The Rubber Band

"No." Cramer grunted. "He's not saying anything, except that he knew Walsh a long time ago and went there to see him this evening by appoint ment and found him lying there dead. But we didn't come here to answer questions for you, we came to find out what you know. We could have you pulled in, but decided it was quicker to come. It's time to spill it. What's it all about?"

"I suppose so." Wolfe sighed. "Frankly, I think you're wrong; I believe that while you may have information that will help me, I have none that will help you. But we'll get to that later. My connection with this affair arises from my engagement to press a civil claim on behalf of two clients, two young women. Also, to defend one of them from a trumped-up charge of larceny brought against her by an official of the Seaboard Products Corporation. Since I have succeeded in having the larceny charge withdrawn-"

District Attorney Skinner woke up. He croaked in his deep bass, "Don't talk so much. What has that got to do with it? Come to the point."

Wolfe said patiently, "Interruptions can only waste time, by forcing me to begin my sentences over again. Since I have succeeded in having the larceny charge withdrawn, and since they cannot possibly be suspected of complicity in the murder of Mr. Walsh, I am willing to produce my clients, with the understanding that if I send for them to come here they will be

questioned here only and will not be taken from this house. I will not have-"

"The hell you won't!" Hombert was ready to boil again. "You can't dictate to us-"

But the authority of Wolfe's tone and the assurance of his manner had made enough impression so that his raised palm brought Hombert to a halt. "I'm not dictating," he snapped. "Confound it, let us get on or we shall be all night. I was about to say, I will not have the lives of my clients placed in possible jeopardy by releasing them from my own protection. Why should I? I can send for them and you can question them all you please-"

"All right, all right," Cramer agreed impatiently. "We won't take them, that's understood. How long will it take you to get them here?"

"One minute perhaps, if they are not in bed. Archie? If you please."

I arose, grinning at Cramer's stare, stepped over Skinner's feet, and went up and knocked at the door of the south room.

"Come in."