In the Best Families

I match you in intellect, and to climax these five frightful months with such a bluff as this, if it were one, would be witless. However, if you think I'm bluffing there's no point in going on. If you think I'm bluffing, please shake your head meaning no, you don't believe me.

No shake.

“If you think I have the evidence as described, please nod your head.

No nod.

“I warn you, Wolfe said sharply, “that Mr Goodwin and I are both ready for anything whatever.

Zeck nodded. Nothing violent, but a nod.

“You assume my possession of the evidence?

Zeck nodded again.

“Good. Then we can bargain. While I have great respect for the Federal laws, I am under no obligation to catch violators of them. Without compunction I can leave that to others. But I am under an obligation to a certain individual which

I feel strongly and which I must discharge. Mrs Rackham paid me a large sum to serve her interest, and the next day she was murdered. It was clearly my duty to expose her murderer-not only my duty to her but to my own self-respect-and I have failed. With an obligation of that nature I have never accepted failure and do not intend to. Mr Goodwin, working on my behalf, has been a party to that failure, and he too will not accept it.

Zeck nodded again, or I thought he did, probably to signify approval of our high moral standards.

“So we can bargain, Wolfe told him. “You said day before yesterday that you have evidence, or can easily get it, that will convict Rackham of the murder of his wife. Was that true?

Zeck nodded. The shark eyes were intent on Wolfe.

“Very well. I believe you because I know what you are capable of. I offer a trade. I'll trade you the evidence I have collected against you for the evidence that will convict Rackham. Will you make the trade?

Zeck nodded.

“It will have to be more or less on my terms. I can be trusted; you cannot. You will have to deliver first. But I realise that the details of anything as vital as this is to you cannot be settled without discussion, and it must be discussed and settled now. We are going to release your hands and take that handkerchief from your mouth, but before we do so, one more warning. You are to stay where you are until we've finished. If you move towards the floor signals under your desk, or try to summon your men in any other manner, you will die before anyone else does. Also, of course, there is the evidence that exists against you. You understand the situation?

Zeck nodded.

“Are you ready to discuss the matter?

Zeck nodded.