The Doorbell Rang (The Rex Stout Library)

Wolfe's eyes went from Jarvis to Kirby and back. "Lunch is ready," he said, "but first a few points. That money is yours. Archie?"

I handed it to them, a wad to each. Jarvis merely glanced at it and stuck it in his side pocket. Kirby got a wallet from his breast pocket, put the bills in nice and neat, and replaced the wallet.

"Mr Hewitt explained," Wolfe said, "that you would each receive one thousand dollars, and now you have. But having seen you emerge from those boxes, I feel that you have already earned the thousand. Amply. Therefore, if you perform the rest of it satisfactorily, I shall feel that you have earned another thousand, and you will receive it. Friday or Saturday."

Jarvis opened his mouth, remembered just in time, and shut it. He pointed to Kirby, tapped his own chest, and looked a question.

Wolfe nodded. "Two thousand. One to each of you. A little closer, Mr Kirby. I must keep my voice down. You gentlemen will be here twenty-eight hours. During that period there must be no single sound which, if overheard, would disclose your presence in this house. Your room is two flights up. You will use the stairs, not the elevator. If you need something there will be a man in the hall outside. If you must communicate you will whisper. There are several dozen books in your room. If none of them is to your taste you may select one from these shelves. No radio or television; the house must not be a hubbub. You will need to observe closely the posture and manner of walking of Mr Goodwin and me, and there will be opportunities. Not our voices; that won't be necessary." He pursed his lips. "I think that covers it. If you have questions, ask them now, in an undertone near my ear. Have you?"

They shook their heads.

"Then we'll have lunch. The radio will be silent. We do not discuss business at the table. No one will speak but Mr Goodwin and me."

He rose.

12

I wouldn't want to go through that twenty-eight hours again.