Mrs. Frost wasn't doing any sagging, but looked pale in black clothes.
Helen, in a dark brown suit with a hat to match, twisted her fingers together as soon as she sat down and put her eyes on Wolfe, and stayed that way.
Dudley looked at everybody and squirmed.
Wolfe had murmured to the inspector:
“Your man, Mr. Cramer.
If he would wait in the kitchen?”
Cramer grunted.
“He's all right.
He won't bite anybody.”
Wolfe shook his head.
“We won't need him.
The kitchen would be better for him.”
Cramer looked as if he'd like to argue, but called it off with a shrug.
He turned:
“Go on out to the kitchen, Stebbins. I'll yell if I want you.”
Purley, with a sour glance at me, turned and went.
Wolfe waited until the door had closed behind him before he spoke, looking around at them:
“And here we are.
Though I am aware that you came at Mr. Cramer's invitation, nevertheless I thank you for coming.
It was desirable to have you all here, though nothing will be expected of you-”
Dudley Frost blurted,
“We came because we had to!. You know that!
What else could we do, with the attitude the police are taking?”
“Mr. Frost. Please-”
“There's no please to it!
I just want to say, it's a good thing nothing will be expected of us, because you won't get it!
In view of the ridiculous attitude of the police, we refuse to submit to any further questioning unless we have a lawyer present. I've told Inspector Cramer that!
I, personally, decline to say a word!
Not a word!”
Wolfe wiggled a finger at him.
“On the chance that you mean that, Mr. Frost, I promise not to press you; and we now have another good reason for admitting no lawyers.
I was saying: nothing will be expected of you save to listen to an explanation.
There will be no questioning.
I prefer to do the talking myself, and I have plenty to say. – By the way, Archie, I may as well have that thing handy.”
That was the cue for the first high spot.
For me it wasn't a speaking part, but
I had the business.
I arose and went to the safe and got out Saul's package and put it on the desk in front of Wolfe; but the wrapping paper had been removed before lunch.
What I put there was an old red leather box, faded and scuffed and scarred, about ten inches long and four wide and two deep.
On one side were the backbones of two gilt hinges for the lid, and on the other a small gilt escutcheon with a keyhole.
Wolfe barely glanced at it, and pushed it to one side.
I sat down again and picked up my notebook.
There was some stirring, but no comments.
They all stared at the box, except Helen Frost; she stuck to Wolfe.
Cramer was looking wary and thoughtful, with his eyes glued on the box.
Wolfe spoke with sudden sharpness:
“Archie. We can dispense with notes.
Most of the words will be mine, and I shall not forget them. Please take your gun and keep it in your hand.
If it appears to be needed, use it.
We don't want anyone squirting nitrobenzene around here-that will do, Mr. Frost! I say stop it!