Death Times Three SSC by Rex Stout Read Free Book Online Page B

here to see Mr. Wolfe. Amy Duncan was there on the stairs looking doubtful. She fell and I caught her, and left her on the hall floor while I went up to investigate. Tingley was on the floor of his office with his throat cut. After a brief inspection I returned to Amy and carried her out, and was putting her in the car when you attacked me from behind. You must have come from somewhere. Why not from inside the building? The idea appeals to me."

    The stranger had decided he could use a chair, and sank into one. "You say--" He swallowed. "Are you telling the truth?"

    "Yes, sir."

    "Tingley--with his throat cut? Dead?"

    "Very dead." I turned to Wolfe: "He pretended to be going on the theory that I was kidnapping Amy. He's all for Amy. I brought him along because I thought you might need him."

    Wolfe was glaring at me. "And why should I need him?"

    "Well, he was there. He must have come out of that building. He probably murdered Tingley--"

    "And what if he did?"

    "Oh. So that's how you feel about it."

    "It is. I am under no obligation to catch murderers indiscriminately. Phone the police. Tell them Miss Duncan and this gentleman are here and they can--"

    "No!" the stranger blurted.

    "No?" Wolfe lifted a brow at him. "Why not?"

    "Because it's--Good God! And Amy-- You can't--"

    "Hold it," I commanded him. "I'm doing this." I grinned at Wolfe. "Okay, boss; I'll call the cops. I merely thought you might like to chat with this bird first, since it seemed likely that whoever killed Tingley also put quinine in your food."

    "Ah," Wolfe murmured. "That abominable--" He wiggled a finger at the victim. "Did you poison that liver pate?"

    "I did not."

    "Who are you? What's your name?"

    "Cliff. Leonard Cliff."

    "Indeed. You're a vice-president of the Provisions & Beverages Corporation. Mr. Tingley, himself, suspected you of adulterating his product."

    "I know he did. He was wrong. So is this man wrong when he says I must have come out of that building. I wasn't inside the building at all."

    "Where were you?"

    "I was in the driveway. There's a driveway tunnel near the door. I was in there."

    "What were you doing there?"

    "Keeping out of the rain. Look here," Cliff said appealingly. "I can't think straight. This is terrible! If Tingley has been murdered the police have to be notified, I know that, but for God's sake don't get them here now! With Miss Duncan--Let me get her to a hospital! And get a lawyer--"

    Wolfe cut him off: "What were you doing in the driveway.

    He shook his head. "It had no connection--"

    "Pfui! Don't be a fool. If you adulterated Mr. Tingley's product, or cut his throat, either or both, I advise you to get out of here at once. If you didn't, I advise you to answer my questions promptly and fully. Not to mention truthfully. Well, sir? Archie, call police headquarters. I'll talk."

    I dialed the number, and when I had it, Wolfe took it at his instrument. "Hello, . 0 . This is Nero Wolfe. Write this down: Arthur Tingley. His office at his place--

    "Wait!" Cliff blurted. "I'll answer your questions--" He started from his chair, but I got in between him and the desk and he subsided.

    Wolfe continued: "--his place of business at Twenty-sixth Street and Tenth Avenue. He's there dead.Murdered..."

    "Oh..."

    "Let me finish, please. My assistant, Archie Goodwin, was there and saw him. Mr. Goodwin had to leave, but he will be here at my home later. No. I have no idea."

    He pushed the phone away, and regarded Cliff with his eyes half closed. "You had better make it as succinct as possible. What were you doing in the driveway?"

    Cliff was on the edge of his chair, straight, rigid, meeting his gaze. "I was waiting for Miss Duncan to come out. I had followed her there."

    "Followed? Without her knowledge?"

    "Yeas,"

    "Why?"

    Cliff's jaw worked. "I had a dinner engagement with her, and she phoned me at six o'clock and broke it. The reason she gave sounded phony, and I was--damn it, I was jealous! I went to