Part 23 (1/2)
”Wait! Parson Smawley married us, in church, a.s.sisted by the local dominie. I didn't count on the dominie. It was her father's idea. He b.u.t.ted in.”
”Then is it--is it----?”
”That's what I'm not sure about. You see, the Parson did it, but the dominie stuck around. Whether he got a half nelson on me I don't know till I ask. Anyway, I expected to clinch things--later--so it doesn't really matter, unless Max Venem means bad. Does he, do you think?”
”He _always_ does, Eddie.”
”Yes, I know. Well, then, I'll wait for a cable from you. And if I've got to take three months off in Paris, why I've got to--that's all.”
”Good G.o.d! What about Stein? What about the theaytre?”
”_You'll_ handle it for the first three months.... Say, I've got to go, now. I think she's waiting----”
”Who?”
”My--wife.”
”Oh!”
”Yes. The chauffeur took her back to the house in the car to put something in her suitcase that she forgot. I'm waiting for her here at the Gayfield House. We're on our way to town. Going to motor in. Our trunks have gone by rail.”
After a silence, Stull's voice sounded again, tense, constrained:
”You better go aboard tonight.”
”That's right, too.”
”What's your s.h.i.+p?”
”_Lusitania._”
”What'll I tell Stein?”
”Tell him I'll be back in a month. You look out for my end. I'll be back in time.”
”Will you cable me?”
”Sure. And if you get any later information about Max today, call me at the Knickerbocker. We'll dine there and then go aboard.”
”I get you.... Say, Eddie, I'm that worried! If this break of yours don't kill our luck----”
”Don't you believe it! I'm going to fight for what I got till someone hands me the count. She's the first thing I ever wanted. I've got her and I guess I can keep her.... And listen: there's nothing like her in all G.o.d's world!”
”When did you do--it?” demanded Stull, coldly.
”This morning at eleven. I just stepped over here to the garage. I'm talking to you from the bar. She's back by this time and waiting, I guess. So take care of yourself till I see you.”
”Same to you, Eddie. And be leery of Max. He's _bad_. When they disbar a man like that he's twice as dangerous as he was. His ex-partner, Abe Grittlefeld, is a certain party's attorney of record. Ask yourself what you'd be up against if that pair of wolves get started after you!
You know what Max would do to you if he could. And Minna, too!”
”Don't worry.”