Prisoner's Base

"I'm saying no such thing." Wolfe was being patient. "I said I had an alternative suggestion. If you don't like that one here's the other." He looked at the wall clock. "It's ten minutes past eleven. Mr. Goodwin helped you unpack; he can help you pack. You can be out of here in five minutes, with your luggage, and there will be no surveillance. We will not even so much as spy from a window to see which way you turn. We will forget you exist for ten hours and forty-five minutes. At the end of that period, at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, I shall phone Mr. Helmar, take his job on the terms he proposed, and start after you."

Wolfe fluttered a hand. "It was distasteful to me, having to offer to take the money direct from you instead of through Mr. Helmar, but I felt you merited that consideration. I'm glad you contemn it as blackmail, since I like to pretend that I earn at least a fraction of what I collect; but the offer stands until ten in the morning, should you decide that you prefer it to this hide-and-seek."

"I'm not going to pay you any ten thousand dollars!" She had her chin up.

"Good."

"It's ridiculous!"

"I agree. Also, of course, the alternative is ridiculous for me. Leaving here, you can go straight home, phone Mr. Helmar that you are there and will see him in the morning, and go to bed, leaving me to go whistle for my dinner. I'll have to risk that; there's no way around it."

"I'm not going home, and I'm not going to phone anyone."

"As you please." Wolfe glanced at the clock. "It's a quarter past eleven, and you have no time to lose if you expect to make it a job for me. Archie, will you bring her luggage down, please?"

I arose, in no hurry. The situation was highly unsatisfactory, but how could I change it? Priscilla wasn't waiting. She was out of her chair, saying, "I can manage, thanks," and on her way.

I watched her crossing the hall and starting up, and then turned to Wolfe. "It reminds me more of 'run sheep run,' as we called it in Ohio. That's what the shepherd yelled-'run sheep run!' It ought to be an exciting game and lots of fun, but I think I should tell you before she leaves, I'm not absolutely sure I'll want to play. You may have to fire me."

He only muttered, "Get her out of here."

I took my time mounting the stairs, thinking she wouldn't want my help folding things. The door to the south room was standing open. From the landing I called, "May I come in?"

"Don't bother," her voice came. "I'll make out."