e was a picture of Nita Leigh, with
Nita's statement that 'the report of my death has been exaggerated,' and
a picture of the real Anita Lee."

"When did the mistake occur?" Dundee asked, in great excitement.

"Let me think!" Serena Hart frowned. "'Hullabaloo' opened in--yes, about
the first of May, 1922.... Just a little more than eight years ago."

Dundee reached for his own hat, in a fever to be gone, but to his
surprise the actress stopped him, a faint color in her pale cheeks.

"Since you're from Hamilton, and are investigating the murder, you have
undoubtedly met little Penelope Crain?"

"I know her very well. It happens that she is private secretary to the
district attorney, under whom I work.... Why?"

"I saw her play the lead in the Easter show at Forsyte four or five
years ago," Miss Hart explained, her face turned from the detective as
she dusted it with powder, "and I was impressed with her talent. In
fact, I advised her father, who had come from Hamilton to witness the
performance, as proud parents are likely to do, to let her go on the
stage."

"So you met Roger Crain?" Dundee paused to ask.

"Oh, yes.... A charming man, with even more personality than his
daughter," the actress answered carelessly, so carelessly that Dundee
had a sudden hunch.

"Have you seen Mr. Crain recently?... He deserted his family and fled
Hamilton, under rather unsavory circumstances."

"What do you mean?" Miss Hart asked sharply.

"Oh, there was nothing actually criminal, I suppose, but he is believed
to have withheld some securities which would have helped satisfy his
creditors, when bankruptcy was imminent," Dundee explained. "Have you
seen him since then--January it was, I believe?"

"January?" Miss Hart appeared to need time for reflection. "Oh, yes! He
sent in his card on the 'first night' of my show that opened in
January.... It was a flop--lasted only five weeks.... We chatted of the
Forsyte girls who are now in Hamilton, most of whom I went to school
with or have met at the Easter plays."

"Do you know where Mr. Crain is now?" Dundee asked. "I have a message
for him from Penny--if you should happen to see him again----"

"Why _should_ I see him again?" Miss Hart shrugged. "And I haven't the
least idea where he is living or what he is doing now.... Of course, if
he should come to see me backstage after 'Temptation' opens--What is the
message from Penny?"

"That her mother wants him to come home," Dundee a