Wolfe shook his head. "That would be thaumaturgy, not genius. When and where did you last see your husband?"

"Saturday morning, at our house. He left to drive to the country, to our place near Katonah, to see about things. I didn't go along because I wasn't feeling well. He phoned Sunday morning and said he might not be back until late evening. When he hadn't come at midnight I phoned, and the caretaker told me he had left a little after eight o'clock. I wasn't really worried, not really, because sometimes he takes a notion to drive around at night, just anywhere, but yesterday morning I was worried, but I didn't want to start calling people, and then the mail came with that thing."

"Was he alone when he left your place in the country?"

"Yes. I asked the caretaker."

"What is your secretary's name?"

"My secretary? You jump around. Her name is Dinah Utley."

"How long has she been with you?"

"Seven years. Why?"

"I must speak with her. You will please phone and tell her to come here at once."

Her mouth opened in astonishment. It snapped shut. "I will not," she said. "What can she tell you? She doesn't know I've come to you, and I don't want her to. Not even her. I trust her absolutely, but I'm not going to take any chances."

"Then there's your check." Wolfe pointed to it, there on his desk. "Take it and go." He made a face. "I must have some evidence of your bona fides, however slight. I do know you are Mrs Jimmy Vail, since Mr Goodwin identifies you, but that's all I know. Did that thing come in the mail and did you get a phone call from Mr Knapp? I have only your unsupported word. I will not be made a party to some shifty hocus-pocus. Archie. Give Mrs Vail her check."

I got up, but she spoke. "It's no hocus-pocus. My God, hocus-pocus? My husband-they'll kill him! My not wanting anyone to know I've come to you, not even my secretary-isn't that right? If you expect her to tell you what he said on the phone, she won't. I'll tell her not to."