Before Midnight

"I'm calling from my office. Harold Rollins, one of the contestants, is here. He just came, a few minutes ago, to show me something he received in the mail this moming. I have it here in my hand. It's a typewritten sheet of paper, headed, 'Answers to the five verses distributed on April twelfth,' and then the names of five women and comments on each. Of course I don't know whether they are the correct answers or not, but Rollins says they are. He says he came to me because this nullifies the contest, and my company is responsible. I'll consult my lawyer on that--not Rudolph Hansen-- but I'm calling you first. What have you got to say?"

"Not much offhand. Mr. Rollins is with you?"

"He's in my office. I came to another room to phone. By God, this does it. Now what?"

"That needs a little thought. You may tell Mr. Rollins that he was not singled out. Mrs. Wheelock and Mr. Younger also received sheets in the mail like the one you describe. They are here on my desk--that is, the sheets are. Mrs. Wheelock and Mr. Younger are here with me. Probably all five--"

"We've got to do something! We've got--"

"Please, Mr. Heery." For years I have studied Wolfe's trick of stopping a man without raising his voice, but I still don't get it. "Something must indeed be done, I agree, but this doesn't heighten the urgency. Rather the contrary. I can't discuss it now, and anyway I'm not working for you, but I think this will require a conference of everyone concerned. Please tell Mr. Rollins that he will be expected at a meeting at my office at nine o'clock this evening. I'll invite the others, and I invite you now. At my office at nine o'clock, unless you hear otherwise."

"But what are we going--"

"No, Mr. Heery. You must excuse me. I'm busy. Goodbye, sir."

We hung up, and he turned to the company. "Mr. Rollins got one too and took it to Mr. Heery. It may reasonably be presumed that the other two-Miss Frazee and Miss Tescher-- were not excluded. You heard what I said about a meeting here at nine o'clock this evening, and we shall want you with us. You'll come?"

"We're here now," Younger said. "This blows the whole thing sky high and you know it. Why put it off? Get them here now!"

"I don't want to wait until this evening," Mrs. Wheelock said, her voice so tense that I inspected her for signs of trembling, but saw none.

"You'll have to, madam." Wolfe was blunt. "I have to digest this strange finesse, and consult my clients." He looked up at the clock. "Only nine hours."