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

love, they break off, they become bitter enemies, and after twenty years they suddenly fall into a clinch.’
    â€˜It’s illogical,’ complained Ellery.
    â€˜And yet,’ smiled the Boy Wonder, ‘it’s just happened. Don’t you see what you’ve got? The natural wind-up of your picture! It follows real life like a photostat. After a generation of clawing at each other’s throats, they’ve made up. ’
    â€˜Yes, but why?’
    â€˜How should I know the motivation? That’s your job, and Lew’s. You’re writers, aren’t you? What’s the gag? What’s the answer to this romantic mystery? What do you think you men are being paid for?’
    â€˜Wow,’ said Vix, staring.
    â€˜As for you, Sam, you’ve got an even bigger publicity angle now than the feud.’
    â€˜They’ve made up,’ said Vix reverently.
    â€˜Yes,’ snapped Butcher, ‘and every movie fan within arm’s-length of a newspaper or fan mag will wonder why the hell they did. There’s your line, Sam – crack down on it!’
    The publicity man slapped the desk. ‘Sure – why did they clinch after twenty years scrapping around? See the picture and find out! ’
    â€˜Now you’ve got it. You talk about holding up their marriage until the picture’s released. Nuts! They’re going to be spliced right away, and to the tune of the loudest ballyhoo you’ve ever blasted out of this studio.’
    â€˜Leave it to me,’ said Vix softly, rubbing his hands.
    â€˜We’ll make it a super-marriage. Shoot the works. Brass bands, high hats, press associations … It’s a colossal break for the production.’
    â€˜Wait,’ whispered Lew. ‘I’ve got an idea.’ He rubbed his nose viciously.
    â€˜Yes?’
    â€˜Everybody out here puts on the dog the same way when they take the sentence. We’ve got to do it different. The preacher, the ceremony don’t mean nothin’; it’s the build-up that gets the headlines. Why not put reverse English on the marriage?’
    â€˜Spill it, you tantalizing slug!’
    â€˜Here’s the gag. Offer ‘em the use of Reed Island for the honeymoon.’
    â€˜Reed Island?’ frowned Ellery.
    â€˜I’ve got a place there,’ explained Butcher. ‘It’s just a hunk of rock in the Pacific – southwest of Catalina – fishing village there. Go on, Lew.’
    â€˜That’s it!’ cried Lew. ‘You can have ‘em flown down. Just the two of ‘em – turtle-doves flying off into the setting sun, to be alone with lo-o-ove. But – before they take off, what happens? They’re hitched right on the field! We can use old Doc Erminius, the Marryin’ Parson. You’ll have a million people at the airport. There’s more room on a flying field than in a church.’
    â€˜Hmm,’ said the Boy Wonder. ‘It has its merits.’
    â€˜Hell, I’ll fly ‘em down in my own crate,’ grinned Lew. ‘I’ve always thought I’d look swell in a g-string and a bow-and-arrow. Or Sam here could do it.’
    â€˜Say,’ chuckled Vix, ‘the screwball’s got something. Only I got a better idea. How about getting Ty Royle to pilot them? Son Forgives Father, Plays Cupid to Famous Film Duo. He can fly like a fool, and that’s a sweet ship he’s got.’
    â€˜That’s it,’ said the Boy Wonder thoughtfully. ‘We can really go to town on a stunt like that. Dignified, too. They want to be alone. Going to spend their honeymoon on famous producer’s hideaway estate in lonely Pacific, far from the maddening crowd. Newspapers, for God’s sake stay away … Yes, they won’t! Reed Island will look like Broadway during the Lindy reception. Lew, it’s in.’
    Lew seized a bottle. ‘To the bride!’
    â€˜Lemme out of here,’ muttered