Bram Stoker: A criminal star

'Of course, you all remember Wolseley Gartside -'

    'Rather!' This was from the Tragedian. 'I remember when he took that name. Indeed, I was not pleased with him about it; it clashed with the name I had taken myself - or, rather - ahem! - which my

sponsors took for me at my christening. I consoled myself with the reflection that Wolseley was a later name historically than Wellesley.' The Advance Agent went on:

    'Gartside, like many others who have risen from the ranks - the ranks of his profession - was, well, a wee, tiny bit over-sensitive in matters of public esteem. In fact, he did not like to be neglected -'

    Here the Second Heavies interrupted with a rapidity and acerbity which left an impression that indignation was founded on aggrievement:

    '"Over-sensitive in matters of public esteem!" I like that. He had got the swelled head bad, if that be what you mean. He wanted the earth, he did! The way he hustled other people off the posters was

indecent! And the size of type he clamoured for was an inducement to blindness and an affront to the common sense of an educated community.'

The Advance Agent went on calmly:

   '- did not like to be neglected. This was all bad enough when he was engaged by someone else; but when he was out on his own with nothing to check him except the reports of his treasurer, he became

a holy terror. There wasn't any crowding of names off the bill then; there were simply no names at all. Names of other people, I mean; his name was all right so long as the paper was up to the biggest stands, and the types were the largest to be had in the town. Later on he went even further and had all his printing done in London or New York from types cut special.' The Second Heavies cut in again:

    'No! Mr Wolseley Gartside didn't mean to get neglected so long as there was a public Press to be influenced or a hoarding to be covered.'

    'Exactly!' said the Advance Agent drily. He was beginning to fear that his pitch would be queered by the outpouring of the grievances of the Second Heavies. The professional instinct of the audience made for peace. They were all trained to listen. Mr Alphage seized the opportunity, and went on:

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