Part 21 (2/2)
”Find me a chauffeur who will be willing to go abroad. I'll give you twenty-four hours to get him here.”
The next morning he called up Stull on the telephone from the drug store in Gayfield:
”Get my wire, Ben?”
”Yes. But I----”
”Wait. Here's a postscript. I also want Parson Smawley. I want him to get a car and come over to the Gayfield House. Tell him I count on him. And he's to wear black and a white tie.”
”Yes. But about that chauffeur you want----”
”Don't argue. Have him here. Have the Parson, also. Tell him to bring a white tie. Understand?”
”Oh, yes, I understand you, Eddie! You don't want anything of me, do you! Go out and get that combination? Just like that! What'll I do?
Step into the street and whistle?”
”It's up to you. Get busy.”
”_As_ usual,” retorted Stull in an acrid voice. ”All the same. I'm telling you there ain't a chauffeur you'd have in Saratoga. Who handed you that dope?”
”Try. I need the chauffeur part of the combine, anyway. If he won't go abroad, I'll leave him in town. Get a wiggle on, Ben. How's things?”
”All right. We had War-axe and Lady Johnson. Some killing, eh? That stable is winning all along. We've got Adriutha and Queen Esther today. The Ocean Belle skate is scratched. Doc and Cap and me is thick with the Legislature outfit. We'll trim 'em tonight. How are you feeling, Eddie?”
”Never better. I'll call you up in the morning. Ding-dong!”
”Wait! Are you really going abroad?” shouted Stull.
But Brandes had already hung up.
He walked leisurely back to Brookhollow through the suns.h.i.+ne. He had never been as happy in all his life.
CHAPTER IX
NONRESISTANCE
”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----”
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