IV
It was an excited Beiner that threw open the door when she knocked athis office a moment later. The cigar stuck between his thick lips wasunlighted; his silk shirt, although it was cold outside, with a hint ofsnow in the tangy atmosphere, and there was none too much heat in theHeberworth Building, clung to his chest, and perspiration stained it.
"Come in," he said hoarsely. He stood aside, holding the handle of thedoor. He closed it as Clancy entered, and she heard the click of thelatch.
She wheeled like a flash.
"Unlock it!" she commanded.
Beiner waved a fat hand carelessly.
"We got to talk business, kid. We don't want any interruption. You ain'tafraid of me, are you?"
Clancy's heaving breast slowed down. She was not afraid of Beiner; shehad never seen any one, man or woman, in her brief life, of whom she wasafraid. Further, to allay her alarm, Beiner sat down in his swivelchair. She sat down herself, in a chair nearer the locked door.
"Quite a kidder, ain't you, Florine?" asked Beiner.
"I don't understand you," she replied.
He grinned, a touch of nervousness in the parting of the thick lips.Then he closed them, rolling his wet cigar about in his mouth.
"Well, you will pretty soon," he said. "Anjenoo, eh? I gotta hand it toyou, Florine. You had _me_ fooled. Amachoor, eh? Played in 'The Rivals'once?" He took the cigar from his mouth and shook it at her. "Naughty,naughty, Florine, not to play fair with old papa Beiner!"
"I don't know what you're talking about," she said.
"Oh, no; of course not. Little Florine, fresh from Maine, doesn't know asoul on Broadway. Of course not! She gets a letter from Fanny DeLisle toold papa Beiner, and wants a job in the movies, bless her dear, sweetheart! Only"--and his voice lost its mocking tones and becamereproachful--"was that the square way to treat her friend Morris?"
"I came here," said Clancy coldly, "to keep a business engagement, notto answer puzzles. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Now, be nice; be nice," said the agent. "I ain't mad, Florine. Didn'tFanny DeLisle tell you I was a good old scout?"
"She said that you were a very competent agent," said Clancy.
"Oh, did she, now?" Beiner sneered. "Well, wasn't that sweet of oldFanny? She didn't happen to say that anybody that tried to trim oldMorris was liable to get their hair cut, did she?"
All fear had left Clancy now. She was exasperated.
"Why don't you talk plain English?" she demanded.
"Oh, you'd like it better that way, would you?" Beiner threw his cigarupon the floor and ground his heel upon it. "'Plain English,' eh? Allright; you'll get it. Why did Ike Weber send you here?"
Clancy's breath sucked in audibly. Her face, that had been colored withnervous indignation, whitened.
"'Ike Weber?'" she murmured.
Beiner laughed harshly.
"Now, nix on the rube stuff, Florine. I got your number, kid. Paul Zendajust left my office. He wants to know where Weber is. He told me aboutthe jam last night. And he mentioned that there was a little girl at hishouse that answered to the name of Florine. I got him to describe thatlittle girl."
"Did you tell him," gasped Clancy, "that I was coming here thisafternoon?"
"You understand me better, don't you?" sneered Beiner. "Oh, you andme'll get along together fine, Florine, if you got the good sense youlook like you have. Did I tell Zenda that I knew you? Well, look meover, Florine. Do I look like a guy that was just cuttin' his firstteeth? Of course I didn't tell him anything. I let him tell me. It's agrand rule, Florine--let the other guy spill what's on _his_ chest.'Course, there's exceptions to that rule, like just now. I'm spillin'what I know to you, and willin' to wait for you to tell me what I wantto know. Suppose I put my cards right down where you can see 'em,Florine?"
She could only stare at him dumbly. Zenda was a big man in the pictureindustry. He'd been robbed and beaten. Last night, he'd seemed to herthe sort of man who, for all his dreaminess, would not easily forget afriend or a foe. He was important enough to ruin Clancy's picture careerbefore it began.
Beiner took her silence for acquiescence.
"Zenda gets trimmed last night in a stud game. He's been gettin' trimmedfor a long time, but he ain't really wise to the scheme. But last nighthis wife watches close. She gets hep to what Ike Weber is doin'. There'sa grand row, and Zenda gets slugged, and Weber takes a lickin', too. Butthey ain't got any real evidence on Weber. Not enough to have himpinched, anyway, even if Zenda decides to go that far. But Zenda wantshis money back." Beiner chuckled. "I don't blame him. A hundred thousandis a wad of kale, even in these days. So he comes to me.
"Some time ago I had a little run-in with Ike Weber. I happen to know alot about Ike. For instance, that his brokerage business is a stall. Heain't got any business that he couldn't close out in ten minutes. Well,Ike and I have a little row. It don't matter what it's all about. But Idrop a hint to Paul Zenda that it wouldn't do any harm for him to becareful who he plays stud with. Paul is mighty curious; but I don't tellhim any more than that. Why should I? There was nothing in it for me.But Paul remembers last night what I'd told him--he'd been suspiciousfor quite a while of Weber--and to-day he hot-foots it to me. So now,you see, Florine, how you and me can do a little business."
"How?" asked Clancy.
"Oh, drop it!" snapped Beiner. "Quit the milk-maid stuff! You're a wiselittle girl, or you wouldn't be trailin' round with Ike Weber.Now--where's Ike? And why did Ike send you to me?"
Clancy shook her head vehemently.
"I don't know him. I never met him until last night. I don't knowanything at all about him."
Beiner stared at her. For many years, he had dealt with actresses. Heknew feigned indignation when he heard it. He believed Clancy. Still,even though he believed, he wanted proof.
"How'd you meet him?" he asked.
Clancy told him about her arrival in New York, her meeting with FayMarston, and what had followed, even to Fay's late visit and herstatement that she was married to Weber and was leaving town.
"And that's every single thing I know about them," she said. Her voiceshook. The tears stood in her eyes. "I ran away because I wasfrightened, and I'm going right to Mr. Zenda and explain to him."
For a moment, Beiner did not speak. He took a cigar from the open caseon his desk and lighted it. He rolled it round in his mouth untilone-half its stubby length was wet. Then, from the corner of his mouth,he spoke.
"Why do that, kid? Why tell Zenda that Fay Marston practically confessedto you?"
"So that Mr. Zenda won't think that--that I'm dishonest!" cried Clancy.
"Aw, fudge! Everybody's dishonest, more or less. And every one elsesuspects them, even though they don't know anything against them. Whatdo you care what Zenda thinks?"
"What do I care?" Clancy was amazed.
"Sure. What do you care? Zenda can't do anything to you."
"He can keep me out of pictures, can't he?" cried Clancy.
Beiner shrugged.
"Oh, maybe for a week or two, a few people would be down on you,but--what did you come to New York for, Florine, to make friends ormoney?"
"What has that to do with it?" she asked.
Beiner leaned over toward her.
"A whole lot, Florine. I could 'a' told Zenda a whole lot about IkeWeber to-day. I could 'a' told him a couple things that would 'a' putIke behind the bars. 'Smatter of fact, I could 'a' told him of a trickthat Ike done in Joliet. But what's the good? The good to me, I mean.Ike knows that I put the flea in Zenda's ear that led to his wifespottin' Ike's little game. If he's got sense, he knows it, for I sawthat my hint to Zenda reached Ike. Well, Ike will be reachin' round toget hold of me. Why, I thought, when Zenda described you and mentionedyour first name, that Ike had sent you to me. Because Ike knows what Icould tell Zenda would be enough to give Zenda a hold on Ike that'd getback that hundred thousand. But why be nasty? That's what I ask myself."His face took on an expression of shrewd good humor,
of benevolence,almost. "You're just a chicken, Florine, a flapper from the mud roadsand the middle-of-the-day dinner. And a hick chicken don't have it anytoo soft in New York at the best of it. I don't suppose that yourbank-roll would make a mosquito strain its larynx, eh? Well, Florine,take a tip from old papa Beiner, that's been watchin' them come andwatchin' them go for twenty-five years along Broadway.
"Why, Florine, I've seen them come to this town all hopped up withambition and talent and everything, and where do they land? Look thelist over, kid. Where are your stars of twenty years ago, of ten yearsago, of five, when you come right down to it? Darned few of them hereto-day, eh? You know why? Well, I'll tell you. Because they weren'twise, Florine.
"Lord, don't I know 'em! First or last, old papa Morris has got 'emjobs. And I've heard their little tales. I know what pulled 'em back towhere they started from. It was because they didn't realize that friendsgrow cold and enemies die, and that the only friend or enemy thatamounts to a darn is yourself.
"I've seen girls worry because somebody loved 'em; and I've seen 'emworry because somebody didn't love 'em. And those girls, most of them,are mindin' the baby to-day, with a husband clerkin' it down-town, toopoor to afford a nurse-girl. But the girls that look out for the kale,that never asked, 'What?' but always, 'How much?'--those are the girlsthat amount to something.
"Here's you--crazy to run right off to Paul Zenda and tell him thatyou're a good little girl and don't know a darned thing about Ike Weber.Well, suppose you do that. What happens? Zenda hears your little story,decides you're tellin' the truth, and forgets all about you. Your bein'a nice, honest little fool don't buy you no silk stockings, kid, and I'mhere to tell you so.
"Now, suppose you don't run to Zenda. Sooner or later, he runs into you.He bawls you out. Because you've kept away from him, he suspects thatyou stood in with Ike. Maybe he tries to get you blacklisted at a fewstudios. _All_ right. Let's suppose he does. Six months from now,Zenda's makin' a picture out on the Coast, or in Europe, maybe. Adirector wants a girl of your type. I send him you. He remembers thatZenda's got it in for you, but--Zenda's away. And he hires you. Take itfrom me, Florine, he'll hire you. Get me?"
Her brows knitted, she had heard him through.
"I've heard you, but I don't understand. You talk about being sensible,but--why _shouldn't_ I go to Mr. Zenda?"
"Because there's no money in it. And there's a bunch in not going tohim," said Beiner.
"Who's going to give it to me?" demanded Clancy.
"Weber."
"He's left town."
Beiner guffawed.
"Maybe that fat blonde of his thought so last night. She had a scare inher all right. But Ike ain't a rube. He knows Zenda's got no proof.He'll lie low for a few days, but--that's all. He'll pay you well--tokeep quiet."
"Pay me?" gasped Clancy.
"Surest thing! Same as he'll be round to see me in a day or so, to shutmy mouth. I know too much. Listen: By this time, Ike has pumped FayMarston. He knows that she, all excited, blew the game to you. My God,what a sucker a man is to get married! And if he _must_ do it, why doeshe marry a Broadway doll that can't keep her face closed? Oh, well, itdon't matter to us, does it, Florine? What matters is that Ike will beslippin' you a nice big roll of money, and you should worry whether yougo to work to-day or to-morrow or next month. I'll be gettin' mine, allright, too. So now you see, don't you?"
Clancy rose slowly to her feet.
"Yes," she said deliberately; "I see. I see that you--why, you're nobetter than a _thief_! Unlock that door and let me out!"
Beiner stared at her. His fat face reddened, and the veins stood out onhis forehead.
"So _that's_ the way you take it, eh? Now then, you little simp, youlisten to me!"
He put his cigar down upon the edge of his desk, an edge scarred bycountless cigars and cigarettes of the past. Heavily he rose. Clancybacked toward the door.
"If you touch me," she cried, "I'll----"
She had not dreamed that one so fat could move so quickly. Beiner's armswere round her before the scream that she was about to give could leaveher lips. A fat palm, oily, greasy with perspiration, was clapped acrossher mouth.
"Now, don't be a little fool," he whispered harshly. "Why, Florine, I'mgivin' you wise advice. I've done nothin' to you. You don't want to goto Zenda and tell him that Fay Marston admitted Ike was a crook, do you?Because then the game will be blown, and Ike won't see his way to slipme my share. You wouldn't be mean to old papa Beiner that wants to seeall little girls get along, would you? How about it, Florine?"
He drew her closer to him as he spoke. Clancy, staring into his eyes,saw something new spring into being there. It was something that,mercifully, she had been spared seeing ever before. Fear overwhelmedher, made her limp in Beiner's clasp. The agent chuckled hoarsely.
"What a sweet kiddie you are, Florine! Say, I think you and me are goin'to be swell little pals, Florine. How about giving old papa Beiner alittle kiss, just to show you didn't mean what you just said?"
Her limpness deceived him. His grasp loosened as he bent his thick neckto bring his gross mouth nearer hers. Clancy's strength came back toher. Her body tautened. Every ounce of strength that she possessed sheput into a desperate effort for freedom. She broke clear, and whiskedacross the room.
"If you come near me, I'll scream," she said.
Beiner glared at her.
"All right," he said thickly. "Scream, you little devil! I'll give yousomething to scream about!"
He leaped for her, but she knew now how fast he could move. Swiftly shestepped to one side, and, as she did so, she seized a chair, the one onwhich she had been sitting, and thrust it toward the man. The chair-legjammed between his knees and unbalanced him. His own momentum carriedhim forward and to one side. He grasped at the edge of the desk forsupport. But his hand slipped. Twisting, trying desperately to righthimself, he pitched forward. His head struck upon the iron radiatorbeside his desk. He lay quite still.
For a moment, her mouth open, prepared to scream, Clancy stared down atthe man. As the seconds passed and Beiner failed to move, she becamealarmed. Then his huge chest lifted in a sigh. He was not killed, then.She came near to him, and saw that a bruise, already swollen, markedthe top of his bald skull. She knew little of such injuries, but evenher amateur knowledge was sufficient to convince her that the man wasnot seriously hurt. In a moment, he would revive. She knelt beside him.She knew that he had put the door-key in his trousers pocket. She hadnoticed the key-ring and chain. But her strength had deserted her. Shewas trembling, almost physically ill. She could not turn the gross bodyover.
She heard footsteps outside, heard some one knock on the door. Bentover, trying not to breathe, lest she be heard outside, she stared atthe door. The person outside shook the knob, pounded on the door. Thenshe heard a muttered exclamation, and footsteps sounded, retreating,down the hall.
Beiner groaned; he moved. She straightened up, frightened. There hadbeen something in his eyes that appalled her. He would not be moremerciful when he recovered. She crossed the tiny office to the couch.Outside the wide window was the fire-escape. It was her only way ofescape, and she took it.
She opened the window and stepped upon the couch. A sort of court,hemmed in by office-buildings, faced her. She stepped through the windowupon the iron grating-like landing of the fire-escape. The sheer dropbeneath her feet alarmed her. She hesitated. Why hadn't she called towhoever had knocked upon the door and got him to break it down? Why hadshe been afraid of the possible scandal? Last night, she had fled fromZenda's through fear of scandal, and her fear had brought her intounpleasant complications. Now she had done the same thing, practically,again.
But it was too late to worry. Beiner would revive any moment. Shedescended the fire-escape. Luck was with her. On the next landing was awindow that opened, not into an office but into a hallway. And the latchwas unfastened. In a moment, Clancy had climbed through the window andwas ringing the elevator-bell. No one was in the hall. Her ent
rancethrough the window was not challenged.
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