Cramer hesitated a moment, sat down, and growled, “Go ahead.”
Wolfe said, “Your notebook, Archie.” I opened the drawer and got it out. He leaned back and closed his eyes and started off in his usual smooth monotone:
“To W. B. Oliver, Editor of the Gazette. Dear Mr. Oliver. Inspector Fergus Cramer has arrested me as a material witness in the Hawthorne-Karn murder case, and I may be unable to get out on bail before morning. I therefore wish to expose him and his superiors to ridicule and derision, and luckily am in a position to do so. You know whether my word may be relied upon. I suggest that you publish these facts in your Monday city edition: That my arrest was motivated by professional pique. That by my own brilliant and ingenious interpretation of evidence, I have discovered the identity of the murderer. That I am not prepared as yet to disclose the murderer’s identity to the police, for fear their bungling — hint at worse if you care to — will prematurely spring a trap I have set for the criminal. That when the time comes — you may say soon — the arrest will be made by representatives of the Gazette, and the murderer will be delivered by them to the police, together with conclusive evidence of guilt. I shall certainly be out on bail by Monday noon at the latest, and if you will kindly come to my house at 1:30 for lunch, we can discuss details, including the sum your paper will be willing to pay for this coup. With the best wishes and regards, cordially yours. Sign my name and make sure it reaches Mr. Oliver before ten o’clock tonight.”
Wolfe got to his feet, grunting as usual. “Well, sir. I’m ready.”
Cramer, not stirring, growled, “Oliver won’t get that. I take Goodwin too.”
Wolfe shrugged. “That would delay it twenty-four hours. He would publish Tuesday instead of Monday.”
“He wouldn’t dare. Neither would you. You know the law. Oliver wouldn’t dare touch it. This case—”
“Bah. No matter what the law is, if we deliver the murderer and the evidence we’ll be heroes. I’m ready to go.”
“You’ll lose your license.”
“I’ll collect enough from the Gazette to retire on.”