Her eyes were wide open at me. “Do you mean — But how did you know—”
“Just a minute. The question was rhetorical. I suppose you’ve heard of Nero Wolfe, the detective. I worked for him up to two months ago, when I joined the Army. Today Lily Rowan told me that you asked her to send you to a lawyer, and she has been trying to arrange for you to see Nero Wolfe, but Mr. Wolfe has been occupied. I think I can fix it. He is a very busy man, if you’ll just tell me what it’s about—”
“Oh,” she said. She gazed at me. Finally she shook her head. “I don’t — I couldn’t tell you.”
“Why not? You’re in trouble, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I am.”
“Didn’t you intend to tell the lawyer you asked Lily to send you to?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Nero Wolfe is worth ten lawyers. Any ten.”
“But you’re not Nero Wolfe. You’re just a handsome young man in a uniform.” She shook her head again. “Really I couldn’t.”
“You’re wrong, sister. I’m handsome, but I’m not just handsome. However, we’ve got all night. Say we try this. We’ve both had dinner. Say we go somewhere and dance. Between dances I’ll explain to you how bright I am, and try to win your confidence, and get you to drink as much as possible to loosen your tongue. That might get us somewhere.”