The Missing Heiress by Robert Goldsborough

Author:Robert Goldsborough [Goldsborough, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504079877
Publisher: MysteriousPress.com/Open Road
Published: 2023-06-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Both our clients left the brownstone that morning frustrated, but they were hardly alone. The three of us—Wolfe, Saul, and I—were also far from satisfied. For several seconds after their departure, no one spoke. Finally, Wolfe said, “Archie, get Fred and Orrie here at three. Saul, I assume you can also be present at that time.”

“Yes, sir, I can.”

That was Wolfe at his finger-snapping best. Give an order, and expect it to be carried out, without question. But then, I follow orders—most of the time. In this case, I was able to deliver, and the trio of operatives sat in the office at three with drinks, awaiting direction.

Wolfe summarized the situation, admitting a lack of progress. “We don’t know where Maureen Carr is, we don’t know where her brother is, and we also don’t know the identity of the man Miss Carr met with in Albany, call him Mr. X.”

“I wasn’t very successful up there,” Saul said. “I will pay for that trip myself, to atone for my failure.”

“Nonsense!” Wolfe snapped. “You did not have a lot to go on. I would like to learn the identity of Mr. X, which may allow us to break this logjam. I propose, if you are willing, that all three of you go to Albany, armed with photographs of Miss Carr, and spread out, combing the city and its environs.

“Go into establishments there, primarily restaurants and bars, and learn if anyone can identify Mr. X. I concede this is a challenge, but Miss Carr and this man apparently were together for between one and two hours. It is likely they were seen, and it also is likely, although by no means sure, that one of those individuals who observed the pair might be able to identify Miss Carr’s escort, who may well be a denizen of Albany. And each of you probably should rent an automobile to assist in your search.”

“I’m game,” Saul said. “What about you two?”

“Count me in,” Durkin answered. “They must have gone someplace to eat—or drink.”

“Or both,” Orrie chimed in. “Is Archie going, too?”

As I mentioned before, Orrie Cather always has been interested in what my role will be in a case, because he is convinced that he would fit nicely into my role as Wolfe’s assistant.

“I have assignments for Archie here, Orrie,” Wolfe replied. “I believe the three of you are an adequate force to cover Albany and the surrounding area. I expect daily reports from you, Saul.”

“What if we learn the guy’s identity? Do we try to find him?” Orrie asked.

“Not yet,” Wolfe said. “Telephone for instructions.” That settled, the boys departed and Saul said they would leave for Albany that afternoon.

“The expense accounts for this project will be hefty,” I told Wolfe.

“So far, these trips have only been to Albany. It is not as if we are putting people on airplanes to California or Florida,” he said.

“True. And Eric Mason seems ready and eager to provide whatever funds are needed, so I suppose I shouldn’t worry.

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