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Page 29
"I just learned of the tragedy a short while ago, Professor," he
exclaimed. "It is terrible, and so amazingly sudden, too! It--it
has upset me completely. Tell me, have you found anything? Have
you discovered any possible clue? Is there anything at all I can
do to help?"
"I would like to ask a few questions," Kennedy explained.
"By all means!"
He extended a hand to me and I found it damp and flabby, as
though he were more concerned than his manner betrayed. He faced
Kennedy again, however, immediately.
"Stella and I didn't make a go of our married life at all," he
went on, frankly enough. "I was very sorry, too, because I was
genuinely fond of her."
"How recently have you seen her?"
"Stella? Not for over a month--perhaps longer than that."
Manton took Enid by the arm. It was evidently her first visit to
the apartment and he was anxious to show her his various
treasures.
Millard, Kennedy, and I found a corner affording a view out over
the Hudson. After Kennedy had described, briefly, the
circumstances of Stella's death, at Millard's insistence, he
produced the note he had found in her handbag. The author
recognized it at once, without reading it.
"Yes, I wrote that!" Then just a trace of emotion crept into his
voice. "I was too late," he murmured.
"What was it you wanted to say?" Kennedy inquired.
Millard's glance traveled to Manton and Enid, a troubled
something in his expression. I could see that the promoter was
making the most of his tete-a-tete with the girl, but she seemed
perfectly at ease and quite capable of handling the man, and I,
certainly, was more disturbed at the interest of Millard.
"I thought there was something about the business I ought to tell
Stella," he answered, finally. "Manton Pictures is pretty shaky."
"Oh! Then Manton wasn't talking for effect when he told Miss Faye
that the company was broke?"
"No, indeed! In fact, didn't Enid make her agreement with Manton
personally? That's what I advised her to do."
Kennedy nodded. "But is Manton himself financially sound?"
Millard laughed. "Lloyd Manton always has a dozen things up his
sleeve. He may have a million or he may owe a million." In the
author's voice was no respect for his employer. A touch of malice
crept into his tone. "Manton will make money for anyone who can
make money for him," he added, "that is, provided he has to do
it."
Kennedy and I exchanged glances. This was close to an assertion
of downright dishonesty. At that moment Huroki stole in on padded
feet, as noiseless as a wraith.
"Yes, Huroki?" His master turned, inquiringly.
"Mr. Leigh," was the butler's announcement.
"Show him in," said Manton; then he hurried over to us.
"Courtlandt Leigh, the banker, you know."
I imagine I showed my surprise, for Kennedy smiled as he caught
my face. Leigh was a bigger man than Phelps, of the highest
standing in downtown financial circles. If Manton had interested
Courtlandt Leigh in moving pictures he was a wizard indeed.
It seemed to me that the banker was hardly in the apartment
before he saw Enid, and from that moment the girl engrossed him
to the exclusion of everything else. For Enid, I will say that
she was a wonder. She seemed to grasp the man's instant
infatuation and immediately she set about to complete the
conquest, all without permitting him so much as to touch her.
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