The League of Frightened Men

I had taken the paper from him and a glance showed me what it was. I stared at him, and I suppose something in my face stopped him. He interrupted himself,

"Reserve your disapproval, Archie. Save your fake moralities for your solitude."

I said, "So that's why you had me get the Spenser, so she would have something to look at. Why did you steal it?"

"I borrowed it."

"You say. I've looked in the dictionary.

That's what I mean, why didn't you borrow it? She would have let you have it."

"Probably not." Wolfe sighed. "I didn't care to risk it. In view of your familiarity with the finer ethical points, you must realize that I couldn't very well accept her as a client and then propose to others, especially to a group -" j "Sure, I see that all right. Now that the notion you entertained has drifted in on me, I'd have my hat off if I had one on.

But she'd have let you have it. Or you could have got the dope -" | "That will do, Archie." He got a faint tone on. "We shall at any rate be acting in her interest. It appears likely that this will be a complicated and expensive business, and there is no reason why Miss Hibbard should bear the burden alone. In a few minutes I shall be going upstairs, and you will be fairly busy. First, send the telegrams and copy the list. Then – take this, a letter to Miss Hibbard, sign my name and mail it this evening by special delivery: I find that the enclosed paper did not get back into your file this afternoon, but remained on my desk. I trust that its absence has not caused you any inconvenience. If you are still of a mind to see me next Wednesday, do not hesitate to call upon me.ff "Yes, sir. Send her the list."

"Naturally. Be sure your copies are correct. Make three copies. I believe you know the home address of Mr. Higgam of the Metropolitan Trust Company?"

I nodded. "Up at Sutton -"

"Find him tomorrow and give him a copy of the list. Ask him to procure first thing Monday morning a financial report on the men listed. No history is required; their present standing is the point. For those in other cities, telegraph. We want the information by six o'clock Monday."

"Hibbard's name is here. Maybe the other dead ones."

"The bank's ingenuity may discover them, and not disturb their souls. Get in touch with Saul Panzer and tell him to report here Monday evening at eightthirty.

Durkin likewise. Find out if Gore and Gather and two others – your selection – will be available for Tuesday morning."?

I grinned. "How about the Sixty-first

Regiment?";, „