Ordinarily I’ve got as much to say as there’s time for, but on that occasion no more observations suggested themselves. I told her thank you, and she nodded without moving her head, which sounds unlikely but I swear that’s what she did, and I beat it. As I went out through the foyer I paused for another glance at one or two details, such as the location of the light switch by the double door.
On my way downtown I phoned Wolfe again. I told him what I had gathered from Mrs. Burton, and he told me that he and Andrew Hibbard were playing cribbage.
It was twenty minutes past noon when I got to Perry Street. It was deserted for Sunday. Sidewalks empty, only a couple of cars parked in the whole block, and a taxi in front of the entrance to 203. I let the roadster slide to the curb opposite, and got out. I had noted the number on the taxi’s license plate and had seen the driver on his seat. I stepped across to the sidewalk and went alongside; his head was tilted over against the frame and his eyes were closed. I put a foot on the running-board and leaned in and said:
“Good morning, Mr. Scott.”
He came to with a start and looked at me. He blinked. “Oh,” he said, “it’s little Nero Wolfe.”
I nodded. “Names don’t bother me, but mine happens to be Archie Goodwin. How’s tips?”
“My dear fellow.” He made noises, and spat out to the left, to the pavement. “Tips is copious. When was it I saw you, Wednesday? Only four days ago. You keeping busy?”
“I’m managing.” I leaned in a little further. “Look here, Pitney Scott. I wasn’t looking for you, but I’m glad I found you. When Nero Wolfe heard how you recognized Andrew Hibbard over a week ago, but didn’t claim the five grand reward when it was offered, he said you have an admirable sense of humor. Knowing how easy it is to find excuses for a friendly feeling for five grand, I’d say something different, but Wolfe meant well, he’s just eccentric. Seeing you here, it just occurred to me that you ought to know that your friend Hibbard is at present a guest up at our house. I took him there yesterday in time for dinner. If it’s all the same to you, he’d like to stay under cover for another couple of days, till we get this whole thing straightened out. If you should happen to turn mercenary, you won’t lose anything by keeping your sense of humor.”
He grunted. “So. You got Andy. And you only need a couple of days to straighten it all out. I thought all detectives were dumb.”
“Sure, we are. I’m so dumb I don’t even know whether it was you that took Dora Chapin up to Ninetieth Street last evening and brought her back again. I was just going to ask you.”