The Dark Star

"Long distance calling you, Mr. Stull. One moment, please.... Here's

your party," concluded the operator.

Stull, huddled sleepily on his bed, picked up the transmitter from the

table beside him with a frightful yawn.

"Who is it?" he inquired sourly.

"It's me--Ben!"

"Say, Eddie, have a heart, will you! I need the sleep----"

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 bums. 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, damn 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----"