The League of Frightened Men

In my business I've seen it proved a hundred times that one thing you never I want to leave in the bureau drawer is your curiosity. As we turned in at our stoop I took another look at the taxi standing there, I nearly lost my aplomb for a second when the driver looked straight at me and tipped me a wink.

I went on in with the doc. Fritz was in the hall and told me that Wolfe had gone to the kitchen and would return when the doctor had finished. I told Fritz for God's sake not to let him get started eating, and took Vollmer into the office. Dora Chapin • was still in her chair. I introduced them, J and he put his bag on the desk and went to take a look at her. He poked around a little and said she might have to be sewed up and he could tell better if he could wash her off. I showed him where the bathroom was and said there were a bandages and iodine and so on, and then said: w "I'll call Fritz in to help you. I've got an errand out front. If you need me I'll be there."

He said all right, and I went to the hall and explained Fritz's new duties to him.

Then I went out to the sidewalk. T›

The taxi was still there. The driver wasn't winking any more; he just looked at me. I said, "Greetings."

He said, ‹I very seldom talk that much."

"How much?"

"Enough to say greetings. Any form of salutation." r;

"I don't blame you. May I glance inside?"

I pulled the door open and stuck my head in far enough to get a good look at the framed card fastened to the panel, showing the driver's picture and name.

That was only a wild guess, but I thought if it happened to hit it would save time. I backed out again and put a foot up on the running-board and grinned at him:

"I understand you're a good engineer."

I He looked funny for a second, then he laughed. "That was when I was in burlesque. Now I'm just doing straight parts. Damn it, quit grinning at me. I've got a headache."

I rubbed the grin off. "Why did you wink at me as I went by?"

"Why shouldn't I?" ‹I don't know. Hell, don't try to be quaint. I just asked you a friendly question. What was the idea of the wink?"

He shook his head. "I'm a character.

Didn't I say I had a headache? Let's see if we can't think of some place for you to go to. Is your name Nero Wolfe?"

"No. But yours is Pitney Scott. I've got you down on a list I made up for a contribution of five dollars."

"I heard about that list.".

"Yes? Who from?" |

"Oh… people. You can cross me off.

Last week I made eighteen dollars and twenty cents."