The League of Frightened Men

"Now, Mr. Goodwin." He smiled at me, sadder than ever. "Are all detectives alike? You know perfectly well why I I thought it was suicide. The police thought so, and the circumstances indicated it."

"My mistake." I grinned. "I said no trick questions, didn't I? If you're willing to grant that a detective can have an idea in his mind, you know what mine is. Did Paul Chapin have any opportunity to put the nitroglycerin tablets in Dreyer's highball? That ignorant detective, and all the bright cops, seem to have the impression that you think he didn't."

Dr. Elkus nodded. "I labored to produce that impression. You know of course that Mr. Santini agreed with me.

We are perfectly certain that Paul had no such opportunity. He went to the gallery with us^ and we all entered the office together. Paul sat at my left, near the door, at least six feet away from Eugene.

He touched no glass but his own. Eugene prepared the drinks and handed them around; we had only one. Departing, Paul preceded me through the door. Mr.

Santini was ahead." ^

"Yeah. That's on the record. But in a fracas like that, so much excitement, there must have been some moving around, getting up and sitting down, walking back and forth…" – 1 "Not at all. We were not excited, except possibly Eugene. He was the only one who left his chair."

"Did he change his coat, or put it on or anything, after you got there?"

"No. He wore a morning coat. He did not remove it."

"The bottle with what was left of the nitroglycerin was found in the pocket of his coat."

"So I understand."

I sat back and looked at him again. I would have given the roadster and a couple of extra tires to know if he was lying. He was as much out of my class as Paul Chapin was. There was no way for me to get at him that I could see. I said:

"Will you have lunch with Mr. Nero

Wolfe tomorrow at one o'clock?"

"I'm sorry. I shall be engaged."

B "Friday?"

He shook his head. "No. Not any day.

You are in error regarding me, Mr.

Eoodwin. I am not a knot to be untangled -* a nut to be cracked. Give up your hope •^hat I am deceptive, as most men are; I am really as simple as I seem. Give up your hope, too, to demonstrate the guilt of Paul Chapin in the death of Eugene Dreyer. It is not feasible. I know it isn't;

I was there."

"Could you make it Saturday?"

He shook his head and smiled, still sad.

I got up from my chair and picked up my hat, and thanked him. But before I started for the door I said: