The League of Frightened Men

The stuff tasted bitter. I put the empty glass on the table and got hold of the guy who had gone for the doctor – by this time I recognized him as the elevator man – and told him to go downstairs and switch the Chapin phone in, and then go outside and see if Scott's taxi was at the curb. Then I made it through the diningroom again into the sitting-room and got into a chair by the telephone stand. I got the operator, and gave her the number.

Fritz answered. I said, "This is Archie.

What was it you told me a while ago about Mr. Wolfe?"

"Why… Mr. Wolfe is gone." I could hear him better, and I could tell he was trying not to let his voice shake. "He told me he was going to get you, and that he suspected you of trying to coerce him into raising your pay. He went -9f "Wait a minute, Fritz. Talk slow.

What time is it? My watch says a quarter to seven."

"Yes. That's right. Mr. Wolfe has been gone nearly four hours. Archie, where are you?" ^ "To hell with where I am. What happened? Someone came for him?" 'Yes. I went to the door, and a man handed me an envelope."

"Was it a taxi-driver?"

"Yes, I think so. I took the envelope to Mr. Wolfe, and pretty soon he came to the kitchen and told me he was going. Mr.

Hibbard helped him into his coat, the brown one with the big collar, and I got his hat and stick and gloves -"

"Did you see the taxi?"

"Yes, I went out with Mr. Wolfe and opened the door of the cab for him.

Archie, for God's sake, tell me what I can do -" |,i B "You can't do anything. Let me talk to Mr. Hibbard."

"But Archie – I am so disturbed -"

"So am I. Hold the fort, Fritz, and sit tight. Put Hibbard on."

I waited, and before long heard

Hibbard's hello. I said to him:

"This is Archie Goodwin, Mr. Hibbard.

Now listen, I can't talk much. When Nero Wolfe gets home again we want to be able to tell him that you've kept your word.

You promised him to stay dead until

Monday evening. Understand?"

Hibbard sounded irritated. "Of course I understand, Mr. Goodwin, but it seems to me -"

"For God's sake forget how it seems to you. Either you keep your word or you don't."

"Well… I do."

"That's fine. Tell Fritz I'll call again as soon as I have anything to say."

I hung up. The brown stuff the doctor had given me seemed to be working, but not to much advantage; my head was pounding like the hammers of hell. The elevator man had come back and was standing there. I looked at him and he said Scott's taxi was gone. I got hold of a in the phone again and called Spring 7-3100.