She smiled. “It isn’t likely I’d carry around a wad like that.”
“Certainly not. So forget it.” I started my hand for the dash.
But her hand held my arm. “Wait. You’re too impulsive. It’s a bona fide offer. Ten thousand.”
“Cash?”
“Yes.”
“When and where?”
“I think—” she hesitated. “I can have it in twenty-four hours. A little sooner. Tomorrow afternoon.”
“And meanwhile, the carton?”
“The Day and Night Bank. In safekeeping for joint withdrawal only. We shake hands to pledge good faith.”
I admired her visibly. It showed in my tone too. “Didn’t I see you once walking the high wire at the circus? Maybe it was your sister. Looky. I suppose I could be had, but it isn’t practical. Nero Wolfe would be sure to find out — he finds out everything in the long run — and he’d be sure to tell my poor old mother. If it wasn’t for my mother I’d snap at it. I promised her once I’d never sell out for less than a million. The mortgage on the old farm happens to be a million even.”