“That’s a good trick,” Wallace said. “I’ll remember it.”
Ellery fumbled for a cigaret, decided against it. “I’ve made up my mind, Mr. Priam. You’re a bag of wind and a damned fool.”
The doorway was empty...
He was furious with himself. Never lose your temper. Rule One in the book; he had learned it on his father’s lap. Just the same, she must have seen it. Wallace flying through the air. And the gape on Priam’s ugly face. Probably set her up for the week...
He found himself searching for her out of the corners of his eyes as he strode down the hall. The place was overcrowded with shadows; she was certainly waiting in one of them. With the shades of her eyes pulled down but everything else showing.
The hall was empty, too...
Slit to the knee! That one was older than the pyramids. And how old was his stupidity? It probably went back to the primordial slime.
Then he remembered that Delia Priam was a lady and that he was behaving exactly like a frustrated college boy, and he slammed the front door.
Laurel was waiting for him in the Austin. She was still white; smoking with energy. Ellery jumped in beside her and growled, “Well, what are we waiting for?”
“He’s cracking,” said Laurel tensely. “He’s going to pieces, Ellery. I’ve seen him yell and push his weight around before, but today was something special. I’m glad I brought you. What do you want to do now?”