“Yes.”
“Then why restrict my strategy? Certainly I can try for proof that he’s a Communist, but what if he isn’t? Or what if he is but we can’t prove it to your daughter’s satisfaction? Why limit the operation to that one hope, which must be rather forlorn if Mr. Bascom has spent a month at it and failed? Why not hire me to reach your objective, no matter how — of course within the bounds permitted to civilized man? I would have a much clearer conscience in accepting your retainer, which will be a check for five thousand dollars.”
Sperling was considering. “Damn it, he’s a Communist!”
“I know. That’s your fixed idea and it must be humored. I’ll try that first. But do you want to exclude all else?”
“No. No, I don’t.”
“Good. And I have — yes, Fritz?”
The door to the hall had opened and Fritz was there.
“Mr. Hewitt, sir. He says he has an appointment. I seated him in the front room.”
“Yes,” Wolfe glanced at the clock on the wall. “Tell him I’ll see him in a few minutes.” Fritz went, and Wolfe returned to Sperling.
“And I have correctly stated your objective?”