"All aboard!" called Mr. Pertell. And, as they moved off toward the train Russ, turning, saw a man staring after the players. "Look!" said the young operator, in a low voice to Mr. Pertell, "that International Film Company spy--Wilson--is keeping tabs on us!" CHAPTER VIII THE OIL WELL Mr. Pertell paused and looked back. There on the depot platform stood the man he had caught in his testing room taking notes of the films of the big drama. "Those fellows mean business!" the manager commented. "They are trying to get my best ideas, I think. It's a wonder they wouldn't originate something themselves!" "I'd like to have it out with him," declared Russ. "It would only make trouble," responded the manager. "I think I can stop them in another way. I'll try legal means first, and if they don't work--well, perhaps we can put up some kind of a game on them." "Let me have a hand in it," begged the young operator. "I want to pay my respects to that fellow." Wilson, for so it was, had by this time seen that he was observed, and he slunk out of sight behind a pillar. Then, as Mr. Pertell and Russ went to take their places in the coach with the others, a truck, piled with the baggage of the company, came along. The spy darted out from behind the pillar and with a quick glance noted the destination as shown on the checks. "So that was his game!" cried Russ. "I'll put a stop to that, all right!" "It's too late. He's seen, and, anyhow, he could have found out," called Mr. Pertell. But Russ did not stay to hear, for he had made a rush toward the fellow. He was too late, however, and perhaps it was just as well, as Russ was a bit hot-headed, and there might have been a scene. Wilson, seeing Russ coming, hastily thrust into his pocket a card on which he had evidently been copying the name of the place to which the trunks had been checked, and ran away. "Come back, Russ," called Mr. Pertell. "You'll miss the train!" for the warning whistle had sounded. "I wish I had caught him," panted the young operator as he returned. "I never saw a fellow with such nerve." "His company is in bad shape," said Mr. Pertell. "They have been losing money, and their films are not taking well. They have not much of a company of players, and I suppose they think they can use some of our ideas, and maybe some of our actors and actresses." "How do you mean--by hiring them away from you?" asked Russ. "Well, they might do that, though I don't believe the International people will pay the salaries my people are getting. So I think none of them would leave. Even if more money were offered I think my friends would stand by me. But what I meant was that we'll have to be on the watch to see that they don't actually take some of our films." "You mean after I have made the reels?" "No, they might even try, on the sly, to film the action of our players when we're going through some scene." "Whew!" whistled Russ. "If they do that you could have them arrested."