“How much?”
“Enough to say greetings. Any form of salutation.”
“I don’t blame you. May I glance inside?”
I pulled the door open and stuck my head in far enough to get a good look at the framed card fastened to the panel, showing the driver’s picture and name. That was only a wild guess, but I thought if it happened to hit it would save time. I backed out again and put a foot up on the running-board and grinned at him:
“I understand you’re a good engineer.”
He looked funny for a second, then he laughed. “That was when I was in burlesque. Now I’m just doing straight parts. Damn it, quit grinning at me. I’ve got a headache.”
I rubbed the grin off. “Why did you wink at me as I went by?”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“I don’t know. Hell, don’t try to be quaint. I just asked you a friendly question. What was the idea of the wink?”
He shook his head. “I’m a character. Didn’t I say I had a headache? Let’s see if we can’t think of some place for you to go to. Is your name Nero Wolfe?”