unced
Mr. Pertell one morning. "It has gone off pretty well so far, and if
there is no hitch to-day we'll film it to-morrow and get the real
picture. Everybody ready, now."

"Are we to be carried down the ladders?" asked Ruth, for the former
rehearsals had not included this.

"I think so," answered the manager. "The carpenter promised to be
here to cut the roof, too, so we may be able to go through the whole
scene just as we will in the play. Russ, you come out and watch, and
select the best places for your camera, so there will be no hitch
to-morrow."

"I hope that ladder will be good and strong," remarked Mr. Sneed. "I
wouldn't want it to break with me on it."

"Nor would I," laughed Alice. "Still, that might make a funny picture
for you, Mr. Pertell."

"Oh, Alice!" chided Ruth.

"The ladder is all right--it's a new one," said Paul. "I've seen it,
and given it a trial. It would even hold Pop Snooks, and he's our
heavy-weight."

"I made that ladder myself," said the property man.

"I hope it isn't like the imitation fence you made once, that came
down with Mr. Switzer," said Ruth.

"Ach, himmel! I hopes not!" exclaimed the German actor. "Dot voult be
too bad. It vos bad unough to fall on der fence, but a latter--ach!"

"Don't worry," said Pop. "The ladder will hold an elephant. I have
tried it a dozen times."

The moving picture players were gathered about the barn, and the
preliminary scenes were rehearsed. The carpenter had come and as soon
as he had made the cut in the roof, the more important parts of the
play would be gone through with.

The ladder had been tested and found to be perfectly secure, so that
any little fear Mr. De Vere may have had for the safety of his
daughters was dispelled.

"Well, now we're ready for the main scene, I think," said Mr.
Pertell. "Carpenter, you can get busy while we take a rest."

As Ruth and Alice, with Paul and Russ, were walking off toward a
little clump of trees, to sit down in the shade, Alice, glancing
across the fields, saw a figure that caused her to cry out:

"That man! That lame man! There he is!"

"And this time he doesn't get away from us!" cried Paul, as he darted
toward the mysterious stranger.

CHAPTER XXI

A CHASE

The unknown interloper pursued his usual tactics. That is, he turned
and fled as soon as he saw Paul coming toward him. And he went
surprisingly fast for a lame man. Alice was the first to notice this.

"Look!" she cr