In the Best Families

Rackham for the murder of his wife. The threat was dangerous and effective even without authentic evidence to support it; there could of course be no authentic evidence that Rackham killed his wife, because he didn't.

They all froze, still wearing the frowns. Knowing Wolfe as I did, I had suspected that was coming, so I was taking them all in to get the impact, but there wasn't much to choose. After the first shock they all began to make noises, then words came, and then, as the full beauty of it hit them, the words petered out.

All but Archer's. “You have signed a statement, he told Wolfe, “to the effect that Zeck told Rackham he could produce evidence that would convict him of murder, and that Rackham thereupon shot Zeck. Now you say, in contradiction-

There is no contradiction, Wolfe declared. “The fact of Rackham's innocence would have been no defence against evidence manufactured by Zeck, and Rackham knew it. Innocent as he was-of this murder, that is-he knew what Zeck was capable of.

“You have said that you think Rackham killed his wife, but that you have no proof.

“I have not, Wolfe snapped. “Read your transcripts.

“I shall. And you now say that you think Rackham did not kill his wife?

“Not that I think he didn't. I know he didn't, because I know who did. Wolfe flipped a hand. “I've known that from the beginning. That night in April, when

Mr Goodwin phoned me that Mrs Rackham had been murdered, I knew who had murdered her. But I also knew that the interests of Arnold Zeck were involved and I dared not move openly. So I-but you know all about that. Wolfe turned to me. “Archie.

Precautions may not be required, but you might as well take them.

I opened a desk drawer and got out the Grisson.38. My favourite Colt, taken from me in Zeck's garage antechamber, was gone forever. After a glance at the cylinder I dropped the Grisson in my side pocket and as I did so lifted my head to the audience. As if they had all been on one circuit, the six pairs of eyes left me and went to Wolfe.

“I don't like this, Archer said in a tight voice. “I am here officially, and I don't like it. I want to speak to you privately.

Wolfe shook his head. “It's much better this way, Mr Archer, believe me. We're not in your county, and you're free to leave if it gets too much for you, but-

“I don't want to leave. I want a talk with you. If you knew, that night, who had killed Mrs Rackham, I intend to-