human
And yet, Kennedy, all the efforts to wreck Manton Pictures would have failed, because 'The Black Terror' was too sure a success. In spite of all the expense, in spite of every effort to wreck it, that picture would have made half a million dollars. Stella's acting and Millard's story and script would have put it over. But now Millard's contract has expired and Manton has signed him for Fortune Features. Enid Faye will be made a star by 'The Black Terror,' but she is not now the drawing power to put it over big, as Stella would have done. I tell you, Kennedy, the death of Stella Lamar has completed the wreck of Manton Pictures!
gpt
Do I understand you, Phelps? he snapped.
human
Are you accusing Manton of the cold-blooded murder of Stella Lamar to further various financial schemes?
gpt
Hardly! Phelps blanched a bit, and I thought that a shudder swept over him.
human
I don't mean anything like that at all. What I mean is that Manton, in encouraging various sorts of dissension to wreck the company, inadvertently fanned the flames of passion of those about her, and it resulted in her death.
gpt
Who killed her?
human
I don't know!
gpt
At Tarrytown, Kennedy went on,
human
I asked you if Stella Lamar was making any trouble, had threatened to quit Manton Pictures, and you said no. Is that still your answer?
gpt
For several months she had been up-stage. That was not because she wanted to make trouble, but because she had fallen in love. Manton found he couldn't handle her as he had previously.
human
Do you suspect Manton of killing her himself?
gpt
I don't suspect anyone. That is an honest answer, Mr. Kennedy.
human
What do you know about Fortune Features?
gpt
I know who this new Wall Street fellow is. I've got my scouts out working for me. It's Leigh--that's who it is. And I'm sore; I have a right to be.
human
I tell you, he almost shouted,