ck. I'll stay here. Is your father out?"

"Yes, and all on account of that horrid man," answered Alice. "Oh, it
was so good of you to come in Russ!"

"I happened to be coming here anyhow," he answered. "When I saw the door
open, and heard what was said, which I could not help doing, I did not
stand on ceremony."

"It was awfully good of you," murmured Ruth, who now seemed quite
herself again. "I suppose you heard what that man said?"

"Not all," he made reply. "It was something about money though, I
gathered. He was demanding it."

"Yes, and after father has already paid it," put in Alice. "That's where
daddy has gone now--to consult Mr. Pertell as to the best course of
action."

Between them, Ruth and Alice told about Dan Merley's claim, and the
injustice of it. Russ was duly sympathetic.

"If I were your father I would pay no attention to his demand," the
young moving picture operator said.

"But suppose he sues, as he threatened?" asked Ruth.

"Let him, and fight the case in court when it comes up. Merley may be
only 'bluffing', to use a common expression."

"But it annoys daddy almost as much as if the case were real, you see,"
said Ruth. "Won't you sit down, Russ? Excuse our impoliteness, but
really we've been quite upset."

"Thanks," he laughed as he took a chair. "You need cheering up. You come
to the studio to-morrow and forget your troubles in a good laugh."

"Why?" asked Alice. "Ruth and I are not down for any parts to-morrow."

"No, but Mr. Switzer is going to do some comic stunts, and Mr. Bunn and
Mr. Sneed are in them with him. There are to be some trick films, I
believe."

"Then we'll go," decided Alice. "I think a laugh would do me good."

Gradually the little fright wore off, and when Mr. DeVere returned
shortly afterward the girls were themselves again, under the happy
influence of Russ.

"What luck, Daddy?" asked Alice, as her father came in. He shook his
head, as she added: "Russ knows all about it," for she gathered that he
might not like to speak before the young man. "What did Mr. Pertell
say?"

"He advised me to wait until Merley made the next move, and then come
and see him again. He said he would then send me to the attorney for the
film company, who would handle my case without charge."

"How good of him!" cried Ruth, impulsively.

"Mr. Pertell gave daddy the same advice Russ gave us," added Alice. "Oh,
it was so good to have him here when that dreadful man came in," she