Prisoner's Base

As I started for the office, here came Wolfe, headed for his elevator.

"Which one?" I asked.

He halted, glaring. "Which one what?"

"Excuse me. I meant it only as a pleasantry. If you're as stumped as you look, God help your client."

He eyed me. "Archie. Do you know who killed Miss Eads and Mrs. Fomos?"

"No, sir."

"Do you think you know?"

"No, sir."

"I do-or I did-but there's a contradiction. What about Mrs. Jaffee? Is she a snake or a cheat?"

"No. Nice odds, say ten to one."

"Then I need to ask her something, after consideration. Will you please have her here in the morning at eleven?"

I told him yes, and he proceeded to his elevator. My bed would have to wait a little, until I had helped Fritz put the office in order, especially ashtrays and the remains of the liquid refreshments. He was already in there, and I went to join him.

Chapter 13

It was a hot night, and I had only a sheet over me, and it only up to my waist, so when the jangle of the phone roused me enough to realize what it was, my arm was free to reach and bring it to my ear. Awakened by it at night, I do not tell it, "Nero Wolfe's residence, Archie Goodwin speaking." For one thing, I am too indignant at the interruption, and for another, I am only one-fifth awake and not absolutely sure who or where I am.

"Yeah?" I said bitterly.

"Is this Nero Wolfe's house?"

The voice got me one-half awake. "Yes. Archie Goodwin."

"This is Sarah Jaffee. I'm awfully sorry, Mr. Goodwin, did I wake you up?"

"Not quite. Go ahead and finish it."

"I guess I should have waited until morning, but I thought you might have found them and wondered whose they were. Did you find any keys?"

"No. Why, did you lose some?"

"Yes, two on a ring, to the door downstairs and my apartment. They were in my bag."

"Where are you now?"

"I'm home in the apartment. I might-"

"How did you get in?"

"The elevator man. The night man has a key. I might have lost them in the Flamingo Club or the taxi, but I thought I ought to phone you in case you found them. I'm so sorry I bothered you. Good night."

"Wait a minute." I was sitting on the edge of the bed now, with the light on. The clock was ten minutes to two. I was fully awake, I didn't want to scare her stiff, but the situation did not seem ideal. "Don't ring off," I told her. "Is Olga there?"

"No, she doesn't sleep here."

"You went to the Flamingo Club with Parker?"

"Yes, we stopped for a drink and a dance."

"When did you miss the keys?"