The Second Confesion

Wolfe spoke to Archer, “I congratulate you, sir, on your good judgement. I knew that Mr Goodwin was incapable of such a shenanigan, but you didn't. You had to use your brain, and you did so.” Archer nodded. “Thanks. I tried to.” He looked around. “I had a bad afternoon in court, and I'm tired. I shouldn't be here, but I said I'd come. I'm turning this matter over to Mr Gurran, one of my assistants, who is a much better investigator than I am. He was tied up today and couldn't come with me, but he would like to come and talk with all of you tomorrow morning. Meanwhile-” “May I say something?” Sperling put in.

“Certainly. I wish you would.” Sperling spoke easily, with no tension in his voice or manner. Td like to tell you exactly what happened. When Dykes came in this morning and said he had evidence that it was Wolfe's car, I thought that settled it. I believe I said so. Naturally I thought it was Goodwin, knowing that he had driven to Chappaqua last evening. Then when I learned that you weren't satisfied that it was Goodwin, t was no longer myself satisfied, because I knew you would have welcomed that solution if it had been acceptable. I put my mind on the problem as it stood then, with the time limit narrowed as it was, and I remembered something. The best way to tell you about it is to read you a statement.” Spelling's hand went to his inside breast pocket and came out with a folded paper. “This is a statement,” he said, unfolding it, 'dated today and signed by Mr Kane. Webster Kane.” Archer was frowning. “By Kane?” “Yes. It reads as follows: “On Monday evening, June 20,1949, a little before half-past nine, I entered the library and saw on Mr Sperling's desk some letters which I knew he wanted mailed. I had heard him say so. I knew he was upset about some personal matter and supposed he had forgotten about them. I decided to go to Mount Kisco and mail them in the post office so they would make the early morning train. I left the house by way of the west terrace, intending to go to the garage for a car, but remembered that Nero Wolfe's car was parked near by, much closer than the garage, and decided to take it instead.