“Why... Mr. Wolfe is gone.” I could hear him better, and I could tell he was trying not to let his voice shake. “He told me he was going to get you, and that he suspected you of trying to coerce him into raising your pay. He went—”
“Wait a minute, Fritz. Talk slow. What time is it? My watch says a quarter to seven.”
“Yes. That’s right. Mr. Wolfe has been gone nearly four hours. Archie, where are you?”
“To hell with where I am. What happened? Someone came for him?”
“Yes. I went to the door, and a man handed me an envelope.”
“Was it a taxi-driver?”
“Yes, I think so. I took the envelope to Mr. Wolfe, and pretty soon he came to the kitchen and told me he was going. Mr. Hibbard helped him into his coat, the brown one with the big collar, and I got his hat and stick and gloves—”
“Did you see the taxi?”
“Yes, I went out with Mr. Wolfe and opened the door of the cab for him. Archie, for God’s sake, tell me what I can do—”
“You can’t do anything. Let me talk to Mr. Hibbard.”