Henshaw was instructing these.

Presently he called through his megaphone: "You people are excited by the entrance of the famous Vera Vanderpool and her friends.

You stop drinking, break off your talk, stare at her--see what I mean ?--she makes a sensation.

Music, lights, camera!" Down the set, escorted by a deferential head-waiter, came Muriel Mercer on the arm of a middle-aged man who was elaborately garnished but whose thin dyed mustaches, partially bald head, and heavy eyes, proclaimed him to Merton Gill as one who meant the girl no good.

They were followed by the girl who was not so beautiful and the other two men.