elegram?" he asked quickly.

Mr. Edwards looked at the detective in surprise, evidently wondering
what this stranger had to do with the matter.

"Answer, Edwards. It's all right," snapped Mr. Baker.

"I prepared the property telegram," the director answered.

"When?"

"Last night. I knew it would be needed to-day."

"What did you do with it?"

"I left it on my desk. This morning I took it into the studio, and when
the moment arrived, I gave it to the actor who took it to Miss Morton."

"Was he out of your sight, after you gave him the telegram?"

"No. He took it and walked right on the scene."

"Then he couldn't have substituted another for it?"

"No. It would have been impossible, unless he used sleight of hand."

"Before you gave the man the telegram where was it?"

"In my coat pocket."

"No chance, I suppose, of anyone having taken it out and substituting
another."

"None."

"Then it is clear that the substitution must have been effected between
the time you left your office last night, and your arrival here this
morning."

"Yes."

"Was this possible?"

"Undoubtedly. I left my office last night about six. It is never locked.
The caretakers, the women who clean the offices, were in there later,
and from seven to nine this morning it would also have been a simple
matter for anyone to enter and make the change."

Duvall turned to Mr. Baker.

"It's the same story," he said. "Someone who works in the building is
responsible for this thing, or else is able to bribe one or more of your
employees to act for them. But we won't get very far looking for the
guilty person, with several hundred people to watch and no clues
whatever to go on. Suppose we go back to your office, and I will tell
you what I had in mind about this evening."

"Is Miss Morton able to go on with the scene?" Baker asked, as Edwards
started away.

"No. She seems all broken up. I don't think she is very well. Her mother
is going to take her home, as soon as she feels better."

"Will you ask Mrs. Morton to wait a little while, Mr. Edwards? Tell her
that Mr. Duvall will join her presently, and go back to the city with
her." Mr. Edwards nodded, and withdrew, and Duvall and Mr. Baker retired
to the latter's private office.

"What did you have in mind about that new film we're going to release
to-night?" Mr. Baker asked.

"I'll explain that presently. First, tell me how long it will take you
to make a short section of film, say