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.

“You’ll excuse us?” remarked Manton, easily, as he drew Phelps and Enid away.

“See!” exclaimed Millard, in a low voice, frowning now as he watched the girl.  “Manton’s clever!  I’ve never known him unable to raise money, and that’s why I wanted Enid to have her contract with him personally.  If Manton Pictures blows up he’d put her in some other company.”

“He has more than one?” This seemed to puzzle Kennedy.

“He’s been interested in any number on the side,” Millard explained.  “Now he’s formed another, but it’s a secret so far.  You’ve heard of Fortune Features, perhaps?”

Kennedy looked at me, but I shook my head.

“What is ’Fortune Features’?” Kennedy asked the question of Millard.