Wolfe’s lips moved faintly but no sound came out. He was speechless with rage.
He took a deep breath.
“Archie,” he said, “you have the advantage over me. There is nothing I can do to you. I can’t dismiss you, since you are no longer in my employ.” His eyes moved. “Mr. Cramer, you are an ass. Leave Mr. Goodwin alone with me for an hour, and I’ll get you all the information you want.”
“Alone with you?” Cramer grunted derisively. “Not that big an ass I’m not.”
Wolfe grimaced. He was having all he could do to control himself.
I said in a manly tone, “It’s like this, boss. I’m in a bad hole. I admit it. I am innocent, but my honor is involved. A good lawyer may pull me through. I had to grit my teeth last night to keep from waking you up to tell you about it. I knew you didn’t want—”
“Apparently, Archie,” he said grimly, “you forget how well I know you. Enough of this flummery. What are your terms?”
He had me flustered for a second. I stammered, “My what? Terms?”
“Yes. For the information I’ll have to have to clean up this mess. First to get you out of here. Do you realize, when Fritz brought me that paper and I saw that headline—”
“Yes, sir, I realize. As for terms, it’s not me, it’s the Army. I’m in it, and I’m on duty. We ask your assistance—”