the director of the picture, scrambled up a leaning sycamore tree which
overhung the stream at a sharp angle. The girl swayed upon the bare trunk,
balancing herself prettily, and glanced back over her shoulder.

Tom had brought the car to a stop. When the engine was shut off they could
hear the director's commands:

"That's it, Hazel. Keep that pose. Got your focus, Carroll?" he called to
the camera man. "Now--ready! Register fear, Miss Hazel. Say! act as though
you _meant_ it! Register fear, I say--just as though you expected to fall
into the water the next moment. Oh, piffle! Not at all like it! not at
_all_ like it!"

He was a dreadfully noisy, pugnacious man. Finally the girl said:

"If you think I am not scared, Mr. Grimes, you are very much mistaken. I
_am_. I expect to slip off here any moment----Oh!"

The last was a shriek of alarm. What she was afraid would happen came to
pass like a flash. Her foot slipped, she lost her balance, and the next
instant was precipitated into the river!




CHAPTER II

THE FILM HEROINE