The Second Confesion

“No. Don't go to the house. Start at Chappaqua, in the village, wherever you can pick up a connection. We know that someone in that house drugged a drink intended for Mr Rony on Saturday evening, and we are assuming that someone wanted him to die enough to help it along. When an emotion as violent as that is loose in a group of people there are often indications of it that are heard or seen by servants. That's all I can tell you.” “What will I be in Chappaqua for?” “Whatever you like. Have something break on your car, something that takes time, and have it towed to the local garage. Is there a garage in Chappaqua, Archie?” “Yes, sir.” “That will do.” Wolfe drank the last of his beer and used his handkerchief on his lips. “Now Saul. You met young Sperling today.” “Yes, sir. Archie introduced us.” “We want to know what he and his mother were looking for at Mr Rony's apartment.

It was almost certainly a paper, since they were looking in books, and probably one which had supported a threat held by Mr Rony over young Sperling or his mother. That conjecture is obvious and even trite, but things get trite by occurring frequently. There is a clear pattern. A month ago Mrs Sperling reversed herself and readmitted Mr Rony to her home as a friend of her daughter, and the son's attitude changed at the same time. A threat could have been responsible for that, especially since the main objection to Mr Rony was then based on a mere surmise by Mr Sperling. But Monday afternoon they were told something which so blackened Mr Rony as to make him quite unacceptable. Yet the threat still existed. You see where that points.” “What blackened him?”Saul asked.

Wolfe shook his head. “I doubt if you need that, at least not now. We want to know what the threat was, if one existed. That's for you and Orrie with you in charge. The place to look is here in New York, and the son is far more likely than the mother, so try him first-his associates, his habits-but for that you need no suggestions from me. It's as routine as Fred's job, but perhaps more promising. Report as usual.” That finished the conference. Fred got the rest of his beer down, not wanting to offend Wolfe by leaving some. I got money for them from the safe, from the cash drawer, not disturbing the contribution from our latest client. Fred had a couple of questions and got them answered and I went to the front door to let them out.