The Mother Hunt (Rex Stout Library)

Maybe he could, but he didn't. He didn't suggest anything, he just asked questions. It's you who are suggesting things. I'm doing something I'm not supposed to do, and I've never done it before. The kind of work I do, for lots of different men, important men, I'm not supposed to talk about it to anyone, and I never do. I'm talking about this, because it's not really about my work, it's about my aunt, and she was murdered.

Did this man pay you for the information you gave him?

No. Anne's eyes flashed and her chin jerked up. I think you ought to be ashamed of yourself. My aunt was murdered more than six weeks ago, and you're the inspector in charge of murder cases, and you haven't arrested anybody, and when someone else tries to do something, and evidently he has done something, you accuse him of bribing me. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

I'm accusing no one, Miss Tenzer. Cramer didn't look ashamed. I'm doing what this man did, asking you questions. Did he promise to pay you anything?

No!

Would you testify under oath to what you have said here?

Of course.

Have you ever met or seen any of the other men in this room? Besides Mr. Haft?

No.

You haven't? In the statement you signed some weeks ago, didn't you tell of a conversation you had had with one of them?

She looked around. Oh. Archie Goodwin. Yes.

Have you seen Goodwin or spoken with him since the conversation you reported in that statement?

No.

When did this man, Panzer, first see you and ask you questions?

Today. This morning.

Had no one asked you any questions along this line before today?

No. I mean yes. No one.

Cramer's eyes went to Saul Panzer, do you confirm everything Miss Tenzer has said?

Saul nodded. I do. Everything I know about.

You went to see her with instructions from Nero Wolfe?

I did.

When and where did he give you the instructions?

Ask him.

I'm asking you.

Pfui, Wolfe said. Tell him, Saul.

In the kitchen in this house, Saul said. Around half past nine this morning.

Cramer turned to Wolfe. How did you suddenly get this idea about Anne Tenzer?

Wolfe shook his head. It wasn't sudden, it was tardy. Nor was it, properly speaking, an idea; it was merely a grab at a straw. He looked at Julian Haft. I assume you recall the occasions described by Miss Tenzer, Mr. Haft? Last summer, a year ago, when she told you about her aunt, and last winter when you phoned to get her name and address?