But do you want to exclude all else?” “No. No, I don't.” “Good. And I have-yes, Fritz?” The door to the hall had opened and Fritz was there.

“Mr Hewitt, sir. He says he has an appointment. I seated him in the front room.”

“Yes.” Wolfe glanced at the clock on the wall. “Tell him I'll see him in a few minutes.” Fritz went, and Wolfe returned to Sperling.

“And I have correctly stated your objective?” “Perfectly.” “Then after I've read Mr Bascom's reports I'll communicate with you. Good day, sir. I'm glad you like my office-” “But this is urgent! You shouldn't waste an hour!” “I know.” Wolfe was trying to stay polite. “That's another characteristic of matters discussed in this office-urgency. I now have an appointment, and shall then eat lunch, and from two to four I shall be working with my plants. But your affair need not wait on that. Mr Goodwin will read the reports immediately, and after lunch he will go to your office to get all required details-say two o'clock?” James U. Sperling didn't like it at all. Apparently he was set to devote the day to arranging to save his daughter from a fate worse than death, not even stopping for meals. He was so displeased that he merely grunted an affirmative when, as I let him out the front door, I courteously reminded him that he was to expect me at his office at 2.15 and that he could save himself the trouble of mailing the cheque by handing it to me then. I took time out for a brief survey of the long black Wethersill limousine waiting for him at the curb before I returned to the office.