The Doorbell Rang (The Rex Stout Library)

Wolfe's eyes opened. Not answering me, she told him, "You're an incredible man. Utterly incredible. I didn't really think you could do it. Incredible. Is there anything you couldn't do?"

He straightened up. "Yes, madam," he said, "there is. I couldn't put sense in a fool's brain. I have tried. I could mention others. You understand why it was desirable for you to come. The letter you signed says 'if you get the result I desire.' Are you satisfied?"

"Of course I am. Incredible."

"I find it a little hard to believe, myself. Please sit down. There is something I must tell you."

"There certainly is." She went to the red leather chair. Saul went to a yellow one and I to mine. She asked, "What was the trap you set?"

Wolfe shook his head. "Not that. That can wait. Mr Goodwin will give you all the details at your and his convenience. I must tell you not what has been done but what should now be done. You are my client and I must protect you from embarrassment. How discreet are you?"

She frowned. "Why do you ask that?"

"Please answer it. How discreet are you? Can you be trusted with a secret?"

"Yes."

His head turned. "Archie?"

Damn him anyway. It was all right to embarrass me. What if I changed my mind again and decided to marry her?

"Yes," I said, "if I know where you're headed, and I think I do."

"Of course you do." To her: "I wish to save you the embarrassment of having your secretary taken from your office by the police, perhaps in your presence, to be questioned regarding a murder which she probably committed."

He had only fazed Wragg, but that staggered the client. Her mouth didn't drop open; she just stared, speechless.

"I say probably," Wolfe said, "but it is barely short of certainty. The victim was Morris Althaus. Mr Goodwin will give you the details of this too, but not now, not until the situation has been resolved. I would have preferred not to give you even the bare fact now, but as my client you merit my protection. I wish to make a suggestion."

"I don't believe it," she said. "I want the details now."

"You won't get them." He was curt. "I have had a trying week, and night, and day. If you make this difficult too I'll leave the room and you'll leave the house, and probably question Miss Dacos. That will alarm her and she'll skedaddle, and after the police find her and bring her back they will have questions for you-civil questions, but many of them. Do you want that?"

"No."

"Do you think I would make so grave an accusation idly?"

"No."