The Scarlet Letters by Ellery Queen Read Free Book Online

on.”
    â€œI explained that I wasn’t Martha, that Martha was still in bed, and that if he’d leave his number I’d have Martha call back when she woke up. He said never mind, he’d call back himself, and he hung up. And there were no roses in his voice any more when he said it.”
    â€œIt could have a dozen explanations–”
    â€œWait. Martha got up about twenty minutes later; I was watching for her. I made sure Dirk was still asleep, then I shut the kitchen door and told her a man had called who wouldn’t leave his name and who’d said he was going to call back.
    â€œShe went white. When I asked her what was the matter she said it was just nerves, she didn’t want to set Dirk off on one of his jealousy tantrums again. She said she thought she knew who it was–some agent who’d been pestering her about a playscript–and that she’d call him back while Dirk was asleep.
    â€œI knew she was lying from the way she waited for me to leave the kitchen before making the call–they have an extension in every room. So I went back to the study, closed the door, and very carefully lifted the receiver on the desk and listened in.”
    Nikki stopped to moisten her lips.
    Ellery said tenderly, “Oh, for the life of a spy. And what did you overhear?”
    â€œThe same man’s voice answered. Martha said in a low voice, ‘Did you call me just now?’ and he said, ‘Of course, sweetheart.’ Martha told him he shouldn’t have phoned, she’d begged him never to phone her apartment. There was absolute terror in her voice, Ellery. She was almost hysterical with fear that Dirk might wake up and listen in. The man kept soothing her, calling her ‘dearest’ and ‘darling,’ and he promised that ‘from now on’ he’d write, not phone.”
    â€œWrite?” said Ellery. “Write ?”
    â€œThat’s what he said. Martha hung up in such a hurry she dropped the phone–I heard the bang.”
    â€œWrite,” muttered Ellery. “I don’t get that at all. Unless he is an agent, and Martha was telling the truth.”
    â€œIf he’s an agent,” said Nikki, “I’m a soubrette.”
    â€œHis name wasn’t mentioned?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhat about his voice? Could it have been anyone we’ve met with or through the Lawrences?”
    â€œIt’s possible. I thought it sounded familiar, although I couldn’t place it.”
    â€œWhat sort of voice was it?”
    â€œVery deep and masculine. A beautiful voice. One of those voices women call sexy.”
    â€œThen you shouldn’t have had any trouble identifying the body that went with it!”
    â€œOh, stop being so male, Ellery. The point is, I think Mr. Dirk Lawrence has pushed little Mar into a romance. I’m all for it, mind you, but not while Dirk parks that cannon in the apartment. What do I do now?”
    â€œDid you try talking to Martha again?”
    â€œShe didn’t give me the chance. She showered, dressed, and was out of there before my hands stopped shaking … I’ve been wondering why Martha’s acted so strange lately! It was bad enough when Dirk had no grounds. I can imagine what she’s going through now.”
    â€œSo he’s going to write,” Ellery was mumbling.
    â€œThat’s what he said. What do I do, snitch the letter?” Nikki sounded bitter.
    â€œYou can’t do that. But watch for it, Nikki. If possible, find out who the man is. And, of course, do your level best to keep it from Dirk.”
    Each morning Charlotte, the maid, stopped in the apartment-house lobby to pick up the Lawrence mail from the switchboard and mailbox cubby. On the morning after the mysterious phone call, Nikki beat Charlotte to the cubby by half an hour.
    Nikki went through the pile of mail in the elevator. There were five envelopes addressed to “Mrs. Dirk