The Mother Hunt (Rex Stout Library)

I laughed. You know, I said, during these six weeks I have seen you in various moods from gay to glum, but I have never seen you look really beat until this minute. I laughed because that's funny.

I don't feel funny.

I do. I feel wonderful. Are you sure it's Carol Mardus?

Yes. Certainly. It shouldn't have taken me so long.

Who and what is she?

She got Dick started. She was a reader at Distaff, and she got Manny Upton to take Dick's stories. Then later he made her fiction editor. She is now.

Fiction editor of Distaff?

Yes.

She wasn't on your list.

No, I didn't think of her. I've only seen her two or three times.

C-A-R-O-L? M-A-R-D-I-S?

U-S.

Married?

No. As far as I know. She was married to Willis Krug, and divorced.

My brows went up. That's interesting. She wasn't on his list. Divorced how long ago?

I don't know exactly. I think four or five years. I only met her after I married Dick and Willis too.

I have to ask a question. If she's the mother, and now that's ten to one, how likely is it no, not likely.' How credible is it that Dick was the father?

I don't know. I've told you about Dick, Archie. I know he had been intimate with her years ago no, I don't know it, but someone told me. But if she's the mother Suddenly she was on her feet. I'm going to see her. I'm going to ask her.

Not right now. I started a hand for her arm but stopped it. Never mix personal relations with business relations unless you have to. I'm going to give you an order. I've made a few requests and suggestions, and I've talked you into a couple of things, but I've never given you an order. Now I do. You will mention Carol Mardus to no one, positively no one, until I say you can. And you won't see her or phone her. Right?

She smiled. No one has ever given me an order since my father died.

Then it's about time. Well?

Here. She put out a hand and I took it. The atmosphere was back to normal, but there was work to do. As a client, I said, you're the cream of the cream. I have to use the phone on business.

There was one in a cabinet at the end of the room, and I went and opened the door and dialed. I wouldn't have been surprised if Fritz had answered, they were so deep in literature, but it was Saul. I told him it would save time if Wolfe got on, and in a moment had his voice. Yes?