would return when the doctor had finished. I told Fritz for God's sake not to let him get started eating, and took Vollmer into the office. Dora Chapin • was still in her chair. I introduced them, J and he put his bag on the desk and went to take a look at her. He poked around a little and said she might have to be sewed up and he could tell better if he could wash her off. I showed him where the bathroom was and said there were a bandages and iodine and so on, and then said: w 'I'll call Fritz in to help you. I've got an errand out front. If you need me I'll be there.'
He said all right, and I went to the hall and explained Fritz's new duties to him.
Then I went out to the sidewalk. T›
The taxi was still there. The driver wasn't winking any more; he just looked at me. I said, 'Greetings.'
He said, ‹I very seldom talk that much.'
'How much?'
'Enough to say greetings. Any form of salutation.' r;
'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.'
I 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?'
'No. But yours is Pitney Scott. I've got you down on a list I made up for a contribution of five dollars.'
'I heard about that list.'.
'Yes? Who from?' |
'Oh… people. You can cross me off.
Last week I made eighteen dollars and twenty cents.'
'You know what it's for.' y He nodded. 'I know that too. You want to save my life. Listen, my dear fellow. To charge five dollars for saving my life would be outrageous. Believe me, exorbitant. Rank profiteering.' He laughed. 'These things have a bottom, I suppose. There is no such thing as a minus quantity except in mathematics. You have no idea what a feeling of solidity and assurance that reflection can give a man.
Have you got a drink in your house?'
'How about two dollars? Make it two.'
'You're still way high.',y
'One even buck.'
'Still you flatter me. Listen.' Though it was cold for November, with a raw wind, he had no gloves and his hands were red and rough. He got his stiff fingers into a pocket, came out with some chicken feed, picked a nickel and pushed it at me.
'I'll pay up now and get it off my mind.
Now that I don't owe you anything, have you got a drink?' j 'What flavor do you want?'
'I… if it were good rye…' He leaned toward me and a look came into his eyes. Then he jerked back. His voice got harsh and not friendly at all. 'Can't |you take a joke? I don't drink when I'm driving. Is that woman hurt much?'
'I don't think so, her head's still on.
The doctor'11 fix her up. Do you take her places often? Or her husband?'
He was still harsh. ‹I take her when she calls me, her husband too. I'm a taxidriver.
Mr. Paul Chapin. They give me their trade when they can, for old time's sake. Once or twice they've let me get drunk at their place, Paul likes to see me drunk and he furnishes the liquor.' He laughed, and the harshness went. 'You know, you take this situation in all its aspects, and you couldn't ask for anything more hilarious. I'm going to have to stay sober so as not to miss any of it. I winked at you because you're in on it now, and you're going to be just as funny as all the rest.' _ 'That won't worry me any, I always | have been pretty ludicrous. Does Chapin get drunk with you?'
'He doesn't drink. He says it makes his leg hurt.',
'Did you know that there's a reward of five thousand dollars for finding Andrew ^ Hibbard?'
