The Black Mountain

"I thought it might not be," Wolfe said, "since Zov returned only recently from a trip to America. That was what suggested it to me. I even thought it possible you might have another mission for him there. If so, he might need help, and what we did today, especially my son, may have demonstrated that we could be capable of supplying it." Stritar looked at Zov. Then he studied Wolfe. Then he transferred to me. I was aware, from tones and expressions and the atmosphere, that we were at a crisis, but I didn't know what kind, so all I could do was meet his eyes and look loyal and confident and absolutely intrepid. After he had analyzed me clear through to my spine he returned to Wolfe. 262 "Did you ever," he asked, "hear of a man named Nero Wolfe?" I claim a medal for handling not only my face but all my nerves and muscles. His pronunciation was fuzzy, but not too fuzzy for me to get it. I knew they were at a crisis, and suddenly that bozo snaps out the name Nero Wolfe. How I kept my hand from starting for my holster I don't know. Wolfe showed no sign of panic, but that was no help. He wouldn't panic if you paid him. "Of course," he said. "If you mean the well-known detective in New York. Everyone in America has heard of him." "Do you know him?" "I haven't met him, no. I know a man who has. He says I look like him, but I've seen a picture of him, and the only resemblance is that we're both big and fat." "Did you know a man named Marko Vukcic?" "No, but I heard his name today, as I told you, when Shuvalov was speaking to Zov. Was he any relation to Danilo Vukcic?" "His uncle. He owned a de luxe restaurant. This detective, Nero Wolfe, was his friend, and there is reason to believe that he intends to take Vukcic's place and send money and other help to the Spirit of the Black Mountain. In large amounts." 263 Wolfe grunted. "Then it did no good to kill Vukcic." "I don't agree. We couldn't know that a friend of his would take over so promptly and effectively. But he has. I got the news only today." "And now you propose to kill Nero Wolfe." Stritar snapped, "I didn't say so." "No, but you might as well. I haven't got a quick mind, but it didn't have to be quick for that. I suggested that you might have another mission for Zov in America, and you asked me if I had ever heard of this Nero Wolfe. That's just adding two and two, or rather one and one. So you propose to kill him." "What if I do?" "It may be necessary. I don't know." "You told Zov that you disapprove of torture but that violence is often unavoidable, as it was on his mission to New York." "That's true. I meant that. But I don't think a man should be killed merely on suspicion. Have you any evidence that this Nero Wolfe will really help your enemies as Vukcic did?" "I have." Stritar opened a drawer of his desk and took out a paper. "Day before 264 yesterday a man in Bari received a telegram from Nero Wolfe which read as follows: 'Inform proper persons across Adriatic I am handling Vukcic's affairs and assuming obligations. Two hundred thousand dollars available soon. Will send agent conference Bari next month.' " Stritar put the paper back and shut the drawer. "Is that evidence?"