me for a detective!"

"Never heard of him. But, let's hope he clears Mac."

"Yes, and finds the real murderer. Do you know I can't realize Gilbert's
gone,--even yet."

"Don't think about him, Carly. It can't do any good, and it only makes
you sad and morbid. Let me tell you of my hopes and fears, mayn't I?"

"Of course, go ahead."

"Well, I'm getting up a big,--a really big enterprise."

"What?"

"I hope you won't disapprove, but it's in the Moving Picture business."

"Why should I disapprove?"

"Oh, some people sniff at M. P's. But this is a really big, fine
production."

"Are you the producer?"

"Yes; don't tell it outside, yet. You see, I've written a big story,--a
picturesque thriller,--and critics who've read it, think it's a wonder.
Now, it's too big to give to anybody,-- I mean, it would be foolish for
me merely to get a royalty,--so I'm going to put it on, myself."

"Good, Kit, I'm glad to hear it. I always thought you had it in you to
be some sort of an organizer or producer, in some important way."

"Yes, I've always had that ambition. Well, this is a great yarn! I want
to read it to you some time. Marvelous pictures,--they're being made
now. And that's not all of it,-- I mean to make it into a book----"

"You can't write a book!"

"If I can't I'll get it written,--but the plot is such a wonder,--and
the scenes!"

"Up in Labrador, I'll bet!"

"Yes, they are, Carly. And corkers! Well, I figure to have the book and
the pictures sprung on an unsuspecting public simultaneously,--and
afterward,--maybe, it will be made into a real play!"

"And after that, into a Light Opera,--and after that, into Grand Opera?"

Carly's tone was mocking, but her smile was sweet and approving, and Kit
beamed at her.

"I knew you'd be interested! I want you to hear the plot soon,--and
would you like to go to the studios?"

"Where they're making the Labrador pictures?"

"Yes; they're faked, of course. No sense in going up there to take them.
I know the stuff so well, I can get it up right here."

"Oh, Kit, you ought to have the real scenes."

"No; it isn't necessary. Snow's easy enough to manage. But the plot's
the thing! Carly, it's a peach! And then, it's all done up with real
artistry. No crude, raw scenes. All softened with lights and shades and
colors; and everything,--even realism, sacrificed to beauty. It will be
the success of the season, the talk of the town, and it will make my
reputation forever