“That’s right. She set the figure, I didn’t.”
“And after she hurt her leg and had to stay in bed she refused to pay you any more? And wouldn’t let her daughter pay you? And ordered you to move out?”
“Oh, that.” Leon waved it away contemptuously.
“Was that because she found out that you weren’t killing the hawks, as you said you were, but were collecting them from farmers?”
“It was not. It was because she couldn’t enjoy life any more and didn’t want anyone else to. How could she have found out about the hawks? She was laid up in bed.”
“I’m asking you.”
“And I’ve answered you.” Leon leaned forward. “What I want to know is, are you going to ruin my business or not? You’ve got no right—”
“Take him away,” Cramer said wearily. “Stebbins! Take him away!”
Sergeant Stebbins performed.
With the company gone, the three of us looked at one another. I yawned. Wolfe was letting his shoulders sag. He was already forgetting to keep them straight. Cramer got out a cigar, scowled at it, and stuck it back in his pocket.