“No.” His eyes were half closed. “Is everything arranged for the repairs and replacements?”
“As well as it can be now.”
“Then call that place and speak to the elder daughter.”
I was startled. “Why her? What reason have you—”
“Pfui. You thought you concealed the direction your interest took — your personal interest — but you didn’t. I know you too well. Call her and learn if all the family is there — all except the son, who probably doesn’t matter. If they are, tell her we’ll be there in two hours and want to see them.”
“We?”
“Yes. You and I.”
I got at the phone. He was not really smashing a precedent. It was true that he had an unbreakable rule not to stir from his office to see anyone on business, but what had happened that night had taken this out of the category of business and listed it under struggle for survival.
One of the help answered, and I gave my name and asked for Miss Madeline Sperling. Her husband’s name had been Pendleton, but she had tossed it in the discard. My idea was to keep to essentials, but she had to make it a conversation. Rony had called Gwenn only half an hour ago and told her about the holdup, and of course Madeline wanted it all over again from me. I had to oblige. She thought she was worried about my head, and I had to assure her there were no bad cracks in it from the bandit’s blow. When I finally got her onto the subject at hand, though, and she knew from the way I put it that this was strictly business and deserved attention, she snapped nicely into it and made it straight and simple. I hung up and turned to Wolfe.
“All set. They’re there, and she’ll see that they stay until we come. We’re invited for lunch.”