more. “Or it couldn’t.” He looked at me. “What was it about his face when he turned to look at the crowd?”
“There was life in it. There was-uh-spirit. As I told Mr. Wolfe, he was telling someone to go to hell, or ready to.”
Freyer shook his head. “I’ve never seen him like that, with any life in him. The first time I saw him he said he might as well be dead. He had nothing but despair, and he never has had.”
“I take it,” Wolfe said, “that as far as you know he could be Paul Herold. You know nothing of his background or connections that precludes it?”
“No.” The lawyer considered it. “No, I don’t. He has refused to disclose his background, and he says he has no living relatives. That was one of the things against him with the District Attorney-not evidential, of course, but you know how that is.”
Wolfe nodded. “Now, do you wish to verify my account?”
“No. I accept it. As I said, you’re not a fool.”
“Then let’s consider the situation. I would like to ask two questions.”
“Go ahead.”
“Is your client in a position to pay adequately for your services?”
“No, he isn’t. Adequately, no. That is no secret. I took the case at the request of a friend-the head of the advertising agency he works for-or worked for. All his associates at the agency like him and speak well of him, and so do others-all his friends and acquaintances I have had contact with. I could have had dozens of character witnesses if that would have helped any. But in addition to the prison bars he has erected his own barrier to shut the world out-even his best friends.”
“Then if he is Paul Herold it seems desirable to establish that fact. My client is a man of substantial means. I am not trying to stir your cupidity, but the laborer is worthy of his hire. If you’re convinced of your client’s innocence you will want to appeal, and that’s expensive. My second question: will you undertake to resolve our doubt? Will you find out, the sooner the better, whether your P.H. is my P.H.?”
“Well.” Freyer put his elbows on the chair arms and flattened his palms together. “I don’t know. He’s a very difficult man. He wouldn’t take the stand. I wanted him to, but he wouldn’t. I don’t know how I’d go about this. He would resent it, I’m sure of that, after the attitude he has taken to my questions about his background, and it might become impossible for me to continue to represent him.” Abruptly he leaned forward and his eyes gleamed. “And I want to represent him! I’m convinced he was framed, and there’s still a chance of proving it!”
“Then if you will permit a suggestion”-Wolfe was practically purring-“do you agree that it’s desirable. to learn if he is Paul Herold?”
“Certainly. You say your client is in Omaha?”
“Yes. He returned last night.”
“Wire him to come back. When he comes tell him how it stands, and I’ll arrange somehow for him to see my client.”
Wolfe shook his head. “That won’t do. If I find that it is his son who has been convicted of murder of course I’ll have to tell him, but I will not tell him that it
“How?” The lawyer frowned. “Goodwin has already seen him.”
“I said ‘and speak with him.’” Wolfe turned. “Archie. How long would you need with him to give us a firm conclusion?”
“Alone?”
“Yes. I suppose a guard would be present.”
“I don’t mind guards. Five minutes might do it. Make it ten.”
Wolfe went back to Freyer. “You don’t know Mr. Goodwin, but I do. And he will manage it so that no resentment will bounce to you. He is remarkably adroit at drawing resentment to himself to divert it from me or one of my clients. You can tell the District Attorney that he is investigating some aspect of the case for you; and as for your client, you can safely leave that to Mr. Goodwin.” He glanced up at the wall clock. “It could be done this evening. Now. I invite you to dine with me here. The sooner it’s settled the better, both for you and for me.”
But Freyer wouldn’t buy that. His main objection was that it would be difficult to get access to his convicted client at that time of day even for himself, but also he wanted to think it over. It would have to wait until morning. When Wolfe sees that a point has to be conceded he manages not to be grumpy about it, and the conference ended much more sociably than it had begun. I went to the hall with Freyer and got his coat from the rack and helped him on with it, and let him out.
Back in the office, Wolfe was trying not to look smug. As I took the picture of Paul Herold from his desk to return it to the drawer, he remarked, “I confess his coming was opportune, but after your encounter with him in the courtroom it was to be expected.”
“Uh-huh.” I closed the drawer. “You planned it that way. Your gifts. It might backfire on you if his thinking it over includes a phone call to Omaha or even one to the Missing Persons Bureau. However, I admit you did the best you could, even inviting him to dinner. As you know, I have a date this evening, and now I can keep it.”
So he dined alone, and I was only half an hour late joining the gathering at Lily Rowan’s table at the Flamingo Club. We followed the usual routine, deciding after a couple of hours that the dance floor was too crowded and moving to Lily’s penthouse, where we could do our own crowding. Getting home around three o’clock, I went to the office and switched a light on for a glance at my desk, where Wolfe leaves a note if there is something that needs early-morning attention, found it bare, and mounted the two flights to my room.
