The Rubber Band

"Well… since it is understood this is strictly confidential… you know of course that in connection with our business we need certain privileges in certain foreign countries. In our dealings with the representatives of those countries we sometimes need to employ cash sums."

"Okay. This Mr. Muir you mentioned, he's the paymaster?"

"Mr. Ramsey Muir is the senior vice-president of the corporation. He usually handles such. contacts. On this occasion, last Friday, he had a luncheon appointment with a gentleman from Washington. The gentleman missed his train and telephoned that he would come on a later one, arriving at our office at five-thirty. He did so. When the moment arrived for Mr. Muir to open the drawer of his desk, the money was gone. He was of course greaty embarrassed."

"Yeah. When had he put it there?"

An interruption came from Wolfe. He moved to get upright in his chair, then to arise from it. He looked down at Perry. "You will excuse me, sir. It is the hour for my prescribed exercise and, following that, attention to my plants. If it would amuse you, when you have finished with Mr. Goodwin, to come to the roof and look at them, I would be pleased to have you." He moved halfway to the door, and turned. "It would be advisable, I think, for

Mr. Goodwin to make a preliminary investigation before we definitely undertake the commission you offer us. It appears to present complexities. Good day, sir." He went on out. The poker-dart board had been moved to his bedroom that morning, it being a business day with appointments.

"A cautious man." Perry smiled at me. "Of course his exceptional ability permits him to afford it."

I saw Perry was sore by the color above his cheekbones. I said, "Yeah. When had he put it there?"

"What? Oh, to be sure. The money had been brought from the bank and placed in Mr. Muir's desk that morning, but he had looked in the drawer when he returned from lunch, around three o'clock, and saw it intact. At five-thirty it was gone."

"Was he there all the time?"

"Oh, no. He was in and out. He was with me in my office for twenty minutes or so. He went once to the toilet. For over half an hour, from four to until about four forty, he was in the directors' room, conferring with other officers and Mr. Savage, our public relations counsel."

"Was the drawer locked?"

"No."

"Then anyone might have lifted it."