.
+
+Janet nodded. "I like it better than 'Broad Valley,'" she smiled.
+
+Billy Fenstow fairly beamed. "Good. I wrote it myself. The other was
+only partly mine."
+
+Helen laughed and turned to Janet. "What are you trying to do,
+compliment Mr. Fenstow so he'll give you the leading role?"
+
+It was the director's turn to chuckle. "She doesn't have to," he said.
+"Janet is playing opposite Curt Newsom in the lead right now."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Two
+
+SHOOTING ON LOCATION
+
+
+Janet stared hard at the chubby director. It was hard to believe that
+Billy Fenstow would joke with her now. That would be too cruel.
+
+"Don't you believe me, Janet?" he asked.
+
+"It can't be possible," she murmured. "Why, I'm an unknown. You wouldn't
+put me into the leading role."
+
+Just then Curt Newsom, the western star arrived.
+
+"How's the new leading lady?" he asked.
+
+"I--I don't know," gasped Janet. "I'm not sure. Everything seems to be
+in kind of a whirl. I guess I'll sit down."
+
+Janet dropped into a nearby chair, oblivious of the fact that it was the
+cherished property of the director.
+
+"It's grand, Janet, simply grand," exclaimed Helen. "My, but I'm proud
+of you."
+
+Billy Fenstow came over to Janet.
+
+"You needn't be so surprised," he said.
+
+"Only don't let this go to your head. It doesn't take a whole lot of
+acting ability to be a leading lady in a western. All you've got to have
+is a fair amount of beauty, some brains, and the ability to keep on top
+of a horse."
+
+Janet, recalling her experiences in "Broad Valley," the first picture
+they had appeared in, smiled a little ruefully.
+
+"I don't know whether I'll even be able to stay on a horse," she
+admitted.
+
+"Then we'll glue you into the saddle," smiled the director.
+
+Others in the company came up. Most of them had been in the earlier
+picture and without exception they congratulated Janet on winning the
+leading role.
+
+The weather was ideal and Billy Fenstow intended to make the most of it
+by shooting all of the exteriors possible.
+
+Promptly at seven o'clock a large bus rolled onto the lot and the entire
+company, numbering some thirty-three, including the technicians, boarded
+the big vehicle.
+
+Their destination was a ranch well into the foothills and it was after
+noon before they arrived. This particular outfit had never before been
+used for film purposes for it was well away from the usual run of
+traffic and harder to reach than some of the layouts nearer the studio.
+
+The ranchhouse was large and comfortable and arrangements were made for
+all of the girls in the company to stay there while the men would be
+quartered in the bunkhouse with the exception of the director, who
+planned to drive back and forth from the nearest town.
+
+A truck loaded with camera and sound equipment had preceded the bus and
+the technicians went to work to assemble their materials. The pole
+corral was crowded with horses and the assistant director, "Skeets"
+Irwin, took over the task of assigning horses to the various members of
+the company.
+
+Curt Newsom had his own string, which had been brought by truck, but the
+others were to ride ranch horses. Janet drew a beautiful sorrel while
+Helen was mounted on a black with only one white foot.
+
+There was a gorgeous sunset and Billy Fenstow, always on the alert for a
+good background shot, had his cameras catch some typical ranch scenes.
+They might not fit in with the present picture but he knew some day the
+footage would come in handy.
+
+After dinner in the ranchhouse that night, Janet and Helen retired to
+the room they shared and studied the scripts which had been handed out.
+
+"Water Hole" was a typical Billy Fenstow western with lots of hard
+riding and plenty of scenery. It was the story of Curt Newsom's defense
+of his small ranch with its valuable water hole against a larger cattle
+outfit.
+
+Janet played the role of a school teacher while Helen was a waitress in
+the one restaurant in the little cow town to which the cowboys migrated
+every Saturday night. The girls were to have an important part in
+solving the plot to get Curt's ranch and all in all they were greatly
+pleased with their parts.
+
+Janet sat down and wrote a long letter home, telling of their good
+fortune and of her own in particular. She paused a moment and closed her
+eyes. Perhaps her mother would show the letter to Pete Benda, the city
+editor of the _Clarion Times_. And Pete, of course, would make a story.
+Perhaps he would put it in the front page under a heading, "Clarion Girl
+Gets Leading Role in Western Picture." She smiled a little. That would
+be rather nice.
+
+Then she awoke from her reverie and finished the letter. After that it
+was bedtime for there was an early call.
+
+They were out the next morning shortly after dawn for Billy Fenstow
+worked his companies long and hard.
+
+Janet was in several shots that day riding to and from the ranch to the
+schoolhouse and in the afternoon they went to the schoolhouse where a
+dozen youngsters had been gathered. Most of them were actual pupils of
+the little school and the cameras ground away as Janet dismissed them
+from a make-believe class and watched them hurry away from school toward
+their homes, some of them afoot and others on sturdy little cow ponies.
+
+Helen had little to do that day, but followed every action of the
+company with interest.
+
+"What do you think of it?" she asked Janet that night as they lounged on
+the broad verandah of the ranchhouse.
+
+"I like it a lot," said Janet whole-heartedly. "Of course I realize I'm
+no actress, but the picture's good and clean and it's a consolation to
+be in something like that."
+
+Helen was silent for a time.
+
+"What do you think about our future in the movies?" she asked.
+
+Janet pondered the question before answering, for she, too, had been
+wondering that very thing.
+
+"If you want to know the truth, I think we're just about where we
+belong. I know I'm not a real actress. I can get by in a picture like
+this or in some minor role, but I'd never make a really top-notch
+actress and it would be rather heart-breaking to stay here and do this
+year in and year out."
+
+"Then that means you'll go back to Clarion when summer's over?" Helen
+asked the question with a touch of desperate anxiety in her voice.
+
+"I suppose so," replied Janet slowly, "for I know that I won't be
+especially happy here. It's been glorious fun and it still is, but it
+can't last forever and I'm not fooling myself about that for a minute."
+
+They were silent for a time, wondering if the coming fall would bring an
+end to their close companionship. If Janet went back to Clarion, it
+would be only logical that Helen would stay on in Hollywood with her
+father and mother. The thought of parting was not a pleasant prospect to
+either girl.
+
+They went to bed later without discussing the matter further, but as the
+shooting of "Water Hole" progressed and August drew to a close, it was
+constantly in their minds.
+
+Helen's father and mother came out to visit them on location several
+times, but neither one of them mentioned any plans for Helen.
+
+"Two more days of work and we'll have the picture in the can," Billy
+Fenstow told the company one morning. "We're right on schedule and I
+want to finish that way, but we've got some hard riding scenes to get
+out of the way."
+
+The director turned to Janet.
+
+"We've got to shoot that scene of your ride from town to the ranch to
+warn Curt that his enemies are riding to wipe out his ranch," he said.
+"Are you ready?"
+
+Janet nodded and swung into the saddle of the rangy sorrel.
+
+Billy Fenstow climbed onto the light truck which carried the cameras and
+Janet's horse trotted along behind as the vehicle rolled away across the
+valley in which the ranch was located. They went for perhaps two miles
+through the hills to a hamlet along a branch line railroad which had
+served as the cow town for the picture's locale. It was here that Janet
+began her ride, but before she started she looked to the cinches.
+
+She remounted and sat easily in the saddle, waiting for the signal to
+start.
+
+Billy Fenstow waved his hand and the truck started swiftly away, Janet
+riding hard after it. She rode with a natural lithesomeness of her body.
+The light felt hat which had been crushed over her brown hair came off.
+She clutched at it instinctively, but missed, and kept on riding, her
+golden hair streaming away from her shoulders. Janet smiled to herself.
+At least that would give a realistic effect.
+
+She watched the director covertly and when he motioned again she sent
+the sorrel racing away from the camera truck at an angle so the cameras
+could get a side shot. Then the truck moved ahead of her.
+
+It was hot and dry, and anything but an easy task to ride a horse
+pounding along as hard as the big sorrel. Finally they topped the last
+hill and swept down into the valley and Janet braced herself for the
+last bit of action.
+
+Curt, near the water hole, looked up when he heard the pounding hoofs
+and Janet hurled herself from the saddle and ran to him.
+
+"Quick, Curt, they're riding hard behind me. You've got to get out of
+here. I'll stay and watch the ranch."
+
+But Curt refused and the action was cut there.
+
+Janet was dusty and sweaty and she walked to the pump and drank deeply
+of the cool, sweet water.
+
+"I can imagine there might have been a fight over this ranch in the
+early days," she said.
+
+"There was," grinned Curt, "but it wasn't nearly as big a one as we're
+putting into the picture."
+
+Janet's hardest scene for the day was over and Helen was in only one or
+two minor shots so they passed part of the afternoon packing up their
+things in preparation for the departure the next afternoon.
+
+It was nearly dinner time when a dust covered car rolled into the valley
+and approached the ranchhouse.
+
+Janet and Helen, sitting on the front steps, watched it with interest
+which deepened as they saw an Iowa license plate on the front of the
+car.
+
+"That almost looks like home," said Helen. "Why, the number's from our
+home county. Maybe it's someone we know."
+
+But the sun was flashing off the windshield, effectively shielding the
+passengers in the car.
+
+The machine swung to a stop a few feet away and Janet and Helen, when
+they saw the passengers, recognized them with mixed emotions.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Three
+
+SURPRISE CALLERS
+
+
+The newcomers were Cora Dean and Margie Blake, classmates from Clarion,
+who had been Janet and Helen's chief rivals for almost every honor
+during their last four years in school.
+
+"What under the sun do you suppose they want here?" asked Helen under
+her breath.
+
+"We'll soon find out," retorted Janet, rising and advancing to greet
+Cora and Margie.
+
+Cora was dark like Helen, while Margie's hair was almost as golden
+blonde as Janet's, the difference being that Margie used drug store
+coloring, and Janet depended on the natural shade.
+
+"Hello Cora, hello Margie. This is a surprise," said Janet as she
+greeted them and Helen echoed the sentiment a minute later.
+
+"We've been touring through the west. When we learned a company was
+shooting a picture out here we came on over. We didn't know until we
+stopped in the village that it was the company you're with." It was
+Cora, her tongue as sharp as ever, making the explanation.
+
+Margie was taking in everything and fairly gaping at the cowboys who in
+their picturesque garb, were lounging nearby waiting for the gong to
+call them to supper.
+
+Billy Fenstow came by and Janet called to him, introducing Cora and
+Margie.
+
+"Have them stay for dinner and meet the company," said the director,
+who, with the film on schedule, felt particularly hospitable.
+
+"Oh, we'd love that," gurgled Cora. "We've always wanted to see a
+picture being taken."
+
+Billy Fenstow scratched his head.
+
+"Well, we're all through for today, but if Janet and Helen could bunk
+double and give you one of the beds in their room, you could stay over
+and see the final shooting tomorrow."
+
+"Why, that would be grand," put in Margie, "and I'm sure Janet and Helen
+won't mind doubling up."
+
+There was little Janet or Helen could say, except to agree, and they
+helped Cora and Margie get their bags out of the car and escorted them
+up to the room which they occupied.
+
+At dinner that night they introduced the girls to all of the members of
+the company who ate at the ranchhouse and Janet noted that Cora could
+hardly keep her eyes off tall, handsome Curt Newsom. Curt was nice to
+them, as he was to everybody, explaining carefully all of the questions
+they asked.
+
+That night Cora asked a question that had kept her on edge all evening.
+
+"Do you suppose we could get in one of the scenes tomorrow?" she asked
+Janet. "Surely you or Helen could get the director to use us just a
+little bit."
+
+Janet was dubious. It was the last day at the ranch and there would be
+much to be done. Billy Fenstow would be in no mood for trifles such as
+working friends into scenes.
+
+"If it wasn't the last day I think it could be arranged," put in Helen,
+"but I'd hate to ask Mr. Fenstow to do it under the circumstances."
+
+Margie pouted visibly and Cora, always arrogant, flared up.
+
+"Oh, of course you won't. Just because your father's a director and they
+have to put you in pictures you won't say a good word for anyone else.
+How do we know you're even in this company?"
+
+"You'll have to take our word for it until you see the picture on the
+screen," retorted Helen.
+
+Janet could understand the tremendous desire of Cora and Margie to
+appear in a scene. It was the most natural thing in the world and she
+felt just a little sorry for them.
+
+"I'll speak to Mr. Fenstow in the morning," she promised. "If he's in a
+good mood he may find a spot for you, but if he's grouchy he'll probably
+order you away from the place."
+
+"How do you know when he's grouchy?" asked Margie.
+
+"You don't until after you've asked him," replied Janet, with a thin
+smile.
+
+Cora and Margie exhibited a tremendous curiosity, asking questions about
+everything and from almost everyone, Cora especially plaguing Curt
+Newsom, until the tall cowboy star finally found an excuse to escape
+from her constant barrage.
+
+It was late when they went to bed and Janet and Helen, sleeping in a
+narrow, single bed, did not rest well. They were awake at dawn, both of
+them feeling tired and worn.
+
+Cora and Margie, imbued with the excitement of actually being with a
+movie company, appeared as vivacious as ever.
+
+At breakfast Billy Fenstow outlined plans for the final day's shooting.
+
+"We've got one more scene to take in the village," he explained. "It's a
+shot of a group of townspeople watching the arrival of Curt and the
+rustlers he has captured."
+
+Impetuous Cora Dean broke in.
+
+"May Margie and I get in the crowd scene?" she asked eagerly.
+
+A frown appeared on Billy Fenstow's usually bland face, for he disliked
+greatly being interrupted when he was outlining his plans to his
+company.
+
+"We'll see about it later," he said curtly, and continued with his
+explanation.
+
+After breakfast Cora faced Janet.
+
+"Too bad you couldn't have said a good word for us with your director,"
+she flared.
+
+"There wasn't a real good chance," replied Janet. "I warned you last
+night not to bother him if he wasn't in a good mood."
+
+"But how was I to know?" complained Cora.
+
+"Well, you do now," said Janet, and it was hard to keep from smiling.
+But she could realize how much it would mean to Cora and Margie and it
+would be mean of her not to help them just a little so later she spoke
+to "Skeets" Irwin, the assistant director, and "Skeets" promised to get
+Cora and Margie into the crowd scene.
+
+Janet and Helen were in the same scene and they changed into their
+costumes, Janet into a dusty riding habit and Helen into a gingham dress
+and the apron that was her badge as a waitress in the village's one
+restaurant.
+
+The girls rode down to the village, Cora and Margie following in their
+own car. "Skeets" had provided them with appropriate costumes and they
+were so excited they could hardly talk.
+
+Billy Fenstow was back giving instructions to the riders who were to
+sweep down into the village while "Skeets" handled the scene at the
+village.
+
+"Don't stand around like a bunch of wooden Indians," said the assistant
+director. "Show some interest when those horsemen come over the hills. I
+want plenty of action in this scene."
+
+"Keep close to us," Janet advised Cora and Margie. "All you have to do
+is look excited."
+
+"That's going to be easy," smiled Margie. "I'm so nervous now I can't
+stay still a minute."
+
+Final instructions were given and the cameras started grinding as a
+massed body of riders swept over the crest of the hills and galloped
+madly toward the village.
+
+The girls, who had been in the restaurant, rushed into the street and
+joined the other members of the company and the villagers who had been
+pressed into service as extras.
+
+It was action and good action. Janet thrilled at the magnificent riding
+of Curt Newsom, who rode with consumate skill and grace. He was a part
+of the horse he was astride and it was no effort to Janet to register
+extreme excitement.
+
+The mounted men, a band of captives in the center of the group, reined
+in before the astonished villagers and Curt, dismounting, pulled one of
+the captives from his saddle and strode toward the door which was marked
+sheriff's office. Curt pulled the protesting rider after him,
+disappearing into the sheriff's office. That finished the sequence and
+the cameras stopped clicking.
+
+It was the last of the big scenes and the rest of the day was to be
+spent in picking up shots to fill out the story.
+
+"Do you suppose we looked all right?" asked Cora, who had been fitted
+out in a housedress and sunbonnet. Margie was similarly attired.
+
+"I'm sure you looked your parts," Janet assured them, "but don't be too
+disappointed when you see the picture. There'll only be a flash of this
+action on the screen and the 'mob' scene won't last more than a few
+seconds."
+
+"We'll see that one of the theaters at home books it," declared Margie
+firmly, "and maybe Pete Benda will run a story about us."
+
+"I wouldn't be surprised if he did," agreed Janet.
+
+They went back to the ranchhouse for lunch and Billy Fenstow beamed.
+
+"We're ahead of schedule now. Another two hours and we'll be ready to
+start for the studio where we can finish up the interiors in a couple
+more days."
+
+The bus which had brought them from Hollywood rolled into the valley and
+several of the cowboys started loading baggage and equipment aboard it.
+
+Janet and Helen went upstairs, followed by Cora and Margie. Both of the
+latter had been hinting that they would like an invitation to stay for a
+time in Hollywood, but they had been so mean and small during their high
+school days that neither Janet nor Helen could bear the thought of
+entertaining them.
+
+"Coming back to Clarion this fall?" asked Cora, her dark eyes fairly
+snapping as she waited eagerly for the answer to her question.
+
+"I haven't the slightest idea," replied Janet, quite truthfully.
+
+"How about you, Helen?" It was Margie asking this time.
+
+Helen shook her head. "Your guess is as good as mine."
+
+"Can't you stay on in pictures?" asked Cora, a tinge of sarcasm in her
+voice.
+
+That nettled Janet. "If we want to," she retorted, "but neither one of
+us can see much of a future in being actresses in western films."
+
+"With all of the influence your father has, you ought to be able to get
+into better pictures," Margie told Helen, and it was her turn to feel a
+mounting flood of color in her cheeks.
+
+"You can leave Dad out of this. He gave us an introduction, but we've
+won our parts," snapped Helen.
+
+The girls finished packing in silence and were ready to go down stairs
+when "Skeets" stuck his head in the door.
+
+"Bus is all ready to start back for the city," he said, picking up
+Janet's and Helen's bags.
+
+Cora and Margie took their own luggage and followed them down stairs.
+
+"Do you think we ought to invite them to Hollywood with us?" whispered
+Helen.
+
+"That's up to you," replied Janet, "for they would have to be
+entertained in your home."
+
+"Well, what do you honestly think?"
+
+Janet didn't answer at once, but as they reached the bus, she said, "I
+think I've had about all of the insinuations I can stand from either one
+of them."
+
+Helen smiled. "That's a help, for I feel the same way." She turned
+toward the other girls, who were putting their baggage in their car.
+
+"We may see you in Clarion before college starts this fall," she said.
+
+"Thanks for all your help," flipped Cora, seating herself behind the
+wheel. "I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves in Hollywood. We may run into you
+someplace."
+
+She threw in the gears and the car lurched away along the dusty road
+that wound through the hills to the main highway some miles away.
+
+"Wasn't she nice and cordial?" smiled Helen as she turned back to Janet.
+
+"Cora hasn't changed a bit and I don't suppose she will. What fun she
+could have if she'd only be a little less selfish," said Janet.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Four
+
+HIGH PRAISE
+
+
+By the time everything was loaded into the bus, the sun was well down
+toward the western hills and the ranch was bathed in the soft, warm
+light of the late afternoon.
+
+Curt Newsom, who had finished superintending the loading of his own
+horses into his private truck, walked over to join the girls, his spurs
+jingling as he walked.
+
+"Glad it's all over?" he asked.
+
+Janet shook her head.
+
+"Hardly. I've enjoyed it so much I really didn't want it to end, but I
+guess that all good things come to an end."
+
+"You did a splendid job as leading woman," smiled Curt. "I wish all of
+them were like you. Every once in a while the girls they assign to this
+unit get it into their heads that they are real actresses and they go
+temperamental on us. But you two worked like real troupers and took all
+of the bumps as they came."
+
+"And they came, too," grinned Helen, rubbing her right leg, for she had
+slipped and fallen from a horse two days before and her leg was black
+and blue.
+
+Curt was silent for a few moments, smiling at the efforts of "Skeets" to
+round up the last members of the company and get them aboard the big
+bus.
+
+"Are you going to stay with us?" he asked.
+
+"We don't know," replied Helen. "Fall's almost here and that means
+college time. We're both awfully young to stay on in pictures."
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't say that. I've known girls younger than either one of
+you to make a success."
+
+"But they didn't last long," countered Janet.
+
+"Perhaps you're right on that," agreed Curt. "Are you going to school?"
+
+"I expect we'll decide that when we get back to Hollywood and have a
+long talk with mother and dad," replied Helen.
+
+Just then Billy Fenstow hurried up, puffing and exceedingly warm.
+
+"Everybody accounted for?" he asked his harried assistant.
+
+"All here," replied the red-faced "Skeets."
+
+"Sit down in the back seat with me," the director told the girls. "I
+want to talk with you on the way back to the city."
+
+The last members of the company were herded aboard the bus and the
+girls, Curt Newsom and the director were the last to get aboard.
+
+They sat down on the broad back seat which had been reserved for the
+director. The bus lurched into motion and rolled away from the
+ranchhouse.
+
+Billy Fenstow mopped his perspiring brow and leaned back to enjoy the
+ride.
+
+The dusty road wound through the hills, golden clouds of dust marking
+the passing of the bus.
+
+They were halfway to the main highway when the motor started to cough
+and the big vehicle slowed to a stop.
+
+The driver buried himself under the hood and tinkered with the engine
+for a few minutes. Then he climbed back into his seat and started the
+motor again.
+
+They progressed for several hundred yards and finally groaned to a stop.
+
+"Looks like we may be late in getting to dinner," said Curt. "Sounded
+like serious trouble under the hood that time."
+
+The lanky cowboy uncoiled his legs and went out to see if he could be of
+any assistance to the bus driver.
+
+Billy Fenstow, taking advantage of the stop, spoke to Janet and Helen,
+his voice so low that it was doubtful if he could be overheard by any
+other member of the company.
+
+"What about staying in the company for my next picture?" he asked.
+
+"When will it start?" Janet countered.
+
+The director mopped his brow again and grinned.
+
+"Just as soon as I can hash together a good enough story. Two weeks,
+maybe three, or it might even be a month. Why?"
+
+"We're not certain what we want to do," explained Helen. "You see,
+college starts next month."
+
+"My heavens," exclaimed the director. "What under the sun do you want to
+go to college for? You're smart enough right now."
+
+"That's just it; we aren't," replied Janet. "And we're terribly young,
+if the truth were known."
+
+Billy Fenstow looked at them critically.
+
+"Yep, you're young enough," he conceded, "but what's that got to do with
+it?"
+
+"Well, we're nothing sensational as actresses," replied Janet, "and
+neither one of us would want to go along playing minor roles for years.
+If we ever hope to do more than that we've got to have more of a
+background in education and college seems to be the easiest and surest
+way to attain that."
+
+Billy Fenstow nodded in agreement.
+
+"Maybe you're right," he admitted, "but you could stay on with me at one
+hundred or one hundred and fifty dollars a week for a long time."
+
+"But how many weeks a year would we work at that rate? There wouldn't be
+more than twenty-five or thirty at the most and our expenses of staying
+on in Hollywood would become heavier."
+
+"Now that you put it that way, you're probably right. But when you do
+get through college, don't forget to come back and we'll see how things
+go then."
+
+The director started to get up, then sank back on the cushions.
+
+"You helped doctor the script of 'Kings of the Air,' didn't you?" he
+asked Janet.
+
+"I made a suggestion or two," she admitted.
+
+"I heard it was a little more than that," smiled the director. "Why
+don't you see what you could do with a western script for me. I haven't
+got an idea and if I turn it over to the studio writers, I'll probably
+get another stereotyped plot."
+
+"Are you serious?" demanded Janet.
+
+"Very much so. You might be able to put together something with a new
+angle. Mind you, it must be simple in action, for I've got to operate on
+a slim budget, but we must have a satisfactory love angle and a
+plausible plot. Think you can do anything with it?"
+
+"I'll try; I'll do my best," promised Janet.
+
+"Then I guess I'll take a little vacation when we get back to Hollywood.
+I'll need the story in about ten days, or at least a complete outline by
+that time."
+
+The tubby little director lifted himself off the seat and ambled down
+the aisle to learn how much longer they would be detained and Janet
+watched him go with a strange elation in her heart.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Five
+
+DEADLY FANGS
+
+
+Helen looked at her companion through smiling, quizzical eyes.
+
+"Well, what do you make of that?" she asked.
+
+"I'm a little bit dizzy, but I guess Mr. Fenstow meant what he said. Do
+you suppose I can really turn out an acceptable story for a western
+picture?" Janet turned and shot the question squarely at Helen.
+
+"I'm sure you can. That is," she amended, "if you don't let the thought
+of it scare you."
+
+"I'll give it a lot of time and thought before I start writing the
+story."
+
+"There isn't much time," warned Helen, and Janet knew that her companion
+was right.
+
+Ten days--sometimes it seemed like an endless length of time; then again
+it vanished like magic and she had a feeling that this might be the
+case.
+
+Some members of the company left the bus and walked around to stretch
+their legs; the others remained quietly in their seats, only a few of
+them talking for they were glad the strain of making the picture was at
+an end.
+
+Janet sniffed the late afternoon air. There seemed to be a faint odor of
+smoke, but she decided some of the men in the company must be smoking
+nearby.
+
+The heat abated somewhat as they waited for the driver to repair the
+engine and a sharp breeze swept down out of the hills sending little
+swirls of dust dancing along the winding road ahead of them.
+
+Helen leaned close to her companion.
+
+"Smell smoke?" she asked.
+
+"Not now, but I thought I did a few minutes ago," replied Janet.
+
+"I'm sure I can now," went on Helen, sniffing intently.
+
+Janet thought she caught another whiff of smoke, but she couldn't be
+sure.
+
+Curt Newsom, who had been trying to help repair the engine, came back
+along the bus. His face was smudged with grime and dirt and his hands
+were covered with grease. He raised one of them and motioned for Janet
+and Helen to join him. The girls left their seats and walked down the
+bus, Curt meeting them at the doorway.
+
+"Come on," he said sharply and in a manner that was little like his own.
+
+He strode away through the dry grass, which crackled like tinder under
+his boots. He was a good fifty yards away from the bus and far beyond
+earshot when he stopped and faced the girls.
+
+"It will be hours before that bus can be repaired," he told them.
+"Someone will have to go back to the ranch or the nearest village and
+phone for another vehicle to come out from the city."
+
+The freshening breeze stirred up a cloud of dust which enveloped them
+for a moment. Curt sneezed heavily and then sniffed.
+
+"Smell anything?" There was desperate intentness in his question.
+
+Janet and Helen wrinkled their noses and sniffed eagerly.
+
+Helen shook her head.
+
+"Not now, but a while ago I thought I smelled smoke."
+
+"So did I," added Janet. "It was kind of like tobacco smoke and then it
+wasn't."
+
+Curt shook his head. "I'm afraid it isn't tobacco smoke. I've been
+getting whiffs of it right along. Smells like a brush fire to me, but I
+can't locate any sign of smoke."
+
+"What do you mean by brush fire?" asked Janet.
+
+Curt looked at her sharply and then his eyes swept the rugged
+countryside where the sparse grass was brown and the brush as brittle as
+glass.
+
+"It's like a prairie fire--only worse. It's even worse than a forest
+fire. It spreads more rapidly. Once a fire gets started in this dry,
+combustible stuff, it's almost impossible to stop it. Either a good rain
+comes along or the blamed thing just burns itself out."
+
+"But I should think you could dodge a brush fire," put in Helen.
+
+"Maybe you could if you knew which way it was going to jump. But it
+moves almost like lightning and it's on you before you know it."
+
+The cowboy star cast an anxious eye over the rolling hills, but there
+was no sign of smoke, no spear of flame to flash a warning of impending
+trouble.
+
+"Keep your nose busy and your eyes and ears on the job. You might even
+stir around in the hills a bit. If you see anything that looks like it
+might spell trouble, let me know. I'm going back to try and help the
+driver. We'll give you plenty of time to get back before we start on if
+we just happen to find the trouble."
+
+Curt, his spurs jingling musically, strode away, and Janet and Helen
+watched him go with mingled feelings. His words had aroused a very
+definite sense of alarm in their minds and they were a little white as
+they faced each other.
+
+"I'm sure I smell smoke now," said Helen, sniffing intently. Janet did
+likewise, but she couldn't be sure, and the breeze was getting sharper.
+
+"We'll scout around these hills. Let's try that one," Janet pointed to a
+ragged outcropping of rock that towered above the rest.
+
+"It's going to be hard to climb," cautioned Helen.
+
+"I know, but once we're on top we'll be able to see all over this
+country. If there's any sign of a brush fire, we'll be able to see it
+from there."
+
+"I suppose you're right. Wish I had left my heavy boots on. These shoes
+aren't made for this kind of walking," and Helen looked down at the
+low-heeled, comfortable oxfords she wore. They were all right for street
+wear, but when it came to climbing about over thin, rocky soil, they
+provided only a minimum of protection.
+
+The outcropping Janet had selected was even steeper than they had
+anticipated and as they climbed, the outline of the bus in the valley
+became smaller. They stopped several times to rest and on the last
+occasion Janet sat down on a flat, sun-baked rock. There was a certain
+fetid odor about it but she thought nothing of it until Helen, who was
+about to sit down beside her, screamed.
+
+Without thinking and so swiftly it must have been a reflex action, she
+hurled herself away from the rock.
+
+She dropped in a twisting, rolling fall and as she turned she glimpsed a
+venomous head with lashing fangs which flashed out once from the rock
+and then disappeared.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Six
+
+THE SMOKY MENACE
+
+
+Janet fell heavily, turning over several times before she finally came
+to rest against a clump of dry brush.
+
+Helen was at her side almost instantly, her face drawn and tense.
+
+"Did it strike you?" she asked, deep anxiety marking her words.
+
+Janet, still dazed by the shock of hurling herself to the ground, looked
+up and managed a wan smile. She shook her head and with Helen giving her
+a hand, got to her feet.
+
+"No, I'm all right. Just scared a little. It was so sudden."
+
+"The snake was coiled up on the back of the rock. I saw it just as you
+sat down. For a second I was speechless; then I seemed to explode into a
+scream," explained Helen.
+
+"It's a good thing for me that you did," said Janet. "I don't think the
+snake missed it more than inches. We'd better get some stout clubs if
+we're going to do any more climbing around these rocks."
+
+"One thing, we're not going to sit down on any of them," declared Helen,
+who was watching the pile of rocks with open suspicion. There was still
+that fetid smell in the air, but no sign of any snakes.
+
+They looked about for sticks which could be used for clubs and Helen
+found several sizeable sticks which would serve that purpose.
+
+The incident had unnerved them more than they cared to confess and they
+sat down to rest on the sandy soil, taking care that nothing was near
+them which would conceal a snake.
+
+The afternoon deepened and the sun was about to sink over the western
+hills when they roused themselves and started on toward the summit of
+the promontory they had been climbing.
+
+Janet stopped and sniffed the air. The odor of smoke seemed stronger
+now, yet there was no visible sign of it.
+
+Helen also smelled it, for the wind, if anything, was sharper now.
+
+"If there's a fire burning somewhere near here, it might be bad for us,"
+she said. "This dry grass and underbrush would burn like tinder."
+
+"That's what Curt fears," added Janet.
+
+They stopped to rest once more before they started the final ascent to
+the rocky outcropping from which they hoped to be able to survey the
+entire surrounding country.
+
+As they started up the final slope, the smell of the smoke became
+stronger. Looking back into the valley where the bus was stalled, Janet
+could see the men in the company all grouped around the front end. It
+was evident that the trouble had not been repaired. Some distance from
+the bus a lone figure was striding along the trail, evidently bound for
+the nearest ranch or village where he could telephone for another bus
+and a repair crew.
+
+They toiled up the last few yards to the summit of the promontory and
+reached it only to drop down in an open space, gasping for breath, for
+the last part of the climb had been arduous.
+
+A sharp cry from Helen drew Janet's attention away from the bus, which
+now seemed far down in the valley.
+
+"There's fire burning in that further valley," cried Helen, an
+involuntary note of alarm in her voice.
+
+Janet turned quickly and gazed in the direction Helen was pointing. Her
+companion was right. There was fire in one of the distant valleys. From
+their elevation they could see a low, creeping wave of smoke shot
+through with an occasional tongue of flame.
+
+The wind, riffling past them now, was sweeping the fire in their
+direction at a steady pace, but it was at least two miles away, perhaps
+even further, estimated Janet.
+
+"Does it look serious?" asked Helen.
+
+"I should say it does," replied Janet quickly. "One of us must get back
+to the bus at once and warn Curt. This is what he's feared."
+
+"I'll stay," said Helen, but Janet noted that her companion's face paled
+at the thought of staying on top of the ridge and watching the fire
+sweep toward her.
+
+"No you won't. If there's any staying to be done up here, I'll be the
+one," decided Janet. "Besides, I can run faster than you and your shoes
+are in no condition to go racing over this rough ground. You start down
+now and tell Curt exactly what's happening. Tell him the fire is moving
+steadily in our direction and I can't see that anyone is in front of it
+attempting to beat it out or to build barriers to halt it."
+
+"But I hate to leave you here alone," protested Helen.
+
+"Never mind that. You get back to the bus. Hurry!" There was an anxious
+note of appeal in Janet's last words and Helen flung down the stick she
+had been carrying and started back down the slope.
+
+Janet watched her for a time as she darted around outcroppings of rock.
+Then she turned and gazed at the low wall of smoke which was being
+whipped along by the wind.
+
+From that distance it was hard to imagine that the advancing smoke and
+fire could be such a deadly thing--that it could lay waste to everything
+in its path, leaving, where it had passed, only a sear and desolate
+landscape.
+
+The wind seemed to be strengthening with the passing of each minute. The
+crest of the advancing fire topped the ridge of another valley and
+started down the near slope, but it was still better than a mile and a
+half away. Occasionally a jet of flame rose higher than the others, as
+though some madman had tossed a torch high into the air at his
+exhilaration over the destruction the flames were causing.
+
+The afternoon was waning rapidly and in the valleys between Janet and
+the flames the light was fading. She turned and gazed back down the long
+slope. Helen was almost at the bus, making every effort at speed and
+Janet felt sorry for her for she knew Helen must be suffering intense
+pain from her too-thin shoes for the rocks would bruise her feet badly.
+
+Janet saw Helen reach the bus and the men turned their attention from
+the stalled motor to the newcomer. Janet thought she could distinguish
+Curt Newsom looming above the others but she couldn't be sure.
+
+In less than a minute a solitary figure detached itself from the group
+around the bus and started up the slope toward Janet. From the long
+stride and the graceful carriage of the body she knew it was the cowboy
+star, coming up to get a first-hand glimpse of the advancing fire.
+
+Someone down at the bus turned on the headlights, and twin beams of
+light flashed through the gathering purple of the evening.
+
+Janet heard a scurrying up the other slope and a jack rabbit, scenting
+the danger of the approaching wall of smoke and fire, dashed past her.
+She knew that later there would be an onrush of the smaller animals
+seeking to evade the danger. But for some reason Janet felt strangely
+calm.
+
+The fire was still more than a mile away. True, it was advancing
+steadily, but the thought of being trapped by flames had never really
+entered her mind and she refused to be stampeded now.
+
+She turned back to watch the progress of Curt Newsom as he raced up the
+slope. It was almost dusk now where she was standing but she could see
+him coming steadily toward her. He would be beside her in another
+minute.
+
+The cowboy star, puffing heavily from the race up the rocky slope,
+reached Janet's side.
+
+The smell of smoke was stronger now and the flames were brighter as
+though they were eating their way through heavier underbrush.
+
+Curt's features were plainly visible in the half light of the early
+evening and Janet could see the lines of worry on his face.
+
+"It's worse than I thought from what Helen told us," he said, shielding
+his eyes and looking across the intervening valleys to the ridge down
+which the fire was now racing.
+
+"Is it serious?" asked Janet. "Are we in danger?"
+
+Curt stared at her hard, wondering just how much he dared to tell her.
+Then he decided she might as well know the truth and he spoke frankly.
+
+"The wind's rising all the time and this fire's spreading rapidly. We've
+got to get out of here within the next few minutes or we may never leave
+these valleys alive."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Seven
+
+RACING FLAMES
+
+
+Janet felt an inward surge of terror sweep over her, chilling her mind
+and body. But it lasted for only an instant. She was too calm, too
+sensible to become panic stricken now. They might be in a tight spot but
+she had confidence that the angular, capable cowboy would be able to
+pull them through.
+
+"We've got to get back to the bus and warn them of the danger. Maybe the
+boys will have the engine fixed by the time we're back."
+
+Curt turned for a final look at the advancing wall of smoke and flame.
+
+A steady procession of small animals, driven from their homes, was
+racing through the underbrush and an occasional frightened rabbit would
+almost bump into them in its blind haste to find safety.
+
+"Come on!" said Curt. He held out his hand and Janet grasped it. With
+the cowboy leading the way, they plunged down the slope. It was risky
+business, going at that speed, but speed was essential and they dared a
+twisted ankle to reach the bus with the least possible delay.
+
+Janet dropped the stick she had been carrying and grasped Curt's strong
+wrist with both of her own hands. They were fairly flying down the
+incline, Janet's legs working mechanically as she followed the lead of
+the cowboy star.
+
+They crashed through a low fringe of underbrush and reached the twisting
+roadway. Half a hundred feet away was the bus, its lights glowing, but
+no other sign of animation coming from the mechanical monster.
+
+The smoke was not yet thick in this valley and for this Janet was
+thankful for the other members of the company obviously had not become
+panicky.
+
+Billy Fenstow saw them first.
+
+"What about the fire?" he asked.
+
+"It's bad. We've got to get out of here and without losing any time. How
+about the bus?"
+
+"It won't even cough," moaned the director.
+
+"Any word from the man you sent for help?"
+
+"Not yet. What'll we do?" There was an anxious note in Billy Fenstow's
+voice.
+
+"I don't know yet, but we'll do something."
+
+Curt strode forward to the front end of the bus where the male members
+of the company were grouped.
+
+"Any chance of getting going within the next five or ten minutes?" he
+asked the director, who was almost buried under the hood.
+
+"Afraid not," came the smothered reply. "I've found the trouble but it's
+going to take about half an hour to get it fixed."
+
+Curt turned and faced Bill Fenstow.
+
+"That's too long," he warned the director. "The wind's getting worse and
+that fire's coming fast now. In another half hour this valley will be an
+inferno. It will be impossible for anyone to live in it."
+
+"Then we'd better start back for the ranch afoot," said the director.
+
+Curt's laugh was hard and thin and Janet, hearing it, thought it was a
+desperate laugh.
+
+"The fire would overtake us before we could get near the ranch," said
+Curt. "We've got to make a stand and we might as well make it here."
+
+"What can we do?" It was the director asking the question.
+
+"We can start a backfire and burn off as much ground around here as
+possible. While some of us are doing that the others can see what they
+can do in getting the bus fixed. If it's done in time, we'll run for it;
+if it isn't this is as good a place as any."
+
+Helen came close to Janet.
+
+"Is it that bad?" she whispered.
+
+"I'm afraid it is," admitted Janet. "Scared?"
+
+"Scared to death," confessed Helen.
+
+"So am I," admitted Janet. "But maybe there is something we can do to
+help the men."
+
+Every member of the company was anxious and willing to do whatever they
+could and Curt Newsom snapped directions at them. Most of the men raced
+out into the brush and almost instantly small fires sprang up. They ate
+their way rapidly through the undergrowth and as they neared the bus
+itself were beaten out, the men using coats, blankets or whatever
+article they could find in the bus. In less than ten minutes there was a
+growing blackened area around the stalled vehicle. Their object was to
+create a large enough burned over area so that the main wall of the
+advancing fire would move around them.
+
+Curt told them frankly that the heat would be bad, almost unbearable,
+but they could live through it.
+
+The ridge from which Janet and Helen had discovered the fire was
+outlined against a sky shot with crimson for it was quite dark now.
+Small animals, scurrying before the red menace, were racing past almost
+constantly.
+
+The fires which had been started around the bus were spreading out in a
+great circle, eating their way hungrily along the parched ground. In the
+light from them Janet could see Curt stalking here and there, directing
+one group and then another, and pausing now to beat down some flame with
+his blanket.
+
+Both girls felt particularly helpless, for there seemed to be nothing
+they could do, and Helen, her light shoes torn and thin, was
+particularly wretched, for her feet were sore and bruised.
+
+A sharp cry came from one of the men who had remained with the driver in
+an effort to get the bus repaired. Someone leaped into the seat, there
+was the whir of the starter and the heavy vehicle shook as its powerful
+motor thundered into motion.
+
+The driver slid out from under the hood. His face was a smear of grease
+and his shirt was badly torn, for he had been working in close quarters.
+He stumbled, reeling from fatigue, but someone caught him and lifted him
+into the bus. Another man sounded the horn and the fire-builders, led by
+Curt and Billy Fenstow, returned to the bus.
+
+"Think the motor will hold up?" Curt snapped at the driver.
+
+"It ought to, but I can't be sure," was the tired reply.
+
+"What do you want to do?" The cowboy fired the question at the director.
+
+"Get out of here and get out quick!" cried the director.
+
+"Where'll you go?" Curt snapped the question back.
+
+Billy Fenstow stared at him for just a moment.
+
+"Hollywood, of course. Everybody in!"
+
+But Curt laid a restraining hand on the director.
+
+"The road ahead curves back directly into the path of the flame. If we
+swing around this promontory, we'll be cut off ahead and before we can
+get back the flames will be over this section of the road. We can only
+go back."
+
+"Then back to the ranch we go," decided the director, and again he
+called, "Everybody in!"
+
+Members of the company jammed their way into the bus and Curt took the
+wheel for the driver was too exhausted to handle the heavy vehicle.
+
+The smoke was thick now and the first flames were licking their way over
+the crest of the ridge far above them.
+
+With the motor roaring heavily, Curt threw in the gears and swung the
+big vehicle about in a sharp circle. Then, with the headlights vainly
+trying to bore through the almost stifling smoke, they raced back down
+the road.
+
+It was dangerous going, for Curt's vision was cut down to less than
+three rods, but speed was essential now and they plunged through the
+smoky night at a reckless pace.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Eight
+
+THE LINE GOES DEAD
+
+
+Lights in the interior of the bus were out now for Curt didn't dare run
+the risk that they might interfere with his vision. The heavy vehicle
+swayed from side to side as they bounced over the winding road and Janet
+and Helen clung to each other for protection.
+
+Smoke was swirling across the road and the acrid fumes swept through the
+open windows of the bus, but there was no time now to close them.
+
+They raced out of the valley they had been in, shot up over a slight
+rise, and descended into another valley, the glare of the flames being
+lost to view for the time.
+
+"Think we'll make it?" gasped Helen, clinging tightly to Janet's right
+arm.
+
+"We've got to," replied Janet. "The last shots for the picture are in
+the bus."
+
+"I'm not worrying about the picture; it's us," retorted Helen. "My eyes
+hurt; so do my feet."
+
+Janet couldn't help smiling for Helen was very much matter of fact.
+
+There was a sharp report under the bus, like a gunshot or the backfire
+of the exhaust. But it was neither and the girls were thrown heavily
+against the side of the bus as the left rear tire let go.
+
+The heavy machine swayed dangerously with Curt fighting for control. The
+brakes screamed as they ground to a stop and Curt leaped out to survey
+the damage. The driver followed him and then Billy Fenstow followed.
+
+The driver turned on his flashlight and Janet could hear Curt's muttered
+exclamation of disgust.
+
+"We can change; we've got a spare," the driver said.
+
+"We've got to and we'll have to work fast," snapped Curt.
+
+Under the lashing directions of the cowboy star, other members of the
+company turned to and lent a hand. Tools were taken out, a big jack was
+placed under the rear axle, and the work started.
+
+From somewhere behind came the ominous roar of the fire and the sky
+behind the ridge they had just topped crimsoned. Helen, her thin oxfords
+badly cut, shifted miserably from one foot to another and longed for a
+hot bath in which to soak her aching feet.
+
+While Curt and several assistants wrestled with the task of getting the
+flat tire off, the driver managed to get the spare wheel down from its
+rack at the rear.
+
+"Not much air in it," he grumbled.
+
+"There never is," snapped Curt, "but you know how to use a pump."
+
+Billy Fenstow seized the pump, fastened the hose to the valve on the
+tire, and bent his tired body to the task of increasing the air pressure
+in the big tire.
+
+It was a tedious, wracking job, and the men alternated, working at top
+speed for a minute, then giving way to another fresher one.
+
+Curt, scanning the horizon above the ridge, urged them to greater haste.
+
+"Fire's getting close," he warned. "We've got to get under way."
+
+Billy Fenstow unfastened the pump and Curt seized the big steel wheel
+with its huge casing. Other willing hands helped him get it on the axle.
+Anxious fingers sped the bolts into place and they tightened them as
+rapidly as possible.
+
+"Get going!" Curt yelled at the driver.
+
+"How about the jack?"
+
+"Never mind that. Throw her in gear and she'll come off. That fire's
+coming fast now."
+
+As though in answer to Curt's warning, the flames shot over the top of
+the nearest ridge and started down. They seemed to be racing now with
+the speed of a greyhound, leaping from thicket to thicket with
+unbelievable rapidity.
+
+Janet and Helen, clinging together on the back seat, watched it with
+fascinated eyes. The fire was a living, advancing thing that might
+surround and swallow them in its flaming greed. The thought sent a
+deadening chill through Janet and for a moment she closed her eyes to
+the red spectacle.
+
+The motor of the bus roared again as Curt trod heavily on the starter.
+The big vehicle pulsated with power and there was the crash of gears as
+they lurched ahead and the left rear wheel dropped off the jack.
+
+Like a frightened elephant the bus leaped forward, its headlights once
+more boring through the smoke-laden night air.
+
+Curt drove with reckless abandon, tramping the accelerator down almost
+to the floor boards. His passengers were flung from one side of the
+lunging vehicle to another, but they knew that only in speed now lay
+their hope for salvation and none of them cried out as their bruised
+bodies were flung back and forth.
+
+Janet and Helen managed to wedge themselves in a corner where, by
+clinging together, they could escape with only a minimum of bouncing
+about.
+
+Suddenly the road straightened out and the smoke thinned. Janet
+recognized where they were. It was the last half mile which led back to
+the ranch where they had completed shooting the new picture only that
+afternoon.
+
+They had outdistanced the racing flames and Curt reduced the wild speed
+of the bus. In less than five minutes they swung into the broad yard of
+the ranch, but there were no lights in the house nor in the bunkhouse.
+
+Curt blasted sharply on the horn, but there was no sign or sound of life
+anywhere.
+
+"Looks like everyone's sound asleep," said Billy Fenstow, who was
+rubbing his bruises gingerly.
+
+"They've probably taken to the hills," replied Curt.
+
+They unloaded and entered the ranchhouse. Curt lighted a lamp and it was
+evident from the disorder in the rooms that the owners had fled hastily.
+The corrals were open and all of the stock had been turned loose.
+
+Janet and Helen stopped beside the water tank. Their throats were dry
+and tasted heavily of smoke so they drank deeply of the cool, fresh
+water.
+
+Curt, pausing for a moment, stuck his whole head in the tank, and then
+drank from the cup the girls offered him. As he gulped down the water he
+watched the crimson horizon northwest of the ranch.
+
+"Looks like we're going to be safe here unless the wind swings around a
+little more," he observed.
+
+"I'm worried about the folks. They know what time we were going to start
+back and they'll be frantic when they hear about the fire," said Helen.
+
+"Phone line may still be up," said Curt. "Go in the house and see if you
+can get a call through."
+
+Helen turned and hastened toward the house while Curt rejoined the men,
+who were staying near the bus. The driver was buried under the hood
+again, making sure that there would be no recurrence of their previous
+engine trouble.
+
+Janet followed Helen into the ranchhouse. The phone, an old-fashioned
+wall instrument, was in the dining room. There was a large plate of
+cookies, evidently left from supper, on the table, and neither girl
+could resist helping herself to several. Helen munched them as she
+cranked the telephone and listened for an answer from the operator in
+the nearest town. At last the response came.
+
+Helen, talking rapidly, gave her father's address and phone number in
+Hollywood. In less than five minutes the call was through and she heard
+her father's voice on the other end of the wire.
+
+"Hello, Dad. This is Helen."
+
+"Where are we? Back at the ranch. No, we're safe enough. The bus broke
+down and we had to turn back when the fire cut us off.
+
+"Now don't worry, Dad. Curt Newsom says he thinks the fire will swing
+around us. If it doesn't, we can take to the hills back of the ranch.
+We'll come through all right. Tell Mother not to worry.
+
+"What's that----?"
+
+Helen repeated the question, then looked blankly at Janet.
+
+"See if you can hear him," she urged and Janet took the receiver.
+
+"Hello, Mr. Thorne," she said. But there was no answer. She repeated the
+question and this time when there was no answer mechanically hung up the
+receiver.
+
+"The line's dead," she told Helen. "The fire must have brought down the
+poles."
+
+The girls stared hard at each other through smoke-rimmed eyes. The
+telephone had given them a sense of security, a feeling of contact with
+the outside world. Now they were cut off with the flames behind them and
+only the rugged hills ahead.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Nine
+
+THE FIRE SWEEPS ON
+
+
+When Janet and Helen returned to the spacious ranch yard, they found the
+men in the company gathered in a council of war near the bus. They were
+debating whether to risk remaining at the ranch or attempt to push on
+into the hills and onto higher ground.
+
+Billy Fenstow felt the ranch would be safe and was loath to attempt to
+go any further, but Curt Newsom, who had been watching the shifting
+clouds of crimson, was wary.
+
+"A little more and the wind will shift enough to bring the fire down
+into this valley. Once it's here it will travel like a race horse and
+we'll never reach safety," he warned.
+
+The director pointed to several heavy steel containers which held the
+last of the shots for "Water Hole."
+
+"Who's going to lug those through the hills?" he demanded.
+
+"We could take turns," retorted Curt. "Here's a better one. Are those
+cans watertight?" He shot the question at one of the cameramen.
+
+"They're safe enough, all right," he replied.
+
+"Then let's fasten wires to the handles and lower them into the well
+here. If we have to run for it, we'll not be bothered with these heavy
+containers and we'll know the last shots are safe."
+
+Billy Fenstow agreed that Curt's suggestion was an excellent one and
+they scattered in search of a coil of wire. One was found near the
+bunkhouse. It was fastened to one of the containers and the heavy steel
+receptacle was lowered into the well. The wire was cut and the upper end
+securely fastened to a timber. Then the operation was repeated, the
+second can being lowered until it reached the bottom of the well. Curt
+snipped the wire with a pair of pliers and fastened the end with the
+first one.
+
+Janet had been watching the skyline intently. Perhaps she was simply
+over-wrought, but she felt sure that the crimson glow had brightened as
+though the fire was nearer their own valley.
+
+"Watch the skyline," she urged Helen. "See if the glow is brightening."
+
+Helen peered through the half-light. Then she shook her head.
+
+"I can't be sure, but I think the fire must be nearer," she said. "Had
+we better tell Curt?"
+
+"Yes. He'll want to know."
+
+The girls called the lanky cowboy aside and Janet confided her fears to
+him.
+
+Curt spun on his heels and stared into the flame-rent sky.
+
+"Maybe I'm imagining things, but it looks bad," he muttered. Then he
+called Billy Fenstow over to him and the rotund little director agreed
+that the fire must be getting nearer.
+
+Curt sniffed the smoke. "It's getting thicker. We'd better get out of
+here."
+
+"What about the bus?" demanded the director.
+
+"We'll use that as far as we can. There's a trail that goes at least a
+mile back in the hills. After that we'll have to go on afoot."
+
+Orders snapped from Curt's lips. Back into the bus piled the company,
+Janet and Helen were among the last and they stopped long enough beside
+the well for deep drinks of the cool water. It might be many an hour
+before they would have such an opportunity again.
+
+Curt took the wheel for he knew the trail into the hills. The motor
+roared with a heavy song of power and they were away once more, fleeing
+before the ever-hungry flames.
+
+Janet and Helen sank back on the cushions of the rear seat. The trail
+was soft and sandy and although the bus lurched heavily at times, they
+had an opportunity to relax a little.
+
+Helen slipped off her oxfords and rubbed her aching feet.
+
+"Oh, for a good, hot bath," she moaned. "My feet will never be the same
+again."
+
+"Mine ache a little even with my boots on," admitted Janet. She would
+have liked to have slipped out of her boots and wriggled her toes but
+they were too hard to lace up again.
+
+Curt was driving with a desperate intentness as the going became more
+difficult. The trail had faded into two thin tracks and it was rougher
+now.
+
+Sharp rocks protruded and at any moment a tire might give way. But they
+kept on boring into the hills. The engine was working hard now as they
+ascended a grade and Janet looked back through the broad, rear window of
+the bus.
+
+The valley they had just left was plainly visible and topping the ridge
+above the ranchhouse were the first racing tongues of flame. They had
+started just in time.
+
+Helen turned around and together the girls watched the fire skip down
+the slope. When the scene was finally shut off by their own descent into
+another valley, the fire was almost to the ranchhouse and Janet felt
+sick at heart as she thought of the destruction which was inevitable for
+the friendly, rambling old structure.
+
+The trail they had been following faded completely away and Curt brought
+the bus to a stop.
+
+"Want to get out and walk or shall we go on in the bus?"
+
+The director's reply came quickly.
+
+"Where can we go?"
+
+Curt shrugged his shoulder.
+
+"You know as well as I do. We've got to go someplace; anywhere to stay
+ahead of the fire."
+
+"Then jam the bus along as far as it will go," ordered the director.
+
+"Who's going to pay for the damage?" demanded the driver.
+
+"Never mind that," snapped Curt. "The first thing is to save our own
+necks. Then we'll worry about the bus."
+
+"But I'll have to report what happened to the company."
+
+"You'll be lucky to get back and make a report," retorted the cowboy.
+
+They lurched into motion once more, traveling almost blindly now, and
+much slower.
+
+Curt felt his way around clumps of underbrush and outcroppings of rock.
+The wind, swirling along with them, carried a heavy curtain of smoke.
+
+They were rolling down a long slope when a front tire let go with an
+explosion like that from a young cannon and Curt twisted desperately at
+the wheel, fighting for control of the big vehicle. The driver jumped to
+help him and between the two of them they brought it to a halt without
+an upset.
+
+Curt jumped out to survey the damage and returned almost at once.
+
+"No chance of repairing the tire even if there was time," he announced.
+"We'll see how much further we can go."
+
+With both Curt and the bus driver clinging to the wheel, they started
+on, though traveling at a painfully slow pace.
+
+At the bottom of the valley they stopped, a thin ribbon of a stream
+blocking their way.
+
+Once more the cowboy lunged out into the smoke-filled night to stamp
+through the shallow waters of the stream. The bottom seemed fairly firm
+and Curt returned and took the wheel.
+
+"We'll try to go through, but everyone unload. No use to carry any
+excess weight."
+
+The entire company piled out of the bus and watched Curt start across
+the stream. He made good progress, the front wheels climbing out on the
+other bank and for a moment it looked like he was going across. Then the
+sand gave way and the back wheels churned up a spray of sand and dirty
+water.
+
+Curt snapped off the ignition and jumped out of the bus.
+
+"We're stalled for keeps," he informed them, "but this is about as good
+a place as we'll find. We'll start backfires and then when it gets bad,
+we can get under a bank along this creek. There'll be water to help us
+here."
+
+Under Curt's dynamic orders, half a dozen backfires were started, the
+men working like mad to clear away the underbrush and destroy all
+inflammable material near the creek bank where they had decided to make
+their stand.
+
+There was little that Janet and Helen could do, but they insisted on
+seizing old coats, wetting them in the stream, and using them to beat
+out the flames of the backfires when they had spread far enough.
+
+The burned area widened rapidly, but Curt spurred his workers on with
+renewed pleas and cajoling. One of the cameramen, slipping away to the
+bus for a minute, trained his camera on the scene and started grinding
+away. The crest of the hill above them was now outlined in a strong,
+crimson and the shadowy forms of the workers were visible as they
+hastened from one backfire to another. Janet saw the cameraman working,
+but she knew their work had progressed far enough so the absence of one
+man would not make a great deal of difference. Then, too, she knew that
+he might get some shots which would be invaluable in some film needing
+good fire sequences.
+
+Fortunately the bank they had selected had been heavily undercut by the
+stream and would afford them protection. Curt set several of the men to
+the task of digging further into the bank and they worked with
+improvised tools taken from the bus.
+
+Janet and Helen soaked the coats they had been using again and returned
+to the task of beating down the backfires. Curt joined them for a
+minute.
+
+"Better get back under the bank. This thing is going to come down this
+slope like a hurricane," he warned.
+
+"We'll wait until the others start down," said Janet, but he took their
+coats and shoved them toward the creek.
+
+"Get going," he ordered, and his voice was firm.
+
+They obeyed, for already the fire was starting down the slope and the
+girls hastened to the creek bed.
+
+The water was shallow, not more than six inches deep in any place and
+the bottom was sandy. Helen slipped off her torn shoes and wiggled her
+toes in the cool luxury of the water. Just then she forgot to worry all
+about the fire in the pleasant delight of having her feet comfortable if
+even for the moment.
+
+Men who had been working on the backfires came tumbling over the bank,
+falling and splashing into the water, but no one minded being dirty or
+wet.
+
+Janet could hear a roaring that sounded like the beat of scores of
+kettle drums--a roaring that was increasing in intensity and furore.
+
+Splashing along the sandy bottom, she came to a lower place in the bank
+where she could look up the slope.
+
+A solid wall of flame topped the crest, then swept down with an amazing
+rapidity. The air was hot and searing like a blast from an over-heated
+furnace.
+
+A handful of men were still grouped around Curt, working until the last
+moment to spread the backfire as far as possible.
+
+Helen, padding through the shallow water, joined Janet and they watched
+the awesome scene together. The roar of the onrushing fire increased and
+waves of heat beat against their faces. Janet knew that it must be
+terrific out on the slope and she wondered when Curt would lead his men
+in.
+
+One of them, gasping and choking, ran toward the creek, lunged past
+them, and hurled himself face downward in the water.
+
+Seconds later Janet heard Curt's cry and the rest of the men, with Curt
+and Billy Fenstow bringing up the rear, ran toward the creek bank.
+
+The director stumbled and fell heavily and the cowboy bent down and
+picked him up. Carrying the director in his arms, Curt, staggering under
+the extra burden, ran on. One of the men leaped over the bank to help
+and together they eased the little director into the water.
+
+Curt turned instantly and watched the rushing flames. The roar was so
+loud now that it was impossible to communicate with one another except
+by shouting and Curt ran from one to another, shouting and pounding them
+down under the bank where they would get the utmost protection.
+
+Reaching out he jerked Janet and Helen sharply and jostled them under
+the bank.
+
+"Get under there and stay under. Put a wet cloth to your nose and mouth.
+Don't breath any more than you have to."
+
+Neither one of them possessed handkerchiefs, for these articles had gone
+astray long before. One sleeve of Janet's dress had been ripped and she
+tore the whole thing out, ripped it again, and gave Helen one half of
+it. They dipped the cloth in the creek, squeezed a little of the water
+out, and applied the makeshift mask to their faces.
+
+Burning brands, carried along by the wind, were dropping in the creek
+now, hissing and sputtering as they struck the water where they soon
+became blackened embers.
+
+Janet, turning toward the opposite bank, saw a clump of underbrush burst
+into flame. The fire, whipped by the rising wind, spread out rapidly.
+Venturing a peep above the creek bank, a searing blast of heat struck
+her forehead and she could feel her hair curl. One glance was enough,
+for a towering wall of flame seemed to be rising straight into the sky.
+
+Janet ducked back under the protection of the bank and dipped the cloth
+into the water again. She straightened up again and glanced toward the
+bus. The cameraman who had been grinding away steadily had deserted the
+bus and was dragging his camera with him. He reached the shelter of the
+bank and other willing hands helped him set up the machine in a position
+that was well protected.
+
+It was impossible to hear now and Janet felt Helen crowding close toward
+her. They looked at each other through staring eyes--eyes that reflected
+the inward fear that gripped their hearts. The heat was stifling now.
+The cloths they had soaked with water were drying with incredible
+rapidity and Janet remembered Curt's warning to breath as lightly as
+possible. Helen, shoeless, was standing in the water. A hot ember
+dropped beside them and struck one of Helen's legs before it had cooled.
+She winced at the pain, but there was no escape.
+
+It seemed as though the entire opposite slope of the valley suddenly
+burst into flame and the intensity of the heat redoubled. Janet held her
+breath and dipped down into the stream to wet the cloth again. Helen did
+likewise a moment later and they gained some relief.
+
+Billy Fenstow and Curt Newsom were crouched beside the cameraman who was
+still grinding away at the red terror.
+
+Again the cloths on their faces dried and their breaths came in great
+choking gasps. Janet felt as though her heat-seared lungs would burst.
+She wanted to cry, but the tears were whipped away by the hot blasts.
+
+The flame on the opposite slope seemed to reach a new peak of intensity
+and the water at their feet ran crimson. Then the roar lessened, the
+peak of the fire was past.
+
+Janet, through smoke-rimmed eyes, saw it sweep over the far crest of the
+valley. Scattered fires were left burning in its wake, but the main
+advance of the fire had rushed on seeking new conquests.
+
+As the red glow ebbed, they crept out from under the bank and dropped
+with abandon into the shallow waters. It mattered little that embers,
+some of them still hot, were drifting in the stream, or that the water
+itself was now lukewarm--it was a haven from the horror that had just
+passed.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Ten
+
+A WELCOME RESCUE
+
+
+Janet couldn't even guess how many minutes they rested on the stream bed
+with the water washing away the aches in their weary bodies. As usual,
+Curt took the initiative when he had regained a portion of the abundant
+vitality that flowed through his veins.
+
+The cowboy sat up and surveyed the scene. A dozen fires were still
+burning in the valley and the horizon ahead of them, tinged in crimson,
+marked the passing of the fire demon.
+
+Billy Fenstow, digging sand out of his ears and sputtering heartily, was
+the first to speak.
+
+"Curt, how in thunder are we ever going to get out of here?"
+
+The cowboy shook his head.
+
+"Walk," he moaned, looking down at the once fancy boots which had never
+been intended for the heavy work in which they had been used that night.
+
+Billy Fenstow groaned in anguish.
+
+"Then I guess I'll just settle down and wait for a flood to come along
+and wash me down the valley or until I come to some culvert where I'll
+stick."
+
+The cameraman who had ground away steadily through the thick of the
+raging flames crept over to his machine. It had been subject to terrific
+heat and there was only a small chance that the negative had come
+through without serious damage.
+
+"How many feet did you shoot?" asked the director.
+
+The photographer squinted at the footage indicator on the camera, but
+there was not enough light to note the figures.
+
+"If the film isn't ruined they'll be the best scenes of a blaze like
+this that have ever been filmed," he predicted.
+
+Janet struggled into a sitting position and looked around. Her eyes
+sought the bus, with only faint hopes that the vehicle had come through
+unscathed. If it had, it would offer their one hope of escape for she
+felt that repairs might be made to the tires and if not, maybe they
+could limp along.
+
+But her hopes were doomed to disappointment. The bus was a glowing mass
+of steel. Fire had swept over it, igniting the upholstery and burning
+out the entire interior of the bus. It was a hollow shell with gaping
+windows.
+
+Curt Newsom stood up.
+
+"There's no use sitting around here wondering what we'll do," he said.
+"If a couple of the boys will come along, I'll start back to the trail
+and we'll keep going until we find someone or can reach a telephone."
+
+Two other cowboys joined Curt.
+
+"The rest of you might follow us and get back as far as the ranch. Maybe
+there'll be a little drinking water left in that well," advised Curt as
+he started up the trail, hobbling painfully on his twisted boots.
+
+Helen looked at her oxfords. They were in even worse shape than Curt's
+boots.
+
+"I guess I'll have to stay here," she said, half to herself and half to
+Janet. "I'd never make it back to the ranch."
+
+Janet picked up the water soaked piece of cloth she had used as a mask
+to shield her face.
+
+"Wrap this around one foot and use your piece for your other foot. Then
+slip your oxford on loosely. That ought to ease the pain."
+
+Helen looked grateful and tried the suggestion at once. She wrapped the
+damp cloth around as tightly as possible and then pulled on her shoes.
+It was a snug fit, but there was a soft cushion for her bruised feet to
+rest upon. She stood up and tried walking.
+
+"That's much better. Thanks a lot, Janet."
+
+Billy Fenstow took charge then.
+
+"We'll start for the ranch and go as far as we can," he decided. "There
+may be some shelter there and we're in no condition to stay out any
+longer than necessary."
+
+With the director in the van, the singed and tired band started back for
+the ranch. After a short distance they struck the trail. It was faint,
+but they managed to follow it without too much difficulty.
+
+Hot blasts of air seemed to sweep down from all sides and breathing
+became a painful exercise again. Janet wished that she might have just
+one cool, sweet breath of air--just one.
+
+Helen stumbled and Janet reached out and caught her companion before she
+fell.
+
+"All right?" asked Janet anxiously, for Helen was not of as sturdy stock
+as she.
+
+"I'll make it," replied Helen, the words coming from tight-set lips.
+
+But Janet was not so sure that Helen could do it. They fell further and
+further behind the others, but at last they topped the final ridge and
+looked down in the valley where the ranch had been, where they had
+filmed so many scenes of "Water Hole," the new picture.
+
+It was too dark to see the outlines of the ranchhouse but Janet could
+discern several large, glowing piles of embers and she knew that even
+the buildings at the ranch had been destroyed by the fire. Perhaps the
+well was still filled with pure sweet water. Her throat seemed drier at
+the thought and she turned her full attention to Helen, who needed a
+supporting arm for the final, down hill lap of their journey.
+
+The cowboys were the first to reach the ranchyard and Janet could hear
+them ripping the cover off the well. There was a shout ahead of them.
+
+"The water's okay. Hurry up!" It was one of the cowboys, and the news
+gave them the courage to quicken their lagging steps.
+
+Billy Fenstow handed Janet a blackened dipper, but she insisted that
+Helen take the first drink. There was plenty of water and they all drank
+their fill while Billy Fenstow scrambled around the timbers above the
+well hunting for the wires which had been fastened to the film
+containers they had lowered into the well. He found them at last, but
+decided they were safer in the water than any place else.
+
+"What about going on?" asked one of the cowboys.
+
+"No use in that. Someone had used the dipper before we got here, so that
+means Curt is up ahead of us and he's traveling much faster than we
+could. We'll do better to wait right here where they'll find us. Try and
+make yourselves comfortable."
+
+But the director's last words were of little help. The air was still dry
+and searing and there was no shelter anywhere. Fires still glowed all
+over the valley and little clouds of smoke swept around them.
+
+Janet and Helen walked over to the ranchhouse, but the embers were
+glowing so brightly that it was impossible to get very close.
+
+"I ache all over," confessed Helen. "When I finally get into bed I'm
+going to sleep the clock around."
+
+"Count me in on that program," nodded Janet. "Well, we might as well sit
+down and keep as comfortable as possible."
+
+But they went back to the well for another drink before trying to relax
+on the ground.
+
+The men were gathered a short distance away, talking in low voices about
+their harrowing escape. They conversed in monotones that soon lulled the
+girls' tired minds and before she knew it Janet found herself dozing.
+They were fitful little naps, broken with sudden thoughts of the fire.
+Then she would snap to complete wakefulness, only to have her fatigue
+overcome her again. She had dozed perhaps half a dozen times when the
+increasing chill of the air awakened her.
+
+Helen, curled up on the ground, was breathing steadily and deeply and
+had not noticed the change in the atmosphere.
+
+Janet scanned the horizon. There was no scarlet in the northwest
+now--only a dense blackness that seemed to be growing thicker. The
+southeastern sky was still vividly flame seared.
+
+The men had ceased their talking, but an occasional glow of a cigarette
+marked the dark huddle where they had gathered. A slight snore could be
+heard and Janet attributed it to their tubby little director. A flash of
+lightning illumined the mounting clouds and Janet shivered at the
+thought of a storm sweeping down on them after the fire.
+
+Helen must have felt the shiver run through Janet's body for she stirred
+sleepily.
+
+"I'll sleep another hour," she mumbled, and Janet knew her companion
+thought they were back home. There was no need to awaken Helen now. She
+might just as well get as much relaxation as possible.
+
+Helen slipped back into a deep sleep and Janet kept a lone vigil. The
+clouds swept higher and a distant rumble of thunder came down from the
+hills.
+
+The men were moving restlessly now and Janet could hear Billy Fenstow
+berating the weather. But there was nothing they could do about it
+except complain a little and then hope that someone would reach them
+before the coming storm broke.
+
+Janet wondered how far Curt and the two cowboys who had gone with him
+had been able to travel. Perhaps their aching feet had forced them to
+stop. But, knowing Curt, she had a feeling that he would get through and
+bring help to them as soon as possible.
+
+Helen sat up, rubbing her blood-shot eyes.
+
+"More fire?" she asked as the rumble of the thunder smote her ears.
+
+"Well, not quite that bad. Just a thunderstorm."
+
+Helen shivered. "We'll catch our death of cold," she groaned, and Janet
+had to admit that Helen's fears were not unwarranted. After the heat of
+the fire and the fatigue, they would be excellent candidates for severe
+colds or anything else that happened along.
+
+Several of the men who had been hunting around the ranchyard returned to
+the well.
+
+"Can't even find half a board," one of them reported. "The fire swept
+everything clean."
+
+Billy Fenstow turned to Janet and explained.
+
+"I had a couple of the boys out looking for some boards or anything we
+could use to build a shelter for you girls."
+
+"That was thoughtful," replied Janet, "but we'll get along all right."
+
+Billy grumbled to himself. He wasn't so sure. The girls had stood a lot
+already and there was a limit to their endurance.
+
+A patter of rain struck them, the drops sizzling as they came down on
+the remains of the ranchhouse.
+
+Janet's spirits dropped and for the first time in weeks she felt like
+having a good, old-fashioned crying spell, but there wasn't any pillow
+where she could bury her head and she didn't want to cry in front of the
+men in the company.
+
+The valley was hushed for a moment. Even the thunder was silent in the
+breathless pause that often comes just before a mid-summer storm vents
+its fury.
+
+It was during this pause that Helen, watching the hills below the storm
+clouds, caught a flash of light. It was too low for lightning and she
+gripped Janet's right arm.
+
+"There's a car coming!" she cried.
+
+Janet turned hopefully and looked in the direction Helen pointed, but
+there was no sign of light and she heard an involuntary sob escape from
+Helen.
+
+Then it came again, two twin beams of light cutting around a hill. Helen
+was right! A car was coming and Janet, unashamed, felt the tears flowing
+freely down her cheeks.
+
+Billy Fenstow was talking to himself.
+
+"I knew that lanky cowboy would do it," he said, repeating it over and
+over as though he were a human talking machine, stuck on a single note.
+
+A horn sounded a warning note as the oncoming vehicle swung into the
+ranchyard just as the sky opened and the first sweep of rain struck the
+valley. Forgetting all else, they ran toward the machine, which proved
+to be a hulking truck, with a covered top.
+
+Janet and Helen reached the rear. Someone reached down and pulled them
+under the shelter of the top. A flashlight blazed into their faces and a
+strong arm encircled Janet's shoulder. It was Helen's father and they
+knew that their worries for that eventful night were over.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Eleven
+
+NEW PLANS
+
+
+The sky seemed to open wide and a great torrent of rain descended on the
+heat-ridden earth, but Janet and Helen, in the shelter of the truck,
+were safe.
+
+"All right, honey?" demanded Helen's father, and, assured that his
+daughter was no more than bruised and weary, he turned to Janet.
+
+"How about you, Janet?" he asked.
+
+"Tired and dirty--that's all," she managed to smile.
+
+"Here's blankets," he said, picking two off a pile on the floor of the
+truck. "Throw these around your shoulders."
+
+The air was chill now and the girls obeyed without hesitation for their
+own clothes were in a bad state of disrepair.
+
+"How did you find us?" asked Helen when they were seated on the floor of
+the truck, and bouncing along toward the main highway which would take
+them back to Hollywood.
+
+"Curt Newsom got through. We were frantic after the line went dead when
+you were talking to us from the ranchhouse. We were coming in the truck
+and met Curt and the other two cowboys along the trail. From what they
+told us we knew that none of you could stand it to be out in the storm
+and we made all possible speed."
+
+"How's mother?" asked Helen.
+
+"Terribly worried." He turned toward Janet. "We'll phone your folks as
+soon as we get home. The fact that a film company was caught in the
+center of the fire was broadcast over a national chain and I'm afraid
+they may be gravely alarmed."
+
+"I'll call them at once," agreed Janet.
+
+They talked at length of their experiences and at last Helen's father
+turned to Fenstow.
+
+"Lose all of your last-day takes?" he asked.
+
+"Don't believe we lost a one," replied the other director. "We put the
+film cans in the well. One of my boys shot some swell scenes of the fire
+if the camera didn't get too hot and ruin the negative."
+
+"Then I suppose you'll use a fire in your next western?" chuckled Henry
+Thorne.
+
+"Can't say," replied Billy Fenstow. "That will be up to Janet."
+
+"Why Janet?"
+
+"She's going to do my next scenario."
+
+"You're not joking?"
+
+"Of course not. I've gone kind of stale and I thought she could inject
+some fresh material. At least she's going to get a fair chance to see
+just what kind of a film story she can turn out."
+
+"Then I'm predicting that she'll do a good job if it's anything like the
+caliber of her usual work," replied Helen's father.
+
+"Don't count on me too much," cautioned Janet. "This is a new field and
+I may get in so deep I'll never get anything creditable."
+
+The truck swung around a sharp curve. Ahead of them was a blaze of light
+from the headlights of a score of cars which were parked along the paved
+road. Raucous squawks of horns greeted the approaching truck.
+
+It was still raining hard, but a trim figure, clad in a raincoat,
+detached itself from a group in front of one of the cars and hurried
+toward the truck.
+
+"Hello mother. Here I am," called Helen. "Both of us are all right."
+
+She jumped from the truck and into her mother's arms. After a brief
+embrace, her mother spoke quickly.
+
+"We mustn't stand here. You'll catch cold. Here, get under my coat and
+we'll hurry to the car. Janet, you stay in the truck until we can pull
+along here."
+
+Henry Thorne looked down at Janet.
+
+"Pretty tired?"
+
+"Just about all in," she confessed and she found it hard to muster a
+smile.
+
+"Had enough of Hollywood?" he asked quietly.
+
+Janet looked up quickly.
+
+"I don't know, honestly I don't. The way I feel right now all I want is
+sleep and lots of it."
+
+He nodded understandingly and just then the car drove up beside the
+truck and they jumped down and entered it.
+
+Henry Thorne took the wheel while his wife and the girls made themselves
+comfortable in the back seat. Mrs Thorne very wisely made no effort to
+ask them about the events of the night, but tucked them in with blankets
+and before the car had gone half a mile both girls were sound asleep.
+
+The next thing Janet knew someone was shaking her shoulder. It was Mrs.
+Thorne.
+
+"We're home and you can be in bed in five minutes," she said. Janet
+rubbed a little of the sleep from her tired eyes--just enough so she
+could see to get into the house.
+
+Helen, walking ahead of her, moaned now at every step, for her feet had
+been badly bruised by the stones.
+
+Mrs. Thorne hurried ahead to run a tub of hot water while her husband
+drove the car around to the garage. With Mrs. Thorne helping them, the
+girls were soon in fresh pajamas.
+
+Janet decided on a warm shower and Helen followed her under the spray.
+Then Mrs. Thorne treated the bruises on Helen's feet and both girls
+piled into bed.
+
+"Sleep as long as you want to," she said as she snapped off the light.
+
+Janet didn't even hear the click of the switch. She dropped into a deep
+slumber, one so heavy that there were no dreams of fires and storms.
+
+When she finally awoke it was broad daylight. Fresh, sweet air filled
+their room. There was no smell of smoke, no threat of storm, and she
+wondered, for a moment, if she could have been dreaming about the night
+before. It was just possible that it had been a nightmare. Then she
+stretched and the aching muscles of her legs told her that indeed it had
+not been a nightmare.
+
+Janet looked over to Helen's bed. Her friend was still sleeping heavily
+so Janet slipped out of bed quietly, donned her dressing gown, and went
+down to the bathroom.
+
+Mrs. Thorne heard her moving about and looked in for a minute.
+
+"We telephoned your folks last night," she said. "They'd heard the radio
+broadcast and were greatly relieved when we told them both of you were
+safe."
+
+"Oh, thanks so much. I was so sleepy I forgot all about it," confessed
+Janet.
+
+"Helen getting up?" asked Mrs. Thorne.
+
+"No, she's sleeping soundly."
+
+"Then come in to lunch without going back to dress," said Helen's
+mother.
+
+"You mean breakfast?" asked Janet.
+
+Mrs. Thorne smiled. "No, I mean lunch, and a very late lunch at that.
+It's well after two o'clock now."
+
+Janet, finishing her shower, rubbed her body briskly with a heavy towel,
+and slipped the dressing gown on over her pajamas. Then she joined Mrs.
+Thorne in the dining room.
+
+"The morning papers made quite a story of it," said Mrs. Thorne, handing
+Janet a copy.
+
+A bold headline was blazoned across the entire top of the front page:
+
+"MOVIE COMPANY ESCAPES FIRE!"
+
+Then, in terse, action sentences, the story told of the narrow escape of
+Billy Fenstow's western unit. Janet found Helen's name and her own
+mentioned. She was glad that the story gave Curt Newsom full credit for
+the cool-headed work which had saved their lives. Curt deserved every
+word of it.
+
+Helen joined them a few minutes later, limping a little for her feet
+were still aching from the bruises.
+
+The girls passed the remainder of the afternoon resting and at dinner
+that night became involved in a serious discussion with Helen's father
+and mother.
+
+After the dessert, Henry Thorne pushed back his chair and looked at them
+quizzically.
+
+"Summer's about over," was his opening remark and Janet knew that he had
+something on his mind. She had a hunch that she could guess what the
+trend of the conversation was to be.
+
+"You girls made up your minds what you want to do?"
+
+He seemed to have his eyes fixed on Janet, as though looking to her for
+the decision which would guide Helen.
+
+"First of all I want to try to do the story Billy Fenstow asked me to
+do," retorted Janet. "After that I think I'll have had enough of
+Hollywood."
+
+"Getting tired of being an actress?"
+
+"Not at all, I'm just realizing my limitations and after all, I do want
+more education--the type of broadening education that I can get in a
+university."
+
+Henry Thorne swung toward his own daughter.
+
+"What do you think, Helen?"
+
+"Why, I haven't made up my mind yet, Dad. I like Hollywood, I've been
+having a grand time, but I guess I've never really thought of staying on
+here definitely. It was understood from the first that this was just a
+glorious vacation and that when summer ended Mother and I would go back
+to Clarion and I'd go to college."
+
+"I expect that's right," nodded her father. "It did start out to be just
+a vacation proposition and you girls can make it that if you want, but
+I've a new plan that may appeal to you. How would you like to go to
+Radio City in New York for several weeks?"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twelve
+
+THE PREVIEW
+
+
+The girls stared hard at Henry Thorne. It was so like him to toss off an
+important statement in an off-hand manner that it left them almost
+gasping for breath.
+
+"Why, Dad, what do you mean?" demanded Helen.
+
+"Just what I said," smiled her father. "How would you and Janet like to
+go to Radio City for several weeks?"
+
+"I'd like it fine," put in Janet quickly and Helen chorused her own
+agreement.
+
+"Now tell us what it's all about," insisted Helen.
+
+"I'm a little vague on it myself," admitted her father, "except that the
+studio is planning an extensive promotion stunt to boost my last
+picture, 'Kings of the Air,' and the general manager, Mr. Rexler, is
+going to send a part of the cast to New York City where they'll put on a
+radio drama based on the action in the new picture. The whole idea is to
+whet the appetites of the film fans by giving them just enough of the
+story over the air to make them rush to the nearest theater and see the
+actual picture."
+
+"But where do we come in?" asked Janet. "We were only very minor members
+of the cast."
+
+"True enough, but some of the principals are now working on other
+pictures and it would be impractical to release them and send them east
+for a promotional stunt so some of the lesser members of the company
+will make the trip."
+
+"Maybe we're lucky to be lesser members," smiled Helen. "When do we
+start?"
+
+"I don't know exactly. The release date for 'Kings' is next month, so I
+expect you'll leave here in a few weeks."
+
+"That will give me just time enough to try the scenario for Billy
+Fenstow," said Janet. "Maybe I'd better start work on it tonight."
+
+"You look pretty tired. Better wait until morning when you'll be
+thoroughly rested," advised Helen's father.
+
+They adjourned to the living room where they gathered around a large
+table and discussed possible story plots that Janet could use. She made
+several notes and then, with Helen, retired early.
+
+A second night of sleep found the girls feeling greatly refreshed. Henry
+Thorne loaned Janet his own portable typewriter and she set it on a low
+table beside the swimming pool, found some yellow copy paper in the
+house, rolled a fresh sheet into the typewriter, and sat down waiting
+for an idea to pop into her head.
+
+"Hello, author!" said someone from behind her and she swung about to
+face Curt Newsom, who had walked up unheralded.
+
+"Hello, Curt. Sit down. My, but I'm glad to see you. Are you all right
+after the fire?"
+
+The cowboy smiled. "As right as I'll ever be. I was scared half to death
+that night. Say, I saw Billy Fenstow this morning. The picture's all
+together now and they're going to screen it at the Bijou down the street
+after the regular feature. Better be there tonight."
+
+"I'll be there in fear and trembling," smiled Janet.
+
+"Oh, I wouldn't feel that way about it. I think you did a lot better
+than most of the girls I've had in the company."
+
+"Thanks, Curt. That was nice of you to say that, but I realize I have
+very definite limitations as an actress."
+
+"Well, I'm not so hot as an actor," he admitted. "About all I have to do
+is stick on a horse and shoot a gun loaded with blank cartridges."
+
+"That isn't all and you know it," reproved Janet.
+
+Curt looked at the typewriter and the blank sheet of paper.
+
+"I'm keeping you from your work. I only dropped in to tell you about the
+preview tonight. I've got to get along."
+
+"I'm supposed to be generating ideas for Mr. Fenstow's next script,"
+confessed Janet, "but the mental generator seems to have gone on a
+strike."
+
+"What's the story going to be about?"
+
+"You guess," smiled Janet.
+
+"Well, why don't you have a young heiress, pretty much spoiled, who owns
+a ranch. She's never seen it so she goes west for a trip and while there
+learns that most of her fortune has been wiped out through the declining
+value of securities and by embezzlement of some of her trustees. About
+all she has left is the ranch and a brother who is pretty much
+worthless."
+
+"It's a grand idea," exulted Janet. "Then of course we could have a
+cattle war, some rustling, maybe a vein of gold found on the ranch, and
+plenty of action."
+
+"You're supposed to write the story," chided Curt. "Well, I must get
+along."
+
+"Thanks for the help. I'll make you coauthor," called Janet as Curt
+strode toward the street.
+
+Curt's suggestion gave her the nucleus of her story. It would be a
+little different treatment of the western theme. Janet started working,
+her fingers flowing rhythmically over the keys. She wrote simply. All
+that was required of her was a good, comprehensive outline of the story.
+The studio writers would put in the dialogue.
+
+But Janet's interest grew as the story progressed and she found herself
+putting in conversation and bits of description of the characters. She
+was so absorbed that Helen came and stood beside her for several minutes
+before she was aware of her presence.
+
+"Going strong?" she asked.
+
+Janet, barely interrupting the smooth flow of her story, nodded.
+
+"Preview's tonight at the Bijou after the regular feature. Curt Newsom
+stopped to tell us."
+
+"Then you'd better stop writing now. You've been at it steadily for more
+than hour. You want to feel peppy tonight when we go to see the
+preview."
+
+Janet finished the paragraph and pulled the sheet of copy from the
+machine. She had written eight pages and the top and bottom margins were
+narrow. She wanted to keep on writing, but knew that Helen's advice was
+sound. She wanted to be rested enough to enjoy "Water Hole," to see
+herself, for probably the only time in her life, as the leading lady of
+a motion picture.
+
+They met Billy Fenstow at the box office and he handed them tickets for
+a few seats which had been reserved for his friends.
+
+"Nervous?" he asked Janet.
+
+"A little. How is it?"
+
+"Wait and see. Here comes Mr. Rexler."
+
+The girls turned in time to see the taciturn general manager of the Ace
+studio stride into the lobby. Close behind him was Helen's father. Janet
+felt her heart sink. Here was the chief of the studio on hand to
+pronounce final judgment on the picture. But Bill Fenstow seemed
+unperturbed and she forced herself to be calm.
+
+They all went in together. The feature was a south sea love drama
+produced by a rival studio and it was typical program picture with
+nothing to make it outstanding in interest.
+
+Then the picture they had been waiting for flashed on the screen.
+"'Water Hole,' directed by Billy Fenstow, starring Curt Newsom and
+produced by the Ace Motion Picture Corp." Then came the credits for the
+story, photography, etc., and finally the cast of characters with Curt's
+name at the top. Janet felt her heart stop for one breathless moment,
+Her name--_Janet Hardy_--was the second in the cast and directly under
+that was Helen's.
+
+Then the picture zoomed away to a fast start with the action that always
+characterized a Billy Fenstow production. Janet tried to be critical,
+but she couldn't help enjoying the picture and her voice didn't sound so
+terribly bad as it came out of the loudspeakers.
+
+The picture ended all too suddenly. The house lights came up and Janet
+found herself staring at the others, waiting for their verdict.
+
+Rexler was the first to speak. He leaned over and tapped Billy Fenstow
+on the shoulder.
+
+"Nice show, Billy. Got the girl signed up?"
+
+Billy turned to Janet.
+
+"How about it; want to sign a contract to stay with my unit?"
+
+Suddenly Janet knew that she didn't. It had been a wonderful summer,
+climaxed in the picture she had just seen with herself as leading lady,
+but now she was just a little homesick. Then, too, there was the trip to
+Radio City.
+
+"Not right now," she told the director. "Later, perhaps, but not now."
+
+The general manager looked at her strangely.
+
+"I wouldn't be surprised if it is the smartest thing you could do. If
+you change your mind, let me know."
+
+He stood up and stalked down the aisle, but Janet knew now that she
+would never change her mind.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Thirteen
+
+JANET TURNS AUTHOR
+
+
+Early the next morning Janet returned to the task of writing the story
+for Billy Fenstow's next picture. The story developed rapidly and she
+found plenty of opportunities to provide the hard-riding action for
+which Curt Newsom was famous.
+
+She worked steadily until mid-forenoon when Helen joined her in the
+garden.
+
+"How is it going?" she asked.
+
+"It's lots of fun, and I think I have a fairly good idea. Whether I'm
+getting it across is another thing," smiled Janet. "I suspect the
+regular studio writers will think it pretty much a mess when they get
+their hands on it."
+
+"I wouldn't care much what they think as long as Mr. Fenstow likes it.
+After all, he's the one who will accept or reject it and the check you
+get will depend on his approval."
+
+Janet leaned back in her chair and gazed at the scudding white clouds
+far overhead.
+
+"How much do you suppose they'll pay if they accept the story?" she
+mused.
+
+"Sometimes they pay thousands of dollars," said Helen.
+
+"But only for outstanding books or plays. I mean for little stories like
+this; the kind that perhaps have an idea in them that can be developed
+further by the studio staff."
+
+"Maybe a thousand dollars," ventured Helen.
+
+"That would be enough," said Janet, a faraway look in her eyes.
+
+"Now just what do you mean by that?" Helen wanted to know.
+
+"A thousand dollars would go a long ways toward guaranteeing me a
+college education. Why, with what I've saved out of our salaries this
+summer, I'd have nearly two thousand dollars and I could make that go a
+long ways toward four years of college."
+
+"I've saved a lot this summer, too," admitted Helen. "Dad and mother
+were talking this morning. We're going back to Clarion."
+
+Helen was silent for a moment. Then Janet spoke.
+
+"When are you going back?"
+
+"Soon; perhaps next week. But you and I will go on to New York to help
+with the radio promotion of 'Kings of the Air.'"
+
+"Will you be happy in Clarion after a summer here?" asked Janet,
+watching her companion closely.
+
+"I'm sure I will. After all, I'm a small town girl and all this amazes
+and scares me a little. Perhaps when college days are over I'll want to
+come back and try to make a name for myself in pictures. Dad thinks that
+would be wise."
+
+"What school are you going to go to?" Janet asked the question with
+bated breath. They had always planned on going to their own state
+university, Corn Belt U., but she thought it possible that Helen's
+father might have expressed some other preference since their arrival on
+the coast.
+
+"Corn Belt U.," replied Helen. "Dad left that entirely up to me and of
+course I wanted to follow out our plans."
+
+Janet sighed heartily. She was elated at Helen's words for it meant that
+the pleasant companionship they had enjoyed through high school days
+could continue through college.
+
+"We'll have lots of fun," said Helen, "but if we go on to Radio City for
+the promotion work we'll have to register late. Perhaps we can arrange
+for that while we're home. It isn't more than half a day's drive from
+home to school."
+
+"I'm sure we can, especially if we explain that the trip to New York
+will enable us to earn more money for our college educations."
+
+"But, Janet, you know we don't actually have to earn our way through
+school. Dad's got plenty and your father is comfortably fixed."
+
+"I know it, but it's a matter of pride. I'd like to have as much of my
+own money as possible for college. If I got in a pinch, I'd yell for
+Dad's help, I suppose."
+
+They talked on about college plans and were finally interrupted when
+Mrs. Thorne summoned them to lunch,
+
+More plans for their return to Clarion were made at the luncheon table.
+Packing would have to be started soon.
+
+"Let's pick out our college wardrobes here in Hollywood. Then we'll be
+sure and have the latest styles."
+
+"Maybe Hollywood styles won't be campus styles," smiled Janet, "but I
+would like a chance to wear that wonderful gown Roddy made for me to a
+college party."
+
+It was pleasant to think of their first experience in Hollywood when
+Roddy, the famous designer of gowns at the Ace studio, had created
+gorgeous evening gowns for them to wear at their first movie premiere.
+Janet could imagine that wearing such gowns at a party on the campus at
+Corn Belt U. would create quite a sensation, and she thrilled pleasantly
+at the thought.
+
+After luncheon was over, Janet returned to her writing and Helen joined
+her beside the pool, stripping the wrapper off a copy of the _Clarion
+Times_, which had arrived on the noonday mail.
+
+"Look at this; what nerve!" exclaimed Helen, shoving the front page of
+the paper at Janet. She pointed to a story in the center of the page.
+
+Janet stared at the headline with unbelieving eyes.
+
+    "LOCAL GIRLS FEATURED IN MOVIE."
+
+Her eyes followed down to the story, which heralded the fact that Cora
+Dean and Margie Blake, Clarion girls touring in the west, had been
+drafted for roles in a western picture by Billy Fenstow, the famous
+director. Janet read on.
+
+"Miss Dean and Miss Blake report that Janet Hardy and Helen Thorne also
+have roles in the picture," the story said.
+
+It was then that Janet flushed. She could have told Cora and Margie just
+what she thought of them if they had been anywhere within hearing
+distance but fortunately for them, perhaps, they were a good many miles
+away.
+
+"How do you suppose the _Times_ got that story?" asked Janet, the flush
+fading from her cheeks.
+
+"I know," said Helen with emphasis. "Cora wrote to Pete Benda, the city
+editor, and gave him all of the information which is in the story.
+Imagine her telling him 'that we are also in the picture.' I'm certainly
+going to see that 'Water Hole' is shown in the theaters at home. That
+will kind of spoil their story."
+
+Janet laughed. "Perhaps Cora and Margie did feel that they had the major
+roles. You never can tell what others will think is important."
+
+"It would be a joke on them if the film cutters left out the sequence
+they're in," chuckled Helen.
+
+Janet looked at her quickly.
+
+"Don't you suggest that to anyone," she warned.
+
+"I won't," promised Helen.
+
+Janet handed the paper back to her companion and went on with her work.
+She spent most of the afternoon at the typewriter and when she was
+through, felt that she had done a good day's work. The manuscript would
+be ready with only another morning's writing.
+
+Billy Fenstow, dropping in after dinner for a visit with Helen's father
+inquired about the story and Janet handed him the first draft of as much
+as she had completed.
+
+The little director read it with interest, the lines around his eyes
+gathering in little puckers as he skimmed through the typed pages. Janet
+almost held her breath through all the time he was reading and she saw
+Henry Thorne leaning forward, trying to read some reaction on Billy
+Fenstow's face.
+
+When the director had finished, he looked up and smiled at Janet.
+
+"Reads well," he commented. "Of course there are a lot of rough spots,
+but we'll be able to use it."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Fourteen
+
+CLOTHES BY RODDY
+
+
+Janet felt her pulse pounding. Acceptance of the story would mean a
+great deal toward swelling her college fund and she leaned forward
+eagerly.
+
+"You mean you'll accept it?" she asked.
+
+"If your final chapters are as good as these, we'll take it," replied
+Mr. Fenstow. "Of course we won't be able to pay a whole lot since the
+studio staff will have to whip it into shape, but we'll make it worth
+your while."
+
+"How much do you think it will be?" this was from Helen, whose interest
+in the sale of the story was almost as great as Janet's.
+
+Billy Fenstow mopped his forehead.
+
+"That will be up to Mr. Rexler. I'd say that it wouldn't be more than a
+thousand dollars."
+
+"Really!" gasped Janet, who had visions of her college fund mounting in
+one great jump.
+
+"Well, maybe not that much, but I'll get all I can for you. Now you
+finish it up as rapidly as possible."
+
+"It will be ready tomorrow noon," promised Janet.
+
+Billy Fenstow left a short time later and after he had gone, Henry
+Thorne spoke to them about the journey back to Clarion.
+
+"Now that Janet is practically assured the sale of her story, we'd
+better make our plans. Can you be ready to start home next Monday?"
+
+The girls looked blankly at each other. Of course they had known that
+their stay in Hollywood was near an end, but to put the date so soon was
+something of a shock.
+
+Mrs. Thorne spoke first.
+
+"I'm sure we can, Henry. But we'll almost need a truck to take back all
+of the things we've accumulated."
+
+"I'll have some professional packers come out and make whatever boxes
+are needed," her husband assured her.
+
+"But we've got to get clothes," wailed Helen. "We want to wear Hollywood
+styles when we go to college."
+
+Her father bit the end of his cigar and looked at it thoughtfully.
+
+"Why don't you call on Roddy?"
+
+"But he wouldn't do clothes for us; we couldn't afford it," said Helen.
+
+"He might do it for you as a special favor to me," grinned her father.
+"As a matter of fact, I think he mentioned something about it the other
+day. Wanted to know when you were leaving and said he might be able to
+do something for you."
+
+"We'll see him the first thing in the morning," said Helen.
+
+"I won't," spoke up Janet. "I've got to finish the story whether I have
+clothes made by Roddy or not."
+
+"That's the fight, Janet," said Henry Thorne.
+
+"When do we go on to Radio City?" asked Helen.
+
+"You'll have only a couple of days at home. Then you'll have to go on to
+New York."
+
+"How long will we be there?" Janet wanted to know.
+
+"I'm not sure. At least ten days; perhaps more."
+
+"Which means we'll have to hurry back home and start in to school as
+soon as our work at Radio City is over," put in Helen. "I wonder how it
+will seem to be before a microphone?"
+
+"Not any worse than before a camera," said Janet.
+
+They talked on at length of plans for their college days and although it
+was late when they went to bed, Janet was up early and working at her
+typewriter. The final two chapters of her story unrolled easily and
+rapidly and at eleven o'clock she leaned back in her chair. The job was
+done.
+
+Helen had gone on to the studio to talk with Roddy and Janet was to join
+her after lunch. Janet stood up and stretched. Her back ached from the
+strain of bending over her typewriter and she went into the house and
+changed into her trim swimming suit. Fifteen minutes in the pool washed
+away the aches and when she emerged she felt greatly refreshed.
+
+Janet dressed carefully for she wanted to look well when she talked to
+Roddy. Mrs. Thorne was the only other one at home for lunch and they
+enjoyed a pleasant meal.
+
+Janet picked up the finished manuscript and took it with her to the
+studio. She left it at Billy Fenstow's office and went on to the
+building where Roddy had his office and where the wizard of design
+created the gorgeous fashions that were worn by the stars in the big
+productions at the Ace studio.
+
+Helen was in Roddy's own fitting room and Janet joined her there. Roddy
+appeared in a few minutes and after greeting her warmly, set about the
+task of providing her with a new outfit.
+
+"Tell me just what you want," he smiled.
+
+"Honestly, I don't know. I'm going to college," said Janet.
+
+"Then let me decide," he begged and Janet agreed.
+
+The next hours passed in a swirl of fittings and cloth which was draped
+this way and that around them, and when they were through neither girl
+knew exactly what had happened.
+
+"That's all," said the little designer. "I'll send them to your home. It
+will be a week before they're ready."
+
+"Thanks so much," said the girls as Roddy waved them out of the office.
+
+"What do you suppose he's going to make?" asked Janet.
+
+"Well, I know there'll be a sport outfit and an afternoon dress; perhaps
+something for the classroom; about three apiece."
+
+"But how will we ever pay for them? The materials alone will be more
+than we can afford."
+
+"Let's not worry about that. I have a hunch that there will never be a
+bill for them."
+
+They met Helen's father near the studio entrance and they all drove home
+together.
+
+"I've had a long talk with the general manager," he said. "You've got to
+be in Radio City in about ten days."
+
+"That won't mean much time at home," said Janet.
+
+"Nor much to get to Corn Belt U. and get our late registrations fixed
+up," added Helen.
+
+"Don't worry about that. All those details can be taken care of," said
+her father. "Just plan to have a good time in Radio City when you get
+there."
+
+Both girls knew that they would enjoy their broadcasting experience in
+New York to the utmost. There might be a little fear of the microphone
+but they knew that facing a camera couldn't be any harder than one of
+the silent "Mikes."
+
+At dinner that night they told of their hours with Roddy and speculated
+again at the creations which his fertile mind would turn out for them.
+
+"No use to try and guess," warned Helen's father. "You never can predict
+what Roddy will do."
+
+On the following day Janet received a telephone call from Billy Fenstow.
+
+"Can you come over to the studio?" he asked.
+
+"Just as soon as a taxi can get me there," she promised.
+
+Helen and her mother were down town shopping and Janet phoned for a
+taxi. She slipped into a fresh dress while she was waiting and then was
+whirled away to the studio. Envious eyes watched her go through the
+gates which were shut to so many.
+
+Janet found the little director in his office back at stage nine, her
+pile of manuscript in front of him.
+
+"I've finished the story and Mr. Rexler has gone over it," said the
+director, after greeting Janet and waving her toward a chair.
+
+She waited breathlessly for his next words.
+
+"We both think it will do. Mind, it isn't anything sensational, but it
+does have a new twist or two and can be made into a Curt Newsom feature
+very well."
+
+He paused and picked up a check which was on his desk.
+
+"There will have to be a great deal done to the story by our own writing
+staff, so we felt seven hundred and fifty dollars would be a fair price
+to offer for the story," he said handing the check to Janet.
+
+She took it mechanically and turned it over. Then looked at the name on
+the face of the check. It was payable to Janet Hardy.
+
+"Thanks so much, Mr. Fenstow. It's very satisfactory."
+
+"Too bad you won't stay on. I'd give you the lead," he urged.
+
+"I'm sorry, but I've made up my mind. Perhaps when college days are
+over, I'll come back and apply for a job."
+
+"You'll get one if I'm still on the lot grinding out westerns," he
+promised.
+
+Janet left the little office and walked across the sprawling motion
+picture plant. It was probably her last visit for the hours left before
+their departure would be filled with thoughts of packing. It was a dull
+time at the studio, with only one or two pictures in production, but
+with the coming weeks every sound stage would be humming with activity
+as new celluloid dramas were rushed to completion for the entertainment
+of millions of movie fans. Janet knew that she would not be a part of
+it, but there was a tremendous satisfaction in recalling the experiences
+of the past weeks and looking forward to the new ones that were bound to
+come at Radio City.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Fifteen
+
+HOMEWARD BOUND
+
+
+Hours filled with packing and last minute details took their time up
+almost until the actual hour of the departure of their plane. They
+finished finally at midnight and they were to take the four o'clock
+eastbound plane for the midwest. New schedules had been inaugurated
+since they had come west and they would be home in time for dinner that
+night.
+
+Helen's mother came in.
+
+"You girls must get some sleep, or you'll look pretty much worn out when
+you reach Clarion."
+
+"I'm too excited to sleep," confessed Janet.
+
+"Then let's take a swim in the pool. That ought to relax us," urged
+Helen.
+
+They slipped into their suits and for nearly half an hour enjoyed the
+pool. The moon was well up in the cloudless sky and it was an ideal
+night. Neither girl said very much, just floated on the pool, wondering
+what the coming weeks would have in store for them.
+
+When they finally emerged from the water they were ready to call it a
+day and they were sound asleep by one o'clock.
+
+Mrs. Thorne called them at three. It was still dark, but a hot breakfast
+was ready for them in the dining room. Even up to the last minute it
+seemed as though there were a host of things to do and they took a final
+survey of the house before they closed their bags. Two cabs were
+waiting; one for them and the other to take their bags.
+
+It was exactly three-thirty when they started for the airport. The
+streets were deserted and lights were on in only a few of the homes.
+Their cab swung on to a boulevard and flashed past the entrance of the
+Ace studio. Janet caught only a glimpse of the plant, but she felt a
+queer tightening of her heart, and she wondered if she had been wise in
+deciding to leave Hollywood. But it was too late now. She had made her
+decision.
+
+At the airport the big twin-motored transport was on the ramp, its
+motors idling and flickers of blue flame coming out of the exhaust under
+the wing.
+
+An attendant at the gate checked the tickets Henry Thorne held in his
+hand and they were escorted to the plane where their stewardess assigned
+their seats. The cabin of this ship was even more luxuriously furnished
+than the one in which they had flown west and Janet settled herself
+comfortably into the thickly upholstered chair. Their baggage was stowed
+in the tail of the plane and then she saw the pilots come out of the
+office.
+
+They stepped into the cabin and walked up the narrow aisle to their own
+compartment. Both of them were youthful and Janet wondered that they had
+the marvelous skill in their hands necessary to guide the huge plane on
+its flight.
+
+Two more passengers hastened up to the gate and were escorted to the
+cabin. Then the stewardess checked the list of reservations. In addition
+to Henry Thorne and his party, there were only the two late-comers, both
+of whom were men.
+
+The motors roared and the plane rolled ahead, gaining speed rapidly.
+Before Janet knew it they were off the ground and soaring into a half
+light of the early day. A blanket of lights unfolded beneath them, but
+the lights were strangely dim and the plane headed away for the
+mountains, climbing steadily to have safety in crossing the dangerous
+peaks.
+
+Night faded rapidly now and they were well into the mountains at
+sunrise. They were heading northeast, flying now over great stretches of
+desolate land where there was nothing but sand and sagebrush, and
+sometimes precious little sagebrush.
+
+Salt Lake City was beneath them almost before they knew it and when the
+plane landed there Janet and Helen got out to stretch their legs while
+the crews were changed and the plane refuelled. Then they were in the
+air again, climbing once more to get above the continental divide and
+after that came the descent to Cheyenne. Lunch was served aboard the
+plane with Omaha the next stop and they roared on east as the sun rolled
+westward.
+
+Janet was watching the landscape below closely now for this was her home
+state--a land dotted with many farms and huddles of houses that were the
+villages, tied together by strips of white highway and an occasional
+train that seemed to be puffing along a ladder which had been laid on
+the ground.
+
+Almost before she knew it the motors of the plane lessened their roar
+and a town appeared underneath. It was Rubio, the nearest regular stop
+on the transcontinental line.
+
+The giant transport settled down easily. Janet felt the wheels touch and
+she looked eagerly through the heavy glass of the window for the first
+glimpse of her father and mother.
+
+She saw them on the ramp, gazing anxiously at the plane as it wheeled up
+to the concrete slab.
+
+Janet, the first out of the plane, ran to greet them. Her mother
+embraced her affectionately and her father gave her a hearty hug.
+
+"My, but it's good to see you!" he declared. "We've missed you so much."
+
+"And I've missed you, but I've had a grand time," replied Janet, locking
+her arms in theirs.
+
+The Thornes came up and there were greetings all around. Then Henry
+Thorne and Janet's father supervised the loading of the luggage into the
+Hardy sedan.
+
+The car was crowded, but they had so much to talk about and were so
+eager to say it that the inconvenience of short space mattered little.
+
+Taking turns, Janet and Helen, rather breathlessly, told the story of
+their summer in Hollywood while John Hardy whirled them smoothly and
+safely along the ribbon of concrete that led from Rubio to Clarion.
+
+They stopped at the Thorne home and unloaded most of the luggage there.
+
+"You're coming over to dinner," Mrs. Hardy told them. "Is six-thirty all
+right?"
+
+"We'll be there," promised Mrs. Thorne, who was anxious for all of the
+news of her friends in Clarion.
+
+When they were home, Janet and her father and mother sat down in the
+comfortable living room and she told them more in detail of her
+adventures in the west, of the making of the western films and of their
+narrow escape from death in the fire.
+
+"We were greatly worried by the radio report," said her father, "but the
+call from the Thornes reassured us."
+
+Janet's mother spoke up.
+
+"Are you going on to New York City?"
+
+"Yes, mother. We'll only have a few days at home. Then Helen and I are
+to go on to New York for a few days for a promotional broadcast on Mr.
+Thorne's new picture, 'Kings of the Air.' You know, we had minor roles
+in it and some members of the cast are being sent east to take part in
+this promotion work. I think it will be great fun."
+
+"But how about college?" her father wanted to know.
+
+"That's one of the things I'll have to see about while I'm home this
+time. Maybe you would drive Helen and me over to Corn Belt U. some time
+tomorrow or the next day so we could see about registration? We'll have
+to arrange to enter classes late."
+
+"We can go tomorrow," nodded her father. "I've arranged to spend most of
+the rest of the week at home. Mother and I want to hear _all_ about
+Hollywood."
+
+"I didn't see it all," smiled Janet. "But it's a grand place, at least
+in which to spend one summer."
+
+The Thornes arrived promptly at the dinner hour and they visited at
+length over a leisurely meal. At eight o'clock Henry Thorne glanced at
+his watch.
+
+"The manager of the Pastime telephoned just before dinner to say that he
+had received a print of 'Water Hole,' a new western, and would add it to
+his regular program tonight. Think you'd like to go?"
+
+"Why, Janet, isn't that the picture you and Helen were in?" asked her
+mother.
+
+Janet nodded and turned to Henry Thorne, who was smiling.
+
+"I believe you had that print of the film shipped east on the plane with
+us," she accused.
+
+"What of it?" he parried.
+
+"Of course we'll go," said Janet's mother. "We'll leave the dishes right
+on the table. It isn't every day that I get such an opportunity."
+
+Helen slipped away from the table and Janet could hear her at the phone
+calling for Pete Benda, the city editor of the _Times_.
+
+"Pete? This is Helen Thorne. Yes, I'm back in town. Drop in at the
+Pastime this evening if you'd like to see the parts that Cora Dean and
+Margie Blake took in that western picture they wrote you about. No,
+never mind a story about us now. We've had plenty of publicity."
+
+Helen hung up the receiver and turned to face Janet.
+
+"Do you think that was nice?" asked Janet, but there was an upward twist
+of her lips.
+
+"Maybe it wasn't exactly nice, but it was a lot of fun," conceded Helen.
+
+There was just a tang of fall in the air and they slipped on light
+jackets, deciding to walk to the theater, which was less than half a
+dozen blocks away.
+
+Janet's father insisted on buying the tickets for the party and they had
+excellent seats well down in the front of the theater. Janet thought she
+saw Pete Benda slide into a seat ahead of them, but she couldn't be
+sure.
+
+The regular feature came to an end and the western, which had been
+added, flashed on the screen. Janet felt her pulse quicken as the title
+and the cast of characters, with her own name under Curt Newsom's. The
+action started and she glanced at her father and mother. They were
+completely absorbed in the picture.
+
+Janet enjoyed it thoroughly. After all, it _was_ a pretty good picture
+for a western and the clothes Roddy had designed for Helen and her added
+just the right touch of smartness.
+
+The action came to a driving climax and then the picture was over and
+people around them started to leave. As they walked down the aisle Pete
+Benda joined them.
+
+"Congratulations, girls. That was a nice show. Say, where were Cora and
+Margie?"
+
+"Didn't you see them?" asked Helen naively.
+
+"Don't kid me," growled Pete. "Where were they?"
+
+"If you had been looking closely at the crowd in one of the scenes in
+the town you would have seen them," smiled Helen. "Better come tomorrow
+night and look again."
+
+"Maybe I will," admitted Pete, "but if I do it will be to look at Janet
+and you. Say, what's this I hear about you going on to Radio City?"
+
+"That's something that will keep," said Helen. "See you later."
+
+On the way home Janet's father and mother told her how proud they were
+of her work and she felt a real sense of elation, for compliments from
+them meant more than from anyone else.
+
+It was well after midnight when she finally went to sleep in the bed in
+her own attractive room. Tomorrow there would be the trip to Corn Belt
+U. and then on to New York in a few days.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Sixteen
+
+GORGEOUS GOWNS
+
+
+The next morning both the Hardy and the Thorne households were up early
+for it had been decided to make the trip to Newton, the seat of Corn
+Belt U., during the morning. The girls could complete their plans for
+registration during the afternoon and in the evening they could return
+home in good time.
+
+Janet was nearly through breakfast when an express messenger called at
+the door.
+
+"Package for Miss Janet Hardy," he announced. "Air express, too."
+
+Janet signed for the package. It was long and unusually well wrapped and
+when she saw the return address, "Ace Motion Picture Corp., Costume
+Department," she tingled all over, for she knew that inside were the
+dresses George Roddy, or Adoree as he was know professionally, had
+created for her.
+
+Janet's mother helped her rip aside the heavy brown paper with which the
+cardboard box was wrapped. Inside were layers of tissue and then they
+gazed upon the first dress, a sport outfit of green wool in lines so
+plain that its daring was startling. The jacket fitted snugly with a tie
+about the throat and the ends extended over Janet's shoulders.
+
+After that came an afternoon dress, a rich brown velvet that caught and
+threw back at them the morning light. The skirt was plain with the upper
+half of the dress in a Russian blouse design with the plain roll collar
+of cloth of gold.
+
+"Why, it's the most gorgeous thing I've ever seen," exclaimed Janet's
+mother. "How did this all happen?"
+
+Briefly, Janet told how Roddy had taken an interest in them and in
+seeing that they had attractive and striking clothes.
+
+There was one more dress, a garment designed for classroom wear. This
+was a corduroy--a deep blue that was dazzling in its intensity.
+
+Before Janet could get it completely out of its heavy tissue wrappings
+the telephone rang and when she answered Helen's excited voice came
+tumbling over the wire. She, too, had received her box from Roddy--a
+sports outfit, an afternoon dress and another dress for classroom wear.
+
+"Let's wear one of our new dresses when we go to the university to
+register," said Helen, and Janet agreed. Each of them had corduroys and
+they decided to wear these.
+
+Janet took the last garment, the corduroy one, from its wrappings and
+hurried upstairs to try it on. Her mother hastened after her, as eager
+as Janet to see how the new dress fitted and looked.
+
+Janet wriggled into the cool, smooth garment and whirled to face her
+mother. Her hair was a bit touseled and her cheeks flushed from the
+excitement and the vivid blue of the dress only heightened her youthful
+charm.
+
+"You look beautiful, dear," breathed her mother. "I've never seen
+anything more lovely."
+
+Janet turned back to her mirror and gazed at the dress Roddy's agile
+mind had conceived for her. It _was_ striking.
+
+The blue corduroy hung well, fitting closely around her slim hips and
+opening at the throat with a semi-military cut. A neat little pocket was
+placed just above her heart. The sleeves were wrist length, rather full
+at the shoulders and tapering to a close fit just above her hands where
+they were caught and tied with two silver bands.
+
+Someone came pounding up the stairs. It was Helen, who burst into the
+room like a young hurricane. Like Janet, she was attired in one of her
+new dresses. It was corduroy, but of an umber hue that was set off to
+perfection by Helen's dark hair and the olive coloring of her face.
+There was just enough difference in the two dresses to make them varied,
+yet at a glance an observer could tell that they had been created by the
+same master hand.
+
+Helen even had on brown hose and shoes that matched her dress.
+
+"Where are your new shoes?" she demanded.
+
+Janet delved further into the box. At the bottom was a shoe box and she
+opened it with shaking fingers. This was more than she had ever dared
+imagine. She drew forth a pair of blue kid slippers and tucked in them
+were three pairs of blue hose to match her dress and shoes. She changed
+shoes and hose and stood up again, whirling in front of the mirror. The
+costume now was perfection itself. She ran a comb through her golden
+hair and knew the thrill that comes from knowing a costume is perfect.
+
+"Do you suppose we'll be asked to join a sorority at school?" asked
+Helen.
+
+"If they see you in these dresses I imagine you can join any or all of
+them," smiled Mrs. Hardy. "Come now, we must be ready when the men want
+to start."
+
+On the echo of her words a horn sounded below. Janet dabbed a little
+powder on her face and joined Helen as they hurried down stairs. Even
+their fathers were elated over the new dresses and both girls felt that
+their cups of happiness were filled to overflowing.
+
+"Honestly," confided Helen, "I hate to wear this in the car. I'd like to
+take it off and then put it on when we get near school."
+
+"I suppose you'd like to ride all of the way wrapped up in a blanket or
+something," chided Janet. "But I'll admit that I hate to sit down in
+this dress."
+
+It was a beautifully clear morning and John Hardy sent his big car
+speeding over the paved road at a fast pace. They were in Newton in
+ample time to drive around the university grounds and have a leisurely
+lunch before going to the office of the dean of women to take the first
+steps in registering.
+
+The campus of Corn Belt U. was lined with stately elms that had watched
+over the destiny of the school for more than three quarters of a
+century. The main buildings were of Indiana limestone with a few of the
+older ones of red-faced brick, now well covered with a rich growth of
+English ivy.
+
+Janet knew that she would enjoy going to school here. There was a spirit
+of calm and dignity about the campus that appealed to her.
+
+At lunch they talked of plans for school and of what they would take.
+
+"I'm going to get all of the dramatics and English I can absorb,"
+declared Helen. "Perhaps a little history, too."
+
+"How about you, Janet?"
+
+"I think my major courses will be journalism, and perhaps just a little
+in the way of dramatics."
+
+"Not thinking about going back to Hollywood and joining Billy Fenstow's
+company when you're through, are you?" chided the director.
+
+"Well, I might have that idea in mind if no newspaper will take me on as
+a reporter," conceded Janet.
+
+Luncheon over they went directly to the administration building where,
+after a short wait, they were ushered into the office of the dean of
+women.
+
+Mrs. Laird was a pleasant woman of about fifty and Janet saw her keen
+eyes take in every inch of their costumes in a glance and she thought
+she saw just a trace of suspicion arise in the dean's eyes.
+
+Janet's father explained their mission, pointing out that because of
+their coming trip to Radio City they would be late in taking up class
+work.
+
+"It's a little unusual to arrange registration in this way," said the
+dean, "but I believe you can be accommodated."
+
+For an hour they went over class schedules, the dean advising them on
+the courses best suited to what they had in mind. She assisted them in
+filling out the final registration cards and paused at one question.
+
+"Do you hope to join a sorority?" she asked.
+
+"We won't be here in time for the rushing parties," replied Janet.
+"Perhaps that had better wait until another semester, that is, if any of
+the groups should want us for membership."
+
+The dean's cool eyes surveyed the fashionably dressed girls.
+
+"I rather imagine you could take your pick of the sororities right now
+if the girls were here," she said.
+
+The registration was over. The girls were to have rooms in Currier Hall,
+an old but comfortable dormitory.
+
+"The dean seemed a little cool," said Helen.
+
+"I noticed that, too," Janet said. "Evidently she doesn't think much of
+the plans which call for us hurrying away to New York."
+
+"Can't be helped; we're going," said Helen.
+
+When they returned home a telegram was waiting for Henry Thorne.
+
+"This interests you girls more than it does me," he said, handing the
+message to his daughter.
+
+Helen read it eagerly.
+
+"Have Janet and Helen report next Monday morning at Radio City at ten
+o'clock," she said.
+
+"That means we'll have to leave here Saturday night. Why, that's only
+tomorrow night!" gasped Janet.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Seventeen
+
+HELLO, NEW YORK
+
+
+They were so busy until after dinner that night that Janet had no time
+to scan the evening paper. When she picked up the _Times_ it was with
+pleasant surprise for in the middle of the front page was a story by
+Pete Benda, reviewing "Water Hole" and describing the roles Janet and
+Helen played.
+
+"Miss Hardy gave a most pleasing portrayal in the role of the heroine,"
+Pete had written, "and a good many local people will enjoy this picture
+to the utmost. It is far above the average western."
+
+Near the end was a line. "Cora Dean and Margie Blake, local girls who
+were also in the picture, may be seen in a crowd scene at the village."
+Janet smiled as she thought of the humiliation that Cora would feel.
+Well, it had been a mean trick of Cora's to write Pete Benda that she
+and Margie had leading roles.
+
+Helen's father made complete plans for their trip to New York for the
+Ace company was paying all expenses as well as salaries to Janet and
+Helen while they were in the east.
+
+Both Janet and Helen packed the new dresses Roddy had sent them in the
+large bags which they were taking with them. There might be little
+actual opportunity to wear them, but they wanted to be prepared.
+
+Their train for Chicago left at ten o'clock and they arrived at the
+station in ample time, Janet's father conveying them there. He had
+reserved a drawing room for them and they felt elated over that.
+
+The _Chicago Limited_ was on time to the minute, the puffing locomotive
+drawing its long string of Pullmans to an easy stop. The girls had
+drawing room A in car fifty-seven. The porter took their bags as they
+turned to say good-bye to their parents.
+
+"Got plenty of money?" Janet's father asked in a whisper.
+
+"Plenty, Dad. And I'll get paid while I'm in New York."
+
+But he slipped her a small, black book that resembled a check book.
+
+"Put this in your purse. It will come in handy if you have an
+emergency," he said.
+
+Calls of "Bo-o-oard," rang along the train. Final good-byes were said
+and the girls stepped into the vestibule of their car. The train started
+easily and they waved to their parents. Then they were out of the train
+shed, picking up speed rapidly for the remainder of the night run to
+Chicago.
+
+They retired to their drawing-room, finished in restful tones of rose
+and gray, and slipped into pajamas. Both being tired, they went to bed
+at once, Janet in the upper berth and Helen in the lower.
+
+The car was air conditioned and they slept restfully, neither one of
+them awakening until they were in the outskirts of Chicago.
+
+"What are you going to wear today?" asked Helen, stretching luxuriously
+between the crisp, cool sheets.
+
+"My corduroy dress," said Janet. "It's excellent for travel; comfortable
+and it won't muss easily."
+
+"That appeals to me," replied Helen, slipping out of bed and starting to
+dress while Janet lowered herself out of the upper.
+
+The train was past Englewood by the time they were dressed and their
+porter came in to take their bags.
+
+"Going to wear a hat?" asked Janet.
+
+"Not with this dress; I haven't anything that goes well with it."
+
+Janet tipped the porter and a red cap, waiting on the platform, took
+their bags. Their New York train was only four tracks away and would
+depart within an hour so their bags were taken directly to the Pullman,
+where another drawing room had been reserved for the Chicago-New York
+trip.
+
+After making sure that their bags were in the drawing room, Janet and
+Helen went into the great, high ceilinged dining room in the station.
+They enjoyed a hearty breakfast of delicious country ham and eggs with
+crisp toast and a cool glass of milk.
+
+Janet bought several morning papers and they returned to the train shed.
+Trains which had been rushing across the plains all night in their dash
+for Chicago were still arriving, while on other tracks long strings of
+coaches, ready to start carrying passengers away from the city, were
+being backed down the tracks.
+
+Re-entering their New York train, they found seats in the luxurious
+limousine-lounge car at the rear of the train where the observation
+platform was enclosed in glass. A radio was tuned softly and all of the
+latest magazines were available.
+
+Travel was light that day and at the start of the trip they were the
+only ones in the lounge car as the train rolled smoothly out of the
+station.
+
+There was a brief pause at Englewood, then they were off again, picking
+up speed as the train skirted the southern edge of Lake Michigan where
+great industrial plants were perched along the shore and lake freighters
+seemed to spring out of the prairie as the rails crossed canals.
+
+At lunch time they were well into Indiana. Only a few more passengers
+had boarded the train and they had the dining car practically to
+themselves.
+
+As the afternoon advanced they dipped into Ohio and stops were more
+frequent. By late afternoon the train was well filled and space in the
+lounge car was almost at a premium.
+
+Janet and Helen went to bed early that night for the coming day promised
+to be an unusually busy and exciting one for them--they would have their
+first glimpse of New York, visit Radio City, and receive their
+assignments for the radio play they were to be in.
+
+"What are you going to wear tomorrow?" asked Helen as she snuggled down
+between the crisp sheets.
+
+"I don't know, perhaps the corduroy dress I had on today," replied
+Janet. "It's so comfortable and I think it's becoming."
+
+"I guess I'll vote that way, too," said Helen, and a minute later both
+girls were asleep.
+
+They were up early the next morning, breakfasting as the train sped out
+of the Jersey hills and straightened out for its dash across the
+tidewater flats to Jersey City. They shot past commuter trains at almost
+regular intervals for their limited had the right of way.
+
+As they neared the terminal, the porter took their bags and Helen handed
+him a tip. Her father had deliberately routed them over a line which
+ended in Jersey City so that they might have their first real glimpse of
+the towering New York skyline from a ferryboat.
+
+The passengers poured off the train and onto the nearby ferry. Bells
+clanged, smoke rolled from the twin stacks, and the bulky boat nosed out
+into the river.
+
+Helen crowded close to Janet as the full majesty of the skyline was
+unfolded. To their right was the lower city with its cluster of
+skyscrapers while to their left was mid-town with the Empire State
+towering almost into the clouds. A little beyond that the sharp spire of
+the Chrysler building rose skyward.
+
+On the New York side of the Hudson liners were sandwiched into the docks
+and Janet grabbed Helen's arm and pointed to one. It was the _Europa_,
+famed speed liner. A little further along was the _Rex_, pride of the
+Italian merchant marine.
+
+Then the ferry was nosing into its pier. Gates clanged, their baggage
+was loaded aboard a taxi, and almost before they knew it they were
+whirling away toward the heart of the city. Helen had given their hotel
+address.
+
+Up onto an elevated roadway sped their cab where it rocketed along at
+forty-five miles an hour. Then they shot onto an incline and eased down
+into a street below. Traffic lights slowed them up now, but in less than
+ten minutes after leaving the ferry they were in Times Square, the very
+heart of the throbbing city, where Broadway and Seventh Avenue cross to
+form a great triangular opening.
+
+At the hotel desk Janet registered for both of them.
+
+"We were to have reservations," she said.
+
+The clerk checked the registration list and marked their names off. Then
+they were whisked away to their rooms, high up and on the inside, where
+they could sleep in something like quiet. They had two rooms with a
+connecting bath.
+
+"Well, what do you think of the city?" asked Helen.
+
+"I'm still a little breathless," admitted Janet. "Los Angeles was
+large--but New York--it just seems to swallow you up."
+
+They dressed carefully in preparation for their trip to Radio City and
+at nine-thirty o'clock went down stairs and inquired the best way to
+reach their destination. The clerk on duty suggested that they walk.
+
+"It's only a short distance. Go one block to Sixth Avenue, turn to the
+left, and continue six blocks to Radio City."
+
+The morning air was clear and cool as they set forth, walking briskly
+and taking in everything about them. On Sixth Avenue elevated trains
+rumbled overhead, but up the street they could see the towering building
+which housed Radio City and their steps quickened.
+
+They reached their destination in a few minutes and turned to the right
+to the entrance which led to the offices of the World Broadcasting
+Company, the chain which was to put their program on the air. The lobby
+was of chromium and black and they stepped into a modernistic elevator
+that whisked them upward so rapidly they were breathless.
+
+They stepped out at the twenty-seventh floor and into a luxuriously
+furnished lobby where there were comfortable chairs and restful lights.
+A young woman at the reception desk looked up as the girls advanced.
+
+"We're to join the company from the Ace studios," Janet explained.
+
+"Your names?" The inquiry was purely impersonal.
+
+"Janet Hardy and Helen Thorne."
+
+The young woman checked their names and called a page.
+
+"Take them to studio K," she directed.
+
+Janet and Helen turned and followed the page, who was leading them to a
+new chapter of their lives--one more thrilling than they could have
+imagined even in their deepest dreams.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Eighteen
+
+IN RADIO CITY
+
+
+The page ushered them into the studio and the first person they saw was
+Curt Newsom, the tall cowboy star who had also had a part in "Kings of
+the Air."
+
+Curt hastened to greet them.
+
+"When did you get in?" he asked.
+
+"This morning," replied Janet. "My, but it's good to see you again. I
+didn't know you were going to be in this promotional unit."
+
+The cowboy flushed and grinned somewhat sheepishly.
+
+"Well, to tell the truth, I've always wanted to try broadcasting a
+little and I finally pestered the general manager out on the coast until
+he sent me along and ordered them to give me a part. Come on and meet
+the director of this unit."
+
+Curt led them over to a small group where a rather slender, dark-haired
+man was speaking. He turned to face them as they approached and Janet
+noted that he wore unusually thick glasses, indicating that his eyes
+were in need of heavy correction.
+
+"This is Mr. Ben Adolphi," said Curt, by way of introduction. "Mr.
+Adolphi has been assigned by the World Broadcasting Company to handle
+this promotion work."
+
+He introduced each of the girls to the radio director and Mr. Adolphi
+smiled pleasantly.
+
+"I shall get at your parts presently," he said. "Please be seated."
+
+They found comfortable chairs at one side of the studio and Janet
+enjoyed the opportunity to look around the room for it was here that
+they would put on their radio show. The ceiling was high and evidently
+covered with a cloth which absorbed sound readily. The walls were also
+covered with a cloth of heavy texture and the carpet on the floor felt
+an inch thick.
+
+At the rear of the room was a low platform which might be used for an
+orchestra and to the left, through a heavy plate glass window, was the
+control room where the engineers regulated the volume of the program and
+fed it out on the air. Near the door was a desk with a microphone on it
+for the announcer, and beyond that was a tall steel stand with several
+microphones, attached to adjustable arms, on it. These could be placed
+in any portion of the room to pick up the program to the best advantage.
+
+Mr. Adolphi joined them within a few minutes. He carried a handful of
+script with him and handed one section to Janet and another to Helen.
+
+"You understand that this company is comparatively small when you think
+of the one used in the production of the picture?" he reminded them. "It
+will be necessary for you to take several parts, but all of them will be
+minor roles since I understand neither of you have had any experience
+in broadcasting."
+
+The girls nodded their understanding, and the director plunged on.
+
+"We are going to give only the high spots of the film story over the
+air, but in addition we are going to weave in some of the actual drama
+and the thrills attached to the shooting of the picture--some of the
+behind-the-scenes incidents. Understand?"
+
+Again they nodded.
+
+"We have not been able to get all of this material that we desired and
+Mr. Newsom has informed me that you have a fair ability at writing."
+
+This was aimed at Janet and she replied promptly.
+
+"I enjoy writing," she said, "but the question of ability hasn't been
+very well determined yet."
+
+"But you sold a script for film purposes only recently," pressed the
+director.
+
+"Yes, that's true, but I think it was more luck than anything else."
+
+"Be that as it may, I'd like you to write some of the intimate and
+unusual things that go on in the production of such a picture. Get in
+all of the thrilling material possible. Get me?"
+
+"I think so," replied Janet, recalling the vivid hours that had marked
+the production work on "Kings of the Air" when the company was out in
+the desert and she had been kidnaped.
+
+"Then take the rest of the day off and try to get some of the material
+into my hands tomorrow morning. We'll have it whipped into shape by the
+studio continuity writers, for this program goes on the air day after
+tomorrow."
+
+"I'll do my best, Mr. Adolphi," promised Janet, and the director hurried
+away to give further instructions to others in the company.
+
+Helen looked at Janet admiringly.
+
+"Well, you certainly get yourself into all kinds of work," she smiled.
+"Now you'll have to go back to the hotel room and pound away on a rented
+typewriter while I go down and see a show in the Music Hall."
+
+"Oh, don't do that," begged Janet, who was anxious to see the interior
+of the world's largest theater. "Wait another day until I can go with
+you. There'll be plenty for you to see in New York beside the Music
+Hall."
+
+"All right," agreed Helen. "We'll plan on that for tomorrow afternoon."
+
+As they left the studio they bumped into a slender, dark-haired girl who
+was hurrying in.
+
+"Clumsy fools," Janet heard the other girl murmur as she went on and
+Janet's face flushed for it had been as much the other's fault as their
+own.
+
+They dropped down to the street level in the elevator and Janet started
+back for the hotel while Helen walked toward Fifth avenue to enjoy a
+window shopping tour along the exclusive shops that had made the avenue
+famous throughout the world.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Nineteen
+
+A MANUSCRIPT VANISHES
+
+
+Janet went directly to their hotel and asked at the desk about renting a
+typewriter. Arrangements were made to have one delivered at her room
+within half an hour and she went to change into an older dress,
+something that wouldn't be hurt by wrinkles that were bound to come as
+she labored over the typewriter.
+
+The machine was delivered promptly and Janet used a supply of the hotel
+stationary for her writing material. At first the idea of setting down
+intimate little things about the filming of the picture had appeared
+easy, but now that the task was before her, the words and ideas did not
+come freely.
+
+Janet wondered if she dared to record the story of the sabotage when the
+company was on desert location. She could imagine that it would make
+grand material for broadcasting purposes and so she set resolutely about
+the task. The worst that could happen would be for Mr. Adolphi to reject
+it entirely. Janet finally got started and once under way the flow of
+words came smoothly and her fingers moved rapidly over the keyboard.
+
+She worked steadily for more than an hour, got up, stretched, walked
+around the room and returned to the writing. She wasn't attempting to
+make it a complete story, just giving the sequences as they had happened
+during the filming of "Kings of the Air" and the mysterious events which
+had taken place out on the desert. It was natural that Janet should hint
+that the plotting was the work of another concern for it had been common
+talk in their own company later that Premier Films, also producing an
+air story, had attempted to keep their own film from a successful
+conclusion. But it had only been talk for there was no definite proof.
+
+Helen came hurrying in just as Janet finished her work.
+
+"How is it going?" she asked.
+
+"All through," replied her companion. "Have a good time?"
+
+"Grand. I never knew there could be so many beautiful shops in such a
+small area. Come on now. I want to ride a subway."
+
+"I'll have to change clothes," said Janet.
+
+"Never mind changing for a subway trip. We'll go down to the Battery. I
+inquired the way at the desk."
+
+Janet slipped on a light brown coat and followed Helen down and across
+to the Times Square subway station where they found themselves engulfed
+in the crowd and the noise. Helen dropped two nickels in the turnstile
+and they went through the gate, Helen still in the lead and striding
+along as though she were the veteran of many a ride in the subway
+instead of a rank beginner.
+
+A train roared out of the darkness of the tube and Janet saw a sign,
+"South Ferry," on the windows.
+
+"This is our train," cried Helen, shoving her companion ahead of her and
+into one of the seats. Other passengers piled in, the doors clanged and
+they were roaring through the tunnel far under the street level. Their
+train was an express and occasionally they shot past a slower local. The
+air was close with an odor that is peculiar to a subway, but Janet
+enjoyed the ride, watching the crowd in the car. It was evident that
+most of them were accustomed to using the subway several times a day and
+they were either visiting or reading evening papers, which they had
+folded so they would take up the least possible room.
+
+At the South Ferry station they walked up to the street levels and
+entered Battery park. Janet paused a moment, struck by the beauty of the
+harbor in the late afternoon. Beyond the Battery was the Statue of
+Liberty and even further the tidewater flats of Jersey.
+
+Several freighters, which had cleared their docks a few minutes before,
+were going down the harbor and Janet and Helen, standing along the
+Battery wondered for what distant port they might be bound.
+
+They walked past the Aquarium. On another afternoon they would come back
+and spend several hours going through that fascinating building.
+
+"I'm tired," confessed Janet. "Let's get back to the hotel now, clean
+up, and have dinner. Perhaps we'll go to a show after that."
+
+Helen readily agreed to the suggestion and they returned to the South
+Ferry station where they caught an uptown express that took them to
+Times Square at a dizzy pace.
+
+When they emerged from the tube, the shadows were lengthening in the
+heart of the city. Sidewalks were crowded with hundreds of men and women
+on their way home after a day's work in the city. They paused for
+several minutes to watch the teeming mass of humanity and then turned
+and entered their hotel.
+
+Janet was the first to step into their rooms and the instant she passed
+the threshold a feeling of foreboding gripped her and she stopped so
+suddenly that Helen bumped into her.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Helen, looking up quickly.
+
+Janet looked a little sheepish. "I don't know. For some reason I thought
+there was something wrong in here."
+
+"Want me to scream?" smiled Helen. "I can do a good job of that and I
+guarantee to get someone here in less than a minute with one scream."
+
+In spite of the banter Janet was far from reassured for a feeling of
+unrest had settled down upon her. She snapped on the lights in the room
+and looked around.
+
+Apparently nothing had been disturbed and Helen walked past her and went
+on into her own room. A puff of wind stirred the curtains at the
+half-opened window and Janet walked over and looked out. There was no
+fire escape nearby and it would have been impossible for anyone to have
+gained access to their room in that manner. But then, she asked herself,
+why would anyone want to enter their room. They carried no personal
+jewelry of any value and the money they had left in the room was of such
+a small amount that it would not make robbery worth while.
+
+In the next room Helen was humming to herself as she undressed and
+prepared to take a shower. Janet dropped down on the bed to rest a
+moment. It had been a hectic day and she was tired. Her eyes dropped and
+she fell into a deep sleep.
+
+Helen finished her shower, looked in at Janet, then returned to her own
+room, where she partially dressed, put on a dressing gown, and sat down
+to write a letter home chronicling the events of her first day in New
+York.
+
+Janet awoke as suddenly as she had fallen asleep. Helen had turned out
+the light in her room and it was quite dark now, the only light coming
+through the half-opened door that led to the bathroom and on to Helen's
+room.
+
+Janet turned on the light over the desk where she had been writing and
+glanced down at the manuscript she had been working on. She turned and
+called sharply to Helen.
+
+"Did you pick up the manuscript I finished this afternoon?" she asked.
+
+"Haven't seen it since we left for the Battery," replied Helen. "The
+last I knew it was right beside your typewriter. Maybe you're too sleepy
+to see it."
+
+"I'm not that sleepy," retorted Janet.
+
+Perhaps she had put it on the dresser and she turned toward that article
+of furniture but there was no sign of the manuscript there. She pulled
+open the drawers, but the manuscript was not there and Helen joined her
+in the hunt.
+
+"Sure you haven't taken it to your room and mislaid it?" asked Janet, a
+deep pucker of worry lining her forehead.
+
+"We'll look to make sure," said Helen and they hastened to her room, but
+the search there was just as fruitless as the one in Janet's room. Janet
+even looked in the closets, but there was no encouragement there. In a
+last hope, she went through the wastepaper basket, but she was doomed to
+disappointment and turned to Helen, her voice shaking with emotion.
+
+"There's no doubt about it now," she declared. "Someone entered our
+rooms while we were away and stole the manuscript I had been working
+on!"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty
+
+THE MYSTERY DEEPENS
+
+
+The girls stared helplessly at each other and Helen was finally the
+first to speak.
+
+"But Janet, that can't be possible. It must be here somewhere."
+
+Janet shook her head firmly. "It isn't here and we both know it. My
+premonition when we entered the room was right. Something is decidedly
+wrong."
+
+"But what can we do about it?" asked Helen.
+
+"I'm going to call the clerk," said Janet, picking up the telephone. She
+explained briefly what had happened. "The assistant manager is here.
+He's coming up in five minutes," she said when she replaced the
+instrument on the stand.
+
+Helen rushed back to her own room to finish dressing and was fully
+clothed when the assistant manager arrived. He made a careful
+examination of the door and the lock and then went all over the rooms
+with the girls, but as Janet had felt convinced, there was no further
+trace of the missing papers.
+
+"I regret this deeply," said the hotel official, "and can only promise
+that every effort will be made to see that the papers are returned if
+they are still in the building." He excused himself to question the
+housekeeper about any maid who might have been working in the room while
+the girls were away.
+
+In less than five minutes he returned, a maid following close behind
+him.
+
+"I think the mystery is solved," he explained. "The maid says she came
+in to put fresh towels in the bathroom and someone knocked at the door.
+She answered and a man from the World Broadcasting Company said he had
+come to get your manuscript. He came right on in and picked up the
+papers beside the typewriter. Of course she should not have admitted
+him, but he appeared to know just what he wanted."
+
+"What did he look like?" Janet asked the maid.
+
+"Well, I didn't pay particular attention, but he was small and I guess
+you would call him dark. He had on a hat and it was pulled down over his
+forehead. He took the papers and went on out. Said they'd be waiting for
+you at the broadcasting office tomorrow."
+
+"I believe this solves the mystery," said the assistant manager.
+
+"I hope so," agreed Janet. "We're sorry to have caused you so much
+trouble."
+
+When the hotel official and the maid had taken their departure, Helen
+turned to her companion.
+
+"I didn't know the radio people were in such a hurry for the material
+you were working on," she said.
+
+"Neither did I," replied Janet, "but I guess it is all right. Let's have
+dinner now and then perhaps a show. I feel tremendously relieved about
+the manuscript."
+
+They added a dab of powder and a touch of rouge to their faces and went
+downstairs. Further down the block they had noticed an attractive Old
+English Inn and they walked there where they enjoyed a leisurely dinner.
+
+"What shall we do now?" asked Helen as she finished the dish of ice
+cream which was their dessert.
+
+"Shall we go back to Radio City and see the Music Hall?" asked Janet.
+
+"I'd like nothing better. We're on our way."
+
+They strolled along at a leisurely pace, turned into Sixth Avenue and
+headed north toward the great mass of gray limestone which was Radio
+City. Overhead the trains rumbled along the elevated, but Janet and
+Helen had eyes only for Radio City.
+
+Ahead of them opened the doors of the world's largest theater and with
+their hearts beating faster than usual they purchased their tickets and
+walked into the grand foyer, the most majestic, breath-taking enclosure
+either of them had ever been in. Their feet sank into the heavy pile of
+the great carpet and their eyes feasted on the beauty of the towering
+bronze doors which led into the theater itself.
+
+Then they went on into the Music Hall, which with its sixty-two hundred
+seats, was the largest of the world's modern theaters. A great expanse
+of space greeted their eyes, the theater sloping gently forward to the
+huge stage. An orchestra, in full dress, was rising from the depths of
+its pit as though lifted by the hand of some unseen giant. The orchestra
+broke into a full swell of music and Janet and Helen, sinking into deep,
+comfortable seats, were enraptured. Above them hidden lights changed the
+color effect of the ceiling continuously. Then the overture was over and
+the curtains of the stage parted and for half an hour they enjoyed a
+musical entertainment based on Coney Island, the famed fun center of the
+city. After that came the feature picture, and they enjoyed every moment
+of the nearly three hours of entertainment.
+
+When it was over they walked out slowly, for the Music Hall was one
+great part of Radio City. Tomorrow, across the street and up on the
+twenty-seventh floor, they would be in another but very vital part of
+Radio City, in the broadcasting studios of the World Broadcasting
+Company. As they walked down Sixth Avenue they glanced aloft and far up
+in the building a blaze of light shone from windows. Some company was
+busy up there tonight, providing thousands of radio fans with drama or
+music for their entertainment and they thrilled at the thought that
+within a very short time, they, too, would be a part of the radio world.
+
+Back in their rooms that night Janet glanced at the place beside the
+typewriter where the manuscript had disappeared. She would have liked to
+have telephoned Curt Newsom and told the lanky cowboy about the incident
+but he had not mentioned where he was staying. She thought of
+telephoning Mr. Adolphi, their radio director, but dismissed that for
+she felt that he might think her foolish. Undoubtedly he had sent for
+the manuscript.
+
+They were up early the next morning, refreshed after a night of sound
+sleep. A quick shower was followed by a rapid but thorough toilet and
+they were ready for what they might have in store for them. They had
+breakfast in the grill room which opened off the main lobby of their
+hotel and then started for Radio City.
+
+There was a touch of fall in the air and they walked briskly, pushing
+through other hurrying throngs of men and women who were on their way to
+work.
+
+The elevator shot them up to the twenty-seventh floor in a dizzy,
+breathless rush and they stepped out into the reception room. A page
+took them to studio K and there were only two others there when they
+entered--Ben Adolphi, their director, and Curt Newsom. The cowboy star
+looked a little pale.
+
+"Sick?" asked Janet.
+
+Curt shook his head. "Not exactly, but I didn't sleep very well last
+night. Too much noise here in the city. I'm going to move. My hotel's
+right on Times Square."
+
+"Why, we're staying there too," said Helen. "Our hotel is the
+Dorchester. We slept fine."
+
+"I'm staying there," replied Curt, "but I don't see how you slept. I
+heard fire engines and police patrols and street cars and newsboys all
+night. I might as well have been down in the subway trying to sleep on
+an express train."
+
+The radio director looked at Janet.
+
+"Manuscript ready?" he asked.
+
+Janet stared at him and he repeated the question.
+
+"Haven't you got it?" she asked.
+
+"Certainly not," he snapped, evidently a little provoked at what he
+considered dull wits.
+
+"But the maid at the hotel said someone from the studio called yesterday
+afternoon for it. It's gone!"
+
+"Certainly I didn't send for it," he retorted. "Evidently it was some
+one's idea of a practical joke."
+
+"I don't think it was much of a joke," said Curt quietly. "If the
+manuscript Janet was working on has disappeared, it vanished because
+someone was afraid of what she might write."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-one
+
+INSINUATIONS
+
+
+At the cool words of the cowboy star, the radio director whirled to face
+him.
+
+"Just what do you mean by that," he demanded, his face flushing.
+
+"I mean just this," retorted Curt. "There was a very real attempt made
+on the coast to stop the filming of 'Kings of the Air' and it begins to
+look like that attempt is being carried on even in New York in an effort
+to stop the promotion of the picture. All I've got to say is that
+someone had better be careful."
+
+"Are you insinuating anything?" demanded the radio director.
+
+"I'm not insinuating; I'm just saying," said the cowboy star firmly.
+
+The director turned back to Janet.
+
+"You're sure the manuscript was stolen?"
+
+"It was unless someone in the studio here has it," she replied.
+
+"I'll make inquiries," he promised, "but I am sure no one in the studio
+would have sent for it."
+
+Mr. Adolphi left studio K and Janet, Helen and Curt Newsom were alone.
+
+"You're not kidding about the manuscript being missing?" Curt asked.
+
+"No, Curt, I'm terribly serious. We went out for a time yesterday
+afternoon. While we were gone the maid came in to leave clean towels and
+while she was in the room a man came in. He said he was from the studio
+here and had come for the manuscript. Naturally the girl didn't object
+and he walked out with the papers."
+
+"What did you have in the story?"
+
+"Oh, a lot about the final days in the desert. How the attempts were
+made to stop the picture, the bombing from the sky and my own
+kidnaping."
+
+"Did you hint that some other company was responsible for this?" The
+question was snapped at Janet.
+
+"Come to think of it, I did, but of course I didn't mention any company
+by name."
+
+Curt scratched his head in frank worry.
+
+"You know," he confessed, "this thing has got me puzzled. There is some
+powerful agency at work to stop the picture Helen's father made and I
+believe its influence must extend right here into this studio. You girls
+be sure and watch your step and especially at night."
+
+"But nothing will happen to us," protested Helen.
+
+"No, I don't suppose there will, but you keep on the alert just the
+same," Curt warned them.
+
+Mr. Adolphi returned and shook his head in response to Janet's inquiring
+gaze.
+
+"I've checked everyone in the studio," he said, "and no one knows
+anything about it. Can you do the manuscript over?"
+
+"Probably," assented Janet, "but I'd prefer not to under the
+circumstances."
+
+The director did not insist and Janet thought perhaps he even seemed a
+little relieved.
+
+Other members of the company arrived. Several of them had been in the
+film company on the coast but most of them were from the regular stock
+company which the studio maintained for its dramatic needs. Most of them
+were pleasant enough. Only one of them turned Janet against her and that
+was the small, dark-haired actress who had bumped into her the day
+before and called her a "clumsy fool." That was Rachel Nesbit and Janet
+thought her eyes a trifle too close together and her mouth too hard. It
+looked as though it was difficult for Rachel to look pleasant and there
+was a sulky twist to her lips.
+
+Janet soon found that Rachel was the pampered member of the studio's
+stock company. She was considered an actress of ability and she arrived
+late and left early during rehearsals. Her one redeeming grace was that
+she came through when she was before a microphone. Janet also learned
+that Rachel was writing in addition to her acting and that she had had
+several of her skits produced on the air.
+
+As soon as the company was assembled, Director Adolphi plunged into the
+task of rehearsing. Sound men brought in the necessary paraphernalia and
+through the hours of the morning they went over the first scene which
+was to be presented in their radio show. The program was to be unusual,
+running half an hour for five consecutive nights, each of them
+increasing the tempo and mystery of the action. Janet, reading the
+script, could feel the thing getting into her blood and she was anxious
+for the hour to come when they would actually go on the air.
+
+She had no fear of the microphone, now, for that had vanished while she
+was working for Billy Fenstow in the westerns with Curt Newsom and
+Helen.
+
+The trio had lunch together that noon, and returned immediately to the
+studio, where rehearsals continued into the afternoon and at the close
+of the day the director rather grudgingly conceded that the company had
+made excellent progress.
+
+"Be here tomorrow sharply at nine," he cautioned as he dismissed them
+for the day.
+
+Members of the company scattered quickly, some of them hurrying away to
+catch trains for their suburban homes.
+
+Janet, Helen, and Curt Newsom walked slowly toward the elevators. The
+corridor down which they walked was practically deserted for none of the
+studios flanking it were in use. They entered the main lobby of the
+World Broadcasting Company office. From a loudspeaker on the reception
+desk came the voice of a world-famous crooner which Helen recognized
+instantly.
+
+"That's a program I'd like to see," she told Curt.
+
+"Come on, then. Now that we are members of a radio company, we ought to
+be able to crash the gates."
+
+The cowboy star inquired the way to the proper studio and they turned
+and walked down a long corridor to Studio A, the largest and most costly
+of all of the broadcasting rooms of the World Company. It was like a
+little theater, with sloping seats and a stage upon which the performers
+worked before the microphone. At the back was a large orchestra, while
+up to the front of the stage the famous crooner was singing into a
+"mike."
+
+"Why, he doesn't look at all like I thought he would," exclaimed Helen
+as they peered through the plate glass windows which flanked one wall of
+the studio. "He's much older."
+
+"Many of us are disillusioned about our heroes and heroines," said Curt
+quietly. "Let's eat. I'd like a steak."
+
+"Sounds good to me," agreed Janet, and even Helen was willing to leave
+the studio after another minute or two of gazing at the crooner.
+
+They ate in a small but attractive restaurant off Sixth Avenue and after
+a leisurely meal Curt hurried away to keep an appointment and Janet and
+Helen, though tired from the long day's grind of rehearsals, strolled
+over to Fifth Avenue to look into shop windows. After half an hour on
+the avenue, they started back to their Times Square hotel, heading west
+on one of New York's dark and little-frequented cross streets.
+
+They were halfway down the long, dimly lit block when Helen seized
+Janet's arm.
+
+"Someone's following us!" she whispered.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-two
+
+SHADOWED!
+
+
+Despite Helen's whisper of warning, Janet never missed a stride. If
+anything, she quickened her pace.
+
+"Keep up with me," she replied, "and don't look around."
+
+From somewhere behind Janet could hear steady footfalls that quickened
+as they walked faster.
+
+"Are you sure someone is following us?" asked Janet.
+
+"Positive," replied Helen. "There was someone back of us on the avenue
+and he turned onto this street right after we did."
+
+"But it must be coincidence," insisted Janet.
+
+"But remember what Curt said about our knowing too much of the
+mysterious events that went on during the last days of the filming of
+'Kings of the Air,'" said Helen. "He warned us to watch out."
+
+There was no answer to that for Curt had warned them and Janet was glad
+that they were near the bright lights of Broadway. She felt safer now.
+As the noise of that great artery of traffic deepened, they slowed their
+pace and Janet turned and looked around.
+
+There was no one on the street behind them. She grasped Helen's arm and
+both girls stopped.
+
+"There's no one following us," smiled Janet. "It was just imagination."
+
+"It wasn't imagination and you know it," declared Helen. "Whoever it was
+could easily have slipped into a doorway. Maybe he's watching us this
+very moment."
+
+Janet felt a shiver of nervousness race along her spine. It was not
+pleasant to think of being shadowed, especially in New York where there
+were so many people and so few friends.
+
+They turned into Times Square and entered the lobby of their hotel. At
+the desk they inquired for mail and each received letters from home.
+
+Once up in the privacy of their rooms, they undressed, slipped into
+comfortable pajamas and dressing gowns, and read their letters. There
+was little actual news from Clarion, but just hearing from their fathers
+and mothers was nice.
+
+"Dad is anxious to hear the first part of the program," said Helen as
+she finished her letter. "He says they'll all be over at our house
+grouped around the radio when we go on."
+
+"Nervous about it?" asked Janet.
+
+"Not particularly about the program, but there's something about the
+whole thing that has me uncertain. The company seems to be on edge as
+though there was some danger hanging over the heads of everyone."
+
+"Perhaps talk about the trouble on the coast has reached them,"
+suggested Janet.
+
+"That may be. But I'm so anxious for the program to be a success. This
+picture has meant so much to Dad; it's the air epic that he has wanted
+to do for years. If it goes over in a big way, the Ace Company will
+renew his contract for a substantial time and give him a big increase in
+salary."
+
+Shortly after that they retired and both girls slept soundly.
+
+Next day at the studio the pressure was on again and Director Adolphi
+whipped them through the rehearsals at a terrific pace. Several changes
+in script were necessary and the director sent a page to the scenario
+department on the run. He returned in a few minutes with Jim Hill, the
+writer who had handled the continuity for the radio play.
+
+"Listen, Jim," he snapped. "This sequence is punk. It will fall flat on
+the air and too much money is being spent on this program. Get some
+punch into this or I'll see that another writer gets the job."
+
+Jim Hill was tall, lean and pleasant, with dark eyes that shot back
+sparks at the director's criticism.
+
+"You okayed this script once," he reminded Adolphi, "but I'll see what I
+can do about it."
+
+Dark, pretty Rachel Nesbit stepped forward.
+
+"I'm pretty good at that sort of thing," she declared, flashing a
+winning smile at Jim Hill. "Perhaps I could help on the rewriting."
+
+The continuity writer looked at her glumly.
+
+"Your stuff is all right for lighter things, but this is straight action
+drama," he said shaking his head.
+
+"But I can at least try," insisted Rachel, and the worried continuity
+writer finally acceded to her insistent requests. He left the studio
+with Rachel accompanying him.
+
+Janet turned to Curt Newsom.
+
+"I thought all of the work on this script was being handled with the
+utmost precaution and that no one outside was to do anything on it?"
+
+"I guess that's right, but Rachel can hardly be called an outsider since
+she belongs to the studio's stock company."
+
+"But she sells some of her radio skits free lance," insisted Janet.
+
+"That's right," agreed Curt. "I hadn't thought of that."
+
+He hastened over to Director Adolphi.
+
+"No one with any outside contacts is supposed to work on this script or
+in the company," he told the director.
+
+"That's right," replied Mr. Adolphi. "There's an iron-clad contract with
+the Ace Motion Picture Corporation to that effect."
+
+"Then you'd better get Rachel back here. She'll read the rest of the
+script and know what the final broadcast will be."
+
+"Oh, but Rachel's all right. Of course she does a little free lance
+stuff, but she can be depended upon."
+
+"I'm not arguing that point," said Curt firmly. "I'm just telling you to
+get Rachel back here unless you want a violation of your contract
+reported to the Ace Company."
+
+"I didn't think you'd stoop to such a dirty trick," sneered the radio
+director.
+
+"You don't even need to think," snapped Curt, his eyes flashing. "You
+just live up to the agreements of that contract and you'll have no more
+trouble."
+
+With his temper considerably ruffled, Mr. Adolphi left the studio and
+other members of the company stared wide-eyed at the husky cowboy star
+for most of them held their director in awe, but Curt had spoken firmly
+and there had been nothing else for Adolphi to do unless he violated the
+contract.
+
+He returned to the studio in less than five minutes with Rachel Nesbit
+at his heels. The minute she entered the room, she rushed toward Janet,
+her hands clenched and her eyes snapping sparks of anger.
+
+"You're responsible for this insult," she stormed at Janet. "I'd like to
+step on you."
+
+"Oh, calm down, Rachel," said the director. "It was this skinny cowboy
+who started the trouble."
+
+The radio actress and continuity writer whirled toward Curt Newsom.
+
+"Go ahead and step on me," he grinned, and a titter of giggles ran
+through the rest of the company.
+
+Rachel's dark cheeks flamed anew with anger, but she kept her tongue and
+turned away in silence.
+
+The rehearsal continued. They were getting well along in the production
+and Janet felt that it was going smoothly. It was a condensed version of
+the real story of "Kings of the Air" and so to Janet and Helen it was
+familiar material.
+
+Promptly at noon the director stopped the rehearsal.
+
+"Half an hour for lunch," he announced and the company scattered at
+once.
+
+Janet and Helen walked down the long corridor to the reception room
+where a hurrying figure almost bumped into them.
+
+It was Jim Hill, the continuity writer. He stopped suddenly and his face
+lighted up as he recognized them.
+
+"Just the girls I'm looking for!" he exclaimed. "Lunch time?"
+
+Janet nodded.
+
+"Then have lunch with me," and before they could remonstrate, he hurried
+them toward the elevator and they dropped downward with a suddenness
+that always unnerved Janet.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-three
+
+JANET PINCH HITS
+
+
+Janet and Helen found that Jim Hill was extremely pleasant and likeable,
+but he appeared to be laboring under some severe nervous strain and
+Janet noticed that his hands shook when he picked up a glass of milk.
+
+"This script for your broadcast has about got me down," he confessed.
+"I've got to keep lots of punch in the action and yet I can't give away
+the actual plot of the film. On top of that old Adolphi is a regular
+crab and it doesn't seem like anything will suit him. This whole show of
+yours has to be okayed Saturday night by the Ace film people and if they
+don't like it they can cancel out and give it to another company."
+
+"Is there any danger of that?" asked Janet.
+
+"I'll say there is. This is a juicy contract and two other chains would
+like to get it on their networks. Believe me, there is some intense
+rivalry in getting big contracts like this. Why the Acme and the Sky
+High chains would be willing to pay a large sum just to see us fizzle
+the rehearsal Saturday night."
+
+Janet was silent for a time. She had sensed the tension in the studio
+without knowing exactly what was behind it. Now she knew what was wrong.
+
+Jim Hill was speaking again.
+
+"Both of you girls are from the original film company on the coast,
+aren't you?" he asked.
+
+Helen nodded in agreement.
+
+"Then perhaps you would have some suggestions that might help me out of
+this tangle," suggested the continuity writer.
+
+"Mr. Adolphi suggested that several days ago and I worked one whole
+afternoon on it, but someone stole the manuscript I had finished out of
+my room," explained Janet.
+
+Jim whistled softly to himself.
+
+"So that's how it stands." Janet and Helen weren't sure whether he was
+talking to them or to himself.
+
+The continuity writer pushed back his chair and stared at them
+appraisingly.
+
+"I wish you'd help me and I'll promise that your script won't be stolen
+from your hotel room. What do you say?"
+
+Janet looked at Helen, and her companion nodded approvingly. The
+decision was easy to make for Jim was likeable and both of the girls
+wanted the broadcast to be a success.
+
+"All right, we'll do it," said Janet.
+
+"You mean you'll do it," Helen corrected her. "I'm not good as a writer
+and you can fairly make a typewriter talk. I'll just hang around and
+give you whatever advice I can and try not to be a nuisance."
+
+"Say, that's great," said the continuity writer. "When can you begin?"
+
+"As soon as we are through rehearsing this afternoon," promised Janet.
+
+"How long will it take?"
+
+"I don't know," she confessed. "Radio continuity is something new for
+me. I'll simply do the rough stuff and you'll have to smooth it over."
+
+"Then suppose you come to my office as soon as you're through and you
+can work right on into the evening. Helen and I will see that you are
+well supplied with coffee, sandwiches and whatever you want in the way
+of eats."
+
+"I'll be there," promised Janet. "Now we've got to get back to the
+studio."
+
+At rehearsal that afternoon neither their director nor Rachel Nesbit
+were in a good mood and Rachel made it obvious that despite Curt's
+explanation she still blamed Janet and Helen for being taken off the
+continuity work on the script.
+
+"It was the chance of a lifetime," Janet overheard her telling another
+girl in the company. "What if there is a clause about keeping the script
+secret. I'd know it as soon as the final chapter is placed in the hands
+of the company for rehearsal."
+
+"But we won't get the final chapter until Saturday afternoon," replied
+the other. "They're taking no chances about any leaks on this program so
+any of the other companies can interfere with their contract for this
+big film broadcast."
+
+Janet had no idea just how much the broadcast of their program would
+mean to the World Broadcasting Company, but from all the talk in the
+studio, she knew that it must be an exceedingly large sum. The vice
+president in charge of programs dropped into the studio that afternoon
+and watched them work for over an hour. At the end of that time, when
+the director called a brief recess, Janet saw him conferring with Mr.
+Adolphi. Whatever passed between them evidently was not pleasant to the
+director for he called them back at once and they started all over
+again, the director driving them with an intensity that approached a
+white-hot fury.
+
+At last the rehearsal was over and most of them were completely worn
+out. Janet, fortunately, had been spared most of the director's
+criticism while poor Helen had come in for several bitter attacks from
+him.
+
+"I'm going on to the hotel, take a shower and crawl into bed," said
+Helen. "Another day like this will put me in bed for a week."
+
+"I'll be along later," said Janet. "Get the mail at the desk and if
+there are any letters for me, leave them on my bed."
+
+They parted, Helen taking the elevator down and Janet turning toward the
+suite of rooms where the continuity writers worked. At the end of a long
+corridor, she found Jim Hill's office, a tiny cubby that contained only
+a desk, chair and typewriter stand.
+
+"I thought you'd forgotten all about this writing date," said Jim,
+looking up. "I've patched up the sequence that Adolphi objected to this
+afternoon, but I'm still in a mess over the last episode. It's got to
+carry a lot of punch and this is the chapter we've got to guard until
+the last afternoon of rehearsal. There are more leaks in a big studio
+like this than you can shake a fist at."
+
+"But who would give away this information?" asked Janet.
+
+"That's not hard to guess," replied Jim. "It could be someone jealous of
+another member of the company, or someone who wanted a job with another
+broadcasting outfit and who figured that by double crossing his or her
+present employer, a better job could be obtained."
+
+Jim stood up and motioned for Janet to take his place at the typewriter.
+Briefly he explained what he had been trying to work out and Janet
+thought his ideas sounded good. But somewhere the winning punch was
+lacking.
+
+She scanned the last pages of script which he had written. Then she
+rolled a fresh sheet of copy paper into the typewriter and started work.
+A new interest took possession of her and the fatigue of the day dropped
+away as she got into the swing of the writing.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-four
+
+NIGHT ON THE TWENTY-SEVENTH FLOOR
+
+
+Jim Hill peered over her shoulder for a time. Then satisfied at the work
+she was doing, he slipped away and went in quest of a basket of lunch.
+It was nearly half an hour before he returned and by that time Janet had
+completed two pages of manuscript.
+
+Jim laid the lunch out on his desk and while Janet munched a thick, cold
+meat sandwich and quaffed a glass of cold milk, he read the pages with
+real care.
+
+"Say, this is just the stuff my script lacked," enthused the continuity
+writer. "My gosh, Janet, you ought to be on the staff here. We pay money
+for fresh ideas like these."
+
+Janet stopped munching the sandwich and looked at Jim Hill with real
+interest.
+
+"You actually think it is good?" she asked.
+
+"I'll say it's good. Of course a lot of work has to be done to put it in
+finished form, but you've got the meat of it here. I'm going to take
+this down to McGregor. He's still in his office."
+
+Before Janet could ask about McGregor and who he was, Jim Hill picked up
+the manuscript and his own work and fled down the hall.
+
+When he returned ten minutes later a square hulk of a man, who had thick
+pompadour hair and peered through thick lensed glasses, followed him
+into his office.
+
+"Janet," said the younger writer, "I want you to know Mr. McGregor, who
+is head of our continuity department. I showed him your manuscript and
+he agrees with me that it is just what we want for the final episode in
+the program for Ace Pictures. Can you go on working tonight? We've got
+to have the finished draft in the morning."
+
+There was a dire appeal in young Jim Hill's eyes. Janet couldn't have
+ignored that and then Mr. McGregor spoke.
+
+"It is extremely important that we have the Ace contract," he said in
+his slow, precise way. "Other companies are also anxious for it and if
+our dress rehearsal Saturday night fails to meet the approval of the Ace
+officials, we may lose the contract, which would then go to one of our
+rivals. We are none too sure but what they have certain people within
+our own staff who might sell them some of our secrets about this
+program."
+
+"I know the situation," said Janet. "I'm tired, but I'll keep on until I
+either go to sleep or am through."
+
+Mr. McGregor smiled approvingly and Jim Hill felt like shouting.
+
+"That's splendid," said the continuity chief. "I'm going to send Jim
+along to bed. He's to report here early tomorrow morning to start the
+rewriting of your story. You keep on as long as you can. When you are
+through you can lock the script in the right hand drawer of Jim's desk.
+Here is a key for you and Jim has one already."
+
+The head of the continuity department departed and Jim Hill lingered on
+for a minute or two.
+
+"Want some more lunch?" he asked.
+
+Janet, who had turned back to her typewriter, shook her head.
+
+"How about a cup of coffee to keep you awake a while longer? I don't
+want you to go to sleep before you get this material hashed out for me."
+
+"Go on, Jim. I'll get along all right. It won't take long now if I'm not
+interrupted."
+
+Jim Hill took the hint and departed quietly and Janet continued with her
+work. It was something she thoroughly enjoyed doing. This writing was
+creating something out of whole cloth. Of course it would have to have a
+special revision by Jim tomorrow to work it into the script, but when it
+finally went on the air there would still be a lot of her material in
+the radio play.
+
+Janet worked for more than half an hour and then leaned back in her
+chair for her arms ached and her eyes were blurred.
+
+The studio was strangely silent. From somewhere at a distance came the
+soft strains of an orchestra but there was no sound in the corridor
+where the writer's offices were located.
+
+Janet picked up the sheets of copy she had written and scanned the
+material. She smiled a bit as she read it and admitted that it did real
+well.
+
+Placing the sheets back on the desk, she inserted a fresh page of copy
+paper into the typewriter. She would be through in a few more minutes.
+She glanced at her wrist watch before she started in again. It was
+eleven-forty. By midnight she would be through.
+
+Janet was about to resume her work when a queer sensation started at the
+base of her spine and shot up her back. It was a feeling she couldn't
+quite describe and she sat perfectly motionless for several seconds.
+
+Through her mind shot the thought that someone was watching her, peering
+at her from the darkness of the long corridor.
+
+Janet turned suddenly, but there was no one behind her. She got up and
+went to the door where she could look down the corridor, but there was
+no one in sight. The office across the corridor from Jim's was dark and
+the windows only mirrored the shadowy depths.
+
+Despite the fact that she saw no one, Janet was not wholly reassured and
+she looked about Jim's office. There were shades at the windows and the
+door which could be pulled down and she closed the door and drew all of
+the curtains. Before returning to the desk, she snapped the spring lock
+on the door. That done, she went back to the typewriter, but it was hard
+to concentrate now.
+
+Janet forced herself to the task. She knew she must finish and at last
+got into the mood of her script again, working now at high speed and
+wholly forgetful of the strange feeling which had alarmed her.
+
+Somewhere in the distance a bell tolled midnight as she finished the
+last page and pulled it triumphantly from the typewriter. The job was
+done and she felt that it was well done.
+
+The pages she had written were scattered over the top of the desk and as
+she reached out to pick them up, one of them floated to the floor. Janet
+half turned to pick it up. As she did so, her eyes fell on a small gap
+in the curtains she had drawn on the windows along the corridor.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-five
+
+JANET OPENS A DOOR
+
+
+A half stifled scream escaped from her lips. Someone was staring at her
+intently through the small opening. The light from the desk lamp was
+just strong enough to reveal two eyes. That was all, but Janet saw the
+desperate intentness with which they were focused upon her.
+
+Then the eyes vanished and there was no sound from the corridor.
+Involuntarily Janet leaped to her feet, her trembling hands seeking the
+curtain and closing the gap. She wanted to cry out, but the words stuck
+in her throat and she realized that to scream would be useless for there
+was no one along the corridor at this hour of the night who could help
+her.
+
+Stepping back from the curtained window, Janet listened intently for the
+sound of footfalls in the corridor. Then she remembered that it was
+heavily carpeted and one could move along it without making a noise.
+
+Visibly shaken, she finally rallied her nerves and stooped down to pick
+up the sheet of copy which had fallen from the desk. Almost mechanically
+she placed the sheets in order and stacked them neatly. That done she
+sat down at the desk to decide what to do.
+
+There was no question in her own mind but what someone was after the
+manuscript she had finished and someone outside the studio. The
+disappearance of the manuscript from her hotel room tied up with this
+latest event and Janet knew that some agency was determined that the
+story of the last eventful days of the filming of "Kings of the Air"
+should never be told as a part of the radio play they were to present.
+Whether the unknown force was the Premier Film Company or a radio rival
+of the World Broadcasting Company, she couldn't even guess, but in
+either case she knew that she was in a particularly unpleasant position,
+and wished that Jim was with her.
+
+Janet unlocked the right hand drawer of Jim's desk and pulled it out.
+For ordinary purposes it was strong enough, but to place a valuable
+manuscript in it was something that made her hesitate.
+
+She turned around and stared at the curtains at the windows and the door
+along the corridor. They were drawn tightly now. It would be impossible
+for anyone to see in the office.
+
+What should she do with the manuscript? Would it be safe in her own
+hands when she walked down the long corridor she must traverse before
+she reached the reception lobby and the battery of elevators?
+
+Janet didn't feel she wanted to risk that, yet she knew it would be
+unsafe in the drawer of Jim's desk.
+
+Suddenly her gaze fell upon the telephone and she smiled a little
+foolishly. She picked up the instrument and waited for the operator in
+the main office to answer.
+
+There was no response.
+
+Janet jiggled the hook several times, but still there was no answer. She
+did not know that the particular branch exchange on that floor which
+served the publicity department did not have an operator on duty after
+midnight.
+
+Janet's spirits drooped when she failed to get a response through the
+telephone and once more she looked about the room for some place to hide
+the manuscript.
+
+Suddenly she hit upon a plan of action. Seizing the manuscript she
+hastened over near the outside window, reached down and pulled up the
+heavy carpet which covered the floor. Working swiftly she placed the
+manuscript under the carpet, spreading the sheets out so there would be
+no noticeable bulge in the floor covering.
+
+That done Janet returned to the desk, picked up a handful of blank copy
+paper, folded it quickly, and stuffed it into a large envelope. Taking
+up a pen she scrawled these words on the envelope: "Jim Hill--Here is
+the manuscript you wanted. Hope it is something that will fit into your
+program. Janet Hardy."
+
+Janet didn't even stop to blot the wet ink, dropping the envelope into
+the drawer, and closing and locking the receptacle.
+
+She felt better after that. At least she felt she had done her best to
+save the manuscript. Now the problem was to get up enough courage to
+attempt the walk down the long, darkened corridor.
+
+Janet slipped the key to the drawer of Jim's desk into her left shoe,
+mechanically patted her hair, and decided that she might just as well be
+on her way.
+
+It took nerve to open that door, and to step out into the hall from
+which someone had been staring at her only several minutes before. But
+somehow Janet managed it.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-six
+
+IN THE HALL
+
+
+From a distance came the soft strains of an orchestra playing in one of
+the more distant studios on the same floor, but there was no movement in
+the corridor.
+
+Janet paused at the door. Should she snap out the lights? If no one came
+along they would burn all night, yet if she turned them off, she would
+be in utter darkness.
+
+Then she realized that she was silhouetted in the light. Anyone who
+might trouble her would be even more handicapped than she in the
+darkness and her fingers pressed the switch.
+
+As the lights went out, Janet stepped quickly away from the door, her
+feet treading silently on the heavy carpet which covered the floor of
+the hall.
+
+Janet pressed close against the wall, listening for some sound which
+would indicate that someone was lurking in the corridor. There was only
+the far away music of the orchestra as it played a dreamy waltz. From
+outside a clock boomed, but Janet couldn't remember whether it was a
+half after midnight or a quarter to one. It didn't matter much, she
+decided.
+
+Convinced at last there was no one moving along the corridor, she
+started feeling her own way along. The end of the corridor was marked by
+a very dim light that failed to penetrate more than a dozen feet in any
+direction. It was toward this glow that Janet started.
+
+It was a ghostly and unnerving business, but she couldn't spend the
+whole night in Jim's office. It just wasn't possible. She had to get
+out.
+
+Fighting to keep down a mounting fear, Janet quickened her steps. Then
+she stopped abruptly. Just why she did that, she would never know, but
+her instinct warned her that someone was near.
+
+She turned toward an office door she had just passed. It was open and a
+flood of light poured out to blind Janet's tired eyes. The beam from the
+electric torch was so bright it fairly seared its way into her fatigued
+mind.
+
+Then the stabbing light vanished and Janet heard a swift movement. A
+hard hand was clapped over her mouth and she felt an arm slide around
+her neck.
+
+Before she could scream or move, a soft cloth, which reminded her of a
+hospital, was slapped against her face and the fumes of ether penetrated
+her nose and throat. Janet attempted to struggle but two capable arms
+held her fast.
+
+She felt herself losing consciousness. She felt delightfully tired and
+dreamy. Once she rallied her senses, but the next time she slipped away
+into unconsciousness and her captor, satisfied that she would cause no
+trouble for some time, let her fall into a heap on the floor.
+
+While Janet remained unconscious, a lithe figure darted into Jim Hill's
+office and the flash sought the drawer into which she had dropped the
+manuscript.
+
+A small steel instrument, expertly inserted, forced the drawer open and
+the beam of light fell upon the inscription Janet had placed on the
+envelope. The intruder's breath was drawn in sharply and it was evident
+that this was the property sought.
+
+Removing the envelope and placing it in his pocket, the unknown closed
+the drawer and slipped out into the corridor. Bending down over Janet,
+the figure vanished. Someone watching closely could have seen it dodge
+into the main reception room, but there was no one there to watch--only
+Janet unconscious on the floor.
+
+Just how long she remained slumped on the floor she would never know
+exactly; probably it was not more than half an hour at the most.
+
+Finally lights penetrated her tired mind and the sweetish smell of the
+ether assailed her returning consciousness. Someone was shaking her
+gently and someone else was rubbing her arms.
+
+"Wake up, Janet, wake up!" a voice kept repeating.
+
+It sounded strangely like Helen's voice, but Helen, she realized, had
+gone home hours before.
+
+"Take a drink of this," another voice commanded and Janet obeyed almost
+automatically for she was far from being in full command of her senses.
+
+The cool water, flowing down her aching throat, helped and she tried to
+sit up.
+
+"Take it easy," a voice cautioned and she let her head drop back against
+someone's knees.
+
+Lights were on now in the corridor and as consciousness returned Janet
+recognized Helen leaning over her. Curt Newsom was massaging her arms
+and grumbling to himself in anger.
+
+"Feeling better?" Helen asked as Janet's eyes opened wide.
+
+"I'll be all right, soon. I'd like another drink of water," said Janet.
+
+A second glass of water followed the first and she felt stronger as her
+head cleared.
+
+"What happened?" she asked.
+
+"That's what we'd like to know," said Curt. "We found you unconscious on
+the floor a few minutes ago and the place smelled like a hospital."
+
+"Look at Jim Hill's desk and see if the right hand drawer has anything
+in it," Janet whispered to Curt and the tall cowboy hurried away to do
+her bidding.
+
+He returned almost instantly, shaking his head.
+
+"Someone's pried the drawer open with a jimmy," he declared. "There
+isn't a thing in the drawer."
+
+Helen looked stricken.
+
+"Don't tell me that manuscript you worked on all evening was in that
+drawer," she said.
+
+Janet looked beyond Helen and Curt to where half a dozen studio
+employees, most of them from the engineering department, were clustered
+looking at her and wondering what it was all about.
+
+"I put the manuscript there just before I started down the hall," nodded
+Janet. "It looks like it's gone."
+
+There was a flicker of her right eyelid, barely visible to Helen and
+Curt, and they caught its meaning and played the parts Janet wanted.
+
+"Then that means they won't be able to bolster up the program for Ace
+Pictures," wailed Helen. "The World Broadcasting Company will probably
+lose its contract."
+
+"Yep, and we'll all lose our jobs," groaned Curt. "Well, there's nothing
+we can do about it now. We might as well go back to the hotel. We'll
+report to Director Adolphi in the morning. Think you can walk if I
+steady you?" The question was aimed at Janet.
+
+"I'll make it all right," she said, but the steadying influence of
+Curt's arm was welcome,
+
+They walked down the corridor, across the reception lobby, and then sped
+downward in an elevator.
+
+When they were outside and comfortably ensconced in a taxi, Helen faced
+her companion.
+
+"Is the manuscript safe?" she asked.
+
+"Unless Radio City burns down," replied Janet.
+
+"Well, for goodness sake, where is it?"
+
+"I slipped it under the rug in Jim's office and spread the sheets out so
+there won't be a hump which would attract attention. I'll have to get up
+early and phone him at the studio for he's coming down to start the
+revision of my material."
+
+"You'll do no such thing," cut in the cowboy. "You've earned a morning
+of sleep. I'll phone Jim Hill myself and explain where the manuscript is
+hidden."
+
+"Now I want to know just what happened." It was Helen speaking.
+
+Janet shook her head.
+
+"I don't know. I knew someone was prowling in the corridor, but I
+couldn't stay there in the office all night and I couldn't get a phone
+connection out. After I'd hidden the manuscript I turned out the light
+in the office and started down the hall. Someone turned a flashlight
+into my face, then I was grabbed around the neck and finally a cloth
+filled with ether was smashed against my face. About that time I forgot
+to remember and the next thing I knew you two were with me."
+
+"How many jumped on you?" asked the cowboy.
+
+"I can't be sure, but I'd say that it was one man who was capable of
+moving very rapidly."
+
+"One man could do it all right," nodded Curt. "I wish I could get my
+hands on him and I'd teach him a thing or two."
+
+"How did you two happen to get into the corridor? That's a question I'd
+like to have answered," said Janet.
+
+"I became worried when you didn't get back to the hotel at midnight and
+I phoned Curt. He agreed to meet me at Radio City and we came up
+together. It was as simple as that," explained Helen.
+
+"Well, for once I'm glad someone worried about me," confessed Janet.
+"And, oh what a headache that ether gave me. The water tasted good, but
+I feel queer inside now. Bed is going to seem like heaven."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-seven
+
+SUSPICIONS
+
+
+When she was alone in her room, Janet fairly tumbled into bed but not
+until she had picked up a letter Helen had brought up from the desk and
+placed on the bedside table. When she was stretched out comfortably in
+bed, Janet opened the letter. It was from home, her mother telling of
+news of the neighborhood and of interesting little things about the
+house.
+
+Janet finished the letter, tucked it under her pillow, and snapped out
+the light. She was glad that her mother did not know of the stirring
+events of that night.
+
+Janet slept late the next morning, for her fatigue had been heavier than
+she had imagined. After an invigorating shower, she returned to her own
+room and there found a note propped on the writing table.
+
+"Have gone on to Radio City," wrote Helen. "Will meet you there for
+lunch if you're awake."
+
+Janet partially dressed and pulled on her dressing gown. Then she called
+the World Broadcasting Company and got a connection with Jim Hill's
+office. The young continuity writer answered at once.
+
+"This is Janet Hardy. I just wanted to know if you were able to dig the
+copy out from under your carpet."
+
+"I'll say I was," replied Jim. "It's good stuff, Janet. Say, what under
+the sun went on here last night?"
+
+"I'd like to really know," she replied.
+
+"Well, the studio officials are all upset about it. They were worried
+enough trying to land the big contract with the Ace Motion Picture
+Corporation and now they fairly have the jitters. The studio is being
+gone over with a fine-toothed comb to see if some clue can be unearthed.
+Have you thought of anything that would help?"
+
+"To tell the truth, I've just gotten up and I don't think well without
+any breakfast," confessed Janet. "Maybe I'll have an idea or two by the
+time I reach the studio."
+
+"It's almost time for lunch," Jim reminded her.
+
+"I'm to meet Helen for lunch at the studio," replied Janet.
+
+"Then count me in on that and maybe we can get a line on who this was
+chasing around the studio last night."
+
+Janet completed dressing and started for the studio. The morning was
+clear and cool and it seemed impossible now that such events could have
+happened the night before in the studio. She swung into Sixth Avenue,
+walking briskly, and headed for Radio City.
+
+When Janet arrived at the studio, the rehearsal in studio K was at an
+end for the morning and members of the company were hurrying out for
+lunch. Rachel Nesbit, her dark eyes flashing, pushed past Janet with
+little ceremony and Janet thought that the director looked away and
+flushed. But then, she might have been imagining that for Director
+Adolphi and Rachel were known to be close friends.
+
+Helen came hurrying up, followed by Curt Newsom.
+
+"How are you feeling now?" she asked.
+
+"Hungry," confessed Janet. "What's the news around the studio?"
+
+"Oh, everybody is looking at everybody else and wondering who did it.
+They all seem to think it was an inside job for outsiders couldn't have
+known that you were working on that script, much less where you were
+working. I guess suspicion centers pretty strongly right on this
+company."
+
+"That would mean someone in our own unit has sold out to a rival company
+and is doing everything in their power to keep this broadcast from being
+a success," mused Janet.
+
+"That's putting it politely," put in Curt. "I'd say that someone is a
+skunk, and I hate skunks."
+
+Jim Hill joined them just then. He looked tired and worried.
+
+"Let's eat," he said, and the others agreed, the group adjourning to a
+nearby restaurant. They obtained a secluded table where they could talk
+with little risk of being overheard by prying ears.
+
+After giving their orders, Jim turned to Janet.
+
+"Been able to think up any clues?" he asked.
+
+She shook her head.
+
+"I've tried to think of every event that took place, but I can't
+remember any special smell, or noise, and I didn't even feel the
+garments of my assailant. I'm afraid I'm of no help."
+
+"Not much," conceded Jim, running his fingers through his hair.
+
+"What have you found out, Curt?"
+
+The cowboy star likewise had nothing to contribute.
+
+"I've got plenty of suspicions, but not a grain of proof," he grumbled.
+
+"That's just it. We all have suspicions but no proof and this program
+must be in dress rehearsal tomorrow night and there can't be any boners
+pulled then. We've simply got to solve this mystery before then. Until
+this is cleared up the script won't be safe for a minute unless someone
+is with it all of the time."
+
+"Where is it now?" demanded Janet.
+
+"In my office with the door locked and an office boy standing guard in
+front of the door."
+
+"That doesn't sound very safe to me. Suppose someone well known should
+come along and send the boy on an errand. He'd leave the door and there
+your manuscript would be unprotected."
+
+"Oh, it's safe enough," smiled Jim. Then he paused suddenly.
+
+"Say, maybe you're right. That could happen, especially if one of the
+program directors or other officials happened along. I told the boy to
+be sure and stay on the job, but he'd run an errand for any one of
+them."
+
+Jim stood up.
+
+"Go ahead with your lunches. I'll skip up and get the script and rejoin
+you. It won't take five minutes."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-eight
+
+REHEARSALS AGAIN
+
+
+Jim Hill hastened away, but it was fifteen minutes before he returned
+with a large envelope with the manuscript. When he arrived his face was
+flushed and he was breathing rapidly.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked Helen, who sensed that Jim was greatly upset.
+
+"Plenty. It was a good thing I got there when I did."
+
+"You mean someone was after the manuscript?" demanded Janet.
+
+"I mean someone had it," retorted Jim. "But I got it back and without
+much trouble."
+
+"Who was in your office?" It was Curt who fired that question.
+
+Jim looked at them steadily.
+
+"It was Adolphi."
+
+He waited for the significance of his words to sink in and smiled a
+little grimly at the bewilderment which was reflected on their faces.
+
+"Surprised? Say, maybe you think I wasn't. And now I don't know what to
+think."
+
+"Tell us everything that happened after you reached the studio floor,"
+urged Janet.
+
+Jim took out his handkerchief and wiped his forehead, where glistening
+beads of perspiration had gathered.
+
+"When I swung down the corridor I saw the boy had left my door so I ran
+the rest of the way," he said. "The carpet's thick and I made little if
+any noise. The door of my office was open and Adolphi was thumbing
+through the pile of script I had been working on. When I came up behind
+him he jumped almost across the desk."
+
+"What did he say?" asked Helen.
+
+"Said he'd found the door of my office open and since he knew I was
+working on the script thought he would look it over while I was out at
+lunch."
+
+"What did you do?" It was Curt speaking.
+
+"I picked up the script, stuffed it into an envelope, and told Adolphi
+he could see it when McGregor, my continuity chief, put his okay on it.
+I asked Adolphi if he was sure my office was open and he got sore.
+Wanted to know what I was trying to insinuate and all that sort of
+thing. But I think he felt guilty as thunder. Gosh, but I'd like to know
+how he got in there after all my precautions."
+
+"I can tell you," said Curt. "He simply walked down the hall, told the
+boy to go on an errand, and then used a skeleton key on your door."
+
+"It couldn't have been as easy as that," protested Helen.
+
+"Things like that are done easily," smiled Curt. "Mark my words, you
+watch our director closely. He isn't putting his best foot forward in
+getting us in shape. I wouldn't be surprised if he has sold out to some
+other company."
+
+"That's a terrible thing to say about anyone," said Janet.
+
+"It's worse to do it," Curt insisted.
+
+They finished their lunch and returned to Radio City where they were
+whisked up to the twenty-seventh floor in one of the express elevators.
+
+"Stop in after the rehearsal this afternoon," Jim told them. "I'll have
+the final script in shape by then."
+
+The afternoon was a fatiguing one, for Adolphi, as though possessed of a
+demon, found fault with everything and almost everyone. The only one who
+noticeably escaped his ire was Rachel Nesbit, and Janet had to admit
+that Rachel handled her work in a way that defied criticism. Curt Newsom
+came in for some especially bitter comments.
+
+"Too bad we can't get a horse in here so you'd feel at home," snapped
+the director after Curt had bungled one bit of action.
+
+"I don't like skunks," shot back Curt and turned away.
+
+The director, his face flaming, grabbed Curt's arm.
+
+"You've got to explain that," he cried.
+
+"Do you want me to?" asked Curt, looking straight into the face of the
+incensed director.
+
+Adolphi dropped his arm and turned away, and in that action he stirred
+Janet's suspicions anew. If he were without guilt, she felt he would
+have forced Curt to a showdown. But he had turned away and Janet thought
+she caught just a flicker of Rachel Nesbit's eyes.
+
+Then they were back at work, rehearsing until well after the usual
+dinner hour. When the director finally released them, most of the
+company was dizzy with fatigue,
+
+"He's trying to wear us out so we won't be able to put on a good show
+tomorrow night," muttered Curt. "I've a good notion to drop him down an
+elevator shaft and see if he'll bounce."
+
+Jim Hill was waiting for them.
+
+"I thought you'd never come," he said. "Adolphi been pretty tough?"
+
+Janet nodded. "He couldn't have been much worse."
+
+"He's got a reputation for driving his casts just before the final show.
+Sometimes he gets marvelous results; then, again, the thing will fall
+flat with everyone all worn out."
+
+"He's trying to break us in two," grumbled Curt, whose feet were
+hurting.
+
+Jim Hill took them down to his office and they ordered sandwiches sent
+in while they went over the manuscript. It had been given the approval
+of the continuity chief and was to be incorporated into the program.
+
+"I think it's good stuff," said Janet as she laid down the script.
+"You've caught the spirit of the picture at last. If this doesn't boom
+public interest in 'Kings of the Air' to a high pitch, I'll be a very
+mistaken young lady."
+
+The others agreed with her that Jim had struck the right note.
+
+"Now the thing to do is to get Adolphi to swing it through for me
+tomorrow night. He can if he wants to."
+
+"That's a real question, too," said Curt. "I suspect he's the guy behind
+all of the trouble and we'll find Rachel Nesbit right in with him."
+
+They left a few minutes later, Jim Hill taking the precious manuscript
+with him.
+
+Parting on Sixth Avenue, Jim signalled for a cab.
+
+"I'm not taking any chances tonight," he said.
+
+They watched him get into the cab and he waved as the taxi shot away and
+swung onto a side street. But before it disappeared Janet saw something
+that caused a wave of apprehension to sweep over her.
+
+A long, rakish sedan, which had been parked further along the street,
+leaped ahead, and swung around the corner behind the taxi which was
+carrying Jim Hill and the final draft of their radio script.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Twenty-nine
+
+JANET FINDS A CLUE
+
+
+Janet's sharp cry halted Curt Newsom and Helen. They turned startled
+faces toward her.
+
+"What's the matter? Someone try to run you down?" asked Helen.
+
+"It's Jim," replied Janet. "A car's following his taxi. It started up
+from the curb and swung right behind his cab. Someone is after that
+manuscript. We've got to follow them."
+
+Curt hailed a cruising taxi and they piled in, the cowboy giving the
+driver sharp directions.
+
+"Step on it; we'll pay any fines," he said.
+
+The cab lurched away, gaining speed so rapidly they shot around the
+corner in a dizzy skid. Turning onto Fifth Avenue they saw the long,
+dark sedan and ahead of it the taxi in which Jim was riding. A stop
+light blazed in their faces and their cab ground to a halt.
+
+"Go on, go on," urged Janet, leaning toward the driver.
+
+"Can't make it," he growled, pointing to the heavy stream of cross
+traffic which was flowing ahead of them.
+
+When the light changed the taxi and its pursuing sedan had disappeared.
+
+"Pull over to the curb," Janet told their driver. "Now what shall we
+do?" she asked her companions.
+
+"Anybody know where Jim lives?" asked Curt.
+
+"I do," replied Janet.
+
+"Then let's go there and wait for him. We'll be sure that he gets home
+all right."
+
+Janet gave the driver Jim Hill's address and they raced up the avenue
+once more. In less than fifteen minutes they pulled up before an
+apartment house and Janet went into the small lobby and pressed the
+buzzer that signalled Jim's apartment. There was no reply and she
+returned to the cab, a mounting fear in her heart.
+
+She communicated the news to Curt and Helen and they fell silent,
+waiting and hoping that Jim would arrive.
+
+Minutes ticked away and the taxi driver glanced uneasily at his meter
+and wondered about his pay.
+
+"I'm going to call the studio and see if he returned there by any
+chance," said Janet, driven to action in her desperation.
+
+She walked to a nearby drug store and from a pay station there
+telephoned the World Broadcasting studio. It was as she had feared; Jim
+had not returned. In fact, there was no one in the continuity
+department.
+
+It was with a heavy heart that Janet returned to the cab. So much
+depended upon the safeguarding of the script. There was their own radio
+debut for one thing. But that was comparatively minor. More than that
+was the success of the broadcast which was to arouse public interest in
+the film which Helen's father had created. This was what really counted.
+
+When she told Helen and Curt that Jim had not returned to the studio,
+the cowboy sat silent for a time.
+
+"This isn't getting us anywhere," he said. "We may get in trouble, but
+it's worth a try."
+
+Without explaining what he intended to do, he bolted toward the drug
+store and returned a minute later with an address written on a slip of
+paper. He gave this to their driver and ordered him to get there with
+the least possible delay.
+
+"Where are we going?" asked Janet.
+
+"To pay a little call on Director Adolphi."
+
+"Then you think he's mixed up in this thing?" Helen asked.
+
+"I'm sure of it now. There's something about him that just doesn't ring
+true."
+
+There was little conversation in the cab during their fast ride to the
+director's apartment and they all went up together after Curt had paid
+the taxi bill.
+
+Insistent ringing of the bell failed to bring an answer and at last they
+turned away, their hearts heavy with despair.
+
+"I'm going to report this to the nearest police station," said Curt.
+"You girls might just as well go back to your hotel. There's nothing
+further you can do."
+
+"But we seem so helpless," groaned Helen.
+
+"We're just exactly that," growled Curt as he signalled two cabs, one
+for the girls and the other for himself. "I'll phone you the minute I
+get any word of good news."
+
+Janet and Helen said little on their way back to the hotel, for a
+numbing sort of ache had taken possession of their bodies. After days of
+fatiguing rehearsals, the broadcast appeared doomed. Helen cried a
+little as their cab swung onto Broadway and the bright lights of the
+Great White Way blazed in their faces.
+
+At the hotel Janet stopped at the desk to inquire about mail and the
+clerk handed her a telegram.
+
+"It's for you," she said, handing the message to Helen, who tore it open
+with fingers that were none too steady.
+
+"Oh, this is awful," she groaned. "Dad and Mother are coming to New York
+for the first broadcast. What will I do?"
+
+"Don't answer the telegram tonight," Janet warned her. "Perhaps
+something brighter will have taken place by tomorrow."
+
+Janet opened the door of her own room and snapped on the light. As she
+did so a small envelope, which had been slipped under the door, drew her
+attention and she reached down to pick it up. Helen came in the room
+just then and looked at Janet curiously as she opened the envelope.
+
+Janet's face flushed as she read the message, which had been printed
+crudely on a sheet of fine linen paper.
+
+"What is it?" asked Helen, alarmed at the expression on Janet's face.
+
+Janet handed her the sheet of paper.
+
+"Go back to the sticks where you belong or you'll get more of what
+happened last night. This means both of you."
+
+"Why, the nerve of some people," stormed Helen. "I won't be threatened
+into leaving."
+
+"Neither will I," said Janet firmly, "but this thing is getting terribly
+serious. Last night I was made unconscious by some prowler and tonight
+Jim has disappeared with the script of our radio show."
+
+Janet paused and looked at the sheet of stationery in her hand. Then she
+lifted it to her nose and sniffed carefully. Helen looked on in
+wonderment and Janet finally handed the sheet to her.
+
+"Smell anything?" she asked.
+
+"There's just a trace of perfume," agreed Helen.
+
+"Ever smell that before?" Janet was insistent.
+
+"It does seem kind of familiar, but I don't know where."
+
+"Wasn't it in the studio?" Janet was pressing hard for an answer.
+
+"Perhaps it was."
+
+"Someone in our company?"
+
+Helen looked frankly alarmed and finally a wave of comprehension swept
+over her.
+
+"You mean Rachel Nesbit?"
+
+Janet nodded. "That's just who I mean. This sheet is scented with the
+same perfume Rachel uses. Of course hundreds of others may use it, too,
+but it at least gives us a clue. And this printing, disguised though it
+is, is that of a woman."
+
+"Then if we can find Rachel, we may be able to solve this mystery,"
+burst out Helen.
+
+"If we can scare her into telling us something," agreed Janet. "I'll
+phone the studio and get her home address. We'll go there at once."
+
+"What about Curt? He'll want to know what's going on."
+
+"This is a woman's job," replied Janet. "We'll let him try to find Jim.
+You and I are going alone on this particular mission."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter Thirty
+
+OPPORTUNITY AHEAD
+
+
+They obtained Rachel's home address from the studio, slipped on their
+coats, and after making sure that they had an ample supply of money in
+their purses, hastened down and hailed a cab.
+
+Rachel lived in the Greenwich Village section and their driver swung
+over to Fifth Avenue and raced south, green lights winking a clear path
+ahead of them.
+
+There was little conversation in the cab as they sped toward the village
+and when they drew up in front of the narrow building which housed
+Rachel's apartment Janet paid the bill.
+
+"What are you going to say to her?" asked Helen.
+
+Janet shook her head. "I don't know," she admitted. "I suppose I'll
+accuse her of writing this threatening note. That ought to be enough to
+get us into her apartment and once we're there you look around for
+anything suspicious."
+
+They were entering the apartment when a car drew up to the curb and
+Janet seized her companion's arm.
+
+"Get out of sight, quick. That's the sedan which followed Jim's taxi."
+
+They slipped into the shadows to the right of the doorway and watched
+the sedan. Rachel Nesbit stepped out and after her came John Adolphi,
+director of their radio program. Janet could hear Helen's gasp for under
+the director's arm was a familiar portfolio. It was the portfolio in
+which Jim Hill had carried the manuscript.
+
+Rachel and the director disappeared into the apartment building and
+Janet, without a word to Helen, ran toward the nearest shop, a little
+fruit store in a half basement.
+
+"Where can I find a policeman?" she demanded.
+
+The shop keeper helped her phone in an alarm and in less than five
+minutes a radio car pulled up in front of the store.
+
+Janet told her story quickly and when the officers looked doubtful, she
+pleaded with them.
+
+"You've got to believe me. Every minute counts. If that script is
+destroyed the company may lose thousands of dollars worth of business."
+
+Then she put through several calls and finally reached Mr. McGregor,
+head of the continuity department. His words electrified the police and
+they swept down the streets and stormed up into the apartment building
+to the third floor where Rachel lived. In answer to their sharp knock,
+Rachel opened the door and they shouldered their way in.
+
+Janet saw Rachel's face blanch as she saw her, but Janet's heart leaped
+for on a table was the missing manuscript. Director Adolphi was pulled
+out of a closet and from his ashen lips tumbled the sordid story. He was
+really Rachel's brother and the two had conspired to steal the
+manuscript and ruin the World Broadcasting Company's chances for the
+contract with the motion picture company. Another broadcaster had
+offered him a large sum, he said, and promised a job if he would steal
+the script and ruin the program.
+
+They hastened back to the studio where a tense group awaited their
+coming. Mr. McGregor was there and so was Curt. Janet started suddenly
+when she saw Jim Hill with a bandage around his head.
+
+"What happened to you?" she asked anxiously.
+
+"Adolphi ran my cab into a curb and then pulled a gun on me and took the
+script away. Of course he had a mask on, but I recognized his voice. He
+clouted me over the head when I tried to resist and the next thing I
+knew Curt had found me at the police station where I was being given
+emergency treatment."
+
+Mr. McGregor spoke. "What about Adolphi and that precious sister of
+his?"
+
+"They are in police custody awaiting whatever charges may be filed
+against them," said Janet.
+
+Mr. McGregor nodded. "That can be done tomorrow. How about you girls?"
+
+"We're all right," replied Janet and Helen.
+
+"A little tired, maybe," added Helen, by way of an afterthought.
+
+The continuity chief looked at Jim Hill.
+
+"Think you can step in tomorrow and whip this company in to shape so
+we'll be sure of the contract?" he asked.
+
+Jim's face lighted up. "I know I can."
+
+"Then get home and get some sleep. You're in charge of the program."
+
+He turned back to Janet and Helen.
+
+"Like New York?" the question was so sudden that it caught them
+unawares.
+
+"It's exciting," gasped Helen.
+
+"It isn't always like this," smiled the continuity chief. He was looking
+intently at Janet.
+
+"How would you like to join my staff as a writer?"
+
+Janet could hardly believe her ears.
+
+"Why, I think I'd like it," she managed to say. "Yes, I know I would."
+She plunged in blindly.
+
+"Then if you girls want to stay on, there'll be a place for Helen in the
+stock company and for you on my writing staff," he said. "Think it over
+and let me know tomorrow."
+
+An hour later when they were alone in their rooms, Janet and Helen had
+their first chances to talk uninterruptedly.
+
+Helen smiled contentedly.
+
+"It's such a relief to know that the program to boost Dad's picture is
+going through all right," she said. After a pause she went on, "What
+shall we do about the jobs in Radio City?"
+
+"I think I'll accept," said Janet.
+
+"But what about school back home; what about going to Corn Belt U.?"
+
+"I've thought of that, but an opportunity to work in Radio City doesn't
+come every day. In six months we'll have had enough. Then we can go back
+and start our university careers at Corn Belt U."
+
+"What will our folks think?" asked Helen.
+
+"I believe they'll agree with us that six months here in radio work can
+be looked upon as a valuable part of our education."
+
+"Then we'll tell Mr. McGregor we'll stay?"
+
+"That's exactly what we'll tell him. Now I'm going to write the folks
+and tell them all about it," said Janet, picking up a pen and sitting
+down to the task of writing of the thrilling adventures which had
+befallen them since their arrival in New York.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Janet Hardy in Radio City, by Ruthe S. Wheeler
+
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