Wolfe sighed. “Alec Martin has forty thousand plants at Rutherford. He wouldn't sign it, eh?”

“He would if I'd gone after him. Glueckner told me that you regard Martin as tricky and an inferior grower. Will you come?”

“Humbug.” Wolfe sighed again. “An infernal imposition.” He wiggled a finger at the young man. “Look here. You seem to be prepared to stop at nothing. You interrupt these expert and worthy men at their tasks to get them to sign this idiotic paper. You badger me. Why?”

“Because I want you to solve this case.”

“Why me?”

“Because no one else can. Wait till you see-”

“Yes. Thank you. But why your overwhelming interest in the case? The murdered girl-what was she to you?”

“Nothing.” Frost hesitated. He went on, “She was nothing to me. I knew her-an acquaintance. But the danger-damn it, let me tell you about it. The way it happened-”

“Please, Mr. Frost.” Wolfe was crisp. “Permit me. If the murdered girl was nothing to you, what standing will there be for an investigator engaged by you?

If you could not persuade Mr. McNair and the others to come to me, it would be futile for me to go to them.”

“No, it wouldn't. I'll explain that-”

“Very well. Another point. I charge high fees.”

The young man flushed. “I know you do.” He leaned forward in his chair. “Look,