"I am," replied the advance agent with emphasis. "My client will sign a contract. He is one of the most reliable business men in the community.

In later curtain features, first the rear view and then the front view and advertis.e.m.e.nt of my client's business will be delineated on the screen. I have several other features to follow this one. I can make it worth your while to enter into a contract."

"I see no objection to your proposition," returned Frank, after a moment's reflection. "I dislike any prize lottery contests, or anything that approaches the gambling idea; but this suggestion of yours seems clean and honest."

He went over details with Booth and was pleased to realize that quite a neat little income was promised from this unexpected feature of the entertainments.

"I declare, that is the first coherent scheme I ever knew Booth to put through," a.s.serted Vincent, as the advance agent took his departure. "If he sticks at this in a business-like way it looks as if he would make some real money. He goes off on a tangent every once in a while, Durham.

You needn't be surprised if he drops in some day with one of his wild schemes, like dropping free tickets over the town from a balloon."

"Ready to go to the bank, Randy?" inquired Frank, in quite a flutter, taking the bank book from a pigeonhole in the desk.

"Yes," replied Randy, taking a neatly done-up package from his tin cash box. "I've sorted out everything above fifty cents for deposit."

"That's right-always keep a good supply of small change on hand,"

advised Jolly. "I say, Durham, what about the daytime shows?"

"We had better canva.s.s that situation during the day," replied Frank.

"We might give it a trial, say, day after to-morrow."

"I don't think a morning show would pay us," suggested Vincent. "You might work in three matinees, though, especially when the beach gets more crowded."

Randy invited Pep to go down to the bank with him. They felt pretty good over the pleasant way things were going.

"We're in the swim, sure," declared Pep, animatedly.

"Yes, and drifting along most delightfully," agreed Randy.

"Sort of a howling capitalist; aren't you!" railed Pep, as they reached the bank, and with a due sense of importance his companion handed in bank book and money at the receiving teller's window.

"You needn't talk," retorted Randy-"you're 'a bloated bondholder'; aren't you?"

Pep winced at the allusion. As they pa.s.sed down the steps of the bank they came face to face with two of their business rivals. They were Peter Carrington and Greg Grayson. Pep carelessly and Randy rather distantly bowed to the two boys and were about to pa.s.s on their way.

"Hold on," sang out Peter, in his usual abrupt style. "Had quite a house last night; didn't you? So did we."

"I heard so," observed Pep. "What's the matter with your private box department, though?"

"Oh, accidents will happen," returned Peter. "Say, look out for a big hit, though, in a day or two."

"That so?" said Pep.

"You bet! Isn't that so, Greg?"

Greg Grayson a.s.sented with a nod. He looked mean and probably felt the same way. He had sense enough to realize that his past record with the moving picture chums, taken in conjunction with his present appearance on a new scene, showed him up in a poor light.

"Yes, sir," vaunted Peter, swelling as if some big idea had sprouted in that dull brain of his; "we're going to spring a motion picture sensation on Seaside Park that will about make us."

"That's good," applauded Randy. "You deserve it if you have the right thing."

"Well, we just have," boasted Peter. "It's so good that I shouldn't wonder if it put everybody else in our line clean out of business."

"Meaning us, I suppose?" inquired Pep.

"Well, those who don't want to get hurt had better keep out of the way,"

advised Peter. "The National has come to stay, I can tell you that."

CHAPTER XVIII-THE GREAT FILM

"Durham, I feel that we've just go to get that film," spoke Ben Jolly.

He held in his hand a special letter from the National Film Exchange, and the lively piano player waved it about in a way that showed that he was unusually excited.

"Yes," nodded Hal Vincent, "this is one of those specials that come along only once or twice a year. The prize fights used to lead before people knew as much as they do now; but you take a royal coronation, or a national auto race, or an earthquake, or liner lost at sea, and that's the big feature that the public run after for about a month."

"You've got to get in at them at the start, though," suggested Jolly.

"Always. The event advertises itself and the film men give it a new start. Why, to open up for day shows, this flood film would be an attraction all of itself."

"Better keep up with the times," half laughed Randy. "You know how Peter Carrington is bragging about some new attraction that is going to put us out of business."

Frank and his chums were practically novices in the "movies" line. They, however, knew enough about the business to realize that the theme under discussion was one worth considering in all its bearings. Furthermore, they placed great reliance in the judgment of Jolly and Vincent. The letter they had received advised them that within two days the "Great Flood Series" of films would be offered for lease. The supply was limited and on this account one film had been apportioned to certain territory. The right to use the film, therefore, would go to the highest bidder in each district.

The flood film covered a national disaster in which a large section of the West had been inundated, causing immense loss to life and property.

Public charity had been appealed to and there were relief funds all over the country. The interest in the event had not yet abated.

"It's a big feature," declared Ben Jolly. "My advice is to get it."

"And get it quick," added Vincent. "These attractions are grabbed for."

"But the cost?" suggested Frank.

"Oh, it is never ruinous," said Vincent. "See here, you can spare me best out of your most valuable staff. I'll go to the city and put the deal through, if you say so."

"What about those cornet solos, and the talking picture stunt, and the act you were going to put on the programme?" grumbled Pep.

"Oh, they will keep for a night or so," replied Vincent. "Another thing, I ordered my outfit, which was levied on at the stand down country where my last venture showed, sent to New York City before I knew I was coming down here. There's some new wardrobe properties I want, too, so I can do double duty while I am in the city."

It was decided that Vincent should go to New York and see what could be done about the flood film. The boys had figured up what price they could stand as a maximum figure, but considerable discretion was left to their representative. Randy and Pep strolled down to the depot with Vincent.

"See who's here," suddenly observed Randy.

Peter Carrington, in a loud, checked suit, alarming necktie and cla.s.sy yachting cap, was at the depot with his two admiring cronies, Greg Grayson and Jack Beavers. He was talking in a loud, showy way, but as Beavers caught sight of Vincent he spoke quickly to Peter and they drew away from the spot. Peter entered the chair car when the train came in.

"h.e.l.lo, going your way," observed Randy.