“Okay,” I said, drawing up a chair, “it’ll take a little time, but at least you’ll know where you are.”
“At least I’ll know where I am,” he repeated, “and by the time you’ve finished, you’ll know where you are!”
I didn’t let him rattle me, but went straight into the story and told him everything from the meeting with Myra to the meeting with Kruger.
He sat drumming on the desk, looking as if be could eat me, while Harriet took the story down. When I was through, he just sat looking at me. There was a long painful silence. Even Harriet looked doubtful.
“What a dream!” he exploded at last. “That settles it. Young man, you’re a menace to the citizens of this country. Do you know what I’m going to do to you? I’m going to have you sent to a nut house. If I spend my last dime, I’ll have you put away before the end of the week.”
I got hastily to my feet. “Hey,” I said, “you can’t do a thing like that!”
“I can’t, huh?” Maddox snarled. “Well, you wait and see. This time next week you’ll be in a strait jacket!”
A knock sounded on the door.
“Come in,” Harriet called.
Murphy, the doorman, walked in. I’ve never seen a guy look so altered. His face was pale and lined and he carried himself as if he’d got a ton weight on his back.