“We’ve found out something.”
“I wondered why Mac was dressed,” said Ellery. “Here, sit down and tell me all about it. You two been on the trail?”
“There’s nothing to this detective racket,” said the giant, stretching his legs. “You twerps have been getting away with mayhem. Tell him, Red.”
“We decided to do a little detecting on our own―”
“That sounds to me,” murmured Ellery, “like the remark of a dissatisfied client.”
“That’s what it is.” Laurel strode around smoking a cigaret. “We’d better have an understanding, Ellery. I hired you to find a killer. I didn’t expect you to produce him in twenty-four hours necessarily, but I did expect something ― some sign of interest, maybe even a twitch or two of activity. But what have you done? You’ve sat here and smoked!”
“Not a bad system, Laurel,” said Ellery, reaching for a pipe. ‘I’ve worked that way for years.”
“Well, I don’t care for it!”
“Am I fired?”
“I didn’t say that―”