The flood film was widely advertised and put on that Thursday night. The posters made a fine show in the various store windows of the town. A private school came _en masse_ to the first evening entertainment. A ladies’ charitable association, active in raising a fund for the flood sufferers, was among the audience Friday night. “It’s a go,” voted Ben Jolly, as Randy reported over a hundred people turned away from the doors. “If I were you, Durham, I would wire the Exchange for a thirty days’ contract on that film.” This was done. A big house was expected for Saturday night and it had been decided to run two matinees from three to five beginning Monday. This crowded a little but not to any noticeable discomfort. Pep, always on the scent for information regarding their competitors, came in with a new bulletin at supper time. “Things are getting sort of mixed down at the National, I hear,” he remarked. “How’s that, Pep?” questioned Jolly. “They had a rough crowd among the audience last night and there was a fight. Two women fainted and several had their pockets picked by some fellows from that new Midway they started last week outside of the concession belt.” “I noticed Jack Beavers with a couple of hard-looking fellows yesterday afternoon down at the Midway,” said Vincent. “That won’t pay them, I can tell you.” “If the rough crowd have begun their work at the National we may expect them to make the rounds,” said Jolly. “Keep a sharp eye out, Pep.” “I’ll do just that,” was the prompt response. As anticipated by the motion picture chums and their friends, the throngs that evening beat all records. Pep forgot to look for suspicious characters or trouble. Everything went smoothly up to the last show, when he noticed four swaggering fellows come in. They crowded their way to the front and made a noisy shuffling with their feet and talked loudly. A few minutes later a like group gained admittance and took seats among the rear rows of seats. There were cat calls and signals between the two groups and Pep scented trouble. Vincent, who until he went on the programme the next week helped Pep to keep things in order, came up to his young friend just as the first film of the third series was being run off. “I say, Pep,” he observed, “two of the fellows in that quartette in front there are the same fellows I saw with Jack Beavers. They look ripe for a demonstration.” “You mean they may have been sent here to make trouble for us?” “And rush the crowd in the hope of picking a few pockets--that is their general programme, yes.” “I wish we could get one of the beach policemen to show himself,” said Pep. “That would scare them off. Those officers are friendly to us, but won’t make a move until a real row is on.” “I think I can help out on this proposition,” remarked Vincent, and Pep noticed that he passed through the doorway leading to the living apartment, behind the main room.