Three For The Chair by Stout Rex

Author:Stout, Rex [Stout, Rex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Classic
ISBN: 9780553028294
Publisher: Bantam
Published: 1957-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Nero Wolfe 28 - Three For The Chair

V

WOLFE, BESIDE ME, sat slowly moving his head from side to side, and I thought he was simply going to clam up and let it go at that. But no. He spoke. 'It's too bad, Mr. Colvin.'

'What's too bad?'

'That you're spoiling it. You people have investigated promptly and efficiently, and you have expounded the situation admirably ' though I think 'assumptions' would be a better word than 'conclusions' at this stage. You even show -'

'I asked you a question! Answer it!'

'I shall. You even show commendable spunk in dealing with two billionaires and an ambassador, and I can't blame you for wanting to impress them by using a sharper tone and a more pugnacious manner for me. Though I don't blame you, I would certainly tell you to go to the devil but for the fact that my one desire is to leave here and go home. So I suggest a modus operandi. I will make a statement ' you have a stenographer there. When I'm through you may ask questions, and I may answer them.'

'I've asked one. You can answer that.'

Wolfe shook his head patiently. 'I've offered a statement. Isn't that accepted procedure?'

The sheriff, who had returned to the group by the door, called over, 'Maybe he'd like it better at the courthouse!'

The DA ignored it. He pushed his specs back up. 'Go ahead and make your statement.'

'Yes, sir.' Wolfe was trying not to be smug. He did want to go home. 'Eleven days ago I had a telephone call from Washington and was told that Mr. David M. Leeson, Assistant Secretary of State, wished to speak with me. Mr. Leeson, whom I had never met, told me that a fishing party was being arranged for Ambassador Kelefy, newly arrived in this country, and that the ambassador had expressed a desire to eat fresh trout cooked by Nero Wolfe, and would I oblige him. Mr. Leeson said it would be deeply appreciated. I was engaged on a difficult job and reserved my decision. Mr. Leeson phoned me again two days later, and again three days later, and I agreed to go, and he gave me the necessary information. No other matter was mentioned by either of us in any of the conversations.'

'Did Leeson write you about it?'

'No. It was all arranged on the phone. Yesterday morning Mr. Goodwin and I left my house in New York and drove here in my car, arriving around six o'clock. He accompanied me because he always does, and I had so stipulated with Mr. Leeson. He and I dined in this room with the others, and went to our rooms and to bed about ten o'clock. Neither of us had ever before met any of the people here, and neither of us had any private conversation with any of them yesterday or during the night. This morning we arose rather late and breakfasted together in this room at half past nine; we were told that the others, the five men, had all gone fishing before eight o'clock.

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