“Who did you see enter or leave the office?”
“I saw Archie go in about four o’clock — I was just coming out of the front room with someone’s hat and coat. I saw Mrs. Carlisle come out just after she screamed. In between those two I saw no one either enter or leave. We were busy most of the time, either in the hall or the front room.”
Cramer grunted. “How about you, Fritz?”
“I saw no one.” Fritz spoke louder than usual. “I didn’t even see Archie go in.” He took a step forward, still like a soldier. “I would like to say something.”
“Go ahead.”
“I think a great deal of all this disturbance is unnecessary. My duties here are of the household and not professional, but I cannot help hearing what reaches my ears, and I am aware of the many times that Mr. Wolfe has found the answer to problems that were too much for you. This happened here in his own house, and I think it should be left entirely to him.”
I yooped, “Fritz, I didn’t know you had it in you!”
“All this disturbance,” he insisted firmly.
“I’ll be goddamned.” Cramer was goggling at him. “Wolfe told you to say that, huh?”
“Bah.” Wolfe was contemptuous. “It can’t be helped, Fritz. Have we plenty of ham?”