The Second Confesion

“In a minute. I approve of your lie about expecting a caller. That's the way to handle it, tease her on with the hard to get-” “Go to bed. I am expecting a caller.” I eyed him. “Another one?” “A man. I'll let him in. Put this stuff away and go to bed. At once.” That had happened not more than twice in five years. Once in a while I get sent out of the room, and frequently I am nagged to get off my phone, when something is supposed to be too profound for me, but practically never am I actually chased upstairs to keep me from even catching a glimpse of a visitor.

“Mr Jones?” I asked.

“Put this stuff away.” I gathered up the papers from his desk and returned them to my drawer before telling him, “I don't like it, and you know I don't. One of my functions is keeping you alive.” I started for the safe. “What if I come down in the morning and find you?” “Some morning you may. Not this one. Don't lock the safe.” “There's fifty grand in it.” “I know. Don't lock it.” “Okay, I heard you. The guns are in my second drawer but not loaded.” I told him good night and left him.

CHAPTER Nineteen

In the morning three-tenths of the fifty grand was no longer there. Fifteen thousand bucks. I told myself that before I died I must manage at least a look from a distance at Mr Jones. A guy who could demand that kind of dough for piecework, and collect in advance, was something not to be missed.

When I arose at seven I had had only five hours' sleep. I had not imitated Gwenn and taken to eavesdropping, but I certainly didn't intend to snooze peacefully while Wolfe was down in the office with a character so mysterious I couldn't be allowed to see him or hear him. Therefore, not undressing, I got the gun I keep on my bed table and went to the hall and sat at the top of the stairs. From there, two flights up, I heard his arrival, and voices in the hall-Wolfe's and one other-and the office door closing, and then, for nearly three hours, a faint mumble that I had to strain my ears to catch at all. For the last hour of it I had to resort to measures to keep myself awake. Finally the office door opened and the voices were louder, and in half a minute he had gone and I heard Wolfe's elevator. I beat it to my room. After my head touched the pillow I tossed and turned for nearly three seconds.