for it," he retorted. "Evidently it was some
one's idea of a practical joke."

"I don't think it was much of a joke," said Curt quietly. "If the
manuscript Janet was working on has disappeared, it vanished because
someone was afraid of what she might write."

Chapter Twenty-one

INSINUATIONS

At the cool words of the cowboy star, the radio director whirled to face
him.

"Just what do you mean by that," he demanded, his face flushing.

"I mean just this," retorted Curt. "There was a very real attempt made
on the coast to stop the filming of 'Kings of the Air' and it begins to
look like that attempt is being carried on even in New York in an effort
to stop the promotion of the picture. All I've got to say is that
someone had better be careful."

"Are you insinuating anything?" demanded the radio director.

"I'm not insinuating; I'm just saying," said the cowboy star firmly.

The director turned back to Janet.

"You're sure the manuscript was stolen?"

"It was unless someone in the studio here has it," she replied.

"I'll make inquiries," he promised, "but I am sure no one in the studio
would have sent for it."

Mr. Adolphi left studio K and Janet, Helen and Curt Newsom were alone.

"You're not kidding about the manuscript being missing?" Curt asked.

"No, Curt, I'm terribly serious. We went out for a time yesterday
afternoon. While we were gone the maid came in to leave clean towels and
while she was in the room a man came in. He said he was from the studio
here and had come for the manuscript. Naturally the girl didn't object
and he walked out with the papers."

"What did you have in the story?"

"Oh, a lot about the final days in the desert. How the attempts were
made to stop the picture, the bombing from the sky and my own
kidnaping."

"Did you hint that some other company was responsible for this?" The
question was snapped at Janet.

"Come to think of it, I did, but of course I didn't mention any company
by name."

Curt scratched his head in frank worry.

"You know," he confessed, "this thing has got me puzzled. There is some
powerful agency at work to stop the picture Helen's father made and I
believe its influence must extend right here into this studio. You girls
be sure and watch your step and especially at night."

"But nothing will happen to us," protested Helen.

"No, I don't suppose there will, but you keep on the alert just the
same," Curt warned them.

Mr. Adolphi retu