Read Online The Four of Hearts by Ellery Queen - Free Book Online

suspicious gravity to effect a reconciliation ‘for dear old Magna’. Bonnie, who was escorted by a wealthy Argentine gentleman, flared up; Ty flared back; the Argentine gentleman resented Ty’s tone; Ty resented the Argentine gentleman’s tone; the Argentine gentleman pulled Ty’s nose vigorously; and Ty threw the Argentine gentleman over the bartender’s head into the bar mirror, which did not stand up under the strain. Whereupon Bonnie had Ty arrested for assault. Bailed out in the early hours of Tuesday morning by his father, Ty swore vengeance in the presence of half the newspapermen in Hollywood.
    The Tuesday papers made Sam Vix look content. ‘Even Goldwyn,’ he told Ellery modestly, ‘would be satisfied with that one.’
    But Mr. Vix did not look so content on Friday. The very patch over his eye was quivering when he burst into the Boy Wonder’s office, where Lew and Ellery were shouting at each other in a ‘story conference’, while Butcher listened in silence.
    â€˜We’re sunk,’ panted Vix. ‘Never trust an actor. They’ve done it. Paula Paris just tipped me off!’
    â€˜Who done what?’ asked Butch sharply.
    â€˜The one thing that blows the Royle-Stuart picture higher than the Rockies. Jack and Blythe have made up!’
    He sank into a chair. Lew Bascom, Ellery, goggled at him. Butcher swivelled and stared out his window.
    â€˜Go on,’ said Lew in a sick voice. ‘That’s like saying Trotsky and Stalin were caught playing pinochle with J. P. Morgan.’
    â€˜It’s even worse than that,’ groaned Vix. ‘ They’re going to be married. ’
    â€˜For gossakes!’ yelled Lew, jumping up. ‘That screws everything!’
    The Boy Wonder spun around and said into his communicator: ‘Madge, get Paula Paris on the wire.’
    â€˜ Requiescat in pace ,’ sighed Ellery. ‘Anybody know the dope on the next train to New York?’
    Lew was racing about, declaiming to the ceiling. ‘Wham goes the big idea. Conflict – huh! Feud! Build up a natural for over twenty years and then they go into a clinch and kill the whole thing. They can’t do this to me!’
    The telephone rang. ‘Paula, Jacques Butcher. Is it true what Sam Vix says you say about Jack and Blythe?’
    â€˜They agreed to forgive and forget Wednesday night,’ answered Paula. ‘I heard it late yesterday. It seems Jack saw the light Saturday night at the Horseshoe Club after that fuss over Park, the actor, and he’s been brooding over his own cussedness ever since. Seems to be true love, Mr. Butcher. They’re rushing plans for the wedding.’
    â€˜What happened?’
    â€˜Your guess is as good as mine.’
    â€˜Well, I’m counting on you to give it a royal send-off in your column, Paula.’
    â€˜Don’t worry, Mr. Butcher,’ cooed Paula. ‘I shall.’
    Lew glared. ‘Is it on the level?’
    And Ellery said: ‘Did she – did she mention me?’
    â€˜Yes to you, no to you.’ The Boy Wonder sat back comfortably. ‘Now, boys, what’s the panic about?’
    â€˜I’m dying,’ howled Lew, ‘and he cracks wise!’
    â€˜It’s a cinch,’ argued the publicity man, ‘this marriage knocks the feud for a loop, Butch. Where’s your publicity build-up now? If they had to get hitched, blast it, why couldn’t they wait till the picture was released?’
    â€˜Look,’ said the producer patiently, getting to his feet and beginning to walk around. ‘What’s our story? The story of four people in a romantic conflict. Jack and Blythe as the central figures. Why?’
    â€˜Because they’re crazy,’ yelled Lew. ‘This proves it.’
    â€˜Because, you simpleton, they’re deeply in love. You’re doing a love story, gentlemen, although neither of you seems aware of it. They