They called at the hotel one evening to tell Mr. Alcando that they
were going to New York the following day, and that he could, if he
wished, accompany them. But they found he had already left. He
had written them a note, however, in which he said he would meet
them in the metropolis at the offices of the moving picture
concern, and there complete plans for the trip to Panama.

"Queer he didn't want to go in to New York with us," said Blake.

"There you go again!" laughed Joe. "Getting suspicious again. Take
it easy, Blake."

"Well, maybe I am a bit too fussy," admitted his chum.

Their trip to, and arrival in, New York was unattended by any
incidents worth chronicling, and, taking a car at the Grand
Central Terminal, they were soon on their way to the film studios.

"Well, well! If it isn't Blake and Joe!" cried C.C. Piper, the
grouchy actor, as he saw them come in. "My, but I am glad to see
you!" and he shook their hands warmly.

"Glad something pleases you," said Miss Shay, with a shrug of her
shoulders. "You've done nothing but growl ever since this
rehearsal started." Blake and Joe had arrived during an
intermission in the taking of the studio scenes of a new drama.

"Is he as bad as ever?" asked Joe of Mabel Pierce, the new member
of the company.