def _validate_clue_args(args):
    """Returns 0 if OK for hint,
       1 for nonconforming args,
       2 for bad char,
       3 for other bad args,
       8 for only one arg
       Deliberately skips length check as that is performed elsewhere"""
    argslist=args.split()
    if len(argslist)==1:
        return 8
    if len(argslist)!=2:
        return 1
    try:
        int(argslist[0])
    except ValueError:
        return 1
    if len(argslist[1])>1:
        return 1
    if argslist[1] not in "qwertyuiopasdfghjklzxcvbnm-*1234567890":
        return 2
    return 0