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few of them consented； and one； a coloured man who had come to purchase pigs'…feet； won at this game all the bills which the youth had shown to Merton on entering。
There were moments during this scene when Merton wondered if Baird were not relapsing into Buckeye comedy depths； but he saw the inevitable trend of the drama and the justification for this bit of gambling。 For the son； now penniless； became desperate。 He appealed to Merton for a loan； urging it on the ground that he had a sure thing thirtyto…one shot at Latonia。 At least these were the words of Baird； as he directed Merton to deny the request and to again try to save the youth from his inevitable downfall。 Whereupon the youth had sneered at Merton and left the place in deep anger。
There followed the scene with the boy's sister； only daughter of the rich delicatessen merchant； who Merton was pleased to discover would be played by the Montague girl。 She entered in a splendid evening gown； almost too splendid； Merton thought； for street wear in daylight； though it was partially concealed by a rich opera cloak。 The brother being out； Merton came forward to wait upon her。
〃It's like this；〃 Baird explained。 〃She's just a simple New York society girl； kind of shallow and heartless； because she has never been aroused nor anything； see？ You're the first one that's really touched her heart； but she hesitates because her father expects her to marry a count and she's come to get the food for a swell banquet they're giving for him。 She says where's her brother； and if anything happened to him it would break her heart。 Then she orders what she wants and you do it up for her； looking at her all the time as if you thought she was the one girl in the world。
〃She kind of falls for you a little bit； still she is afraid of what her father would say。 Then you get bolder； see？ You come from behind the counter and begin to make love； talking as you come outso…and… so； so…and…so； so…and…soMiss Hoffmeyer； I have loved you since the day I first set eyes on youso…and…so； so…and…so； so…and…so； I have nothing to offer but the love of an honest manshe's falling for it； see？ So you get up close and grab hercave…man stuff。 Do a good hard clenchshe's yours at last； she just naturally sags right down on to you。 You've got her。
〃Do a regular Parmalee。 Take your time。 You're going to kiss her and kiss her right。 But just as you get down to it the father busts in and says what's the meaning of this； so you fly apart and the father says you're discharged； because his daughter is the affianced wife of this Count Aspirin； see？ Then he goes back to the safe and finds all the money has been taken； because the son has sneaked in and grabbed out the bundle and hid it in the ice…box on his way out； taking only a few bills to get down on a horse。 So he says call the policebut that's enough for now。 Go ahead and do that love scene for me。〃
Slowly the scene was brought to Baird's liking。 Slowly； because Merton Gill at first proved to be diffident at the crisis。 For three rehearsals the muscular arm of Miss Montague had most of the clenching to do。 He believed he was being rough and masterful； but Baird wished a greater show of violence。 They had also to time this scene with the surreptitious entrance of the brother； his theft of the money which he stuffed into a paper sack and placed in the ice… box； and his exit。
The leading man having at last proved that he could be Harold Parmalee even in this crisis； the scene was extended to the entrance of the indignant father。 He was one of those self…made men of wealth； Merton thought； a short； stout gentleman with fiery whiskers； not at all fashionably dressed。 He broke upon the embrace with a threatening stick。 The pair separated； the young lover facing him； proud； erect； defiant； the girl drooping and confused。
The father discharged Merton Gill with great brutality； then went to the safe at the back of the room； returning to shout the news that he had been robbed by the man who would have robbed him of his daughter。 It looked black for Merton。 Puzzled at first； he now saw that the idolized brother of the girl must have taken the money。 He seemed about to declare this when his nobler nature compelled him to a silence that must be taken for guilt。
The erring brother returned； accompanied by several customers。 〃Bring a detective to arrest this man；〃 ordered the father。 One of the customers stepped out to return with a detective。 Again Merton was slightly disquieted at perceiving that the detective was the cross…eyed man。 This person bustled about the place； tapping the cooked meats and the cheeses； and at last placed his hand upon the shoulder of the supposed thief。 Merton； at Baird's direction； drew back and threatened him with a blow。 The detective cringed and said： 〃I will go out and call a policeman。〃
The others now turned their backs upon the guilty man。 Even the girl drew away after one long； agonized look at the lover to whose embrace she had so lately submitted。 He raised his arms to her in mute appeal as she moved away； then dropped them at his side。
〃Give her all you got in a look；〃 directed Baird。 〃You're saying： 'I go to a felon's cell； but I do it all for you。' Dream your eyes at her。〃 Merton Gill obeyed。
The action progressed。 In this wait for the policeman the old mother crept forward。 She explained to Merton that the money was in the ice…box where the real thief had placed it； and since he had taken the crime of another upon his shoulders he should also take the evidence； lest the unfortunate young man be later convicted by that； she also urged him to fly by the rear door while there was yet time。 He did these things； pausing for a last embrace of the weeping old lady； even as the hand of the arriving policeman was upon the door。
〃All for to…day； except some close…ups；〃 announced Baird when this scene had been shot。 There was a breaking up of the group； a relaxation of that dramatic tension which the heart…values of the piece had imposed。 Only once； while Merton was doing some of his best acting； had there been a kind of wheezy tittering from certain members of the cast and the group about the cameras。
Baird had quickly suppressed this。 〃If there's any kidding in this piece it's all in my part；〃 he announced in cold； clear tones； and there had been no further signs of levity。 Merton was pleased by this manner of Baird's。 It showed that he was finely in earnest in the effort for the worth…while things。 And Baird now congratulated him； seconded by the Montague girl。 He had； they told him； been all that could be expected。
〃I wasn't sure of myself；〃 he told them； 〃in one scene； and I wanted to ask you about it； Mr。 Baird。 It's where I take that money from the ice…box and go out with it。 I couldn't make myself feel right。 Wouldn't it look to other people as if I was actually stealing it myself？ Why couldn't I put it back in the safe？〃
Baird listened respectfully； considering。 〃I think not；〃 he announced at length。 〃You'd hardly have time for that； and you have a better plan。 It'll be brought out in the subtitles； of course。 You are going to leave it at the residence of Mr。 Hoffmeyer； where it will be safe。 You see； i