The Dark Star Part 22

Brandes' voice was almost jovial:

"Wake up, you poor tout! It's nearly noon----"

"Well, wasn't I singing hymns with Doc and Cap till breakfast time?

And believe _me_, we trimmed the Senator's bunch! They've got their transportation back to Albany, and that's about all----"

"Careful what you say. I'm talking from the Gayfield House. The Parson got here all right. He's just left. He'll tell you about things.

Listen, Ben, the chauffeur you sent me from Saratoga got here last evening, too. I went out with him and he drives all right. Did you look him up?"

"Now, how could I look him up when you gave me only a day to get him for you?"

"Did he have references?"

"Sure, a wad of them. But I couldn't verify them."

"Who is he?"

"I forget his name. You ought to know it by now."

"How did you get him?"

"Left word at the desk. An hour later he came to my room with a couple of b.u.ms. I told him about the job. I told him you wanted a chauffeur willing to go abroad. He said he was all that and then some. So I sent him on. Anything you don't fancy about him?"

"Nothing, I guess. He seems all right. Only I like to know about a man----"

"How can I find out if you don't give me time?"

"All right, Ben. I guess he'll do. By the way, I'm starting for town in ten minutes."

"What's the idea?"

"Ask the Parson. Have you any other news except that you killed that Albany bunch of grafters?"

"No.... _Yes_! But it ain't good news. I was going to call you soon as I waked up----"

"What's the trouble?"

"There ain't any trouble--_yet_. But a certain party has showed up here--a very smooth young man whose business is hunting trouble. Get me?"

After a silence Stull repeated:

"Get me, Eddie?"

"No."

"Listen. A certain slippery party----"

"Who, d.a.m.n it? Talk out. I'm in a hurry."

"Very well, then. Maxy Venem is here!"

The name of his wife's disbarred attorney sent a chill over Brandes.

"What's he doing in Saratoga?" he demanded.

"I'm trying to find out. He was to the races yesterday. He seen Doc.

Of course Doc hadn't laid eyes on you for a year. Oh, no, indeed!

Heard you was somewhere South, down and out. I don't guess Maxy was fooled none. What we done here in Saratoga is growing too big to hush up----"

"What _we've_ done? Whad'ye mean, _we_? I told you to work by yourself quietly, Ben, and keep me out of it."

"That's what I done. Didn't I circulate the news that you and me had quit partnership? And even then you wouldn't take my advice. Oh, no.

You must show up here at the track with a young lady----"

"How long has Maxy Venem been in Saratoga?" snapped Brandes.

"He told Doc he just come, but Cap found out he'd been here a week.

All I hope is he didn't see you with the Brookhollow party----"

"Do you think he _did_?"

"Listen, Eddie. Max is a smooth guy----"

"Find out what he knows! Do you hear?"

"Who? Me? Me try to make Maxy Venem talk? That snake? If he isn't on to you now, that would be enough to put him wise. Act like you had sense, Eddie. Call that _other matter_ off and slide for town----"

"I can't, Ben."

"You got to!"

"I _can't_, I tell you."

"You're nutty in the head! Don't you suppose that Max is wise to what I've been doing here? And don't you suppose he knows d.a.m.n well that you're back of whatever I do? If you ain't crazy you'll call that party off for a while."

Brandes' even voice over the telephone sounded a trifle unnatural, almost hoa.r.s.e:

"I can't call it off. _It's done._"

"What's done?"

"What I told you I was going to do."

"_That!_"

"The Parson married us."

"Oh!"