“Not specially.” Burton looked irritated. “It is of no importance whatever. I always seem to talk too much when Paul Chapin is concerned; I wish to the Lord I’d never heard of him. As far as that goes, of course we all do. I only meant... well, for years I’ve kept an automatic pistol in the drawer of my study-table. One evening last week Paul came to see me. For years, of course, he was welcome at my house, though he seldom came. On this occasion, on account of recent events, I told the butler to keep him in the reception hall; and before I went to the reception hall I took the pistol from the drawer and stuck it in my pocket.—That was all I meant; I would be perfectly willing to use personal violence if the circumstances required it.”
Wolfe sighed. “I regret your soft spot, Dr. Burton. But for that you might, for instance, tell us which evening Mr. Chapin went to see you and what it was he wanted.”
“That wouldn’t help you.” Burton was brusque. “It was personal — that is, it was only neurotic nonsense.”
“So, they say, was Napoleon’s dream of empire. Very well, sir. By all means cling to the tattered shreds of humanity that are left you; there are enough of us in that respect quite unclothed. I must somehow manage my enterprise without stripping you. I would like as ask, gentlemen: which of you were most intimate with Mr. Hibbard?”
They looked at each other. George Pratt said, “We all saw Andy off and on.” Julius Adler put in, “I would say that among us Roland Erskine was his closest friend. I would boast that I was next.”
“Erskine the actor?” Wolfe glanced at the clock. “I was thinking he might join us after the theater, but scarcely at this hour. He is working, I believe.”
Drummond said, “He’s in The Iron Heel, he has the lead.”
“Then he couldn’t dine. Not at a civilized hour.” Wolfe looked at Julius Adler. “Could you come here at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon and bring Erskine with you?”
“Perhaps.” The lawyer looked annoyed. “I suppose I could manage it. Couldn’t you come to my office?”
“I’m sorry, sir. Believe me, I am; but knowing my habits as I do, it seems extravagantly improbable. If you could arrange to bring Mr. Erskine—”