Part 22 (1/2)

”'That's all right,' smiled the cas.h.i.+er indifferently. 'I'll give you an hour to get the cash here. Only, remember we are likely to have other bids.'

”'I am on hand to take a look at the proposition,' I remarked just there. Peter nearly had a fit. Then he dived for the door. I found out that his figure was ninety-eight dollars for the week. I added two dollars. 'Wait the hour,' said the cas.h.i.+er.

”The hour was up and fifteen minutes over the limit when Peter rushed upon the scene once more,” narrated Vincent. ”He pulled a big wad of bank notes out of his pocket. 'Pack up that film,' he ordered sourly, 'and cancel all our other orders. I'm going to a new place where they won't question my credit on a measly sum like ninety-eight dollars.'

”'The film is sold for Seaside Park,' explained the cas.h.i.+er. 'The Wonderland has overbid you. You are overdue.'

”'Hold on,' I put in, 'I don't want to take advantage of a compet.i.tor.

Fair and square, Carrington. If you want the film, bid for it.'

”'Of course I'll bid for it,' boasted Peter. 'I'll give a hundred and five.'

”'And ten,' I said quietly.

”'Fifteen.'

”'And twenty,' I added.

”'Sho!' said Peter, flipping over the bills in his hand. I haven't much more ready cash here with me.'

”'I'll loan you on your check,' I told him and the bluff took. I had only the hundred and fifty you gave me, but I was nervy, and it beat Peter. I fancy Jack Beavers had set a limit, or the real money wasn't flush at the National; anyhow with a snarl and a scowl Peter gritted his teeth at both of us and decamped.”

Late as the hour was the motion picture chums were so interested in the new film that they had to give it a trial run. It was all the lurid advertising claimed for it from start to finish, and it took thirty-five minutes to run it-the scenes depicted held the interest.

”It's well worth the money,” declared Ben Jolly enthusiastically. ”Now then, to exploit it to the limit.”

The transparency frame built for the National remained in place, but its muslin covering did not contain the announcement expected by Peter and his satellites. Even Hal Vincent, well as he knew Jack Beavers, was greatly surprised when he was told the next day that the s.p.a.ce was devoted to booming a recent sparring match.

”It's pretty bad taste,” he criticised. ”It will take with a certain element, but it won't help in getting the good people and the stayers.”

The flood film was widely advertised and put on that Thursday night. The posters made a fine show in the various store windows of the town. A private school came _en ma.s.se_ to the first evening entertainment. A ladies' charitable a.s.sociation, active in raising a fund for the flood sufferers, was among the audience Friday night.

”It's a go,” voted Ben Jolly, as Randy reported over a hundred people turned away from the doors. ”If I were you, Durham, I would wire the Exchange for a thirty days' contract on that film.”

This was done. A big house was expected for Sat.u.r.day night and it had been decided to run two matinees from three to five beginning Monday.

This crowded a little but not to any noticeable discomfort.

Pep, always on the scent for information regarding their compet.i.tors, came in with a new bulletin at supper time.

”Things are getting sort of mixed down at the National, I hear,” he remarked.

”How's that, Pep?” questioned Jolly.

”They had a rough crowd among the audience last night and there was a fight. Two women fainted and several had their pockets picked by some fellows from that new Midway they started last week outside of the concession belt.”

”I noticed Jack Beavers with a couple of hard-looking fellows yesterday afternoon down at the Midway,” said Vincent. ”That won't pay them, I can tell you.”

”If the rough crowd have begun their work at the National we may expect them to make the rounds,” said Jolly. ”Keep a sharp eye out, Pep.”

”I'll do just that,” was the prompt response.