The HELLFLOWER A Novel by GEORGE O. SMITH [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Startling Stories, May 1952. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] The book had been thrown at Charles Farradyne. Then they had added the composing room, the printing press, and the final grand black smear of printer's ink. So when Howard Clevis located Farradyne working in the fungus fields of Venus four years later, Farradyne was a beaten man who no longer burned with resentment because he was all burned out. Farradyne looked up dully when Clevis came into the squalid rooming-house. "I am Howard Clevis," said the visitor. "Fine," mumbled Farradyne. "So what?" He looked at one of the few white shirts in a thousand miles and grunted disapprovingly. "I've got a job for you." "Who do you want killed?" "Take it easy. You're the Charles Farradyne who--" "Who dumped the Semiramide into The Bog ... and you're Santa Claus, here to undo it?" "This is on the level, Farradyne." Farradyne laughed shortly, but the sound was all scorn and no humor. While the raw bark was still echoing in the room, he added, "Can it, Clevis. With a thousand licensed spacemen handy everywhere, willing to latch onto an honest buck, any man that comes halfway across Venus to offer Farradyne a job can't be on the level." Clevis eyed Farradyne calculatingly. "I should think you might enjoy the chance." "It doesn't look good." Clevis smiled calmly. He had the air of a man who knew what he was doing. He was medium tall, with a sprinkle of gray in his hair and determined lines near the eyes and across the forehead. There was character in his face, strong and no doubt about it. "I'm here, Farradyne, just because of the way it looks. But the fact is that I need you. I know you're bitter, but--" "Bitter!" roared Farradyne, getting to his feet and stalking across the squalid room towards Clevis. "Bitter? My God! They haul me home on a shutter so they can give me a fair trial before they kick me out. You don't think I like it in this rat hole, do you?" "No, I don't. But listen, will you?" "Nobody listened to me, why should I listen to you?" "Because I have something to say," said Clevis pointedly. "Do you want to hear it?" "Go ahead." "I'm Howard Clevis of the Solar Anti-Narcotic Department." Farradyne snorted. "Well, I haven't got any. I don't use any. And I don't have much truck with those that do." "Nobody is on trial here--nothing that you say can be used in any way. That's why I came alone. Look ... if I were in your shoes I'd do anything at all to get out of this muck-field." "Some things even a bum won't do. And I don't owe you anything."