Gambit by Rex Stout Read Free Book Online Page B

pride of a man who can’t afford pride. All you’re asking him to do is admit he made a mistake. A mistake isn’t a crime.
    With twenty-five thousand dollars he could get a good lawyer, and with a good lawyer he would probably get off. Wouldn’t he?”
    Wolfe flipped a hand. “That would be his risk, not yours or mine. To our risk we could not plead inadvertence. It’s barely possible that I misunderstand you,
    and, as I said, we should be certain of our understanding. Have you any evidence that Mr. Nash did in fact put arsenic in the chocolate?”
    “No.”
    “Or any reason to suppose that he did?”
    “Reason.” Hausman showed his teeth. “Reason'No.”
    “Then our risk would be formidable. If Mr. Nash accepted the offer and collaborated with me on contrivance of the details, naturally I would put them in an affidavit for him to sign. Without such an affidavit we would have nothing. And if he repudiated it later, we would have no defense to a charge of subornation of perjury. No lawyer could get us off. We would -“
    “Not us. You. Your share of the -“
    “Pfui.” Wolfe had straightened up. “Mr. Hausman. I do not say that I would suborn perjury in no conceivable circumstances. But if I did so for money, and if it became known, do you imagine I would refuse to disclose who had paid me'
    Or that Mr. Goodwin would refuse to confirm it'To show his appreciation for our cooperation, the judge might in his mercy sentence us to five years instead of six. Or even four.”
    “It would be two against one, but a man of my standing -“
    “Bah. Asked what you paid me fifty thousand dollars for, what would you say?’
    Wolfe shook his head. “You said that you know my reputation but it doesn’t mean anything. Assuredly it doesn’t to you, since, knowing it, you come to me with this witless proposal. Why'You’re not a nincompoop. It invites conjecture. Are you concerned not for Mr. Blount, but for yourself'Did you put the arsenic in the chocolate, and does Mr. Nash know it or suspect it, and is this your devious -“
    The phone rang. I swiveled and got it. “Nero Wolfe’s residence, Archie Goodwin speaking.”
    “Mr. Goodwin, this is Sally Blount. I want to speak with Nero Wolfe.”
    “Hold the wire.” I covered the receiver and turned. “That girl who came this morning about her jewelry.”
    He was frowning because he had had a speech interrupted. “What does she want?”
    “You.”
    He tightened his lips, turned and glared at his phone, then reached for it. I put mine to my ear. “Yes, madam'This is Nero Wolfe.”
    “This is Sally Blount, Mr. Wolfe.”
    “Yes.”
    “I know you never go anywhere, but you have to. You must. You must come and talk with my mother. You didn’t say you were going to put it in the paper.”
    “I didn’t decide to until after you left. Your name wasn’t mentioned.”
    “I know, but when my mother saw it she guessed. She didn’t guess, she knew. She knew I had tried to persuade Dan Kalmus, and I had tried to persuade her too -
    didn’t I tell you that?”
    “No.”
    “I should have. Well, she knew, and I had to admit it, and you’ll have to come and talk with her. Right away. Now.”
    “No. Bring her here tomorrow morning.”
    “It has to be now. She has phoned Dan Kalmus, and he may come, and … you must!”
    “No. Out of the question. But if you apprehend - you are at home?”
    “Yes.”
    “Mr. Goodwin will go. Shortly.”
    “It ought to be you! Surely you can -“
    “No. Mr. Goodwin will be there within half an hour.”
    He hung up, but, since I was on, the line was still open and she was talking. I cut in. “Save it. Relax. Expect me in twenty minutes.” I cradled the phone and left my chair. Wolfe had pushed the button, and, as I headed for the hall, Fritz appeared at the door.
    “Come, Fritz,” Wolfe said. “Take Archie’s chair. Your memory may not match his,
    but it will serve.”
    “Yes, sir,” As Fritz moved he winked at me, and as I passed