In the Best Families

“He says that she couldn't possibly have said what you report because it wasn't true. He says that there was no question or misunderstanding about money between them. He also says that she told him that she suspected her financial affairs were being mishandled by Mr Hammond of the Metropolitan Trust Company, and that she was going to consult Nero Wolfe about it.

“Well. I yawned. “That's interesting. Leeds is on my side. Who's on his?

“No one so far.

“Have you tried it out on Leeds?

“Yes. As you say, he's on your side. He has signed a statement. So has Mr

Rackham.

“What does Hammond say?

“I haven't- Archer paused, regarding me. “Perhaps I shouldn't have told you that. You will keep it to yourself. It's a delicate matter, to approach a responsible officer of a reputable bank on a thing like that.

“Right, I agreed. “It's also a delicate matter to call a millionaire a damn' liar-that is, delicate for you. Not for me. I hereby call him a damn' liar. I suppose he is a millionaire? Now?

Archer and Dykes exchanged glances. “Save it if you want to, I said understandingly. “Leeds will tell me. If he knows. Does he?

“Yes. The will was read to the family to-day. I was present. There are a number of bequests to servants and distant relatives. Mrs Frey gets this place and a million dollars. Leeds gets half a million. Lina Darrow gets two hundred thousand. The rest goes to Mr Rackham.

“I see. Then he's a millionaire, so it's delicate. Even so, he's a damn' liar and it's two to one. I'll sign that statement in triplicate if you want it.

Beyond that what can I say?

“I want to make it three to one. Archer leaned to me. “Listen, Goodwin. I have great respect for Nero Wolfe's talents. I have reason to, as you know. But I do not intend to let his whims interfere with the functions of my office. I want a statement from him supporting yours and Leeds', and I mean to have it without delay. I sent a man to get it. This morning at eleven o'clock he was told that

Wolfe wasn't available and that you weren't there and your whereabouts were not known. That was when an alarm was spread for you. I had a phone call from my man an hour ago. He had gone back to Wolfe's house and had been told that Wolfe was out of the city, and that was all he could get.

Archer made a hand into a fist, resting on the table. “I won't stand for it,

Goodwin. This is the toughest one I've had in my county since I took office, and