The Mother Hunt (Rex Stout Library)

He not only inspected the Tekke, he looked at every rug in the house. Perfectly natural. He likes good rugs and knows a lot about them, and he seldom has a chance to see any but his own. Then he spent half an hour examining the elevator and running it up and down while I looked into the bed problem. A very enjoyable evening, but there was no point in poking. We turned in, finally, in the two spare rooms on the fourth floor. His had a nice rug which he said was an eighteenth-century Feraghan.

Sunday morning a smell woke me at least it was the first thing I was aware of a smell I knew well. It was faint, but I recognized it. I got erect and went out to the head of the stain and sniffed; no doubt about it. I went down three flights to the kitchen and there he was, eating breakfast in his shirt sleeves. Eggs au beurre noir. He was playing house.

He said good morning. Tell me twenty minutes before you're ready.

Sure. Wine vinegar, I presume?

He nodded. Not very good, but it will do.

I went back up.

An hour and a half later, after eating breakfast and cleaning up, I found him in the big room on the second floor, in a big chair he had pulled over to a window, reading a book. I was still determined not to poke. I asked politely, Shall I go out and get papers?

As you please. If you think it safe.

He wasn't playing house, he was camping out. You don't care about newspapers when you're camping out.

Perhaps I should ring Mrs. Valdon and tell her where we are.

'That might be advisable, yes.

My valve popped open. Listen, sir. There are times when you can afford to be eccentric and times when you can't. Maybe you can afford it even now, but not me. I quit.

He lowered the book slowly. It's a summer Sunday, Archie. Where are people? Specifically, where is Mr. Upton? We are boxed up here. Will you undertake, using the telephone, to find Mr. Upton and persuade him to come here to talk with me? Supposing you could, would it be prudent?

No. But that's not the only line that's open. Who squawked to the cops? I might get that on the phone. That would make one less to work on.

There isn't time for that approach. We can't shave, we can't change our shirts or socks or underwear. When you go for papers get toothbrushes. I must see Mr. Upton. I have been considering Mrs. Valdon. When you phone her ask her to come this evening, after dark, alone. Will she come?

Yes.

Another detail I've considered. There's no hurry, but since you're fuming can you get Saul?

Yes. His answering service.