I conceded it. “Yes.”
“Why?”
“As an interested citizen.”
“What kind of interest? You lied to Inspector Cramer. You told him that Wolfe had no client, but here you are.”
“It wasn’t a lie. He had no client.”
“Then he’s got one since?”
“No. He has none.”
“Then what are you here for? What kind of interest?”
“My own. I am interested for personal reasons, and Mr. Wolfe has nothing to do with it. I’m strictly on my own.”
“For God’s sake.” From the tone of Rowcliff’s voice, he had reached the limit of exasperated disgust. From my slumped position I couldn’t see his face, but from a corner of my eye I had a view of his hand tightened into a fist. “So Wolfe has got a c-c-client.” When he reached a certain pitch of excitement he was apt to stutter. I usually tried to beat him to it, but this time missed the chance. “And a client he doesn’t dare to acknowledge. And you actually have the gall to try to cover for him by telling another outrageous lie, that you’re here on your own. Your insolence—”