Free The Roman Hat Mystery by Ellery Queen Page B

to be thinking of nothing more important than the first edition he had missed buying.
    Queen sighed, and went in.
    The anteroom to the main office was a tiny place, fitted out in bronze and oak. On one of the chairs against the wall, burrowed into the deep leather cushions, sat Parson Johnny, puffing at a cigarette with a show of unconcern. A policeman stood by the chair, one massive hand on the Parson ’ s shoulder.
    “ Trail along. Parson, ” said Queen casually, without stopping. The little gangster lounged to his feet, spun his cigarette butt deftly into a shining brass cuspidor, and slouched after the Inspector, the policeman treading on his heels.
    Queen opened the door to the main office, glancing quickly about him as he stood on the threshold. Then he stepped aside, allowing the gangster and the bluecoat to precede him. The door banged shut behind them.
    Louis Panzer had an unusual taste in office appointments. A clear green lightshade shone brilliantly above a carved desk. Chairs and smoking stands; a skillfully wrought clothestree; silk-covered divan ― these and other articles were strewn tastefully about the room. Unlike most managers ’ offices, Panzer ’ s did not exploit photographs of stars, managers, producers and “ angels. ” Several delicate prints, a huge tapestry, and a Constable oil painting hung on the wall.
    But Inspector Queen ’ s scrutiny at the moment was not for the artistic quality of Mr. Panzer ’ s private chamber. It was rather for the six people who faced him. Beside Detective Johnson sat a middle-aged man inclining to corpulence, with shrewd eyes and a puzzled frown. He wore faultless evening clothes. In the next chair sat a young girl of considerable beauty, attired in a simple evening gown and wrap. She was looking up at a handsome young man in evening clothes, hat in hand, who was bending over her chair and talking earnestly in an undertone. Beside them were two other women, both leaning forward and listening intently.
    The stout man held aloof from the others. At Inspector Queen ’ s entrance he immediately got to his feet with an inquiring look. The little group became silent and turned solemn faces on Queen.
    With a deprecating cough Parson Johnny, accompanied by his escort, sidled across the rug into a corner. He seemed overwhelmed by the splendor of the company in which he found himself. He shuffled his feet and cast a despairing look in the direction of the Inspector.
    Queen moved over to the desk and faced the group. At a motion of his hand Johnson came quickly to his side.
    “ Who are the three extra people, Johnson? ” he asked in a tone inaudible to the others.
    “ The old fellow there is Morgan, ” whispered Johnson, “ and the good-looker sitting near him is the woman you told me to get. When I went for her in the orchestra I found the young chap and the other two women with her. The four of ‘ em were pretty chummy. I gave her your message, and she seemed nervous. But she stood up and came along like a major ― only the other three came, too. I didn ’ t know but what you ’ d like to see ‘ em, Inspector . . . . ”
    Queen nodded. “ Hear anything? ” he asked in the same low tone.
    “ Not a peep, Inspector. The old chap doesn ’ t seem to know any of these people. The others have just been wondering why you could possibly want her. ”
    The Inspector waved Johnson to a corner and addressed the waiting group.
    “ I ’ ve summoned two of you, ” he said pleasantly, “ for a little chat. And since the others are here, too, it will be all right for them to wait. But for the moment I must ask you all to step into the anteroom while I conduct a little business with this gentleman. ” He inclined his head toward the gangster, who stiffened indignantly.
    With a flutter of excited conversation the two men and three women departed, Johnson closing the door behind them.
    Queen whirled on Parson Johnny.
    “ Bring that rat here! ” he snapped to the