The Doorbell Rang (The Rex Stout Library)

I nodded. "But it's okay now and I had to. Mr Wolfe-"

"What's okay?"

"He has earned the hundred grand and a fee."

"The hell he has. He has got them to quit on that Mrs Bruner?"

"Yes. Bejabers. But we haven't filled your order. We have-"

"I didn't give any order."

"Oh, all right. We have learned that it wasn't a G-man who shot Morris Althaus. We think we know who did, and we think we know how it can be tagged. I'm not going to tell you how we put the screws on the FBI. That's not what I came for, and Mr Wolfe will enjoy telling you some time at your leisure, and you'll enjoy listening. It was the longest shot he has ever played, and it hit. I'm here to talk homicide."

"Go ahead. Talk."

I reached to my breast pocket, took something out, and handed it to him. "I doubt if you've seen that before," I said, "but one or more of your men have. It was in a drawer in Althaus's bedroom. His mother gave me the keys, so don't book me for illegal entry. Look at the back."

He turned it over and read the poetry.

"That," I said, "is a take-off of the last four lines of the second stanza of Keats's 'Ode on a Grecian Urn.' Rather clever. It was written by Miss Sarah Dacos, Mrs Bruner's secretary, who lives at Sixty-three Arbor Street, second floor, below Althaus's apartment. The way I know, I got samples of her handwriting from Mrs Bruner. Here they are." I got them from a pocket and handed them over. "By the way, she saw the three G-men leave the house. From her window. Remember that when you're working on her."

"Working on her for what? This?" He tapped the photograph.

"No. The main thing I came for was to place a bet. One will get you fifty that if you get a warrant and comb her apartment you'll get something you'll appreciate. The sooner the better." I stood up. "That's all for now. We would-"

"Like hell it's all." His red round face was redder. "Sit down. I'll work on you. What will we find and when did you put it there?"

"I didn't. Listen. As you know, when you deal with me you're dealing with Mr Wolfe. You also know that I always stick to instructions. For the present I'm through. I stand mute. Any time you spend barking at me will be wasted. Get the warrant and use it, and if you find anything Mr Wolfe will be glad to discuss it."

"I'll discuss it with you first. You'll stay right here."

"Not unless I'm put under arrest." I got sore. "What more do you want, for God's sake? You've had this homicide nearly two months! We've had it one week!"