The Rubber Band

"You don't say." His forehead showed wrinkles. "Well. Lord Clivers wishes very much to see him. You say you wrote that letter?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I know all about it. I suppose Mr. Wolfe would be glad to talk with the marquis on the telephone-"

"He prefers not to discuss it on the telephone."

"Okay. I was going to add, or the marquis can come here. Of course the legal part of it is being handled by our attorney."

The young diplomat sat straight with his arms folded and looked at me. "You have engaged a solicitor?"

"Certainly. If it comes to a lawsuit, which we hope it won't, we don't want to waste any time. We understand the marquis will be in New York another week, so we'd have to be ready to serve him at once."

He nodded. "Just so. That's a bit candid." He bit his lip and cocked his head a little. "We appear to have reached a dead end. Your position seems quite clear. I shall report it, that's all I can do." He hitched his feet back and cleared his throat. "Now, if you don't mind, I assume my private capacity. I remarked that I am here personally. My name is Francis Horrocks."

"Yeah. Your personal name."

"Just so. And I would like to speak with Miss Fox. Miss Clara Fox."

I felt myself straightening out my face and hoped he didn't see me. I said, "I can't say I blame you. I've met Miss Fox. Go to it."

He frowned. "If you would be so good as to tell her I am here. It's quite all right. I know she's having a spot of seclusion, but it's quite all right. Really. You see, when she telephoned me this morning I insisted on knowing the address of her retreat. In fact, I pressed her on it. I confess she laid it on me not to come here to see her, but I made no commitment. Also, I didn't come to see her; I came semi-socially. What? Being here, I ask to see her, which is quite all right. What?"

My face was under control after the first shock. I said, "Sure it's quite all right. I mean, to ask. Seeing her is something else. You must have got the address wrong or maybe you were phoning in your sleep."

"Oh, no. Really." He folded his arms again. "See here, Mr. Goodwin, let's cut across. It's a fact, I actually must see Miss Fox. As a friend, you understand. For purely personal reasons. I'm quite determined about this."

"Okay. Find her. She left no address here."

He shook his head patiently. "It won't do, I assure you it won't. She telephoned me. Is she in distress? I don't know. I shall have to see her. If you will tell her-"