At the
same time the action of the collodion made the letters on the
order faintly visible and readable.
"A little-known bank trick!" Kennedy told us.
Then he held the slip up to the light and the words were plain.
Wagnalls had been correct. The order from Manton was
unmistakable. The can was to be kept in the negative vault for a
week without being opened, until a certain party unnamed was to
come to watch the development of the film.
The promoter wet his lips, uneasily. "I--I never wrote that! It--
it's my writing, all right, and my signature, but it's a
forgery!"
XXIX
MICROSCOPIC EVIDENCE
Kennedy made some efforts to preserve the forged order which he
had restored with the collodion, but I could see that he placed
no great importance upon its possession. Gradually the yard of
the studio had cleared of the employees, who had returned to
their various tasks. Under the direction of one stout individual
who seemed to possess authority the fire apparatus had been
replaced in a portable steel garage arranged for the purpose in a
farther corner, and now several men were engaged in cleaning up
the dirt and litter caused in the excitement.
Except in the basement there were few signs of the blaze. Manton
accompanied the fire chief to his car, then hurried up into the
building without further notice of us. Mackay went to McGroarty's
machine to claim the traveling bag containing our evidence.
Kennedy and I started for the dressing rooms.
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