"She ain't very bright; but she ain't a fool, either. The only trouble
with Rhonda is, she's got it in her head she can act since she doubled
for me while I was down with the fever. Some one handed her some
applesauce, and now she thinks she's some pumpkins. She had the nerve
to tell me that I'd get credit for what she did. Believe me, she won't
get past the cutting room when I get back to Hollywood--not if I know
my groceries and Milt Smith."
"There couldn't anybody act like you, Naomi," said Obroski. "Why,
before I ever dreamed I'd be in pictures I used to go see everything
you were in. I got an album full of your pictures I cut out of movie
magazines and newspapers. And now to think that I'm playin' in the same
company with you, and that"--he lowered his voice--"you love me! You do
love me, don't you?"
"Of course I do."
"Then I don't see why you have to act so sweet on Orman."
"I got to be diplomatic--I got to think of my career."
"Well, sometimes you act like you were in love with him," he said,
petulantly.
"That answer to a bootlegger's dream! Say, if he wasn't a big director
I couldn't see him with a hundred-inch telescope."
In the far distance a wailing scream echoed through the blackness of
the night, a lion rumbled forth a thunderous answer, the hideous,
mocking voice of a hyena joined the chorus.
The girl shuddered. "God! I'd give a million dollars to be back in
Hollywood."
"They sound like lost souls out there in the night," whispered Obroski.
"And they're calling to us. They're waiting for us. They know that
we'll come, and then they'll get us."
The flap of the tent moved, and Obroski jumped to his feet with a
nervous start. The girl sat straight up on her cot, wide-eyed. The flap
was pulled back, and Rhonda Terry stepped into the light of the lone
lantern.
"Hello, there!" she exclaimed cheerily.
"I wish you'd scratch before you come in," snapped Naomi. "You gave me
a start."
"If we have to camp this close to the black belt every night we'll all
be scratching." She turned to Obroski. "Run along home now; it's time
all little Lion Men were in bed."
"I was just going," said Obroski. "I--"
"You'd better. I just saw Tom Orman reeling in this direction."
Obroski paled. "Well, I'll be running along," he said hurriedly, while
making a quick exit.
Naomi Madison looked distinctly worried. "Did you really see Tom out
there?" she demanded.
"Sure. He was wallowing around like the Avalon in a heavy sea."
"But they said he went to bed."
"If he did, he took his bottle to bed with him."