“Nero Wolfe speaking.

“Archie. Sorry to wake you up, but I need orders. We're minus a client. Mrs

Rackham. This is a quick guess, but it looks as if someone stabbed her with a knife and then stuck the knife in a dog. Anyhow, she's dead. I've just-

“What is this? It was almost a bellow. “Flummery?

“No, sir. I've just come from where she's lying in the woods. Leeds and I found her. The dog's dead too, here on a bench. I don't-

“Archie!

“Yes, sir.

“This is insupportable. In the circumstances.

“Yes, sir, all of that.

“Is Mr Rackham out of it?

“Not as far as I know. I told you we just found her.

“Where are you?

“At Leeds' place, alone. I'm here guarding the knife in the dog. Leeds went to

Birchvale to get a doctor and the cops and maybe to kill somebody. I can't help it. I've got all the time in the world. How much do you want?

“Anything that might help.

“Okay, but in case I get interrupted here's a question first. On two counts, because I'm here working for you and because I helped find the body, they're going to be damn' curious. How much do I spill? There's no one on this line unless the operator's listening in.

A grunt and a pause. “On what I know now, everything about Mrs Rackham's talk with me and the purpose of your trip there. About Mrs Rackham and Mr Leeds and what you have seen and heard there, everything. But you will of course confine yourself strictly to that.

“Nothing about sausage?

“Absolutely nothing. The question is idiotic.