DashiellHammett

Goldonthedoor,edgedwithblack,saidALEXANDERRUSH,PRIVATEDETECTIVE.Inside,anuglymansattiltedbackinachair,hisfeetonayellowdesk.

Theofficewasinnowaylovely.Itsfurnishingswerefewandoldwiththeshabbyageofsecond-handdom.Ashreddingsquareofduncarpetcoveredthefloor.OnonebuffwallhungaframedcertificatethatlicensedAlexanderRushtopursuethecallingofprivatedetectiveinthecityofBaltimoreinaccordancewithcertainred-numberedregulations.Amapofthecityhungonanotherwall.Beneaththemapafrailbookcase,smallasitwas,gapedemptilyarounditscontents:ayellowishrailwayguide,asmallerhoteldirectory,andstreetandtelephonedirectoriesforBaltimore,Washington,andPhiladelphia.Aninsecureoakenclothes-treeheldupablackderbyandablackovercoatbesideawhitesinkinonecorner.Thefourchairsintheroomwereunrelatedtooneanotherineverythingexceptage.Thedesk’sscarredtopheld,inadditiontotheproprietor’sfeet,atelephone,ablack-clottedinkwell,adisarrayofpapershavinggenerallytodowithcriminalswhohadescapedfromoneprisonoranother,andagrayedashtraythatheldasmuchashandasmanyblackcigarstumpsasatrayofitssizecouldexpecttohold.

Anuglyoffice—theproprietorwasuglier.

Hisheadwassquatlypear-shaped.Excessivelyheavy,wide,bluntatthejaw,itnarrowedasitrosetotheclose-cropped,erectgrizzledhairthatsproutedabovealow,slantingforehead.Hiscomplexionwasofarichdarkishred,hisskintoughintextureandroundedoverthickcushionsoffat.

Thesefundamentalinelegancieswerebynomeansallhisugliness.Thingshadbeendonetohisfeatures.

Onewayyoulookedathisnose,yousaiditwascrooked.Anotherway,yousaiditcouldnotbecrooked;ithadnoshapeatall.Whateveryouropinionofitsform,youcouldnotdenyitscolour.Veinshadbrokentopencilitsalreadyfloridsurfacewithbrilliantredstarsandcurlsandpuzzlingscrawlsthatlookedasiftheymusthavesomesecretmeanings.Hislipswerethick,tough-skinned.Betweenthemshowedthebrassyglintoftwosolidrowsofgoldteeth,thelowerrowlappingtheupper,soundershotwasthebulgingjaw.Hiseyes—small,

deep-set,andpaleblueofiris—werebloodshottoadegreethatmadeyouthinkhehadaheavycold.Hisearsaccountedforsomeofhisearlieryears:theywerethethickened,twistedcauliflowerearsofthepugilist.

Amanofforty-something,ugly,sittingtiltedbackinhischair,feetondesk.

Thegilt-labelleddooropenedandanothermancameintotheoffice.Perhapstenyearsyoungerthanthemanatthedesk,hewas,roughlyspeaking,everythingthatonewasnot.Fairlytall,slender,fair-skinned,brown-eyed,hewouldhavebeenaslittlelikelytocatchyoureyeinagambling-houseasinanartgallery.Hisclothes—suitandhatweregray—werefreshandproperlypressed,andevenfashionableinthatinconspicuousmannerwhichisonesortoftaste.Hisfacewaslikewiseunobtrusive,whichwassurprisingwhenyouconsideredhownarrowlyitmissedhandsomenessthroughtheleastmeagrenessofmouth—amarkofthetoo-cautiousman.

Twostepsintotheofficehehesitated,browneyesglancingfromshabbyfurnishingstoill-visagedproprietor.Somuchuglinessseemedtodisconcertthemaningray.Anapologeticsmilebeganonhislips,asifhewereabouttomurmur,“Ibegyourpardon,I’minthewrongoffice.”

Butwhenhefinallyspokeitwasotherwise.Hetookanotherstepforward,askinguncertainly:

“YouareMr.Rush?”

“Yeah.”Thedetective’svoicewashoarsewithachokingharshnessthatseemedtocorroboratetheheavy-coldtestimonyofhiseyes.Heputhisfeetdownonthefloorandjerkedafat,redhandatachair.“Sitdown,sir.”

Themaningraysatdown,tentativelyuprightonthechair’sfrontedge.

“NowwhatcanIdoforyou?”AlecRushcroakedamiably.

“Iwant—Iwish—Iwouldlike—”andfurtherthanthatthemaningraysaidnothing.

“Maybeyou’dbetterjusttellmewhat’swrong,”thedetectivesuggested.“ThenI’llknowwhatyouwantofme.”Hesmiled.

TherewaskindlinessinAlecRush’ssmile,anditwasnoteasilyresisted.True,hissmilewasahorriblegrimaceoutofanightmare,butthatwasitscharm.Whenyourgentle-countenancedmansmilesthereissmallgain:hissmileexpresseslittlemorethanhisreposedface.ButwhenAlecRushdistortedhisogre’smasksothatjovialfriendlinesspeepedincongruouslyfromhissavageredeyes,fromhisbrutalmetal-studdedmouth—thenthatwasaheartening,awinningthing.

“Yes,Idaresaythatwouldbebetter.”Themaningraysatbackinhischair,morecomfortably,lesstransiently.“YesterdayonFayetteStreet,Imet—ayoungwomanIknow.Ihadn’t—wehadn’tmetforseveralmonths.Thatisn’treallypertinent,however.Butafterweseparated—wehadtalkedforafewminutes—Isawaman.Thatis,hecameoutofadoorwayandwentdownthestreetinthesamedirectionshehadtaken,andIgottheideahewasfollowingher.SheturnedintoLibertyStreetandhedidlikewise.Countlesspeoplewalkalongthatsameroute,andtheideathathewasfollowingherseemedfantastic,somuchsothatIdismisseditandwentonaboutmybusiness.

“ButIcouldn’tgetthenotionoutofmyhead.Itseemedtometherehadbeensomethingpeculiarlyintentinhiscarriage,andnomatterhowmuchItoldmyselfthenotionwasabsurd,itpersistedinworryingme.Solastnight,havingnothingespecialtodo,Idroveouttotheneighbourhoodof—oftheyoungwoman’shouse.AndIsawthesamemanagain.Hewasstandingonacornertwoblocksfromherhouse.Itwasthesameman—I’mcertainofit.Itriedtowatchhim,butwhileIwasfindingaplaceformycarhedisappearedandIdidnotseehimagain.Thosearethecircumstances.Nowwillyoulookintoit,learnifheisactuallyfollowingher,andwhy?”

“Sure,”thedetectiveagreedhoarsely,“butdidn’tyousayanythingtotheladyortoanyofherfamily?”

Themaningrayfidgetedinhischairandlookedatthestringyduncarpet.

“No,Ididn’t.Ididn’twanttodisturbher,frightenher,andstilldon’t.Afterall,itmaybenomorethanameaninglesscoincidence,and—and—well—Idon’t—That’simpossible!WhatIhadinmindwasforyoutofindoutwhatiswrong,ifanything,andremedyitwithoutmyappearinginthematteratall.”

“Maybe,but,mindyou,I’mnotsayingIwill.I’dwanttoknowmorefirst.”

“More?Youmeanmore—“

“Moreaboutyouandher.”

“Butthereisnothingaboutus!”themaningrayprotested.“ItisexactlyasIhavetoldyou.Imightaddthattheyoungwomanis—ismarried,andthatuntilyesterdayIhadnotseenhersincehermarriage.”

“Thenyourinterestinheris—?”Thedetectiveletthehuskyinterrogationhangincompletedintheair.

“Offriendship—pastfriendship.”

“Yeah.Nowwhoisthisyoungwoman?”

Themaningrayfidgetedagain.

“Seehere,Rush,”hesaid,colouring,“I’mperfectlywillingtotellyou,andshall,ofcourse,butIdon’twanttotellyouunlessyouaregoingtohandlethisthingforme.ImeanIdon’twanttobebringinghernameintoitif—ifyouaren’t.Willyou?”

AlecRushscratchedhisgrizzledheadwithastubbyforefinger.

“Idon’tknow,”hegrowled.“That’swhatI’mtryingtofindout.Ican’ttakeaholdofajobthatmightbeanything.I’vegottoknowthatyou’reontheup-and-up.”

Puzzlementdisturbedtheclarityoftheyoungerman’sbrowneyes.

“ButIdidn’tthinkyou’dbe—”hebrokeoffandlookedawayfromtheuglyman.

“Ofcourseyoudidn’t.”Achuckleraspedinthedetective’sburlythroat,thechuckleofamantouchedinaonce-sorespotthatisnolongertender.Heraisedabighandtoarresthisprospectiveclientintheactofrisingfromhischair.“Whatyoudid,onaguess,wastogotooneofthebigagenciesandtell‘emyourstory.Theywouldn’ttouchitunlessyouclearedupthefishypoints.Thenyouranacrossmyname,rememberedIwaschuckedoutofthedepartmentacoupleofyearsago.‘There’smyman,’yousaidtoyourself,‘ababywhowon’tbeso

choicy!’”

Themaningrayprotestedwithheadandgestureandvoicethatthiswasnotso.Buthiseyesweresheepish.

AlecRushlaughedharshlyagainandsaid,“Nomatter.Iain’tsensitiveaboutit.Icantalkaboutpolitics,andbeingmadethegoat,andallthat,buttherecordsshowtheBoardofPoliceCommissionersgavemetheairforalistofcrimesthatwouldstretchfromheretoCantonHollow.Allright,sir!I’lltakeyourjob.Itsoundsphoney,butmaybeitain’t.It’llcostyoufifteenadayandexpenses.”

“Icanseethatitsoundspeculiar,”theyoungermanassuredthedetective,“butyou’llfindthatit’squiteallright.You’llwantaretainer,ofcourse.”

“Yes,sayfifty.”

Themaningraytookfivenewten-dollarbillsfromapigskinbillfoldandputthemonthedesk.WithathickpenAlecRushbegantomakemuddyink-marksonareceiptblank.

“Yourname?”heasked.

“Iwouldrathernot.I’mnottoappearinit,youknow.Mynamewouldnotbeofimportance,wouldit?”

AlecRushputdownhispenandfrownedathisclient.

“Now!Now!”hegrumbledgood-naturedly.“HowamIgoingtodobusinesswithamanlikeyou?”

Themaningraywassorry,evenapologetic,buthewasstubborninhisreticence.Hewouldnotgivehisname.AlecRushgrowledandcomplained,butpocketedthefiveten-dollarbills.

“It’sinyourfavour,maybe,”thedetectiveadmittedashesurrendered,“thoughitain’ttoyourcredit.Butifyouwereoff-colourIguessyou’dhavesenseenoughtofakeaname.Nowthisyoungwoman—whoisshe?”

“Mrs.HubertLandow.”

“Well,well,we’vegotanameatlast!AndwheredoesMrs.Landowlive?”

“OnCharles-StreetAvenue,”themaningraysaid,andgaveanumber.

“Herdescription?”

“Sheistwenty-twoor—threeyearsold,rathertall,slenderinanathleticway,withauburnhair,blueeyes,andverywhiteskin.”

“Andherhusband?Youknowhim?”

“Ihaveseenhim.Heisaboutmyage—thirty—butlargerthanI,atall,broad-shoulderedmanoftheclean-cutblondtype.”

“Andyourmysteryman?Whatdoeshelooklike?”

“He’squiteyoung,notmorethantwenty-twoatthemost,andnotverylarge—mediumsize,perhaps,oralittleunder.He’sverydark,withhighcheek-bonesandalargenose.High,straightshoulders,too,butnotbroad.Hewalkswithsmall,almostmincing,steps.”

“Clothes?”

“HewaswearingabrownsuitandatancapwhenIsawhimonFayetteStreetyesterdayafternoon.Isupposeheworethesamelastnight,butI’mnotpositive.”

“Isupposeyou’lldropinhereformyreports,”thedetectivewoundup,“sinceIwon’tknowwheretosendthemtoyou?”

“Yes.”Themaningraystoodupandheldouthishand.“I’mverygratefultoyouforundertakingthis,Mr.Rush.”

AlecRushsaidthatwasallright.Theyshookhands,andthemaningraywentout.

Theuglymanwaiteduntilhisclienthadhadtimetoturnoffintothecorridorthatledtotheelevators.Thenthedetectivesaid,“Now,Mr.Man!”gotupfromhischair,tookhishatfromtheclothes-treeinthecorner,lockedhisofficedoorbehindhim,andrandownthebackstairs.

Heranwiththedeceptiveheavyagilityofabear.Therewassomethingbearlike,too,intheloosenesswithwhichhisbluesuithungonhisstoutbody,andinthesetofhisheavyshoulders—sloping,limber-jointedshoulderswhosedroopconcealedmuchoftheirbulk.

Hegainedthegroundfloorintimetoseethegraybackofhisclientissuingintothestreet.InhiswakeAlecRushsauntered.Twoblocks,aturntotheleft,anotherblock,andaturntotheright.Themaningraywentintotheofficeofatrustcompanythatoccupiedthegroundfloorofalargeofficebuilding.

Therestwasthemereturningofahand.Halfadollartoaporter:themaningraywasRalphMillar,assistantcashier.

DarknesswassettlinginCharles-StreetAvenuewhenAlecRush,inamodestblackcoupe,drovepasttheaddressRalphMillarhadgivenhim.Thehousewaslargeinthedusk,spacedfromitsfellowsasfromthepavingbymoderateexpansesoffencedlawn.

AlecRushdroveon,turnedtotheleftatthefirstcrossing,againtotheleftatthenext,andatthenext.Forhalfanhourheguidedhiscaralongamany-angledturningandreturningrouteuntil,whenfinallyhestoppedbesidethecurbatsomedistancefrom,butwithinsightof,theLandowhouse,hehaddriventhrougheverypieceofthoroughfareinthevicinityofthathouse.

HehadnotseenMillar’sdark,high-shoulderedyoungman.

LightsburnedbrightlyinCharles-StreetAvenue,andthenighttrafficbegantopurrsouthwardintothecity.AlecRush’sheavybodyslumpedagainstthewheelofhiscoupewhilehefilleditsinteriorwithpungentfogfromablackcigar,andheldpatient,bloodshoteyesonwhathecouldseeoftheLandowresidence.

Three-quartersofanhourpassed,andtherewasmotioninthehouse.Alimousineleftthegarageintherearforthefrontdoor.Amanandawoman,faintlydistinguishableatthatdistance,leftthehouseforthelimousine.Thelimousinemovedoutintothecitywardcurrent.ThethirdcarbehinditwasAlecRush’smodestcoupe.

ExceptforaperilousmomentatNorthAvenue,whentheinterferingcross-streamoftrafficthreatenedtoseparatehimfromhisquarry,AlecRushfollowedthelimousinewithoutdifficulty.InfrontofaHowardStreettheatreitdischarged

itsfreight:ayoungishmanandayoungwoman,bothtall,evening-clad,andassuringlyinagreementwiththedescriptionsthedetectivehadgotfromhisclient.

TheLandowswentintothealreadydarktheatrewhileAlecRushwasbuyinghisticket.Inthelightofthefirstintermissionhediscoveredthemagain.Leavinghisseatfortherearoftheauditorium,hefoundananglefromwhichhecouldstudythemfortheremainingfiveminutesofillumination.

HubertLandow’sheadwasrathersmallforhisstature,andtheblondhairwithwhichitwascoveredthreatenedeachmomenttoescapefromitsimposedsmoothnessintocrispcurls.Hisface,healthilyruddy,washandsomeinamuscular,verymasculineway,notindicativeofanygreatmentalnimbleness.Hiswifehadthatbeautywhichneedsnocataloguing.However,herhairwasauburn,hereyesblue,herskinwhite,andshelookedayearortwoolderthanthemaximumtwenty-threeMillarhadallowedher.

WhiletheintermissionlastedHubertLandowtalkedtohiswifeeagerly,andhisbrighteyesweretheeyesofalover.AlecRushcouldnotseeMrs.Landow’seyes.Hesawherreplyingnowandagaintoherhusband’swords.Herprofileshowednoansweringeagerness.Shedidnotshowshewasbored.

Midwaythroughthelastact,AlecRushleftthetheatretomaneuverhiscoupeintoahandypositionfromwhichtocovertheLandows’departure.Buttheirlimousinedidnotpickthemupwhentheyleftthetheatre.TheyturneddownHowardStreetafoot,goingtoarathergarishsecond-classrestaurant,whereanabbreviatedorchestrasucceededbymainstrengthinconcealingitssmallnessfromtheear.

Hiscoupeconvenientlyparked,AlecRushfoundatablefromwhichhecouldwatchhissubjectswithoutbeinghimselfnoticeable.Husbandstillwooedwifewithincessant,eagertalking.Wifewaslistless,polite,unkindled.Neithermorethantouchedthefoodbeforethem.Theydancedonce,thewoman’sfaceaslittletouchedbyimmediateinterestaswhenshelistenedtoherhusband’swords.Abeautifulface,butempty.

TheminutehandofAlecRush’snickel-platedwatchhadscarcelybegunitslastclimbofthedayfromwhere‘VI’isinferredto‘XII’whentheLandowslefttherestaurant.Thelimousine—againstitssideayoungNorfolk-jacketedNegro

smoking—wastwodoorsaway.Itborethembacktotheirhouse.Thedetectivehavingseenthemintothehouse,havingseenthelimousineintothegarage,drovehiscoupeagainaroundandaroundthroughtheneighbouringthoroughfares.AndsawnothingofMillar’sdarkyoungman.

ThenAlecRushwenthomeandtobed.

Ateighto’clockthenextmorninguglymanandmodestcoupewerestationaryinCharles-StreetAvenueagain.MaleCharles-StreetAvenuewentwiththesunonitslefttowarditsoffices.Asthemorningagedandtheshadowsgrewshorterandthicker,so,generally,didtheindividualswhocomposedthismorningprocession.Eighto’clockwasfrequentlyyoungandslenderandbrisk,Eight-thirtylessso,Ninestillless,andrear-guardTeno’clockwaspreponderantlyneitheryoungnorslender,andmoreoftensluggishthanbrisk.

Intothisrearguard,thoughphysicallyhebelongedtonolaterperiodthaneight-thirty,ablueroadstercarriedHubertLandow.Hisbroadshoulderswereblue-coated,hisblondhairgray-capped,andhewasaloneintheroadster.WithaglancearoundtomakesureMillar’sdarkyoungmanwasnotinsight,AlecRushturnedhiscoupeinthebluecar’swake.

Theyrodeswiftlyintothecity,downintoitsfinancialcentre,whereHubertLandowdesertedhisroadsterbeforeaRedwoodStreetstockbroker’soffice.ThemorninghadbecomenoonbeforeLandowwasinthestreetagain,turninghisroadsternorthward.

WhenshadowedandshadowercametorestagaintheywereinMountRoyalAvenue.Landowgotoutofhiscarandstrodebrisklyintoalargeapartmentbuilding.Ablockdistant,AlecRushlightedablackcigarandsatstillinhiscoupe.Halfanhourpassed.AlecRushturnedhisheadandsankhisgoldteethdeepintohiscigar.

Scarcelytwentyfeetbehindthecoupe,inthedoorwayofagarage,adarkyoungmanwithhighcheek-bones,high,straightshoulders,loitered.Hisnosewaslarge.Hissuitwasbrown,asweretheeyeswithwhichheseemedtopaynoespecialattentiontoanythingthroughthethinbluedriftofsmokefromthetipofadroopingcigarette.

AlecRushtookhiscigarfromhismouthtoexamineit,tookaknifefromhispockettotrimthebittenend,restoredcigartomouthandknifetopocket,and

thereafterwasasindifferenttoallMountRoyalAvenueasthedarkyouthbehindhim.Theonedrowsedinhisdoorway.Theotherdozedinhiscar.Andtheafternooncrawledpastoneo’clock,pastone-thirty.

HubertLandowcameoutoftheapartmentbuilding,vanishedswiftlyinhisblueroadster.Hisgoingstirredneitherofthemotionlessmen,scarcelytheireyes.Notuntilanotherfifteenminuteshadgonedideitherofthemmove.

Thenthedarkyouthlefthisdoorway.Hemovedwithouthaste,upthestreet,withshort,almostmincing,steps.ThebackofAlecRush’sblack-derbiedheadwastotheyouthwhenhepassedthecoupe,whichmayhavebeenchance,fornonecouldhavesaidthattheuglymanhadsomuchasglancedattheothersincehisfirstsightofhim.Thedarkyoungmanlethiseyesrestonthedetective’sbackwithoutinterestashepassed.HewentonupthestreettowardtheapartmentbuildingLandowhadvisited,upitssteps,andoutofsightintoit.

Whenthedarkyoungmanhaddisappeared,AlecRushthrewawayhiscigar,stretched,yawned,andawakenedthecoupe’sengine.FourblocksandtwoturningsfromMountRoyalAvenue,hegotoutoftheautomobile,leavingitlockedandemptyinfrontofagraystonechurch.HewalkedbacktoMountRoyalAvenue,tohaltonacornertwoblocksabovehisearlierposition.

Hehadanotherhalf-hourofwaitingbeforethedarkyoungmanappeared.AlecRushwasbuyingacigarinaglass-frontedcigarstorewhentheotherpassed.TheyoungmanboardedastreetcaratNorthAvenueandfoundaseat.Thedetectiveboardedthesamecaratthenextcornerandstoodontherearplatform.Warnedbyanindicativeforwardhitchingoftheyoungman’sshouldersandhead,AlecRushwasthefirstpassengeroffthecaratMadisonAvenue,andthefirstaboardasouthboundcarthere.Andagain,hewasofffirstatFranklinStreet.

Thedarkyouthwentstraighttoarooming-houseinthisstreet,whilethedetectivecametorestbesidethewindowofacornerdrugstorespecialisingintheatricalmake-up.Thereheloafeduntilhalf-pastthree.Whenthedarkyoungmancameintothestreetagainitwastowalk—AlecRushbehindhim—toEutawStreet,boardacar,andridetoCamdenStation.

There,inthewaiting-room,thedarkyoungmanmetayoungwomanwhofrownedandasked:

“Whereinthehellhaveyoubeenat?”

Passingthem,thedetectiveheardthepetulantgreeting,buttheyoungman’sreplywaspitchedtoolowforhimtocatch,nordidhehearanythingelsetheyoungwomansaid.Theytalkedforperhapstenminutes,standingtogetherinadesertedendofthewaiting-room,sothatAlecRushcouldnothaveapproachedthemwithoutmakinghimselfconspicuous.

Theyoungwomanseemedtobeimpatient,urgent.Theyoungmanseemedtoexplain,toreassure.Nowandthenhegesturedwiththeugly,defthandsofaskilledmechanic.Hiscompanionbecamemoreagreeable.Shewasshort,square,asifcarvedeconomicallyfromacube.Consistently,hernosealsowasshortandherchinsquare.Shehad,onthewhole,nowthatherearlierdispleasurewaspassing,amerryface,apert,pugnacious,rich-bloodedfacethatadvertisedinexhaustiblevitality.Thatadvertisementwasineveryfeature,fromtheliveendsofhercutbrownhairtotheearth-grippingposeofherfeetonthecementflooring.Herclothesweredark,quiet,expensive,butnonetoogracefullyworn,hangingjusttheleastbitbunchilyhereandthereonhersturdybody.

Noddingvigorouslyseveraltimes,theyoungmanatlengthtappedhiscap-visorwithtwocarelessfingersandwentoutintothestreet.AlecRushlethimdepartunshadowed.Butwhen,walkingslowlyouttotheirontrain-shedgates,alongthemtothebaggagewindow,thencetothestreetdoor,theyoungwomanpassedoutofthestation,theuglymanwasbehindher.Hewasstillbehindherwhenshejoinedthefouro’clockshoppingcrowdatLexingtonStreet.

Theyoungwomanshoppedwiththewhole-heartedairofonewithnothingelseonhermind.Intheseconddepartmentstoreshevisited,AlecRushleftherlookingatadisplayoflaceswhilehemovedasswiftlyanddirectlyasinterveningshopperswouldpermittowardatall,thick-shouldered,gray-hairedwomaninblack,whoseemedtobewaitingforsomeonenearthefootofaflightofstairs.

“Hello,Alec!”shesaidwhenhetouchedherarm,andherhumorouseyesactuallylookedwithpleasureathisuncouthface.“Whatareyoudoinginmyterritory?”

“Gotaboosterforyou,”hemumbled.“Thechunkygirlinblueatthelacecounter.Makeher?”

Thestoredetectivelookedandnodded.

“Yes.Thanks,Alec.You’resureshe’sboosting,ofcourse?”

“Now,Minnie!”hecomplained,hisraspingvoicethrottleddowntoametallicgrowl.“WouldIbegivingyouabumrumble?Shewentsouthwithacoupleofsilkpieces,andit’smorethanlikelyshe’sgotherselfsomelacebynow.”

“Um-hmm,”saidMinnie.“Well,whenshesticksherfootonthesidewalk,I’llbewithher.”

AlecRushputhishandonthestoredetective’sarmagain.

“Iwantalineonher,”hesaid.“Whatdoyousaywetailheraroundandseewhatshe’suptobeforeweknockherover?”

“Ifitdoesn’ttakeallday,”thewomanagreed.Andwhenthechunkygirlinbluepresentlyleftthelacecounterandthestore,thedetectivesfollowed,intoanotherstore,rangingtoofarbehindhertoseeanythievingshemighthavedone,contenttokeepherundersurveillance.FromthislaststoretheirpreywentdowntowherePrattStreetwasdingiest,intoadingythree-storyhouseoffurnishedflats.

Twoblocksawayapolicemanwasturningacorner.

“TakeaplantonthejointwhileIgetacopper,”AlexRushordered.

Whenhereturnedwiththepolicemanthestoredetectivewaswaitinginthevestibule.

“Secondfloor,”shesaid.

Behindherthehouse’sstreetdoorstoodopentoshowadarkhallwayandthefootofatattered-carpetedflightofsteps.Intothisdismalhallwayappearedaslovenlythinwomaninrumpledgraycotton,sayingwhininglyasshecameforward,“Whatdoyouwant?Ikeeparespectablehouse,I’llhaveyouunderstand,andI—“

“Chunky,dark-eyedgirllivinghere,”AlecRushcroaked.“Secondfloor.Takeusup.”

Thewoman’sscrawnyfacesprangintostartledlines,fadedeyeswide,asif

mistakingtheharshnessofthedetective’svoicefortheharshnessofgreatemotion.

“Why—why—”shestammered,andthenrememberedthefirstprincipleofshadyrooming-housemanagement—nevertostandinthewayofthepolice.“I’lltakeyouup,”sheagreed,and,hitchingherwrinkledskirtinonehand,ledthewayupthestairs.

Hersharpfingerstappedonadoorneartheheadofthestairs.

“Who’sthat?”acasuallycurtfemininevoiceasked.

“Landlady.”

Thechunkygirlinblue,withoutherhatnow,openedthedoor.AlecRushmovedabigfootforwardtoholditopen,whilethelandladysaid,“Thisisher,”thepolicemansaid,“You’llhavetocomealong,”andMinniesaid,“Dearie,wewanttocomeinandtalktoyou.”

“MyGod!”exclaimedthegirl.“There’dbejustasmuchsensetoitifyou’dalljumpedoutatmeandyelled‘Boo!’”

“Thisain’tanyway,”AlecRushrasped,movingforward,grinninghishideousfriendlygrin.“Let’sgoinwherewecantalkitover.”

Merelybymovinghisloose-jointedbulkastepthisway,ahalf-stepthat,turninghisuglyfaceonthisoneandthatone,heherdedthelittlegroupashewished,sendingthelandladydiscontentedlyaway,marshallingtheothersintothegirl’srooms.

“Remember,Igotnoideawhatthisisallabout,”saidthegirlwhentheywereinherliving-room,anarrowroomwherebluefoughtwithredwithoutevercompromisingonpurple.“I’measytogetalongwith,andifyouthinkthisisaniceplacetotalkaboutwhateveryouwanttotalkabout,goahead!Butifyou’recountingonmetalking,too,you’dbettersmartmeup.”

“Boosting,dearie,”Minniesaid,leaningforwardtopatthegirl’sarm.“I’matGoodbody’s.”

“YouthinkI’vebeenshoplifting?Isthattheidea?”

“Yeah.Exactly.Uh-huh.That’swhat.”AlecRushlefthernodoubtonthepoint.

Thegirlnarrowedhereyes,puckeredherredmouth,squintedsidewiseattheuglyman.

“It’sallrightwithme,”sheannounced,“solongasGoodbody’sishangingtheraponme—somebodyIcansueforamillionwhenitflops.I’vegotnothingtosay.Takemeformyride.”

“You’llgetyourride,sister,”theuglymanraspedgood-naturedly.“Nobody’sgoingtobeatyououtofit.ButdoyoumindifIlookaroundyourplacealittlefirst?”

“Gotanythingwithajudge’snameonitthatsaysyoucan?”

“No.”

“Thenyoudon’tgetapeep!”

AlecRushchuckled,thrusthishandsintohistrouser-pockets,andbegantowanderthroughtherooms,ofwhichtherewerethree.Presentlyhecameoutofthebedroomcarryingaphotographinasilverframe.

“Who’sthis?”heaskedthegirl.

“Tryandfindout!”

“Iamtrying,”helied.

“Youbigbum!”saidshe.“Youcouldn’tfindwaterintheocean!”

AlecRushlaughedwithcoarseheartiness.Hecouldaffordto.ThephotographinhishandwasofHubertLandow.

Twilightwasaroundthegraystonechurchwhentheownerofthedesertedcoupereturnedtoit.Thechunkygirl—PollyVannesswasthenameshehadgiven—hadbeenbookedandlodgedinacellintheSouthwesternPoliceStation.Quantitiesofstolengoodshadbeenfoundinherflat.HerharvestofthatafternoonwasstillonherpersonwhenMinnieandapolicematronsearchedher.Shehadrefusedtotalk.Thedetectivehadsaidnothingtoherabouthis

knowledgeofthephotograph’ssubject,orofhermeetingintherailroadstationwiththedarkyoungman.Nothingfoundinherroomsthrewanylightoneitherofthesethings.

Havingeatenhiseveningmealbeforecomingbacktohiscar,AlecRushnowdroveouttoCharles-StreetAvenue.LightsglowednormallyintheLandowhousewhenhepassedit.Alittlebeyonditheturnedhiscoupesothatitpointedtowardthecity,andbroughtittorestinatree-darkenedcurb-sidespotwithinsightofthehouse.

ThenightwentalongandnooneleftorenteredtheLandowhouse.

Fingernailsclickedonthecoupe’sglassdoor.

Amanstoodthere.Nothingcouldbesaidofhiminthedarknessexceptthathewasnotlarge,andthattohaveescapedthedetective’snoticeuntilnowhemusthavestealthilystalkedthecarfromtherear.

AlecRushputoutahandandthedoorswungopen.

“Gotamatch?”themanasked.

Thedetectivehesitated,said,“Yeah,”andheldoutabox.

Amatchscrapedandflaredintoadarkyoungface:largenose,highcheek-bones:theyoungmanAlecRushhadshadowedthatafternoon.

Butrecognition,whenitwasvoiced,wasvoicedbythedarkyoungman.

“Ithoughtitwasyou,”hesaidsimplyasheappliedtheflamingmatchtohiscigarette.“Maybeyoudon’tknowme,butIknewyouwhenyouwereontheforce.”

Theex-detectivesergeantgavenomeaningatalltoahusky“Yeah.”

“IthoughtitwasyouintheheaponMountRoyalthisafternoon,butIcouldn’tmakesure,”theyoungmancontinued,enteringthecoupe,sittingbesidethedetective,closingthedoor.“ScuttleZeipp’sme.Iain’taswell-knownasNapoleon,soifyou’veneverheardofmethere’snohardfeelings.”

“Yeah.”

“That’sthestuff!Whenyouoncethinkupagoodanswer,sticktoit.”ScuttleZeipp’sfacewasasuddenbronzemaskintheglowofhiscigarette.“Thesameanswer’lldoformynextquestion.You’reinterestedinthesehereLandows?Yeah,”headdedinhoarsemimicryofthedetective’svoice.

Anotherinhalationlightedhisface,andhiswordscamesmokilyoutastheglowfaded.

“YououghttowanttoknowwhatI’mdoinghangingaround‘em.Iain’ttight.I’lltellyou.I’vebeenslippedhalfagrandtobumpoffthegirl—twice.Howdoyoulikethat?”

“Ihearyou,”saidAlecRush.“Butanybodycantalkthatknowsthewords.”

“Talk?Sureit’stalk,”Zeippadmittedcheerfully.“Butso’sittalkwhenthejudgesays‘hangedbytheneckuntildeadandmayGodhavemercyonyoursoul!’Lotsofthingsaretalk,butthatdon’talwayskeep‘emfrombeingreal.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,brother,yeah!Nowlistentothis:it’soneforthecuff.Acertainpartycomestomeacoupleofdaysagowithaknock-downfromapartythatknowsme.See?ThiscertainpartyasksmewhatIwanttobumpoffabroad.Ithoughtagrandwouldberight,andsaidso.Toostiff.Wecometogetheronfivehundred.Igottwo-fiftydownandgettherestwhentheLandowtwistiscold.Notsobadforasofttrick—aslugthroughthesideofacar—huh?”

“Well,whatareyouwaitingfor?”thedetectiveasked.“Youwanttomakeitafancycaper—killheronherbirthdayoralegalholiday?”

ScuttleZeippsmackedhislipsandpokedthedetective’schestwithafingerinthedark.

“Notany,brother!I’mthinkingwayaheadofyou!Listentothis:Ipocketmytwo-fiftyadvanceandcomeupheretogivethegroundagoodcasing,notwantingtolamintoanythingIdidn’tknowwashere.WhileI’mpokingaround,Irunintoanotherpartythat’spokingaround.Thissecondpartygivesmeatumble,Italksmart,andbingo!Firstthingyouknowshe’spropositioningme.

Whatdoyouguess?ShewantstoknowwhatIwanttobumpoffabroad!Isitthesameoneshewantsstopped?Ihopetotellyouitis!

“Itain’tsosilly!Igetmyhandsonanothertwohundredandfiftyberries,withthatmuchmorecomingwhenIputoverthefastone.NowdoyouthinkI’mgoingtodoanythingtothatLandowbaby?You’redumbifyoudo.She’smymealticket.IfshelivestillIpopher,she’llbeolderthaneitheryouorthebay.I’vegotfivehundredoutofhersofar.What’sthematterwithstickingaroundandwaitingformorecustomersthatdon’tlikeher?Iftwoof‘emwanttobuyheroutoftheworld,whynotmore?Theansweris‘Yeah!’Andontopofthat,hereyouaresnoopingaroundher.Nowthereitis,brother,foryoutolookatandtasteandsmell.”

Silenceheldforseveralminutes,inthedarknessofthecoupe’sinterior,andthenthedetective’sharshvoiceputascepticalquestion:

“Andwhoarethesecertainpartiesthatwantheroutoftheway?”

“Beyourself!”ScuttleZeippadmonishedhim.“I’mlayingdownon‘em,rightenough,butIain’tfeeding‘emtoyou.”

“Whatareyougivingmeallthisforthen?”

“Whatfor?Becauseyou’reinonthelaysomewhere.Crossingeachother,neitherofuscanmakeathindimmer.Ifwedon’thookupwe’lljustruintheracketforeachother.I’vealreadymadehalfagrandoffthisLandow.That’smine,butthere’smoretobepickedupbyacoupleofmenthatknowwhatthey’redoing.Allright.I’mofferingtothrowinwithyouonatwo-waycutofwhateverelsewecanget.Butmypartiesareout!Idon’tmindthrowingthemdown,butIain’tratenoughtoputthefingeronthemforyou.”

AlecRushgruntedandcroakedanotherdubiousinquiry.

“Howcomeyoutrustmesomuch,Scuttle?”

Thehiredkillerlaughedknowingly.

“Whynot?You’rearightguy.Youcanseeaprofitwhenit’sshowedtoyou.Theydidn’tchuckyouofftheforceforforgettingtohangupyourstocking.Besides,supposeyouwanttodouble-crossme,whatcanyoudo?Youcan’t

proveanything.ItoldyouIdidn’tmeanthewomananyharm.Iain’tevenpackingagun.Butallthat’sthebunk.You’reawisehead.Youknowwhat’swhat.Meandyou,Alec,wecangetplenty!”

Silenceagain,untilthedetectivesspokeslowly,thoughtfully.

“Thefirstthingwouldbetogetalineonthereasonsyourpartieswantthegirlputout.Gotanythingonthat?”

“Notawhisper.”

“Bothof‘emwomen,Itakeit.”

ScuttleZeipphesitated.

“Yes,”headmitted.“Butdon’tbeaskingmeanythingabout‘em.Inthefirstplace,Idon’tknowanything,andinthesecond,Iwouldn’ttiptheirmittsifIdid.”

“Yeah,”thedetectivecroaked,asifhequiteunderstoodhiscompanion’spervertedideaofloyalty.“Nowifthey’rewomen,thechancesaretherackethangsonaman.WhatdoyouthinkofLandow?He’saprettylad.”

ScuttleZeippleanedovertoputhisfingeragainstthedetective’schestagain.

“You’vegotit,Alec!Thatcouldbeit,damnedifitcouldn’t!”

“Yeah,”AlecRushagreed,fumblingwiththeleversofhiscar.“We’llgetawayfromhereandstayawayuntilIlookintohim.”

AtFranklinStreet,halfablockfromtherooming-houseintowhichhehadshadowedtheyoungmanthatafternoon,thedetectivestoppedhiscoupe.

“Youwanttodropouthere?”heasked.

ScuttleZeipplookedsidewise,speculatively,intotheelderman’suglyface.

“It’lldo,”theyoungmansaid,“butyou’readamnedgoodguesser,justthesame.”Hestoppedwithahandonthedoor.“It’sago,isit,Alec?Fifty-fifty?”

“Iwouldn’tsayso.”AlecRushgrinnedathimwithhideousgoodnature.

“You’renotabadlad,Scuttle,andifthere’sanygravyyou’llgetyours,butdon’tcountonmemobbingupwithyou.”

Zeipp’seyesjerkedtoslits,hislipssnarledbackfromyellowteeththatweresetedgetoedge.

“Yousellmeout,youdamnedgorilla,andI’ll—”Helaughedthethreatoutofbeing,hisdarkfaceyoungandcarelessagain.“Haveityourownway,Alec.Ididn’tmakenomistakewhenIthrowedinwithyou.Whatyousaygoes.”

“Yeah,”theuglymanagreed.“LayoffthatjointoutthereuntilItellyou.Maybeyou’dbetterdropintoseemetomorrow.Thephonebook’lltellyouwheremyofficeis.Solong,kid.”

“Solong,Alec.”

InthemorningAlecRushsetaboutinvestigatingHubertLandow.FirsthewenttotheCityHall,whereheexaminedthegraybooksinwhichmarriagelicensesareindexed.HubertBritmanLandowandSaraFalsonerhadbeenmarriedsixmonthsbefore,helearned.

Thebride’smaidennamethickenedtheredinthedetective’sbloodshoteyes.Airhissedsharplyfromhisflattenednostrils.“Yeah!Yeah!”hesaidtohimself,soraspinglythatalawyer’sskinnyclerk,fiddlingwithotherrecordsathiselbow,lookedfrightenedlyathimandedgedalittleaway.

FromtheCityHall,AlecRushcarriedthebride’snametotwonewspaperoffices,where,afterstudyingthefiles,heboughtanarmfulofsix-month-oldpapers.Hetookthepaperstohisoffice,spreadthemonhisdesk,andattackedthemwithapairofshears.Whenthelastonehadbeencutandthrownaside,thereremainedonhisdeskathicksheafofclippings.

Arranginghisclippingsinchronologicalorder,AlecRushlightedablackcigar,puthiselbowsonthedesk,hisuglyheadbetweenhispalms,andbegantoreadastorywithwhichnewspaper-readingBaltimorehadbeenfamiliarhalfayearbefore.

Purgedofirrelevanciesandearlierdigressions,thestorywasessentiallythis:

JeromeFalsoner,agedforty-five,wasabachelorwholivedaloneinaflatin

CathedralStreet,onanincomemorethansufficientforhiscomfort.Hewasatallman,butofdelicatephysique,theresult,itmayhavebeen,ofexcessiveindulgenceinpleasureonaconstitutionnonetoostronginthebeginning.Hewaswell-known,atleastbysight,toallnight-livingBaltimoreans,andtothosewhofrequentedrace-track,gambling-house,andthefurtivecockpitsthatnowandthenmaterialiseforafewbriefhoursinthefortymilesofcountrythatliebetweenBaltimoreandWashington.

OneFannyKidd,comingaswashercustomatteno’clockonemorningto“do”JeromeFalsoner’srooms,foundhimlyingonhisbackinhisliving-room,staringwithdeadeyesataspotontheceiling,abrightspotthatwasreflectedsunlight—reflectedfromthemetalhiltofhispaper-knife,whichprotrudedfromhischest.

Policeinvestigationestablishedfourfacts:

First,JeromeFalsonerhadbeendeadforfourteenhourswhenFannyKiddfoundhim,whichplacedhismurderatabouteighto’clockthepreviousevening.

Second,thelastpersonsknowntohaveseenhimalivewereawomannamedMadelineBoudin,withwhomhehadbeenintimate,andthreeofherfriends.Theyhadseenhim,alive,atsometimebetweenseven-thirtyandeighto’clock,orlessthanhalfanhourbeforehisdeath.TheyhadbeendrivingdowntoacottageontheSevernRiver,andMadelineBoudinhadtoldtheothersshewantedtoseeFalsonerbeforeshewent.Theothershadremainedintheircarwhilesherangthebell.JeromeFalsoneropenedthestreetdoorandshewentin.Tenminuteslatershecameoutandrejoinedherfriends.JeromeFalsonercametothedoorwithher,wavingahandatoneofthemeninthecar—aFrederickStoner,whoknewFalsonerslightly,andwhowasconnectedwiththedistrictattorney’soffice.Twowomen,talkingonthestepsofahouseacrossthestreet,hadalsoseenFalsoner,andhadseenMadelineBoudinandherfriendsdriveaway.

Third,JeromeFalsoner’sheirandonlynearrelativewashisniece,SaraFalsoner,who,bysomevagaryofchance,wasmarryingHubertLandowattheveryhourthatFannyKiddwasfindingheremployer’sdeadbody.Nieceandunclehadseldomseenoneanother.Theniece—forpolicesuspicionsettledonherforashortspace—wasdefinitelyprovedtohavebeenathome,inherapartmentinCareyStreet,fromsixo’clocktheeveningofthemurderuntil

eight-thirtythenextmorning.Herhusband,herfianc��then,hadbeentherewithherfromsixuntileleventhatevening.Priortohermarriage,thegirlhadbeenemployedasstenographerbythesametrustcompanythatemployedRalphMillar.

Fourth,JeromeFalsoner,whohadnotthemostevenofdispositions,hadquarrelledwithanIcelandernamedEinarJokumssoninagambling-housetwodaysbeforehewasmurdered.Jokumssonhadthreatenedhim.Jokumsson—ashort,heavilybuiltman,dark-haired,dark-eyed—hadvanishedfromhishotel,leavinghisbagsthere,thedaythebodywasfound,andhadnotbeenseensince.

Thelastoftheseclippingscarefullyread,AlecRushrockedbackinhischairandmadeathoughtfulmonster’sfaceattheceiling.Presentlyheleanedforwardagaintolookintothetelephonedirectory,andtocallthenumberofRalphMillar’strustcompany.Butwhenhegothisnumberhechangedhismind.

“Nevermind,”hesaidintotheinstrument,andcalledanumberthatwasGoodbody’s.Minnie,whenshecametothetelephone,toldhimthatPollyVannesshadbeenidentifiedasonePollyBangs,arrestedinMilwaukeetwoyearsagoforshoplifting,andgivenatwo-yearsentence.MinniealsosaidthatPollyBangshadbeenreleasedonbailearlythatmorning.

AlecRushpushedbackthetelephoneandlookedthroughhisclippingsagainuntilhefoundtheaddressofMadelineBoudin,thewomanwhohadvisitedFalsonersosoonbeforehisdeath.ItwasaMadisonAvenuenumber.Thitherhiscoupecarriedthedetective.

No,MissBoudindidnotlivethere.Yes,shehadlivedthere,buthadmovedfourmonthsago.PerhapsMrs.Blender,onthethirdfloor,wouldknowwhereshelivednow.Mrs.Blenderdidnotknow.SheknewMissBoudinhadmovedtoanapartmenthouseinGarrisonAvenue,butdidnotthinkshewaslivingtherenow.AttheGarrisonAvenuehouse:MissBoudinhadmovedawayamonthandahalfago—somewhereinMountRoyalAvenue,perhaps.Thenumberwasnotknown.

ThecoupecarrieditsuglyownertoMountRoyalAvenue,totheapartmentbuildinghehadseenfirstHubertLandowandthenScuttleZeippvisitthepreviousday.Atthemanager’sofficehemadeinquiriesaboutaWalterBoyden,whowasthoughttolivethere.WalterBoydenwasnotknowntothemanager.

TherewasaMissBoudinin604,buthernamewasB-o-u-d-i-n,andshelivedalone.

AlecRushleftthebuildingandgotinhiscaragain.Hescreweduphissavageredeyes,noddedhisheadinasatisfiedway,andwithonefingerdescribedasmallcircleintheair.Thenhereturnedtohisoffice.

Callingthetrustcompany’snumberagain,hegaveRalphMillar’sname,andpresentlywasspeakingtotheassistantcashier.

“ThisisRush.Canyoucomeuptotheofficerightaway?”

“What’sthat?Certainly.Buthow—how—?Yes,I’llbeupinaminute.”

NoneofthesurprisethathadbeeninMillar’stelephonevoicewasapparentwhenhereachedthedetective’soffice.Heaskednoquestionsconcerningthedetective’sknowledgeofhisidentity.Inbrowntoday,hewasasneatlyinconspicuousashehadbeenyesterdayingray.

“Comein,”theuglymanwelcomedhim.“Sitdown.I’vegottohavesomemorefacts,Mr.Millar.”

Millar’sthinmouthtightenedandhisbrowsdrewtogetherwithobstinatereticence.

“Ithoughtwesettledthatpoint,Rush.Itoldyou—“

AlecRushfrownedathisclientwithjovial,thoughfrightfulexasperation.

“Iknowwhatyoutoldme,”heinterrupted.“Butthatwasthenandthisisnow.Thething’scomingunwoundonme,andIcanseejustenoughtogetmyselftangledupifIdon’twatchHarvey.Ifoundyourmysteriousman,talkedtohim.HewasfollowingMrs.Landow,rightenough.Accordingtothewayhetellsit,he’sbeenhiredtokillher.”

Millarleapedfromhischairtoleanovertheyellowdesk,hisfaceclosetothedetective’s.

“MyGod,Rush,whatareyousaying?Tokillher?”

“Now,now!Takeiteasy.He’snotgoingtokillher.Idon’tthinkheevermeantto.Butheclaimshewashiredtodoit.”

“You’vearrestedhim?You’vefoundthemanwhohiredhim?”

Thedetectivesquinteduphisbloodshoteyesandstudiedtheyoungerman’spassionateface.

“Asamatteroffact,”hecroakedcalmlywhenhehadfinishedhisexamination,“Ihaven’tdoneeitherofthosethings.She’sinnodangerjustnow.Maybetheladwasstringingme,maybehewasn’t,buteitherwayhewouldn’thavespilledittomeifhemeanttodoanything.Andwhenitcomesrightdowntoit,Mr.Millar,doyouwanthimarrested?”

“Yes!Thatis—”Millarsteppedbackfromthedesk,saggedlimplydownonthechairagain,andputshakinghandsoverhisface.“MyGod,Rush,Idon’tknow!”hegasped.

“Exactly,”saidAlecRush.“Nowhereitis.Mrs.LandowwasJeromeFalsoner’snieceandheir.Sheworkedforyourtrustcompany.ShemarriedLandowthemorningherunclewasfounddead.YesterdayLandowvisitedthebuildingwhereMadelineBoudinlives.ShewasthelastpersonknowntohavebeeninFalsoner’sroomsbeforehewaskilled.Butheralibiseemstobeasair-tightastheLandows’.ThemanwhoclaimshewashiredtokillMrs.LandowalsovisitedMadelineBoudin’sbuildingyesterday.Isawhimgoin.Isawhimmeetanotherwoman.Ashoplifter,thesecondone.InherroomsIfoundaphotographofHubertLandow.YourdarkmanclaimshewashiredtwicetokillMrs.Landow—bytwowomenneitherknowingtheotherhadhiredhim.Hewon’ttellmewhotheyare,buthedoesn’thaveto.”

ThehoarsevoicestoppedandAlecRushwaitedforMillartospeak.ButMillarwasforthetimewithoutavoice.Hiseyeswerewideanddespairinglyempty.AlecRushraisedonebighand,foldeditintoafistthatwasalmostperfectlyspherical,andthumpedhisdesksoftly.

“Thereitis,Mr.Millar,”herasped.“Aprettytangle.Ifyou’lltellmewhatyouknow,we’llgetitstraightenedout,neverfear.Ifyoudon’t—I’mout!”

NowMillarfoundwords,howeverjumbled.

“Youcouldn’t,Rush!Youcan’tdesertme—us—her!It’snot—You’renot—“

ButAlecRushshookhisuglypear-shapedheadwithslowemphasis.

“There’smurderinthisandtheLordknowswhatall.I’vegotnolikingforablindfoldedgame.HowdoIknowwhatyou’reupto?Youcantellmewhatyouknow—everything—oryoucanfindyourselfanotherdetective.That’sflat.”

RalphMillar’sfingerspickedateachother,histeethpulledathislips,hisharassedeyespleadedwiththedetective.

“Youcan’t,Rush,”hebegged.“She’sstillindanger.Evenifyouarerightaboutthatmannotattackingher,she’snotsafe.Thewomenwhohiredhimcanhireanother.You’vegottoprotecther,Rush.”

“Yeah?Thenyou’vegottotalk.”

“I’vegotto—?Yes,I’lltalk,Rush.I’lltellyouanythingyouask.Butthere’sreallynothing—oralmostnothing—Iknowbeyondwhatyou’vealreadylearned.”

“Sheworkedforyourtrustcompany?”

“Yes,inmydepartment.”

“Lefttheretobemarried?”

“Yes.Thatis—No,Rush,thetruthisshewasdischarged.Itwasanoutrage,but—“

“Whenwasthis?”

“Itwasthedaybeforethe—beforeshewasmarried.”

“Tellmeaboutit.”

“Shehad—I’llhavetoexplainhersituationtoyoufirst,Rush.Sheisanorphan.Herfather,BenFalsoner,hadbeenwildinhisyouth—andperhapsnotonlyinhisyouth—asIbelievealltheFalsonershavebeen.However,hehad

quarrelledwithhisfather—oldHowardFalsoner—andtheoldmanhadcuthimoutofthewill.Butnotaltogetherout.TheoldmanhopedBenwouldmendhisways,andhedidn’tmeantoleavehimwithnothinginthatevent.Unfortunatelyhetrustedittohisotherson,Jerome.

“OldHowardFalsonerleftawillwherebytheincomefromhisestatewastogotoJeromeduringJerome’slife.Jeromewastoprovideforhisbrother,Ben,ashesawfit.Thatis,hehadanabsolutelyfreehand.Hecoulddividetheincomeequallywithhisbrother,orhecouldgivehimapittance,orhecouldgivehimnothing,asBen’sconductdeserved.OnJerome’sdeaththeestatewastobedividedequallyamongtheoldman’sgrandchildren.

“Intheory,thatwasafairlysensiblearrangement,butnotinpractice—notinJeromeFalsoner’shands.Youdidn’tknowhim?Well,hewasthelastmanyou’devertrustwithathingofthatsort.Heexercisedhispowertotheutmost.BenFalsonernevergotacentfromhim.ThreeyearsagoBendied,andsothegirl,hisonlydaughter,steppedintohispositioninrelationtohergrandfather’smoney.Hermotherwasalreadydead.JeromeFalsonerneverpaidheracent.

“Thatwashersituationwhenshecametothetrustcompanytwoyearsago.Itwasn’tahappyone.ShehadatleastatouchoftheFalsonerrecklessnessandextravagance.Thereshewas:heiresstosometwomilliondollars—forJeromehadnevermarriedandshewastheonlygrandchild—butwithoutanypresentincomeatall,excepthersalary,whichwasbynomeansalargeone.

“Shegotindebt.Isupposeshetriedtoeconomiseattimes,buttherewasalwaysthattwomilliondollarsaheadtomakescrimpingdoublydistasteful.Finally,thetrustcompanyofficialsheardofherindebtedness.Acollectorortwocametotheoffice,infact.Sinceshewasemployedinmydepartment,Ihadthedisagreeabledutyofwarningher.Shepromisedtopayherdebtsandcontractnomore,andIsupposeshedidtry,butshewasn’tverysuccessful.Ourofficialsareold-fashioned,ultra-conservative.IdideverythingIcouldtosaveher,butitwasnogood.Theysimplywouldnothaveanemployeewhowasheelsoverheadindebt.”

Millarpausedamoment,lookedmiserablyatthefloor,andwenton:

“Ihadthedisagreeabletaskoftellingherherserviceswerenolongerneeded.Itriedto—Itwasawfullyunpleasant.Thatwasthedaybeforeshemarried

Landow.It—”Hepausedand,asifhecouldthinkofnothingelsetosay,repeated,“Yes,itwasthedaybeforeshemarriedLandow,”andfelltostaringmiserablyattheflooragain.

AlecRush,whohadsatasstillthroughtherecitalofthishistoryasacarvenmonsteronanoldchurch,nowleanedoverhisdeskandputahuskyquestion:

“AndwhoisthisHubertLandow?Whatishe?”

RalphMillarshookhisdowncasthead.

“Idon’tknowhim.I’veseenhim.Iknownothingofhim.”

“Mrs.Landoweverspeakofhim?Imeanwhenshewasinthetrustcompany?”

“It’slikely,butIdon’tremember.”

“Soyoudidn’tknowwhattomakeofitwhenyouheardshe’dmarriedhim?”

Theyoungermanlookedupwithfrightenedbrowneyes.

“Whatareyougettingat,Rush?Youdon’tthink—Yes,asyousay,Iwassurprised.Whatareyougettingat?”

“Themarriagelicense,”thedetectivesaid,ignoringhisclient’srepeatedquestion,“wasissuedtoLandowfourdaysbeforethewedding-day,fourdaysbeforeJeromeFalsoner’sbodywasfound.”

Millarchewedafingernailandshookhisheadhopelessly.

“Idon’tknowwhatyou’regettingat,”hemumbledaroundthefinger.“Thewholethingisbewildering.”

“Isn’titafact,Mr.Millar,”thedetective’svoicefilledtheofficewithhoarseinsistence,“thatyouwereonmorefriendlytermswithSaraFalsonerthanwithanyoneelseinthetrustcompany?”

TheyoungermanraisedhisheadandlookedAlecRushintheeye—heldhisgazewithbrowneyesthatweredoggedlylevel.

“Thefactis,”hesaidquietly,“thatIaskedSaraFalsonertomarrymetheday

sheleft.”

“Yeah.Andshe—?”

“Andshe—Isupposeitwasmyfault.Iwasclumsy,crude,whateveryoulike.Godknowswhatshethought—thatIwasaskinghertomarrymeoutofpity,thatIwastryingtoforceherintomarriagebydischargingherwhenIknewshewasoverherheadindebt!Shemighthavethoughtanything.Anyhow,itwas—itwasdisagreeable.”

“Youmeanshenotonlyrefusedyou,butwas—well—disagreeableaboutit?”

“Idomeanthat.”

AlecRushsatbackinhischairandbroughtfreshgrotesqueriesintohisfacebytwistinghisthickmouthcrookedlyupatonecorner.Hisredeyeswereevillyreflectiveontheceiling.

“Theonlythingforit,”hedecided,“istogotoLandowandgivehimwhatwe’vegot.”

“Butareyousurehe—?”Millarobjectedindefinitely.

“Unlesshe’sonewhaleofanactor,he’salotinlovewithhiswife,”thedetectivesaidwithcertainty.“That’senoughtojustifytakingthestorytohim.”

Millarwasnotconvinced.

“You’resureitwouldbewisest?”

“Yeah.We’vegottogotooneofthreepeoplewiththetale—him,her,orthepolice.Ithinkhe’sthebestbet,buttakeyourchoice.”

Theyoungermannoddedreluctantly.

“Allright.Butyoudon’thavetobringmeintoit,doyou?”hesaidwithquickalarm.“YoucanhandleitsoIwon’tbeinvolved.YouunderstandwhatImean?She’shiswife,anditwouldbe—“

“Sure,”AlecRushpromised;“I’llkeepyoucoveredup.”

HubertLandow,twistingthedetective’scardinhisfingers,receivedAlecRushinasomewhatluxuriouslyfurnishedroominthesecondstoryoftheCharles-StreetAvenuehouse.Hewasstanding—tall,blond,boyishlyhandsome—inthemiddleofthefloor,facingthedoor,whenthedetective—fat,grizzled,battered,andugly—wasshownin.

“Youwishtoseeme?Here,sitdown.”

HubertLandow’smannerwasneitherrestrainednorhearty.Itwaspreciselythemannerthatmightbeexpectedofayoungmanreceivinganunexpectedcallfromsosavage-visagedadetective.

“Yeah,”saidAlecRushastheysatinfacingchairs.“I’vegotsomethingtotellyou.Itwon’ttakemuchtime,butit’skindofwild.Itmightbeasurprisetoyou,anditmightnot.Butit’sonthelevel.Idon’twantyoutothinkI’mkiddingyou.”

HubertLandowbentforward,hisfaceallinterest.

“Iwon’t,”hepromised.“Goon.”

“AcoupleofdaysagoIgotalineonamanwhomightbetiedupinajobI’minterestedin.He’sacrook.Trailinghimaround,Idiscoveredhewasinterestedinyouraffairs,andyourwife’s.He’sshadowedyouandhe’sshadowedher.HewasloafingdownthestreetfromaMountRoyalAvenueapartmentthatyouwentinyesterday,andhewentintherelaterhimself.”

“Butwhatthedevilisheupto?”Landowexclaimed.“Youthinkhe’s—“

“Wait,”theuglymanadvised.“Waituntilyou’vehearditall,andthenyoucantellmewhatyoumakeofit.HecameoutofthereandwenttoCamdenStation,wherehemetayoungwoman.Theytalkedabit,andlaterintheafternoonshewaspickedupinadepartmentstore—shoplifting.HernameisPollyBangs,andshe’sdoneahitchinWisconsinforthesameracket.Yourphotographwasonherdresser.”

“Myphotograph?”

AlecRushnoddedplacidlyupintothefaceoftheyoungman,whowasnowstanding.

“Yours.YouknowthisPollyBangs?Achunky,square-builtgirloftwenty-sixorso,withbrownhairandeyes—saucylooking?”

HubertLandow’sfacewasapuzzledblank.

“No!Whatthedevilcouldshebedoingwithmypicture?”hedemanded.“Areyousureitwasmine?”

“Notdeadsure,maybe,butsureenoughtoneedproofthatitwasn’t.Maybeshe’ssomebodyyou’veforgotten,ormaybesheranacrossthepicturesomewhereandkeptitbecauseshelikedit.”

“Nonsense!”Theblondmansquirmedatthistributetohisface,andblushedavividredbesidewhichAlecRush’scomplexionwasalmostcolourless.“Theremustbesomesensiblereason.Shehasbeenarrested,yousay?”

“Yeah,butshe’soutonbailnow.Butletmegetalongwithmystory.LastnightthisthugI’vetoldyouaboutandIhadatalk.Heclaimshehasbeenhiredtokillyourwife.”

HubertLandow,whohadreturnedtohischair,nowjerkedinitsothatitsjointscreakedstrainingly.Hisface,crimsonasecondago,drainedpaper-white.Anothersoundthanthechair’screakingwasfaintintheroom:theleastofmuffledgasps.Theblondyoungmandidnotseemtohearit,butAlecRush’sbloodshoteyesflickedsidewiseforaninstanttofocusfleetinglyonacloseddooracrosstheroom.

Landowwasoutofhischairagain,leaningdowntothedetective,hisfingersdiggingintotheuglyman’sloosemuscularshoulders.

“Thisishorrible!”hewascrying.“We’vegotto—“

Thedooratwhichthedetectivehadlookedamomentagoopened.Abeautifultallgirlcamethrough—SaraLandow.Herrumpledhairwasanauburncloudaroundherwhiteface.Hereyesweredeadthings.Shewalkedslowlytowardthemen,herbodyinclinedalittleforward,asifagainstastrongwind.

“It’snouse,Hubert.”Hervoicewasasdeadashereyes.“Wemayaswellfaceit.It’sMadelineBoudin.ShehasfoundoutthatIkilledmyuncle.”

“Hush,darling,hush!”Landowcaughthiswifeinhisarmsandtriedtosootheherwithacaressinghandonhershoulder.“Youdon’tknowwhatyou’resaying.”

“Oh,butIdo.”SheshruggedherselflistlesslyoutofhisarmsandsatinthechairAlecRushhadjustvacated.“It’sMadelineBoudin,youknowitis.SheknowsIkilledUncleJerome.”

Landowwhirledtothedetective,bothhandsgoingouttogriptheuglyman’sarm.

“Youwon’tlistentowhatshe’ssaying,Rush?”hepleaded.“Shehasn’tbeenwell.Shedoesn’tknowwhatshe’ssaying.”

SaraLandowlaughedwithwearybitterness.

“Haven’tbeenwell?”shesaid.“No,Ihaven’tbeenwell,notsinceIkilledhim.HowcouldIbewellafterthat?Youareadetective.”HereyesliftedtheiremptinesstoAlecRush.“Arrestme.IkilledJeromeFalsoner.”

AlecRush,standingarmsakimbo,legsapart,scowledather,sayingnothing.

“Youcan’t,Rush!”Landowwastuggingatthedetective’sarmagain.“Youcan’t,man.It’sridiculous!You—“

“WheredoesthisMadelineBoudinfitin?”AlecRush’sharshvoicedemanded.“IknowshewaschummywithJerome,butwhyshouldshewantyourwifekilled?”

Landowhesitated,shiftinghisfeet,andwhenhereplieditwasreluctantly.

“ShewasJerome’smistress,hadachildbyhim.Mywife,whenshelearnedofit,insistedonmakingherasettlementoutoftheestate.ItwasinconnectionwiththatthatIwenttoseeheryesterday.”

“Yeah.NowtogetbacktoJerome:youandyourwifeweresupposedtobeinherapartmentatthetimehewaskilled,ifIrememberright?”

SaraLandowsighedwithspiritlessimpatience.

“Musttherebeallthisdiscussion?”sheaskedinasmall,tiredvoice.“Ikilledhim.Nooneelsekilledhim.NooneelsewastherewhenIkilledhim.Istabbedhimwiththepaper-knifewhenheattackedme,andhesaid,‘Don’t!Don’t!’andbegantocry,downonhisknees,andIranout.”

AlecRushlookedfromthegirltotheman.Landow’sfacewaswetwithperspiration,hishandswerewhitefists,andsomethingquiveredinhischest.Whenhespokehisvoicewasashoarseasthedetective’s,ifnotsoloud.

“Sara,willyouwaithereuntilIcomeback?I’mgoingoutforalittlewhile,possiblyanhour.You’llwaithereandnotdoanythinguntilIreturn?”

“Yes,”thegirlsaid,neithercuriositynorinterestinhervoice.“Butit’snouse,Hubert.Ishouldhavetoldyouinthebeginning.It’snouse.”

“Justwaitforme,Sara,”hepleaded,andthenbenthisheadtothedetective’sdeformedear.“Staywithher,Rush,forGod’ssake!”hewhispered,andwentswiftlyoutoftheroom.

Thefrontdoorbangedshut.Anautomobilepurredawayfromthehouse.AlecRushspoketothegirl.

“Where’sthephone?”

“Inthenextroom,”shesaid,withoutlookingupfromthehandkerchiefherfingersweremeasuring.

Thedetectivecrossedtothedoorthroughwhichshehadenteredtheroom,foundthatitopenedintoalibrary,whereatelephonestoodinacorner.Ontheothersideoftheroomaclockindicated3:35.ThedetectivewenttothetelephoneandcalledRalphMillar’soffice,askedforMillar,andtoldhim:

“ThisisRush.I’mattheLandows’.Comeuprightaway.”

“ButIcan’t,Rush.Can’tyouunderstandmy—“

“Can’thell!”croakedAlecRush.“Getherequick!”

Theyoungwomanwithdeadeyes,stillplayingwiththehemofherhandkerchief,didnotlookupwhentheuglymanreturnedtotheroom.Neither

ofthemspoke.AlecRush,standingwithhisbacktoawindow,twicetookouthiswatchtoglaresavagelyatit.

Thefainttinglingofthedoorbellcamefrombelow.Thedetectivewentacrosstothehalldooranddownthefrontstairs,movingwithheavyswiftness.RalphMillar,hisfaceafieldinwhichfearandembarrassmentfought,stoodinthevestibule,stammeringsomethingunintelligibletothemaidwhohadopenedthedoor.AlecRushputthegirlbrusquelyaside,broughtMillarin,guidedhimupstairs.

“ShesaysshekilledJerome,”hemutteredintohisclient’searastheymounted.

RalphMillar’sfacewentdreadfullywhite,buttherewasnosurpriseinit.

“Youknewshekilledhim?”AlecRushgrowled.

Millartriedtwicetospeakandmadenosound.Theywereonthesecond-floorlandingbeforethewordscame.

“Isawheronthestreetthatnight,goingtowardhisflat!”

AlecRushsnortedviciouslyandturnedtheyoungermantowardtheroomwhereSaraLandowsat.

“Landow’sout,”hewhisperedhurriedly.“I’mgoingout.Staywithher.She’sshotto,hell—likelytodoanythingifshe’sleftalone.IfLandowgetsbackbeforeIdo,tellhimtowaitforme.”

BeforeMillarcouldvoicetheconfusioninhisfacetheywereacrossthesillandintotheroom.SaraLandowraisedherhead.Herbodywasliftedfromthechairasifbyaninvisiblepower.Shecameuptallanderectonherfeet.Millarstoodjustinsidethedoor.Theylookedeyeintoeye,posedeachasifinthegripofaforcepushingthemtogether,anotherholdingthemapart.

AlecRushhurriedclumsilyandsilentlydowntothestreet.

InMountRoyalAvenue,AlecRushsawtheblueroadsteratonce.ItwasstandingemptybeforetheapartmentbuildinginwhichMadelineBoudinlived.Thedetectivedrovepastitandturnedhiscoupeintothecurbthreeblocksbelow.HehadbarelycometoresttherewhenLandowranoutoftheapartment

building,jumpedintohiscar,anddroveoff.HedrovetoaCharlesStreethotel.Behindhimwentthedetective.

Inthehotel,Landowwalkedstraighttothewriting-room.Forhalfanhourhesatthere,bendingoveradesk,coveringsheetaftersheetofpaperwithrapidlywrittenwords,whilethedetectivesatbehindanewspaperinasecludedangleofthelobby,watchingthewriting-roomexit.Landowcameoutoftheroomstuffingathickenvelopeinhispocket,leftthehotel,gotintohismachine,anddrovetotheofficeofamessengerservicecompanyinSt.PaulStreet.

Heremainedinthisofficeforfiveminutes.Whenhecameoutheignoredhisroadsteratthecurb,walkinginsteadtoCalvertStreet,whereheboardedanorthboundstreetcar.AlecRush’scouperolledalongbehindthecar.AtUnionStation,Landowleftthestreetcarandwenttotheticket-window.Hehadjustaskedforaone-waytickettoPhiladelphiawhenAlecRushtappedhimontheshoulder.

HubertLandowturnedslowly,themoneyforhisticketstillinhishand.Recognitionbroughtnoexpressiontohishandsomeface.

“Yes,”hesaidcoolly,“whatisit?”

AlecRushnoddedhisuglyheadattheticket-window,atthemoneyinLandow’shand.

“Thisisnothingforyoutobedoing,”hegrowled.

“Hereyouare,”theticket-sellersaidthroughhisgrille.Neitherofthemeninfrontpaidanyattentiontohim.Alargewomaninpink,red,andviolet,jostlingLandow,steppedonhisfootandpushedpasthimtothewindow.Landowsteppedback,thedetectivefollowing.

“Youshouldn’thaveleftSaraalone,”saidLandow.“She’s—“

“She’snotalone.Igotsomebodytostaywithher.”

“Not—?”

“Notthepolice,ifthat’swhatyou’rethinking.”

Landowbegantopaceslowlydownthelongconcourse,thedetectivekeepingstepwithhim.Theblondmanstoppedandlookedsharplyintotheother’sface.

“IsitthatfellowMillarwho’swithher?”hedemanded.

“Yeah.”

“Ishethemanyou’reworkingfor,Rush?”

“Yeah.”

Landowresumedhiswalking.Whentheyhadreachedthenorthernextremityoftheconcourse,hespokeagain.

“Whatdoeshewant,thisMillar?”

AlecRushshruggedhisthick,limbershouldersandsaidnothing.

“Well,whatdoyouwant?”theyoungmanaskedwithsomeheat,facingthedetectivesquarelynow.

“Idon’twantyougoingoutoftown.”

Landowponderedthat,scowling.

“SupposeIinsistongoing,”heasked,“howwillyoustopme?”

“AccompliceafterthefactinJerome’smurderwouldbeachargeIcouldholdyouon.”

Silenceagain,untilbrokenbyLandow.

“Lookhere,Rush.You’reworkingforMillar.He’soutatmyhouse.I’vejustsentaletterouttoSarabymessenger.Givethemtimetoreadit,andthenphoneMillarthere.Askhimifhewantsmeheldornot.”

AlecRushshookhisheaddecidedly.

“Nogood,”herasped.“Millar’stoorattle-brainedformetotakehiswordforanythinglikethatoverthephone.We’llgobackthereandhaveatalkallaround.”

NowitwasLandowwhobalked.

“No,”hesnapped.“Iwon’t!”Helookedwithcoolcalculationatthedetective’suglyface.“CanIbuyyou,Rush?”

“No,Landow.Don’tletmylooksandmyrecordkidyou.”

“Ithoughtnot.”Landowlookedattheroofandathisfeet,andheblewhisbreathoutsharply.“Wecan’ttalkhere.Let’sfindaquietplace.”

“Theheap’soutside,”AlecRushsaid,“andwecansitinthat.”

SeatedinAlecRush’scoupe,HubertLandowlightedacigarette,thedetectiveoneofhisblackcigars.

“ThatPollyBangsyouweretalkingabout,Rush,”theblondmansaidwithoutpreamble,“ismywife.MynameisHenryBangs.Youwon’tfindmyfingerprintsanywhere.WhenPollywaspickedupinMilwaukeeacoupleofyearsagoandsentover,IcameeastandfellinwithMadelineBoudin.Wemadeagoodteam.Shehadbrainsinchunks,andifI’vegotsomebodytodomythinkingforme,I’maprettygoodworkermyself.”

Hesmiledatthedetective,pointingathisownfacewithhiscigarette.WhileAlecRushwatched,atideofcrimsonsurgedintotheblondman’sfaceuntilitwasasrosyasablushingschool-girl’s.Helaughedagainandtheblushbegantofade.

“That’smybesttrick,”hewenton.“Easyifyouhavethegiftandkeepinpractice:fillyourlungs,trytoforcetheairoutwhilekeepingitshutoffatthelarynx.It’sagoldmineforagrifter!You’dbesurprisedhowpeoplewilltrustmeafterI’veturnedonablushortwofor‘em.SoMadelineandIwereinthemoney.Shehadbrains,nerve,andagoodfront.Ihaveeverythingbutbrains.Weturnedacoupleoftricks—oneconandoneblackmail—andthensheranintoJeromeFalsoner.Weweregoingtogivehimthesqueezeatfirst.ButwhenMadelinefoundoutthatSarawashisheiress,thatshewasindebt,andthatsheandherunclewereontheouts,weditchedthatracketandcookedajuicierone.MadelinefoundsomebodytointroducemetoSara.Imademyselfagreeable,playingtheboob—theshybutworshipfulyoungman.

“Madelinehadbrains,asI’vesaid.Sheused‘emallthistime.Ihungaround

Sara,sendinghercandy,books,flowers,takinghertoshowsanddinner.ThebooksandshowswerepartofMadeline’swork.Twoofthebooksmentionedthefactthatahusbandcan’tbemadetotestifyagainsthiswifeincourt,norwifeagainsthusband.Oneoftheplaystouchedthesamething.Thatwasplantingtheseeds.Weplantedanotherwithmyblushingandmumbling—persuadedSara,orratherletherdiscoverforherself,thatIwastheclumsiestliarintheworld.

“Theplantingdone,webegantopushthegamealong.MadelinekeptongoodtermswithJerome.Sarawasgettingdeeperindebt.Wehelpedherinstilldeeper.Wehadaburglarcleanoutherapartmentonenight—RubySweeger,maybeyouknowhim.He’sinstirnowforanothercaper.Hegotwhatmoneyshehadandmostofthethingsshecouldhavehockedinapinch.Thenwestirredupsomeofthepeoplesheowed,sentthemanonymousletterswarningthemnottocounttoomuchonherbeingJerome’sheir.Foolishletters,buttheydidthetrick.Acoupleofhercreditorssentcollectorstothetrustcompany.

“Jeromegothisincomefromtheestatequarterly.Madelineknewthedates,andSaraknewthem.Thedaybeforethenextone,MadelinegotbusyonSara’screditorsagain.Idon’tknowwhatshetoldthemthistime,butitwasenough.Theydescendedonthetrustcompanyinaflock,withtheresultthatthenextdaySarawasgiventwoweeks’payanddischarged.WhenshecameoutImether—bychance—yes,I’dbeenwatchingforhersincemorning.Itookherforadriveandgotherbacktoherapartmentatsixo’clock.Therewefoundmorefranticcreditorswaitingtopounceonher.Ichasedthemout,playedthebig-heartedboy,makingembarrassedoffersofallsortsofhelp.Sherefusedthem,ofcourse,andIcouldseedecisioncomingintoherface.SheknewthiswasthedayonwhichJeromegothisquarterlycheck.Shedeterminedtogoseehim,todemandthathepayherdebtsatleast.Shedidn’ttellmewhereshewasgoing,butIcouldseeitplainenough,sinceIwaslookingforit.

“Ileftherandwaitedacrossthestreetfromherapartment,inFranklinSquare,untilIsawhercomeout.ThenIfoundatelephone,calledupMadeline,andtoldherSarawasonherwaytoheruncle’sflat.”

Landow’scigarettescorchedhisfingers.Hedroppedit,crusheditunderhisfoot,lightedanother.

“Thisisalong-windedstory,Rush,”heapologised,“butit’llsoonbeovernow.”

“Keeptalking,son,”saidAlecRush.

“ThereweresomepeopleinMadeline’splacewhenIphonedher—peopletryingtopersuadehertogodownthecountryonaparty.Sheagreednow.Theywouldgiveheranevenbetteralibithantheoneshehadcookedup.ShetoldthemshehadtoseeJeromebeforesheleft,andtheydroveherovertohisplaceandwaitedintheircarwhileshewentinwithhim.

“Shehadapintbottleofcognacwithher,alldopedandready.ShepouredoutadrinkofitforJerome,tellinghimofthenewbootleggershehadfoundwhohadadozenormorecasesofthiscognactosellatareasonableprice.ThecognacwasgoodenoughandthepricelowenoughtomakeJeromethinkshehaddroppedintolethiminonsomethinggood.Hegaveheranordertopassontothebootlegger.Makingsurehissteelpaper-knifewasinfullviewonthetable,Madelinerejoinedherfriends,takingJeromeasfarasthedoorsotheywouldseehewasstillalive,anddroveoff.

“NowIdon’tknowwhatMadelinehadputinthatcognac.Ifshetoldme,I’veforgotten.Itwasapowerfuldrug—notapoison,youunderstand,butanexcitant.You’llseewhatImeanwhenyouheartherest.Saramusthavereachedheruncle’sflattenorfifteenminutesafterMadeline’sdeparture.Heruncle’sface,shesays,wasred,inflamed,whenheopenedthedoorforher.Buthewasafrailman,whileshewasstrong,andshewasn’tafraidofthedevilhimself,forthatmatter.Shewentinanddemandedthathesettleherdebts,evenifhedidn’tchoosetomakeheranallowanceoutofhisincome.

“TheywerebothFalsoners,andtheargumentmusthavegrownhot.AlsothedrugwasworkingonJerome,andhehadnowillwithwhichtofightit.Heattackedher.Thepaper-knifewasonthetable,asMadelinehadseen.Hewasamaniac.Sarawasnotoneofyourcorner-huddling,screaminggirls.Shegrabbedthepaper-knifeandlethimhaveit.Whenhefell,sheturnedandran.

“HavingfollowedherassoonasI’dfinishedtelephoningtoMadeline,IwasstandingonJerome’sfrontstepswhenshedashedout.Istoppedherandshetoldmeshe’dkilledheruncle.ImadeherwaittherewhileIwentin,toseeifhewasreallydead.ThenItookherhome,explainingmypresenceatJerome’sdoorbysaying,inmyboobish,awkwardway,thatIhadbeenafraidshemightdosomethingrecklessandhadthoughtitbesttokeepaneyeonher.

“Backinherapartment,shewasallforgivingherselfuptothepolice.Ipointedoutthedangerinthat,arguingthat,indebt,admittedlygoingtoheruncleformoney,beinghisheiress,shewouldmostcertainlybeconvictedofhavingmurderedhimsoshewouldgetthemoney.Herstoryofhisattack,Ipersuadedher,wouldbelaughedatasaflimsyyarn.Dazed,shewasn’thardtoconvince.Thenextstepwaseasy.Thepolicewouldinvestigateher,eveniftheydidn’tespeciallysuspecther.Iwas,sofarasweknew,theonlypersonwhosetestimonycouldconvicther.Iwasloyalenough,butwasn’tItheclumsiestliarintheworld?Didn’tthemildestliemakemeblushlikeanauctioneer’sflag?ThewayaroundthatdifficultylayinwhattwoofthebooksIhadgivenher,andoneoftheplayswehadseen,hadshown:ifIwasherhusbandIcouldn’tbemadetotestifyagainsther.Weweremarriedthenextmorning,onalicenseIhadbeencarryingfornearlyaweek.

“Well,therewewere.Iwasmarriedtoher.Shehadacoupleofmillioncomingwhenheruncle’saffairswerestraightenedout.Shecouldn’tpossibly,itseemed,escapearrestandconviction.Evenifnoonehadseenherenteringorleavingheruncle’sflat,everythingstillpointedtoherguilt,andthefoolishcourseIhadpersuadedhertofollowwouldsimplyruinherchanceofpleadingself-defence.Iftheyhangedher,thetwomillionwouldcometome.Ifshegotalongterminprison,I’dhavethehandlingofthemoneyatleast.”

Landowdroppedandcrushedhissecondcigaretteandstaredforamomentstraightaheadintodistance.

“DoyoubelieveinGod,orProvidence,orFate,oranyofthat,Rush?”heasked.“Well,somebelieveinonethingandsomeinanother,butlisten.Sarawasneverarrested,neverevenreallysuspected.ItseemstherewassomesortofFinnorSwedewhohadhadarun-inwithJeromeandthreatenedhim.Isupposehecouldn’taccountforhiswhereaboutsthenightofthekilling,sohewentintohidingwhenheheardofJerome’smurder.Thepolicesuspicionsettledonhim.TheylookedSaraup,ofcourse,butnotverythoroughly.Nooneseemstohaveseenherinthestreet,andthepeopleinherapartmenthouse,havingseenhercomeinatsixo’clockwithme,andnothavingseenher—ornotrememberingiftheydid—gooutorinagain,toldthepoliceshehadbeeninallevening.ThepoliceweretoomuchinterestedinthemissingFinn,orwhateverhewas,tolookanyfurtherintoSara’saffairs.

“Sotherewewereagain.Iwasmarriedintothemoney,butIwasn’tfixedsoI

couldhandMadelinehercut.Madelinesaidwe’dletthingsrunalongastheywereuntiltheestatewassettledup,andthenwecouldtipSaraofftothepolice.Butbythetimethemoneywassettleduptherewasanotherhitch.Thisonewasmydoing.I—I—well,Iwantedtogoonjustaswewere.Consciencehadnothingtodowithit,youunderstand?Itwassimplythat—well—thatlivingonwithSarawastheonlythingIwanted.Iwasn’tevensorryforwhatI’ddone,becauseifithadn’tbeenforthatIwouldneverhavehadher.

“Idon’tknowwhetherIcanmakethiscleartoyou,Rush,butevennowIdon’tregretanyofit.Ifitcouldhavebeendifferent—butitcouldn’t.Ithadtobethiswayornone.AndI’vehadthosesixmonths.IcanseethatI’vebeenachump.Sarawasneverforme.Igotherbyacrimeandatrick,andwhileIheldontoasillyhopethatsomedayshe’d—she’dlookatmeasIdidather,Iknewinmyheartallthetimeitwasnouse.Therehadbeenaman—yourMillar.She’sfreenowthatit’soutaboutmybeingmarriedtoPolly,andIhopeshe—Ihope—Well,Madelinebegantohowlforaction.ItoldSarathatMadelinehadhadachildbyJerome,andSaraagreedtosettlesomemoneyonher.Butthatdidn’tsatisfyMadeline.Itwasn’tsentimentwithher.Imean,itwasn’tanyfeelingforme,itwasjustthemoney.Shewantedeverycentshecouldget,andshecouldn’tgetenoughtosatisfyherinasettlementofthekindSarawantedtomake.

“WithPolly,itwasthattoo,butmaybealittlemore.She’sfondofme,Ithink.Idon’tknowhowshetracedmehereaftershegotoutoftheWisconsinbighouse,butIcanseehowshefiguredthings.Iwasmarriedtoawealthywoman.Ifthewomandied—shotbyabanditinahold-upattempt—thenI’dhavemoney,andPollywouldhavebothmeandmoney.Ihaven’tseenher,wouldn’tknowshewasinBaltimoreifyouhadn’ttoldme,butthat’sthewayitwouldworkoutinhermind.ThekillingideawouldhaveoccurredjustaseasilytoMadeline.IhadtoldherIwouldn’tstandforpushingthegamethroughonSara.MadelineknewthatifshewentaheadonherownhookandhungtheFalsonermurderonSaraI’dblowupthewholeracket.ButifSaradied,thenI’dhavethemoneyandMadelinewoulddrawhercut.Sothatwasit.

“Ididn’tknowthatuntilyoutoldme,Rush.Idon’tgiveadamnforyouropinionofme,butit’sGod’struththatIdidn’tknowthateitherPollyorMadelinewastryingtohaveSarakilled.Well,that’saboutall.WereyoushadowingmewhenIwenttothehotel?”

“Yeah.”

“Ithoughtso.ThatletterIwroteandsenthometoldjustaboutwhatI’vetoldyou,spilledthewholestory.Iwasgoingtorunforit,leavingSaraintheclear.She’sclear,allright,butnowI’llhavetofaceit.ButIdon’twanttoseeheragain,Rush.”

“Iwouldn’tthinkyouwould,”thedetectiveagreed.“Notaftermakingakillerofher.”

“ButIdidn’t,”Landowprotested.“Sheisn’t.Iforgottotellyouthat,butIputitintheletter.JeromeFalsonerwasnotdead,notevendying,whenIwentpastherintotheflat.Theknifewastoohighinhischest.Ikilledhim,drivingtheknifeintothesamewoundagain,butdownward.That’swhatIwentinfor,tomakesurehewasfinished!”

AlecRushscreweduphissavagebloodshoteyes,lookedlongintotheconfessedmurderer’sface.

“That’salie,”hecroakedatlast,“butadecentone.Areyousureyouwanttosticktoit?Thetruthwillbeenoughtoclearthegirl,andmaybewon’tswingyou.”

“Whatdifferencedoesitmake?”theyoungermanasked.“I’magonebabyanyhow.AndImightaswellputSaraintheclearwithherselfaswellaswiththelaw.I’mcaughttorightsandanotherrapwon’thurt.ItoldyouMadelinehadbrains.Iwasafraidofthem.She’dhavehadsomethinguphersleevetospringonus—toruinSarawith.Shecouldout-smartmewithouttrying.Icouldn’ttakeanychances.”

HelaughedintoAlecRush’suglyfaceand,withasomewhattheatricalgesture,jerkedonecuffaninchortwooutofhiscoat-sleeve.Thecuffwasstilldampwithamaroonstain.

“IkilledMadelineanhourago,”saidHenryBangs,aliasHubertLandow.