just a little--that's it, use Benson's other expression.
You got it fine. You're treating the skunk rough, but look what he was
doing to you, trying to pinch you for something you never did. That's
fine--go ahead. Don't look back any more."

Merton was chiefly troubled at this moment by the thought that someone
would have to double for him in the actual casting of the rope that
would settle upon the detective's shoulders. Well, he must practise
roping. Perhaps, by the next picture, he could do this stuff himself. It
was exciting work, though sometimes tedious. It had required almost
an entire morning to enact this one simple scene, with the numerous
close-ups that Baird demanded.

The afternoon was taken up largely in becoming accustomed to a pair of
old Spanish spurs that Baird now provided him with. Baird said they
were very rare old spurs which he had obtained at a fancy price from an
impoverished Spanish family who had treasured them as heirlooms. He said
he was sure that Buck Benson in all his vast collection did not possess
a pair of spurs like these. He would doubtless, after seeing them worn
by Merton Gill in this picture, have a pair made like them.

The distinguishing feature of these spurs was their size. They were
enormous, and their rowels extended a good twelve inches from Merton's
heels after he had donned them.

"They may bother you a little at first," said Baird, "but you'll get
used to them, and they're worth a little trouble because they'll stand
out."

The first effort to walk in them proved bothersome indeed, for it was
made over ground covered with a low-growing vine and the spurs caught
in this. Baird was very earnest in supervising this progress, and even
demanded the presence of two cameras to record it.

"Of course I'm not using this stuff," he said, "but I want to make a
careful study of it. These are genuine hidalgo spurs. Mighty few men in
this line of parts could get away with them. I bet Benson himself would
have a lot of trouble. Now, try it once more."

Merton tried once more, stumbling as the spurs caught in the
undergrowth. The cameras closely recorded his efforts, and Baird
applauded them. "You're getting it--keep on. That's better. Now try to
run a few steps--go right toward that left-hand camera."

He ran the few steps, but fell headlong. He picked himself up, an
expression of chagrin on his face.

"Never mind," urged Baird. "Try it again. We must get this right." He
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