Over My Dead Body

I could have told, just looking at him, that that was the tone he would use asking a question. A tone that took it for granted any question he asked was going to be answered just because he asked it. I don't like it and I know of no way anybody is ever going to make me like it.

I said, "Write me special delivery and I'll refer the matter to my secretary's secretary."

His forehead wrinkled in displeasure. "Now, my man-"

"Not on your life. Not your man. I belong to me. This is the United States of America. I'm Nero Wolfe's employee, bodyguard, office manager, and wage slave, but I can quit any minute. I'm my own man. I don't know in what part of the world the door is that your key fits, but-"

"That will do, Archie." Wolfe said that without bothering to glance at me; his eyes were on the caller. "Apparently, Mr Faber, Mr Goodwin doesn't like you. Let's disregard that. What can I do for you?"

"You can first," said Faber in his perfect precise English, "instruct your subordinate to answer questions that are put to him."

"I suppose I can. I'll try it some time. What else can I do for you?"

"There is no discipline in your country, Mr Wolfe."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. There are various kinds of discipline. One man's flower is another man's weed. We submit to traffic cops and the sanitary code and so on, but we are extremely fond of certain liberties. Surely you didn't come here in order to discipline Mr Goodwin? Don't try it; you'd soon get sick of the job. Forget it. Beyond that?…"

"I came to satisfy myself as to your position and intentions regarding Miss Neya Tormic."

"Well." Wolfe was keeping his voice oiled-controlling himself. "What is it in you that requires satisfaction? Your curiosity?"

"No. I am interested. I might be prepared, under certain conditions, to explain my interest, and you might find it profitable to help me advance it. I know your reputation, of course-and your methods. You're expensive. What you want is money."

"I like money, and I use a lot of it. Would it be your money, Mr Faber?"

"It would be yours after it was paid to you."

"Quite right. What would I have to do to earn it?"

"I don't know. It is an affair of urgency and it demands great discretion. That inspector of police who was here-can you satisfy me that you are not a secret agent of the police?"