Prisoner's Base

She shook her head. "A friend of mine was here a long while ago, and then of course I've read about it." She looked around, twisting her head to the right and then to the left. "I wouldn't have come if I hadn't known a good deal about it, and about Nero Wolfe and you." She leveled the eyes at me, and, finding it difficult to meet them casually, I met them consciously. She went on, "I thought it would be better to tell you about it first because I'm not sure I would know how to put it to Nero Wolfe. You see, I'm trying to work something out. I wonder-do you know what I think I need right now?"

"No. What?"

"A Coke and rum with some lime and lots of ice. I don't suppose you've got Meyer's?"

It seemed to me she was crowding a little, but I said sure, we had everything, and got up to step to Wolfe's desk and ring for Fritz. When he had come and got the order, and I was back in my chair, she spoke again. "Fritz looks younger than I expected," she said.

I leaned back and clasped my hands behind my head. "You're welcome to a drink, even a Coke and rum," I told her, "and I'm enjoying your company, that's okay, but if you want me to tell you how to put something to Mr. Wolfe maybe you'd better start."

"Not till I've had the drink," she said firmly.

She not only had the drink, she made herself at home. After Fritz had brought it and she had taken a couple of sips, she murmured something about its being warm and removed the jacket and dropped it on the seat of the red leather chair. Furthermore, she took off the straw thing she had on her head, fingered her hair back, and got a mirror from her bag and gave herself a brief look. Then, with her glass in her hand, and sipping intermittently, she moved to my desk for a glance at the germination cards, crossed to the big globe and gave it a gentle spin, and went to the shelves and looked at titles of books. When her glass was empty she put it on a table, went to her chair and sat, and gave me the eyes.

"I'm beginning to get myself together," she told me.

"Good. Don't rush it."

"I won't. I'm not a rusher. I'm a very cautious girl-believe me, I am. I never rushed but one thing in my life, and that one was enough. I'm not sure I'm over it yet. I think maybe I should have another drink."