The League of Frightened Men

"Further, I suspect him specifically, in his second stanza – I suppose he would call it stanza – of plagiarism. It has been many years since I have read Spenser, but in a crack of my memory not quite closed up there is a catalogue of beasts – Archie. If you wouldn't mind, bring me that Spenser? The third shelf, at the right of the door. No, farther over – more yet – dark blue, tooled. That's it."

I took the book over and handed it to him, and he opened it and began • skimming.

"The Shepheardes Calender, I am certain, and I think September. Not that it matters; even if I find it, a petty triumph scarcely worth the minutes I waste. You will forgive me, Miss Hibbard? Bulls that bene bate… Cocke on his dunghill…

This wolvish sheepe "would catchen his pray… no, certainly not that. Beasts here and there, but not the catalogue in my memory. I shall forgo the triumph; it isn't here. Anyway, it was pleasant to meet Spenser again, even for so brief a nod." He slid forward in his chair, to a perilous extreme, to hand the book to Miss Hibbard. "A fine example of bookmaking, worth a glance of friendship from you. Printed of course in London, but bound in this city by a Swedish boy who will probably starve to death during • the coming winter." I She summoned enough politeness to look at it, turn it over in her hand, glance inside, and look at the backbone again.

Wolfe was back at the papers he had taken from the file. She was obviously through with the book, so I got up and took it and returned it to the shelf.

Wolfe was saying, "Miss Hibbard. I know that what you want is action, and doubtless I have tried your patience. I am sorry. If I might ask you a few questions?"

"Certainly. It seems to me -"

"Of course. Pardon me. Only two questions, I think. First, do you know whether your uncle recently took out any life insurance?"

She nodded impatiently. "But, Mr.

Wolfe, that has nothing to do with -"

He broke in to finish for her, "With the totalitarian evil of Paul Chapin. I know.

Possibly not. Was it a large amount of insurance?"

"I think so. Yes. Very large."

"Were you the beneficiary?"

"I don't know. I suppose so. He told me you spoke to him of insurance. Then, about a week ago, he told me he had rushed it through and they had distributed it among four companies. I didn't pay much attention because my mind was on something else. I was angry with him and was trying to persuade him… I suppose my sister Ruth and I were the beneficiaries." m "Not Paul Chapin?"