The Second Confesion

“Yes, sir.” “With how many young women whom you met originally through your association with my business have you established personal relationships?” “Between five and six thousand. But that's not- “I'm merely suggesting that you reverse the process and establish the personal relationship first. What's wrong with that?” “Everything.” I shrugged. “Okay. Maybe nothing. It depends. I'll take a look at her.” “Good. You're going to be late.” He started for the supply shelves.

I raised my voice a little. “However, I've still got a question, or two, rather.

Bascom's boys had a picnic trying to tail Rony. The first time out, before anything could have happened to make him suspicious, he had his nose up and pulled a fade. From then on not only did they have to use only the best, but often even that wasn't good enough. He knew the whole book and some extra chapters. He may or may not be a Communist, but he didn't learn all that in Sunday school.” “Pfui. He's a lawyer, isn't he?” Wolfe said contemptuously. He took a can of Elgetrol from the shelf and began shaking it. “Confound it, let me alone.” “I will in a minute. The other thing, three different times, times when they didn't lose him, he went into Bischoff's Pet Shop on Third Avenue and stayed over an hour, and he doesn't keep any pets.” Wolfe stopped shaking the can of Elgetrol. He looked at it as if he didn't know what it was, hesitated, put the can back on the shelf, and looked at me.

“Oh,” he said, not curtly. “He did?” “Yes, sir.” Wolfe looked around, saw the oversized chair in its place, and went to it and sat down.