“Does anybody there know you? Besides Ann?”
“Mrs. Chack does, that’s all. Ann’s grandmother.”
“Was anybody — hold it.”
The street door was opening. It closed again, and I heard Wolfe’s voice, and a murmur of Fritz’s. Footsteps went down the hall and the door to the kitchen opened and closed.
I went noiselessly to the door to the hall and eased it open. The one to the kitchen was shut, and sounds came from beyond it. I beckoned to Lily and when she joined me whispered in her ear, “Fast and silent. Understand?” and tiptoed to the front door and got it open without a sound. Lily slipped through and me after her, I shut the door with only a faint click, and we went down the steps to the sidewalk and turned east. She had to trot to keep up. When we reached the avenue and turned the corner I got her into a doorway.
“Now. Was anyone standing around the entrance when you went in?”
“Standing around? No. But what—”
“Don’t talk. I’m busy. You’re noticeable. Did anyone notice you going in or coming out?”
“I don’t think so. If they did I didn’t notice them.”
“Okay. I’m leaving you. Here’s your program. Go some place out of town, not far, Long Island or Westchester. Leave a note for me at the Ritz telling me where, but don’t tell anyone else. I—”