Without moving, even his eyelids, Wolfe growled:
'Why didn't Mr Driscoll challenge Miss Tormic on the spot, seeing her with his coat?'
'He was naked. He came from the shower-bath.'
'Is he too fat to be seen even at the risk of losing diamonds?'
'He says he is modest. He also says he was too surprised to speak, and she moved rapidly and went away at once. Then his wallet and cigarette-case were there, and he forgot about the diamonds until he was dressed. He is not nearly as fat as you are.'
'I wouldn't expect him to be. Do the lockers have keys?'
'Yes, but there is much carelessness. The keys lie around. That part is very confused.'
'You say Miss Tormic did not steal the diamonds?'
'I do say that. Never did she.'
'Did she take something else from Mr Driscoll's clothing? Something he fails to mention? Letters, papers, even a piece of candy, perhaps?'
'Nothing. Nothing at all.'
'Did she go to the locker-room?'
'What would she go there for?'
'I don't know. Did she?'
'No.'
'Fantastic.' Wolfe's eyes threatened to open. 'How long have you known she is my daughter?'
'All my life. I have been… her friend, very close. I knew about you-about your-I knew your name.'
'About my deplorable intransigence, you would say.' Wolfe's tone was suddenly savage. 'Ha! You juicy girls with your busts swelling with ardour for the heroics of past centuries! Pah! Do the rats still gather crumbs from under the Donevitch table?'
'We are-' Her chin went up and her eyes showed fire. 'They preserve honour! And they will share glory!'
'They will some day share obloquy. Blind and selfish fools. Are you a Donevitch?'
'No.' Her bust was swelling, but not apparently with ardour.
'What's your name?'
'Carla Lovchen.'
'What's your name at home?'
'I am not at home now.' She flung out a hand impatiently. 'What is all this? All this about me? Do you realize what I have told you about Neya? About your daughter? Does it help for you to sit there and sneer? I tell you, you must do this at once or there will be the police!'
Wolfe sat up. I was thinking it was about time. The clock on the wall said two minutes past four, and his daily routine, which included an afternoon session in the plant-rooms from four until six, was supposed to be unalterable by fire, flood or murder. I was flabbergasted when, although he glanced at the clock, he merely sat up straight.
But his tone was brisk. 'Archie, please conduct Miss Lovchen to the front room and return for instructions.'
She started to sputter. 'But there's no-'
'Please.' He was curt. 'If I'm to do this let me do it. Don't waste time. Go with Mr Goodwin.'
I was off and she followed. I deposited her in front and shut the door on her, and, returning to the office, shut that one too.
Wolfe said, 'I'm late. This won't do. There's no point in getting a line on Mr Driscoll or anyone else until you've been there and reported. I shall have to phone Mr Hitchcock in London before I go upstairs. The book with his private number, please.'
I got it from the safe and gave it to him.
'Thank you. Go up there with her. You will see Miss Tormic. The assumption, from this document, is that she has the right to bear my name. If so, I reject the possibility that she stole diamonds from a man's coat. Start from that.'
'She says she wants the document back.'
'I'll keep it for the present. Apparently you will encounter a single yes and a single no in contradiction. Neglect nothing and no one. Nikola Miltan himself is from the peninsula, South Serbia, old Macedonia. Look at Miss Tormic and talk to her. Your first concern is the rumpus about the diamonds. Your second is that paper which Miss Lovchen hid in my book. If you can't resolve the contradiction about the diamonds and Mr Driscoll insists on the police, bring him here to me.'
'Oh, sure. How and in how many pieces?'
'Bring him. You're good at that.'
