Free Rex Stout - Nero Wolfe 27 by Three Witnesses

there was still a dim hope. The other thing was all set. Just after midnight Robina Keane had phoned and told Wolfe she had it fixed. He was to meet her in Room 917 at 100 Centre Street at half-past eight. He asked me if I knew what Room 917 was, and I didn’t. After that came he leaned back in his chair and sat with his eyes closed for a while, then straightened up and told Saul he was ready for the third game of checkers.
    At a quarter to one he left his chair, yawned and stretched, and announced, “Her panic wore off. I’m going to bed.”
    “I’m afraid,” Saul apologized, “I have no pajamas you could get into, but I’ve got—”
    The phone rang. I was nearest, and turned and got it. “This is Jackson four-three-one-oh-nine.”
    “I want— This is the Queen of Hearts.”
    “It sure is. I recognize your voice. This is Archie Goodwin. Where are you?”
    “In a booth at Grand Central. I couldn’t get rid of him, and then—but that doesn’t matter now. Where are you?”
    “In an apartment on Thirty-eighth Street with Mr. Wolfe, waiting for you. It’s a short walk. I’ll meet you at the information booth, upper level, in five minutes. Will you be there?”
    “Yes.”
    “Sure?”
    “Of course I will!”
    I hung up, turned, and said loftily, “If it wore off it wore on again. Make some coffee, will you, Saul? She’ll need either that or bourbon. And maybe she likes cheese.”
    I departed.
V
    At six minutes past ten in the morning Assistant District Attorney Mandelbaum was standing at the end of his table in the courtroom to address Judge Corbett. The room was packed. The jury was in the box. Jimmy Donovan, defense attorney, looking not at alllike a janitor, was fingering through some papers his assistant had handed him.
    “Your Honor,” Mandelbaum said, “I wish to call a witness whom I called yesterday, but he was not available. I learned only a few minutes ago that he is present. You will remember that on my application you issued a warrant for Mr. Nero Wolfe.”
    “Yes, I do.” The judge cleared his throat. “Is he here?”
    “He is.” Mandelbaum turned and called, “Nero Wolfe!”
    Having arrived at one minute to ten, we wouldn’t have been able to get in if we hadn’t pushed through to the officer at the door and told him who we were and that we were wanted. He had stared at Wolfe and admitted he recognized him, and let us in, and the attendant had managed to make room for us on a bench just as Judge Corbett entered. When Wolfe was called by Mandelbaum and got up to go forward I had enough space.
    He walked down the aisle, through the gate, mounted the stand, turned to face the judge, and stood.
    “I have some questions for you, Mr. Wolfe,” the judge said, “after you are sworn.”
    The attendant extended the Book and administered the oath, and Wolfe sat. A witness-chair is supposed to take any size, but that one just barely made it.
    The judge spoke. “You knew you were to be called yesterday. You were present, but you left and could not be found, and a warrant was issued for you. Are you represented by counsel?”
    “No, sir.”
    “Why did you leave? You are under oath.”
    “I was impelled to leave by a motive which I thought imperative. I will of course expound it now ifyou so order, but I respectfully ask your indulgence. I understand that if my reason for leaving is unsatisfactory I will be in contempt of court and will suffer a penalty. But I ask, Your Honor, does it matter whether I am adjudged in contempt now, or later, after I have testified? Because my reason for leaving is inherent in my testimony, and therefore I would rather plead on the charge of contempt afterwards, if the court will permit. I’ll still be here.”
    “Indeed you will. You’re under arrest.”
    “No, I’m not.”
    “You’re not under arrest?”
    “No, sir. I came here voluntarily.”
    “Well, you are now.” The judge turned his head. “Officer, this man is under arrest.” He turned back.