The Father Hunt

and Vance that caused Jarrett to start sending checks to Carlotta Vaughn, alias Elinor Denovo, two weeks after her baby was born and to keep on sending them until her death? That could be another item that Cramer might be able to use, but that's not why / want to know. Also, of course, Miss Denovo would like to know. I believe in satisfying the client. I also believe in satisfying me. All right, I withdraw my brag; the job is not finished. It's your move."

I expected him to start the lip act, but he merely cocked his head. "The point," he said, "is that we don't know which of two alternative situations faces us. If he is the father but not a murderer, establishing it will be dim- cult if not impossible. He did that many years ago. But if ‹he is also a murderer the situation is much simpler; he did :, that only three months ago. We'll resolve that and then decide how to proceed. Can you get him here this evening?"

"For what? Do I ask him if he still wants to meet you?"

"That would do to start. If he says no, tell him I want to meet him. Tell him I want to ask him why he didn't reply to the advertisement requesting information about Carlotta Vaughn, alias Elinor Denovo."

I had noted the listing of Vance's home phone, but got the directory to check on the number, and found that my memory had it right. It was a quarter to seven when I dialed, and if he ate out I would probably get no answer. But after two rings I got a hello.

"Mr. Floyd Vance, please?"

"I'm Floyd Vance."

"I'm Archie Goodwin. I work for Nero Wolfe. You may remember that we met at Lily Rowan's place, and you-"

"I remember."

"And you said you would like to meet Nero Wolfe to make a proposal. I reminded Mr. Wolfe of that just now when we were discussing something, and he decided he would also like to meet you. Could you come this evening, say at nine o'clock?"

Silence. Five seconds. "This is short notice."

"I know. It's not as urgent as a five-alarm fire, but if it's not too inconvenient… the address is-"

"I know the address." Silence. "You say nine o'clock?"

"Right. Or later if that would suit you better." "Don't be so goddam polite. I'll be there around nine." As I hung up, the doorbell rang, and I went, expecting Saul, and it was. I opened the door only a couple of inches and said through the crack, "You may not want to come in. No champagne. There are angles."