The Doorbell Rang (The Rex Stout Library)

I told him yes and went to the front and opened the door. Cramer didn't have a carton of milk for me. He had nothing at all for me, not even a nod. When I had his coat he made for the office, and when I got there he was planted in the red leather chair and talking. I got the end of it: "… and I might have known better. God knows I should know better." He switched to me as I sat. "Where did you get that gun and when did you put it there?"

"Confound it," Wolfe growled, "you shouldn't have come. You should have waited until you had arranged your mind. Archie, get Mr Wragg."

When Cramer is boiling it isn't easy to stop the steam, but that did, the name Wragg. I didn't see him clamp his jaw and glare at Wolfe, I only knew he did, because my back was turned as I dialed LES-7700. I was supposing it would take patience and staying power to get through to the top, but not at all. Apparently word had been passed down that a call from Nero Wolfe had priority, which was a good sign. In no time the smooth low-pitched drawl was in my ear, and in Wolfe's too, for he had picked up his phone. I stayed on.

"Wolfe?"

"Yes. Mr Wragg?"

"Yes."

"I'm ready for that bullet. Now. As we agreed. Bring the bullet, and I surrender the credentials if you are not satisfied within a month. I think it will be sooner, much sooner."

No hesitation. "I'll come."

"Now?"

"Yes."

As we hung up Wolfe asked me, "How long will it take him?" I said twenty minutes or less, that he wouldn't have to scout for a taxi, and Wolfe turned to Cramer. "Mr Wragg will be here in twenty minutes. I suggest-"

"Wragg of the FBI?"

"Yes. I suggest that you postpone your onslaught until he arrives-and, perhaps, goes-and meanwhile I'll describe an operation which has been concluded. I have told Mr Wragg that I will make no public disclosure of it, but you are not the public, and since you made it possible I owe it to you. But it will help in dealing with him if you will answer two questions. Was a gun found in Miss Dacos's apartment?"

"Certainly. I just asked Goodwin when he put it there, and I'm going to ask him again."

"You may not after we finish with Mr Wragg. Was it the gun Morris Althaus had a permit for?"

"Yes."

"That will simplify matters greatly. Now that operation…"