QED by Ellery Queen Read Free Book Online Page B

him to slacken speed. He left the car in the driveway and clattered past an alarmed Margaret Caswell and up the stairs in the longest leaps his long legs could manage.
    He burst into Ellen’s room.
    Ellen, propped up on a chaise longue by a picture window in some flowing garment that might have been designed for a painting by Gainsborough, was sipping hot chocolate from what could only have been—even in his agitation Ellery noticed it—a bone-china mustache cup.
    â€œAm I supposed to be flattered, Mr. Queen,” asked Ellen in a her-Ladyship-is-not-amused sort of voice, “by your boorish intrusion?”
    â€œBeg pardon,” panted Ellery. “I thought you might be dead.”
    Her Wedgwood eyes blued further. She set the antique cup down on an end table. “Did you say dead ?”
    He extended the anonymous letter. “Read this.”
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œIt’s for you. I found it on the salver this morning and opened it by mistake, thinking it was addressed to me. I’m thankful I did. And you may be, too, before we’re finished.”
    She took the letter and read it swiftly. The paper slipped from her hand, struck the edge of the chaise, and fluttered to the floor.
    â€œWhat does it mean?” she whispered. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œI think you do.” Ellery stooped over her. “You know something dangerous to your father’s murderer, and your father’s murderer knows you know it. Ellen, tell me what it is, for the sake of your own safety. Think! What do you know that would explain a threat like this?”
    He read in her eyes the immediate qualification of her terror. A slyness crept into them, and the lids slid halfway down.
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    â€œIt’s foolhardy of you to hold it back. We have a murderer on our hands and he’s getting edgy. Tell me, Ellen.”
    â€œThere’s nothing to tell. I know nothing.” She turned away. “Now will you please leave? I’m not exactly dressed for entertaining.”
    Ellery retrieved the note and left, damning all idiots. In addition to his other commitments he would now have to undertake the thankless task of acting as the woman’s watchdog.
    What was Ellen concealing?
    Christopher, sighting the pale sun over the top of a pine, recited the opening lines of Snowbound .
    â€œWhittier,” he explained. “I still have a childish fondness for the old boy.”
    Joanne laughed, a sound of sleigh bells. “Delivered like a pro. Bravo.”
    â€œNot really. A pro gets fairly steady employment.”
    â€œYou could, too, if you tried. Really tried.”
    â€œYou think so?”
    â€œI know so.”
    â€œYou know something? So do I. But only when I’m with you.”
    â€œI’m glad.”
    â€œEnough to cleave to my bosom?”
    â€œI don’t quite know,” said Joanne cautiously, “how to take that, Chris.”
    â€œTake it as an interim proposal. I don’t want to tie you up in knots until I’ve made it all the way. You make me feel life-size, Jo. I suppose what I’m trying to say is that I need you.”
    Jo smiled, but inside. She slipped a little mittened hand into his glove, and they strolled toward the pines and the pale sun.
    Wolcott Thorp came down from the university and Chief Newby drove over from headquarters after dinner, both at Ellery’s invitation.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Newby asked Ellery, aside. “Have you come up with something?”
    â€œHave you?” asked Ellery.
    â€œNot a damn thing. I’m not the Wizard of Oz, the way you’re supposed to be. No miracles yet?”
    â€œNo miracles, I’m afraid.”
    â€œThen what’s cooking tonight?”
    â€œA mess. I’m going to fling it at them, and see who runs for the mop—if any.”
    They joined the others in the drawing