Rex Stout - Red Box, The

“But that…that's ridiculous…”

“Maybe, but it remains a question to be answered. Do you want to pay me for catching the murderer, no matter who it is?”

She gazed at him, and said finally, “Yes. Whoever killed Uncle Boyd- yes, I do.”

“You won't go back on that?”

“Good for you. I believe you. I'll try the job for you. Now I want to ask you some questions, but it is possible that your reply to the first one will make the others unnecessary. When did you last see Mr. McNair's red leather box?”

“His what?” She frowned. “Red leather box?”

“That's it.” pJever. I never did see it. I didn't know he had one.”

“Indeed. – You, sir, are you answering questions?”

Lew Frost said, “I guess I am. Sure. But not about a red leather box. I've never seen it.”

Wolfe sighed. “Then I'm afraid well have to go on. I may as well tell you, Miss

Frost, that Mr. McNair foresaw-at least, feared-what was waiting for him. While you were here yesterday he was at his lawyer's executing his will. He left his property to his sister Isabel, who lives in Scotland. He named me executor of his estate, and bequeathed me his red leather box and its contents. He called here to ask me to accept the trust and the legacy.”

“He named you executor?” Llewellyn was gazing at him incredulously. “Why, he didn't know you. Day before yesterday he didn't even want to talk to you…”

“Just so. That shows the extent of his desperation. But it is evident that the red box holds the secret of his death. As a matter of fact, Miss Frost, I was glad to see you here today. I hoped for something from you-a description of the box, if nothing more.”

She shook her head. “I never saw it. I didn't know…but I don t understand…if he wanted you to have it, why didn't he tell you yesterday…”

“He intended to. He didn't get that far. His last words-his last rutile struggle against his fate-were an effort to tell me where the red box is. I should inform you: Inspector Cramer has a copy of the will, and at this moment scores of police are searching for the box, so if you or your cousin can give me any hint there is no time to lose. It is desirable for me to get the box first. Not to protect the murderer, but I have my own way of doing things-and the police have no client but the electric chair.”

Llewellyn said, “But you say he left it to you, it's your property…”

“Murder evidence is no one's property, once the law touches it. No, if Mr.

Cramer finds it, the best we can hope for is the role of privileged spectator.

So turn your minds back, both of you. Look back at the days, weeks, months, years. Resurrect, if you can, some remark of Mr. McNair's, some forgotten gesture, perhaps of irritation or embarrassment at being interrupted, perhaps the hurried closing of a drawer, or the unintentional disclosure of a hiding-place. A remark by someone else who may have had knowledge of it. Some action of Mr. McNair's, unique or habitual, at the time unexplained…”

Llewellyn was slowly shaking his head. Helen said, “Nothing. I'll try to think, but I'm sure there's nothing I can remember like that.”

“That's too bad. Keep trying. Of course the police are ransacking his apartment and his place of business. Had he preempted any other spot of earth or water? A garage, a boat, a place in the country?”

Llewellyn was looking at his cousin with inquiring brows. She nodded. “Yes.

Glennanne. A little cottage with a few acres of land up near Brewster.”

“Glennanne?”

“Yes. His wife's name was Anne and his daughter's was Glenna.”

“Did he own it?”

“Yes. He bought it about six years ago.”

“What and where is Brewster?”

“It's a little village about fifty miles north of New York.”

“Indeed.” Wolfe sat up. “Archie. Get Saul, Orrie, Johnny and Fred here immediately. If they cannot all be prompt, send the first two to search

Glennanne, and let the others join them when they come. The cottage, first, swiftly, and thoroughly, then the grounds. Is there a garden, Miss Frost?

Tools?”

She nodded. “He…he grew some flowers.”

“Good. They can take the sedan. Get extra things for digging if they need them, and they should have lights to continue after dark. The cottage is most likely-a hole in the wall, a loose floor-board. Get them. Wait. First your notebook; take this and type it on a letterhead:

I hereby authorize the bearer, Saul Panzer, to take complete charge of the house and ground of Glennanne, property of Boyden McNair, deceased, and to undertake certain activities there in accordance with my instructions.

“Leave room for my signature above the designation, ‘Executor of the estate of

Boyden McNair.’ I have not yet qualified, but we can tie the red tape later.” He nodded me off. “Now, Miss Frost, perhaps you can tell me-”

I moved to the phone and started dialing. I got Saul and Orrie right off the bat, and they said they would come pronto. Fred Durkin was out, but his wife said she knew where to get hold of him and would have him call in ten minutes.

Johnny Keems, when he wasn't on a job for us, had formed the habit of phoning every day at nine to give me his program, and had told me that morning that he was still on a watchdog assignment for Del Pritchard, so I tried that office.

They had Johnny booked for the day, but before I finished typing the authorization for Saul, Fred called, so I had three anyhow.

Saul Panzer arrived first and Wolfe had Fritz show him into the office. He came in with his hat in his hand, shot me a wink, asked Wolfe how he did, got himself an everlasting blueprint of the two Frosts in one quick glance, and pointed his big nose inquiringly at Wolfe.

Wolfe gave him the dope and told him what he was supposed to find. Helen Frost told him how to get to Glennanne from the village of Brewster. I handed him the signed authorization and forty bucks for expenses, and he pulled out his old brown wallet and deposited them in it with care. Wolfe told him to get the car from the garage and wait in front to pick up Fred and Orrie as they arrived.

Saul nodded. “Yes, sir. If I find the box, do I leave Fred or Orrie at the place when I come away?”

“Yes. Until notified. Fred.”

“If any strangers offer to help me look, do I let them?” Wolfe frowned. “I was about to mention that. Surely there can be no objection if we show a preference for law and order. With all courtesy, you can ask to see a search warrant.”

“Is there something hot in the box?” Saul blushed. “I mean, stolen property?”

“No. It is legally mine. Defend it.”

“Right.” Saul went. I reflected that if he ever got his mitts on the box I wouldn't like to be the guy to try to take it away from him, small as he was. He didn't think any more of Nero Wolfe than I do of my patrician nose and big brown intelligent eyes.

Wolfe had pushed the button for Fritz, the long push, not the two shorts for beer. Fritz came, and stood.