He called here to ask me to accept the trust and the legacy.”
“He named you executor?” Llewellyn was gazing at him incredulously.
“Why, he didn't know you.
Day before yesterday he didn't even want to talk to you…”
“Just so.
That shows the extent of his desperation.
But it is evident that the red box holds the secret of his death. As a matter of fact, Miss Frost, I was glad to see you here today.
I hoped for something from you-a description of the box, if nothing more.”
She shook her head.
“I never saw it.
I didn't know…but I don t understand…if he wanted you to have it, why didn't he tell you yesterday…”
“He intended to.
He didn't get that far.
His last words-his last rutile struggle against his fate-were an effort to tell me where the red box is.
I should inform you: Inspector Cramer has a copy of the will, and at this moment scores of police are searching for the box, so if you or your cousin can give me any hint there is no time to lose. It is desirable for me to get the box first.
Not to protect the murderer, but I have my own way of doing things-and the police have no client but the electric chair.”
Llewellyn said,
“But you say he left it to you, it's your property…”
“Murder evidence is no one's property, once the law touches it.
No, if Mr. Cramer finds it, the best we can hope for is the role of privileged spectator.
So turn your minds back, both of you. Look back at the days, weeks, months, years.
Resurrect, if you can, some remark of Mr. McNair's, some forgotten gesture, perhaps of irritation or embarrassment at being interrupted, perhaps the hurried closing of a drawer, or the unintentional disclosure of a hiding-place.
A remark by someone else who may have had knowledge of it.
Some action of Mr. McNair's, unique or habitual, at the time unexplained…”
Llewellyn was slowly shaking his head.
Helen said,
“Nothing.
I'll try to think, but I'm sure there's nothing I can remember like that.”
“That's too bad.
Keep trying.
Of course the police are ransacking his apartment and his place of business.
Had he preempted any other spot of earth or water?
A garage, a boat, a place in the country?”
Llewellyn was looking at his cousin with inquiring brows.
She nodded.
“Yes. Glennanne.
A little cottage with a few acres of land up near Brewster.”
“Glennanne?”
“Yes.
His wife's name was Anne and his daughter's was Glenna.”
“Did he own it?”
“Yes.
He bought it about six years ago.”
“What and where is Brewster?”
“It's a little village about fifty miles north of New York.”
“Indeed.” Wolfe sat up. “Archie.
Get Saul, Orrie, Johnny and Fred here immediately.
If they cannot all be prompt, send the first two to search Glennanne, and let the others join them when they come.
The cottage, first, swiftly, and thoroughly, then the grounds.
Is there a garden, Miss Frost?