affic, you know,
and, in fact some vessels have already gone through it. But the
work is not yet finished, and we want you to film the final
touches.

"Then, too, there may be accidents--there have been several small
ones of late, and, as I wrote you, a man who claims to have made a
study of the natural forces in Panama declares a big slide is due
soon.

"Of course we won't wish the canal any bad luck, and we don't for
a moment want that slide to happen. Only--"

"If it does come you want it filmed!" interrupted Blake, with a
laugh.

"That's it, exactly!" exclaimed Mr. Ringold.

"You'll find plenty down there to take pictures of," said Mr.
Hadley. "We want scenes along the Canal. Hire a vessel and take
moving pictures as you go along in her. Go through the Gatun
locks, of course. Scenes as your boat goes in them, and the waters
rise, and then go down again, ought to make a corking picture!"

Mr. Hadley was growing enthusiastic.

"Get some jungle scenes to work in also," he directed. "In short,
get scenes you think a visitor to the Panama Canal would be
interested in seeing. Some of the films will be a feature at the
Panama Exposition in California, and we expect to make big money
from them, so do your best."

"We will!" promised Joe, and Blake nodded in acquiescence.

"You met the young Spaniard who had a letter of introduction to
you; did you not?" asked Mr. Hadley, after a pause.

"Yes," answered Blake. "Met him under rather queer circumstances,
too. I guess we hinted at them in our letter."

"A mere mention," responded Mr. Hadley. "I should be glad to hear
the details." So Blake and Joe, in turn, told of the runaway.

"What do you think of him--I mean Mr. Alcando?" asked the moving
picture man.

"Why, he seems all right," spoke Joe slowly, looking at Blake to
give him a chance to say anything if he wanted to. "I like him."

"Glad to hear it!" exclaimed Mr. Hadley heartily. "He came to us
well recommended and, as I think I explained, our company is under
obligations to concerns he and his friends are interested in, so
we were glad to do him a favor. He explained, did he not, that his
company wished to show scenes along the line of their railroad, to
attract prospective customers?"

"Yes, he told us that," observed Joe.

"What's the matter, Blake, haven't you anything to say?" asked Mr.
Hadley in a curious voice, turning to Joe's chum. "How does the
Spaniard strike you?"

"Well, he seems all ri