front of witnesses he might be just making it sweeter for Wolfe in the end. As we crossed to the group his face got redder and his mouth tighter, but he didn't let out a peep.
Saul had placed them as instructed. Lucy was off to the left, and near her was a chair for Anne Tenzer. Willis Krug and Julian Haft were on the couch, and Leo Bingham was on a chair at its right end. Cramer's chair was midway of the couch, facing it, and Saul was to his left. The roomiest chair, for Wolfe, was where I had put it earlier, near the left end of the couch, where there was space for Upton and me, putting Upton next to Haft and me not far from Wolfe.
But Upton had other ideas. When we reached the couch, instead of sitting he turned to face Cramer. I want to enter a charge, Inspector, he said. Against Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. They have held me here by force, physical force. Goodwin assaulted me. I am Manuel Upton. I don't know what the charge is technically, but you do. I want you to put them under arrest.
Cramer had enough on his hands for the moment without that. He eyed him. They're facing a more serious charge, he growled. He looked down at Wolfe, seated. What about this one?
Wolfe made a face. Mr. Goodwin and Mrs. Valdon and I will flout it. I suggest that you act on it later, if at all. We have a graver matter to deal with as you know, since obviously Mrs. Valdon's phone call was prompted by me.
When did you come here?
Saturday. Day before yesterday.
You've been here since Saturday?
Yes.
Goodwin too?
Yes. Won't you sit? I don't like to stretch my neck.
Arrest them, Upton croaked. That's a formal demand. Arrest them.
Don't be an ass, Wolfe told him. I'm going to name a murderer, and Mr. Cramer knows it. Otherwise he would have arrested me, not on your charge, as soon as he caught sight of me. He looked around, right and then left. Cramer sat, I sat. That left Upton the only one on his feet, so he sat, between Haft and me on the couch.
Wolfe focused on Cramer. I don't know how much you know, but gaps can be filled in later. This murderer is one of those unfortunate creatures who, neither designed nor fitted for that spectacular role, find themselves. Save that for later too, Cramer growled.
It's a necessary introduction. Find themselves abruptly rocketed into it. Some seven months ago Carol Mardus asked him to help her dispose of a baby she didn't want to keep, and he obliged her. If you had told him then that as a result of that amiable favor to a friend be would be twice a murderer within the year, he would have thought you were demented. The next fateful step, though not amiable, was not murderous; it was merely mischievous. Knowing that Richard Valdon had been the father of the baby, he took. That's too big a gap. Was it the baby that was boarded by Ellen Tenzer?
Yes. I see this won't do. I must name him. Did you recognize the woman who entered the room with me?
No.
She is Anne Tenzer, the niece of Ellen Tenzer. She was of course questioned in the investigation of her aunt's death, but apparently not by you. Wolfe turned. Miss Tenzer, will you please tell Mr. Cramer what your occupation is?
Anne cleared her throat. She was still a blonde, and if you asked ten men which of the two women sitting there was more attractive, her or Lucy, probably seven of them would say her. When she had entered the elevator and seen me she had said one word, hello, very offhand. Hello is not hi.
Her cool competent eyes went to Cramer. I'm a secretary, with the Stopgap Employment Service. We fill in vacations, any temporary vacancies. I'm at the senior executive level.
So you have worked for many different firms? Wolfe asked.
I have worked at many different firms. My employer is the Stopgap Employment Service. I average about fifteen assignments a year.
Is there anyone in this room you have ever worked for on assignment?
Yes.
Do you recognize him?
Certainly. Julian Haft, president of the Parthenon Press.
When did you work for him?
I don't know the exact dates, but it was early last summer. I think it was the last two weeks in June and the first week in July.
Did your work bring you into frequent contact with Mr. Haft?
Yes. I was replacing his private secretary. She was on vacation.
Was the name of your aunt, Ellen Tenzer, ever mentioned in conversation with him?
Yes. He dictated a letter about a book, a manuscript, by a woman who had been a nurse, and I mentioned that I had an aunt who had been a nurse, and we talked about her a little. I must have mentioned that she boarded babies in her house sometimes, because when he called me up, he asked. If you please. When did he call you up?
Several months later, in the winter, I think some time in January. He called the Stopgap Employment Service and left a message, and I called him. He asked if my aunt still boarded babies, and I said I thought so, and he wanted her name and address.
