I was afraid Wolfe might be skittish, confronted with two Montenegrin females at once, but he stood up and greeted them like a man. I had chairs already arranged. It was the first time I had seen Neya in anything but her fencing costume with robe. She was natty in a dark-brown suit and brown oxfords, with no foreign touch as far as I could see, but my interest in women's clothes is not technical. Her eyes were as black as two prunes in a dish of cream, but there was a little flush on her cheeks, which may have been from the cold outdoors.
She said, with the eyes aimed at him, 'You are Nero Wolfe.'
Wolfe nodded just perceptibly. He was leaning forward with his elbows resting on the desk and his fingers linked together. Having seen him scrutinize a lot of people, I was aware that he was putting on a special and rare performance.
She said, 'You sent a policeman to bring me here. I don't understand that.'
'Inspector Cramer sent him.'
'But you must have permitted it.' There was a swift movement of her head; a characteristic arrested toss that I had observed that afternoon. 'Or suggested it.'
'Yes, Miss Tormic. I arranged it. A certain fact was exposed which required immediate action in order to save Mr Goodwin from arrest. He is my confidential assistant, and I wouldn't welcome the ignominy of bailing him out of jail. Or perhaps instead of a fact, it's a lie. We'll find out. I thought it better to do so in the presence of Inspector Cramer, and besides, I want to see how you behave under pressure.'
'I can stand pressure.'
'Good. We'll see.'
She smiled at him. When her mouth was composed the don't-touch-me was in command, but when she smiled it was all come-hither. 'Have you told him that I am your adopted daughter?'
Wolfe frowned and turned to me. 'Is the man who brought them in the kitchen?'
'Yes, sir. It's Stebbins. You know Sergeant Stebbins.'
He nodded. 'Nevertheless, Miss Tormic, I think we'll discuss that later. I haven't told the police that you are my daughter. For the present, it is desirable that I should not be suspected of so intimate a prejudice. Do you agree to that?'
'I should think…' She hesitated. The smile had gone. 'Of course, I'll do whatever you say; but…' She smiled again. 'I'd like to have that paper back, the record of adoption which you signed. I want to hang on to that. I admit it's pure selfishness, because I know what it might mean to be the daughter of Nero Wolfe. I proved that by sending for you when I got into trouble. Of course, since I've never seen you since I was three years old, I can't be expected to show violent affection and throw my arms around you and kiss you-'
'No, indeed,' Wolfe agreed hastily. 'There's no question of… it's a matter of responsibility, and that's all. My responsibility. I was sane, in the legal sense, when I assumed it. As for the records of adoption, I would prefer, if you don't mind-but that's probably Mr Cramer. Unless it's Madame Zorka.'
'Zorka!' exclaimed Carla Lovchen in surprise.
But it was Cramer, ushered in by Fritz. He glanced sharply around, offered a curt collective greeting, and, finding his usual chair occupied by Neya Tormic, took one at the left of Carla Lovchen.
'Where's the Zorka woman?' he demanded.
'Not here yet,' I told him.
'Where's Stebbins?'
'In the kitchen eating our food.'
He grunted and looked at Carla. 'I told him to bring Miss Tormic.'
Carla said, 'I came along,' in a tone that indicated an intention to stay.
'I see you did. Well, Mr Wolfe?'
'We'll wait for Madame Zorka. In the meantime, what did the commissioner learn from the Consul- General?'
Cramer glowered at him.
'Oh, come,' Wolfe said testily, 'don't degrade discretion into secretiveness. If either of these girls killed Mr Ludlow, they certainly knew who he was. The fact that you have found that out might frighten them into betraying something. If they didn't kill him, what's the difference?'
Cramer growled, 'To-morrow's papers will have it anyway, I suppose. They always do. Ludlow was a confidential agent of the British Government.'
'Indeed. What was he doing at the fencing studio? Working or playing?'
'The consul doesn't know. Ludlow reported direct to London. They're trying to get someone in London now. It's five o'clock in the morning there. I told you before that this looks-'
He stopped to let me answer the phone. It was a call for him, and I made room for him to take it at my desk.
After he had listened a while he used profanity again. That made it evident he had got more than a minor irritation, since he had old-fashioned ideas about swearing in front of ladies, and he had strong principles to which he steadfastly adhered when they didn't interfere with his work. Finally he cut the connexion, banging the thing into the cradle, went back and sat down, and sighed clear to his belt.
He glared at Wolfe and demanded, 'What was the big idea of getting this Zorka down here? Spill it!'
Wolfe shook his head. 'Wait till she gets here. Was that her on the phone? Isn't she coming?'
