Character details
- First Name
- Nero
- Last Name
- Wolfe
- Notes
- Master detective. Genius. Estimated weight: 1/7 ton. Carries a large platinum watch in his vest pocket. Sends a check every month to his mother in Budapest ("Fer-de-lance, ch. 13)..
- Reserved Notes
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Character cases:
Ch. 1 - agrees to do a favor for Fred Durkin, taking on the case of Maria Maffei.
Ch. 5 - curses when informed that Fletcher Anderson has arrived prior to business hours. Wolfe refuses to see him until 11am; to do otherwise would compromise his reputation for oddity.
Ch. 6 - Wolfe has his first recorded "relapse" lasting 3 days. He has lost interest in the case. Archie reports, "It was a bad one."
Ch. 11 - dines with and charms Dr. Nathaniel Bradford, discussing rock gardens, economics, and Tammany Hall.
Ch. 12 - interviews the four caddies from the Barstow-Kimball foursome.
Ch. 13 - interviews E. D. Kimball, getting him to reveal his dramatic past (see Kimball's Character reserved notes).
Ch. 14 - questions Anna Fiore again and fails to convince her to provide information about Carlo Maffei.
Ch. 15 - confronts Manuel Kimball (who arrives unannounced) in the office. Later, organizes protection for Anna Fiore. Receives a note ostensibly from Sara Barstow requesting cut orchids.
Ch. 17 - informs Anderson that Carlo Maffei and Peter Oliver Barstow were murdered by the same person.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 12 - during his questioning of the four caddies, discovers that the deadly driver was in E. D. Kimball's bag, intended for his use.
Ch. 15 - kills a poisonous snake that emerged from his desk (planted by an associate of Manuel Kimball).
Ch. 17 - strikes a deal with Anderson to accompany Archie to arrest Manuel Kimball for murder; Anderson writes a $10,000 check to Wolfe in exchange for the evidence he's accumulated against Manuel Kimball.
Ch. 19 - we learn that Wolfe sent Durkin to Manuel Kimball with all the evidence compiled against him; Archie theorizes Wolfe wants Kimball to kill both himself and his father (against whom Wolfe hold animus for his murders 30 years earlier).
Ch. 1 - asks Archie to order a copy of Paul Chapin's book "Devil take the hindmost."
Ch. 2 - Archie mentions that during an absence while working out of town, a bodyguard from the Metropolitan Agency and a stenographer from Miller's covered his duties in Wolfe's office. Andrew Hibbard had visited during this period of time, and the stenographer took copious notes of his discussion with Wolfe. Wolfe declined to help Hibbard, "It proved not feasible to accept his commission."
Ch. 3 - receives Evelyn Hibbard in the office; she believes Paul Chapin murdered her uncle who is missing. Wolfe secretly retains the list of the League members brought by Evelyn, but declines to accept her as a client. Orders Archie to telegram various of the members, inviting them to the office to discuss their predicament.
Ch. 5 - reads one of Chapin's novels after dinner in his room; presents his proposal "to remove apprehension of injury" to the League by Chapin.
Ch. 6 - asks Chapin to type on Archie's typewriter; Chapin abandons the "test" indicating he didn't want to be the "victim of a trick."
Ch. 8 - tells Archie to include Evelyn Hibbard as a client, charging her $3000 (Archie talks him down to $2000 as she was his client first); instructs Archie to have Chapin followed and have Andrew Hibbard's and Paul Chapin's past investigated; instructs Archie to investigate the murders of Harrison and Dreyer.
Ch. 10 - has Archie get Dr. Vollmer to tend to the wound on Dora Chapin's neck.
Ch. 11 - concludes that the personal items contained in Chapin's leather suitcase brought by Orrie belong to Anne Burton (whom Chapin adores).
Ch. 13 - Wolfe notices that a note from Farrell was typed on the same typewriter as the threatening poems.
Ch. 14 - Wolfe sends Archie to Philadelphia to find Farrell. Receives Paul Chapin who has discovered that Wolfe has his box of personal items; Wolfe lets him look at the box but not touch it. He tells Chapin, "...the day you come for your box, will be your choice between two deaths."
Ch. 15 - sends Archie to Mineola to pick up orchid bulbs offered by Ditson. Later, sends Archie to retrieve "Pinkie" and bring him to the office.
Ch. 18 - after being drugged and waking up, Archie learns from Fritz that Wolfe has left the brownstone with Dora Chapin in order to save Archie.
Ch. 19 - Wolfe calls the Chapin apartment and discovers Archie is there and (relatively) unharmed (see Wolfe's quotation). He asks Archie to get the sedan and pick him up at the Bronx River Inn. After Archie arrives where he finds Dora Chapin and Wolfe together, and Wolfe begins to explain the situation, Archie faints and Wolfe catches him.
Ch. 20 - after sending Archie to the Burton residence, Wolfe ostensibly goes to the Tombs and sees Paul Chapin to get a confession signed.
Ch. 21 - winks at Archie as the decisive gathering in the office begins (just after Andrew Hibbard's surprise reappearance before the League). Wolfe reads a statement ostensibly signed by Paul Chapin, indicating he had no part in the deaths of Harrison and Dreyer. The League members present, however, vote that Wolfe has still not satisfactorily satisfied their agreement and will not be paid. Wolfe calls Inspector Cramer and asks that two men be sent to take Burton's murderer into custody.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 10 - accuses Dora Chapin of deceit - that her husband (Paul Chapin) did not attack her with a knife and give her the wound on her neck.
Ch. 21 - Wolfe confronts Bowen, telling him, "You are the most ridiculous murderer I have ever met. I do not know you well enough to be able to say whether it was through vast stupidity or extraordinary insouciance; however, that may be, you planned the most hazardous of all crimes as if you were devising a harmless parlor game."
With Fritz's help, Wolfe fakes a trip to "the Tombs" where Paul Chapin is being held for the murder of Burton. Wolfe signs Chapin's "confession" himself to present to the League members in his office later.
Wolfe confronts Bowen in the book climax. Bowen crumbles under Wolfe's monologue of Bowen's "vast stupidity and extroardinary insouciance." (insouciance = Blithe lack of concern; nonchalance).
Ch. 1 - we learn from Archie that Wolfe has taken up darts as a form of exercise (he had recently got the impression that he weighs too much). Wolfe refers to the darts as javelins.
Ch. 5 - questions Clara Fox in the office regarding the stolen money and Scovil's murder. Afterwards, Wolfe accepts her as his client with a $1 retainer. Then, he calls Mr. Perry to inform him that he cannot represent him or his corporation.
Ch. 7 - arranges to make his clients (Clara Fox, Mike Walsh, and Hilda Lindquist) unavailable to the police. Clara Fox is to sleep in the South Room.
Ch. 8 - orders Archie to get Orrie Cather and Johnny Keems by morning for instructions.
Ch. 10 - after learning through Morley that Asst. DA Frisibie is aggressively pursuing Clara Fox for larceny, Wolfe calls and threatens Anthony Perry and the Seaboard Corp. with a false arrest case if the larceny charges are not withdrawn.
Ch. 11 - sprays orchids while Lt. Rowcliff searches the plant rooms for Clara Fox.
Ch. 12 - orders Keems to find a means by which Archie can talk to Walsh without police detection.
Ch. 13 - winks at Archie after learning Lord Clivers has arrived at the brownstone unannounced. Wolfe is unhappily surprised to learn from Clivers that he had already paid the debt owed to the Rubber Band many years before.
Ch. 14 - challenges Archie at darts in his room at a dime per game, and wins 60 cents before time to go to the plant rooms. Along with Archie, takes a frantic phone call which includes some shouting, a gunshot, and then ends.
Ch. 15 - during a visit from Perry, Wolfe refuses to provide him with any information regarding Muir's accusations against Clara Fox; Wolfe refuses to shake his hand when he leaves and says, "I am no friend of yours." Perry leaves silently.
Ch. 16 - receives Hombert, Skinner, and Cramer in the office; they have come to demand information from Wolfe and threaten him with arrest if he refuses (see related quotations); ultimately both sides exchange what they know, and the visitors leave.
Ch. 17 - conducts experiments with Saul regarding fabricating a gunshot over the phone. Afterwards, Wolfe works with Archie to invite all interested parties to the office to wrap up the case.
Ch. 18 - presents his case to law enforcement, Clivers, Perry, and Muir that Perry is Rubber Coleman.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 18 - shot in the arm by Anthony Perry (aka Rubber Coleman) in the office.
Ch. 1 - Wolfe is irritated by Llewellyn Frost's urging that he travel by taxicab to handle a problem for him just 20 blocks away.
It takes a personal plea from several respected orchid men to get him out of the house on business.
Ch. 2 - Wolfe "engaged and grim, wearing overcoat, scarf, gloves, stick...and a black felt pirate's hat" leaves with Archie to the offices of Boyden McNair, Inc. Wolfe has to resort to threatening involving Cramer to get cooperation from McNair. During an interview with Helen Frost, discovers that she had information regarding the mysterious box of chocolates.
Ch. 3 - receives Lew Frost in the office.
Ch. 4 - receives Dudley and Calida Frost in the office; threatens Dudley with being put out after he made an insulting comment to Wolfe.
Ch. 5 - receives Insp. Cramer and discusses the case with him; Wolfe has an idea and proposes working together.
Ch. 6 - while Archie is out of the office, Wolfe has a relapse and begins planning meals with Fritz.
Ch. 7 - compels Helen Frost to talk about the case after threatening to involve Insp. Cramer.
Ch. 8 - winks at Archie as he enters the office (acknowledging his efforts to distract Boyden McNair who is waiting in the office); Wolfe and McNair then go on to discuss the box of candy and Molly Lauck's murder.
Ch. 9 - self-indignant after McNair's murder in the office, Wolfe takes Insp. Cramer's taunts and insinuations, finally asking Cramer, "...please don't yell at me like that."
Ch. 10 - chastises Lewellyn and Helen Frost (see quotation) after they arrive unannounced.
Ch. 11 - accepts Helen Frost as his new client and questions her and Lewellyn Frost regarding the whereabouts of the red box (to no avail). Upon learning of McNair's country estate, Glennanne, Wolfe summons Saul, Orrie, Fred, and Johnny to search it. Sends Archie to have tea with the Frosts to observe their reactions after Helen's visit to the brownstone and to learn if any of them have ever seen the red box.
Ch. 12 - questions Archie after his visit to the Frost residence, in particular "Mr. Gebert's vaudeville." Wolfe indicates that Gebert (indirectly) told Archie who killed McNair.
Ch. 14 - Wolfe expresses frustration at his inability to demonstrate who the murderer is (without searching the globe for the red box).
Ch. 15 - discusses the events after McNair's funeral with Helen Frost.
Ch. 17 - offers to solve the case for Cramer if he brings the Frost family to the office at 2pm.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 8 - Wolfe is self-indignant for not foreseeing McNair's murder, telling Archie, "I was wrong. Death did stalk him here. I'm an imbecile."
Ch. 15 - tells Helen Frost that Gebert was a murder victim.
Takes train trip to Kanawha Spa -- he is very upset at being on such a large moving object as a train.
Wolfe is the guest speaker at the five year gathering of the quinze maitres.
Reserved notes for this caseWolfe is kept awake by Tolman the evening of Laszio's murder.
Wolfe turns down Malfi's and Liggett's offer of hire to find Laszio's murderer.
Decides to prove that Berin is not the murderer as a favor to Berin in exchange for his recipe for sausage minuets.
Works important information out of Lio Coyne -- she saw two black men in the dining room where Laszio was murdered.
Interviews all the kitchen servants who had access to the dining room the evening of Laszio's murder.
Ch. 1 - travelling by car to the North Atlantic Exposition to exhibit orchids, is rattled after Archie loses control of the sedan due to a tire blowout; later, on foot after abandoning the sedan Wolfe is crossing a field with an aggressive bull in it and must perch atop a rock to avoid the danger. Ultimately, he is rescued by Caroline Pratt and her car (accompanied by Archie).
Ch. 2 - meets Tom Pratt, his unscheduled host in Crowfield, NY, for the first time; Wolfe is also introduced to the politics involved in Pratt's plan to barbecue a prized bull when Lew Bennet, Monte McMillan, and Daniel Cullen arrive unannounced.
Ch. 3 - witnesses the (unfriendly) wager made between Clyde Osgood and Tom Pratt. Proposes to Tom Pratt that he and Archie stay at his ranch after accepting Pratt's proposal that Archie guard Caesar overnight; Pratt accepts, and Wolfe takes up residence there.
Ch. 4 - comes to check on Archie after hearing him fire shots while guarding Caesar; inspects the scene of Clyde Osgood's death (and privately concludes it was murder); later he tells Archie but only to relieve his feelings of guilt (Wolfe does not want to get involved).
Ch. 6 - converses pleasantly "with the enemy" (as Archie calls Charles E. Shanks) at the exposition.
Ch. 7 - meets with Frederick Osgood at the exposition offices, where Osgood asks him to investigate his son's death. Wolfe sells his initial opinion regarding the death for $1000; then, for an additional fee agrees to compel the local authorities to investigate.
Ch. 8 - after allowing Nancy Osgood to drive him, Archie, and Frederick Osgood to the Crowfield County Court House, Wolfe confronts D.A. Waddell in his office, compelling him to investigate Clyde Osgood's death as murder.
Ch. 9 - with Archie, takes up residence at the Osgood ranch, making it the base of operations to investigate Clyde Osgood's murder. Pulling no punches, Wolfe directly questions Fred Osgood himself.
Ch. 10 - questions Nancy Osgood, compelling her to reveal secrets her brother Clyde shared before his death. Wolfe is charmed by Nancy's naivete and promises to keep Clyde's secrets if possible as he endeavors to expose the killer.
Ch. 11 - upon learning of Caesar's death from anthrax, orders Archie to photograph the bull before its corpse is burned.
Ch. 12 - becomes impatient with D.A. Waddell's handling of the case and lets him know it, inciting his indignance. Wolfe goes on to admit he had been initially outmaneuvered by the murderer, but that he would ultimately solve the case. After dinner, Wolfe interviews McMillan. Orders Archie to bring Bronson for questioning.
Ch. 13 - calls Bronson an unscrupulous blackguard (for blackmailing both Clyde and Nancy Osgood), and later, has Archie take the $10,000 IOU from Clyde Osgood in his possession.
Ch. 15 - after learning of Bronson's murder which he did not anticipate, blames the "scoundrel Shanks" for disturbing his mental processes. Interviews Lew Bennett over lunch at the Exposition.
Ch. 16 - seeing that Archie is about to be searched by Capt. Barrow, sprays Barrow with a soap and nicotine mixture for the orchids, providing Archie the opportunity to hide his wallet (with Bronson's IOU) in DA Waddell's coat pocket. Wolfe then engages Waddell in conversation and recovers the wallet.
Ch. 17 - comes to confer with Archie at the county jail, bringing him blankets and a pillow (because he cannot find a way to bail him out).
Ch. 18 - returns to the Crowfield County Courthouse jail to try to talk sense into DA Waddell and get Archie released. Wolfe tells Waddell that he knows who murdered Osgood and Bronson but needs Archie to perfect the evidence, giving him an ultimatum: either release Archie or suffer the consequences (Wolfe will give his evidence to Sam Lake, Waddell's rival).
Ch. 19 - Wolfe convinces Lew Bennet to get Caesar's original sketches from the National Guernsey League headquarters 110 miles away by airplane (so that Wolfe can fabricate evidence necessary to solve the case); after Bennet delivers the drawings, Wolfe makes various fakes using the originals as a guide. Wolfe also convinces Archie to use his charms to enlist Lily Rowan to further his planned subterfuge.
Ch. 20 - goes with Archie to the Pratt ranch where he has arranged to meet McMillan; with Pratt's grudging consent, Wolfe organizes a meeting with McMillan and confronts McMillan (Lily to provides key testimony) and McMillan confesses.
Reserved notes for this caseRealizing that Archie is about to be searched for a document taken off of Bronson, Nero sprays a soap and nicotine mixture into the face of Waddell to provide a diversion for Archie. Goodwin stashes the IOU in the Waddell's pocket.
Fabricates sketches of "Caesar" before his death to provide evidence of the switch Monte McMillan made.
Gets the D.A. to release Archie from prison on his word that he knows who the murderer is and will provide evidence to prove it.
Nero is spooked by Carla Lovchen's Montenegrin accent.
Reserved notes for this caseKills Neya Tormic (Princess Donevitch) with two beer bottles -- cracks her skull and breaks her wrist as she attempts to stab Wolfe.
He traveled to the Hawthorne house in a taxi when summoned by Secretary of State John Charles Dunn.
Reserved notes for this caseHe snuck out of the Hawthorne house after Naomi Karn's body was found so he could go home and eat dinner.
Craves to posess Lewis Hewitt's black orchids.
Reserved notes for this casePuts ill thoughts into Hewitt's head concerning public interpretation of his involvement in the murder of Harry Gould.
Nero proposes that he find who rigged the trap that killed Gould in exchange for the black orchids.
Sets a trap in the plant rooms for Dill to expose himself as the murderer.
Takes advice of Maryella Timms in the preparation of corned beef hash.
Reserved notes for this caseSends eight black orchids to be placed on the casket of Bess Huddleston. Archie suspects Wolfe does so to ease his guilt due to his inaction before her murder.
Solves the murder mystery to spite Cramer's aggressive actions.
Due to the dipping bank account balance and impending tax bills, Nero is forced to act. Upon reading of the murder of Cheney Boone, Wolfe sends Archie out to get a job with the NIA to solve the murder and clear their name.
Reserved notes for this caseWolfe declares, "I have the brain of a mollusk" when he considers that Phoebe Gunther must have hidden the missing recording in his own office.
See the story resolution for more details.
In training with Fritz to join the army.
Reserved notes for this caseHe realized that given Lily Rowan's temperament and personality and the fact that Archie was not responding to her telegrams or telephone calls, that she had lied about Ann Amory's murder and that Lily had not even been to her apartment that afternoon.
Discovers that Madelaine Fraser is allergic to Starlite, the drink served on her radio show. Tape was placed on a bottle, which was filled with coffee, and reserved for Madelaine to drink.
When Wolfe places an ad in the paper asking for subscribers to the publication of Cyril Orchard, Arnold Zeck calls to advise against such inquiries.
Wolfe deduces Zeck's blackmailing scheme.
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Agrees to drive a wedge into the relationship between Louis Rony and Gwenn Sperling.
Reserved notes for this caseGoes to the Sperling Stony Acres estate after Zeck has the plant rooms destroyed. (As Archie has sometimes mentioned, the rule about not travelling on business can be set aside if Wolfe's life is on the line, or if other personal considerations come into play.)
Leaves the brownstone after Sarah Rackham turns up dead. Nero leaves three notes providing brief instructions to his staff. Archie is instructed not to look for Nero.
Reserved notes for this caseGoes to Texas to establish his disguise. Uses debt owed by non-reputable man of prominence in Los Angeles to enter criminal underworld. Wolfe (now alias Pete Roeder) establishes a good reference in LA, and goes to New York to infiltrate Zeck's organization. Becomes a D (I.e. a top level lieutenant close to Zeck).
Makes cotact with Archie to help with a plan to have Zeck killed.
Outraged at Cramer for barging in on a lunch. According to Archie, Wolfe's feeling is that "the main objection to atom bombs is that they may interrupt people eating."
Reserved notes for this caseWith the help of lawyer Henry Demarest, Wolfe composes a fabricated letter from Paul Nieder to Cynthia Nieder in an effort to confront Jean Daumery with surmises that he murdered his wife and Paul Nieder.
Testifies at the trial of Jean Daumery.
Throws his head back and laughs when the six players in Floyd Whitten's murder show up at his door. Archie points out that Nero laughs like that approximately once per year.
Reserved notes for this caseRealizes that some secret exists between Ms. Alving and Mrs. Floyd Whitten and exploits that connection in an interview.
Desperately seeking a replacement for Theodore and after enduring taunts from Noonan and Sybil Pitcairn, Nero endures great hardship (willingly skips a dinner, wades through a brook in the dead winter at night, etc.) to solve the murder.
Reserved notes for this caseFabricates a note form Dimi Lauer to provoke a reaction out of the killer.
Suspects Fred Weppler and Peg Mion of witholding informatiion regarding the murder of Alberto Mion. Wolfe asks Cramer to arrest them both and interrogate them to rattle them into giving up the information.
Reserved notes for this caseForges Clara James' signature on an affidavit stating she moved the gun from the floor to the Caruso bust. Archie obtained a specimen of the signature after failing to get her to sign the affidavit.
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Quite upset with Cramer for sealing the office during the investigation.
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Shoots pool with Marko in the basement for exercise. According to Archie, he can tie bows better than either Archie or Theodore.
Reserved notes for this caseHas a telegram waiting for Archie in California: CONFOUND IT DID YOU ARRIVE SAFELY OR NOT.
Wolfe instructs Archie to evict Priscilla Eads from the south room, where Archie installed her.
Reserved notes for this caseWhen Priscilla ends up murdered and after Archie goes out on his own to find the killer, Wolfe takes him as his client in a great speech to DA Bowen, Cramer, Rowcliff and others at Police Headquarters.
Dislikes those who interrupt and those who use cliches.
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Has patronized the Goldenrod Barbershop ever since his former barber, Fletcher, retired.
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Alleges that Archie's real problem with the original job is that he doesn't like Dazzle Dan.
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Throws a tantrum because Fritz changed the seasoning for one of his favorite dishes (starlings) without prior arrangement.
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When Wolfe boarded the airplane for Europe, a passenger commented 'My God, they soak me thirty dollars for overweight baggage, and look at him!'
Reserved notes for this caseJust after getting off the ship in New York, Wolfe is shot in the leg by Zov after a reporter recognizes Wolfe and cries out his name.
Takes the job for $1000 - 10 minutes of his time, 10 hours of Archie's.
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Believes that a guest is a jewel on the cushion of hospitality.
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Reads _Beauty for Ashes_, by Christopher LaFarge (a novel in verse) (rates dog-eared pages), _Party of One_, by Clifton Thadaman.
Allocates about 20 minutes a week to looking at advertisements in magazines.
Reserved notes for this caseBends the rule about leaving the brownstone, because a murder committed on the premises makes it a personal matter.
For once, Wolfe is under subpoena and testifying in person during the Ashe trial. He's not happy.
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Nero falls for a dog.
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Nero wants to know where the ice cream is.
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Claims he has lumbago - Archie says it's acute mooditis from being tensed up throughout the drive to River Bend. He's been asked there to cook trout Montbarry.
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Under subpoena to testify in Albany.
Reserved notes for this caseWolfe had been duped by William Donohue, who used an alias, into wire-tapping Otis Ross, a member of the Charity Funds Investigating Committee. He blamed Archie for being too eager to do some wire-tapping and Archie would only concede that they were each 50 percent responsible for the fiasco.
Reading _Here and Now_ by Herb Block.
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Coveted Bynoe's flamingo-pink Vanda orchid.
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Discovered the body, but didn't announce it. His first reaction was to ask Archie to take him home immediately, saying he would explain on the way; Archie nixed that. Provides a brief, sketchy autobiography while interviewing those involved.
Reserved notes for this caseArchie says that this case constitutes the 5th of the 5 (to date) occasions on which Wolfe has cut short his session in the plant rooms.
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Nero stands by Archie
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Archie ranks Wolfe's reading on the following scale.
A = uses gold bookmark, picks up book before ringing for beer.
B = uses paper as bookmark, picks up book before ringing for beer.
C = dog-ears page, rings for beer before picking up book.
D = dog-ears page, waits for beer to arrive before picking up book.
Reserved notes for this caseWolfe mutinies just after concluding that none of the catspaws engineered the plagiarism scheme (first time in 3 years, according to Archie). After the 3rd murder, Wolfe forswears the drinking of beer and the eating of meat until the killer is in the bag. Marks only the 4th or 5th occasion on which Archie has heard Wolfe swear in Serbo-Croat.
Attended the dinner because Fritz was making it.
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Archie takes him on as a partner.
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Blue grouse consumer. He accepts Lily's retainer (despite having reached the 90% bracket for the year), partly because the murder was a gross affront to Lily's hospitality and they agree about that kind of thing.
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Reading _The Lotus and the Robot_ by Arthur Koestler.
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Burns a dictionary for incorrect usage of words. Archie points out that he knew he'd burn it when he bought it, or he'd have ordered a leatherbound copy. Currently reading _African Genesis_.
Reserved notes for this caseIn Archie's judgement, the final charade he sets up in this case is the best he's ever done.
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Can't stand a spot on his clothes, so he leaves a stained tie on his desk after lunch. Everybody else draws the line at picking up after him, so it stays there all day until it is used as a murder weapon.
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Accepts a $1000 retainer from Lucy Valdon to find the identity of mother and father of the baby left in Valdon's vestibule. Reading _Silent Spring_ by Rachel Carson.
Reserved notes for this caseWolfe and Archie flee the brownstone and stay at Lucy Valdon's place to avoid arrest for witholding evidence in the case.
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Arranges to have his shoes shined at home. Currently reading _The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich_, by Shirer.
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Considers boiled corn on the cob an abomination, since it's ambrosia if roasted in the husk properly. Reading _My Life in Court_ by Louis Nizer.
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Considers music to be a vestige of barbarism.
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Reading _The Treasure of Our Tongue_ by Lincoln Barnett (rates gold bookmark). Has read Fred Cook's _The FBI Nobody Knows_. Not intimidated by the FBI at all.
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Reading _Invitation to an Inquest_ by Walter and Miriam Schneir. Once spent a week investigating the murder of the princes in the Tower (after which he removed More's _Utopia_ from his library because More had framed Richard III).
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Initially spending 3 days at Hewitt's estate on Long Island. Reading _Incredible Victory_ by Walter Lord.
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"The mountain comes to Mohammed", as Lily and Archie say when Wolfe arrives at the ranch in response to Archie's letter. Brought 4 books, including _Man's Rise to Civilization as Shown by the Indians of North America from Primeval Times to the Coming of the Industrial State_, by Peter Farb.
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Once he had identified the murderer he stood mute and refused to name the murderer or continue the case.
Reserved notes for this caseWouldn't confide in Archie because he believed Archie would kill Orrie if he knew the truth. Really.
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So desperate for meat that he's started taking long walks (between his chair and the bookshelves, back and forth).
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nero hires a man to take his place, to be killed. only to find out that the man he hired, wants to kill him.
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Refuses to take the job as first stated, since anybody can kill anybody if determined enough.
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While WWII was in progress, he and Fritz ran a kitchen pure as cottage cheese - no black market food in the brownstone.
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Character quotations:
. . . I need to keep regular hours, I could not function even passably where properly chilled beer was not continually available, and I cannot run fast. If I am forced to engage in extreme physical effort, such as killing a snake, I am hungry for days.
Wolfe explains why he is useful for a select few number of cases; usually Cramer is much more effective.
I love to make a mistake, it is my only assurance that I cannot reasonably be expected to assume the burden of omniscience.
Wolfe explains to Archie why he takes making mistakes so well.
If you regard it as a rational project to try to find a legitimate nocturnal pick washer, go ahead.
Wolfe giving his perspective to D.A. Waddell concerning evidence surrounding the death of Clyde Osgood. Waddell is grasping for a reason for a pickax handle to be wet at 11 pm.
I would rather become a policeman and take orders from Mr. Cramer than work for anything or anyone called Sweeties.
Nero explaining his decision not to allow Sweeties to pay part of his fee to find the killer of Cyril Orchard.
Since I entered this room you have made nothing but mistakes. You were without courtesy, which was offensive. You made a statement contrary to fact, which was stupid. You confused conjecture with knowledge, which was disingenuous.
Wolfe giving a "free but valuable lesson" to homicide cop O'Grady after he tries to push Wolfe around (this was the first time they'd met).
Accept my apologies, Mr. Townsend. I once saw golf clubs through a shop window while my car was having a flat tire, but the ends were not labeled.
Wolfe explaining to a sporting good salesman (Townsend) why he does not know that the "end" of a golf club is called the "head."
Faultless sequitur.
Wolfe responding to Mr. Townsend's explanation that a (golf club) brassie gets its name by virtue of its brass bottom.
You know, Mr. Townsend, it is our good fortune that the exigencies of birth and training furnish all of us with opportunities for snobbery. My ignorance of this special nomenclature (golf club semantics) provided yours; your innocence of the elementary mental processes provides mine.
Townsend's instruction was essential for Wolfe to understand how Peter Barstow was murdered.
Must I again remind you, Archie, of the reaction you would have got if you had asked Velasquez to explain why Aesop's hand was resting inside his robe instead of hanging by his side? Must I again demonstrate that while it is permissible to request the scientist to lead you back over his footprints, a similar request of the artist is nonsense, since he, like the lark or the eagle, has made none? Do you need to be told again that I am an artist?
Wolfe expressing frustration at Archie's request to know how he knew that Barstow was murdered by a poisoned needle shot from a golf club.
You must pardon me; for engineering reasons I arise only for emergencies.
Wolfe explains to Sarah Barstow why he did not get up when she entered the office and introduced herself.
Sarah Barstow (in reference to Wolfe's orchids): "They are too much beauty."
Wolfe: "At first, yes. But a long intimacy frees you of that illusion, and it also acquaints you with their scantiness of character. ..There is not such a thing as too much beauty."
Sarah: "Perhaps. Yes, perhaps."
Exchange between Sarah Barstow and Wolfe after Archie gave her a tour of the plant rooms (while Wolfe investigated the Barstow family finances).
People often find it difficult to think in my presence, I do not leave enough space.
Wolfe observing Sarah Barstow's discomfort and confusion, encourages her to leave, consider his offer, and reply the next day.
Why taunt me? Why upbraid me? I am merely a genius, not a god.
Wolfe pushing back against Archie's needling him regarding how he's running the investigation.
There is death in this room.
Wolfe being dramatic, letting Archie know that he suspects Manuel Kimball has left a trap somewhere in office.
Intrepid.
Wolfe reacts to Archie's insistence the he personally have Anderson's check certified (despite the rain falling).
Nonsense...what good is an obscenity trial except to popularize literature.
Wolfe rebutting Archie's assertion that Paul Chapin's book (the focus of an obscenity trial) would not be obtainable due to the court's suppression of it.
To be broke is not a disgrace, merely a catastrophe.
Wolfe explaining to Farrell why he is willing to hire him. "You are broke, but you have a fairly intelligent face."
It is astonishing, the effect a little literary and financial success will produce on a spiritual ailment.
Wolfe observes Paul Chapin's change in demeanor in the office as Wolfe refuses to give back Chapin's box of personal items.
Ah! Archie. After what Mrs. Chapin has told me, I scarcely expected to find you operating an apartment house switchboard. I am much relieved.
Both Wolfe and Archie discover the other is safe after Dora Chapin drugged Archie and coerced Wolfe to leave the brownstone to save Archie.
You are the most ridiculous murderer I have ever met. I do not know you well enough to be able to say whether it was through vast stupidity or extraordinary insouciance; however, that may be, you planned the most hazardous of all crimes as if you were devising a harmless parlor game.
Wolfe confronts Bowen in the decisive gathering in the office.
Great hounds and Cerebrus! Don't need to eat! In heaven's name, are you camels, or bears in for the winter?"
Wolfe responds to Clara Fox's statement that she and her friends don't need to eat (at Wolfe's table after his indirect invitation) or might "go out for a bite."
In Greek mythology, Cerberus, often referred to as the hound of Hades, is a multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld to prevent the dead from leaving.
...this is Mr. Saul Panzer. I trust him further than might be thought credible.
Wolfe introduces Saul Panzer to to Hilda Lindquist. Wolfe is arranging for Lindquist to be in seclusion as the police seek to question anyone connected with Harlan Scovil's murder.
You understand, Miss Fox, this is something unprecedented. It has been many years since any woman has slept under this roof. not that I disapprove of them, except when they attempt to function as domestic animals. When they stick to the vocations for which they are best adapted, such as chicanery, sophistry, self-adornment, cajolery, mystification and incubation, they are sometimes splendid creatures.
Wolfe explains to Clara Fox what an honor it is to be invited to stay in the South Room.
And as for my keeping you in the ignorance of facts, you already interfere so persistently with my mental processes that I am disinclined to furnish you further grounds for speculation...chiefly you lack patience, and my exercise of it infuriates you.
Wolfe explains to Archie why he keeps certain information from him during the course of a case.
Confound you, Archie. I have you to thank for this acarpous entanglement.
Wolfe expressing his frustration after learning from Lord Clivers that he already paid his debt to the Rubber Band. "Acarpous" means fruitless.
Your meddlings have not entitled you to usurp the fatal dignity of Atropos; don't flatter yourself.
Wolfe attempting to relieve Clara Fox's sense of guilt over the murder of Mike Walsh. Atropos is the Greek goddess of fate and destiny. Atropos could chose the manner of death of mortals.
Let me make a suggestion, Mr. Hombert. Why don't you go home and go to sleep and leave this affair to be handled by Mr. Cramer...and Mr. Skinner. You probably have abilities of some sort, but they are obviously inappropriate to the present emergency.
Wolfe responding to Hombert's shouting and threat to arrest Wolfe as a material witness.
I can't help that either; do you think I have the Moerae running errands for me?
Wolfe, during his invitation to Cramer to wrap up the case. "Moerae" in Greek mythology were the incarnations for destiny, responsible for making sure that all beings lived out their destiny.
Sir, I would not enter a taxicab for a chance to solve the Sphinx's deepest riddles with all the Nile's cargo for my reward! Good God. A taxicab...You observe my bulk. I am not immovable, but my flesh has a constitutional reluctance to sudden, violent, or sustained displacement.
Wolfe responds to Llewellen Frost's effrontery and suggestion that he travel twenty blocks via taxicab to help him solve a problem.
I don't trust you; you are incensed; the flame of fear and resentment is burning in you.
Wolfe explains to his client, Lew Frost, who wishes to halt the investigation, why he does not trust an uncertified check in payment for his efforts.
I was wrong. Death did stalk him here. I am an imbecile.
Wolfe rebukes himself after witnessing Boyden McNair dying in the office.
I confess that I have on occasions quibbled with you and played with double meanings, but you have never known me to tell you a direct and categorical lie. Never, sir. I tell you now that I have never seen Mr. McNair's red box, I have no idea where it is or was, and I have no knowledge whatever of its contents.
Wolfe responding to Insp. Cramer's insinuation that he has possession of McNair's red box.
And you, sir, who engaged me to solve a problem and then proceeded to hamper me aa soon as I made the first step - now you are quick on the trigger to resent it if I do not show tenderness and consideration for your cousin's remorse and grief. I show none because I have none. If I offer anything for sale in this office that is worth buying, it certainly is not a warm heart and maudlin sympathy for the distress of spoiled obtuse children.
Wolfe chastises Lewellen and Helen Frost after the murder of Boyden McNair and their unannounced appearance at the brownstone.
It is legally mine. Defend it.
Wolfe's instructions to Saul regarding the red box, if Saul should find it.
Dear me. As cynical as that about it? But a brave cynicism which is of course proper. Nothing is more admirable than the fortitude with which millionaires tolerate the disadvantages of their wealth.
Wolfe responding to Helen Frost's comment that many men (Gebert among them) have pursued her for her money.
Culture: I have a house in Egypt which I haven't seen for twenty years. It has Rhages and Veramine tiles on the doorway.
Wolfe tells Helen Frost about his home in Egypt after she mentions living in Egypt as a child. Rhages is both a vintage style of tile and also the name of a beautiful lavender orchid. Veramine is a traditional middle eastern styled pattern used in rugs and tiles.
History: Restaurant? I know nothing of restaurants; short of compulsion, I would not eat in one were Vatel himself the chef.
Vatel (1631-1671) served French nobility and was known for his meticulous attention to detail in matters concerning the serving of food. He reportedly committed suicide over the delay in the arrival of seafood he was to have served at a banquet.
We're combing a meadow for a mustard seed ... Tell me.
Wolfe encourages Helen Frost to describe a recurring dream she has about her father.
Culture: Archie observes that Wolfe is re-reading the 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' in the office. Later, at dinner, Wolfe (approvingly) attributes Lawrence's success in Arabia to his personal attitude toward women being aligned with traditional Arabian attitudes, but he is not specific regarding exactly what that attitude is.
'Seven Pillars of Wisdom' is the autobiographical account of the experiences of British Army Colonel T. E. Lawrence who served as a military advisor to Bedouin forces during the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks from 1916 to 1918. The book was completed in February 1922, but first published in December 1926. The title comes from the King James Bible, Book of Proverbs (9:1): "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars."
It's discipline. It fortifies me to put up with ordinary inanities for days. I gladly confess that after listening to the Pearls of Wisdom your conversation is an intellectual and esthetic delight. It's the tops.
Wolfe explains to Archie why he listens to the Pearls of Wisdom Hour on the radio (during which he sits eyes closed with an awful grimace on his face).
Vocabulary: ... my distrust and hatred of vehicles in motion is partly based on my plerophory that their apparent submission to control is illusory...
Wolfe explains to Archie the cause of their crash. "Plerophory" means complete assurance.
Sophistry. Casuistry. Ignoratio elenchi.
Sophistry: the use of fallacious arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving.
Casuistry: the use of clever but unsound reasoning, especially in relation to moral questions.
Ignoratio elenchi (Latin): a logical fallacy which consists in apparently refuting an opponent while actually disproving something not asserted.
Wolfe apparently is trying to console Archie (who feels responsible for Clyde Osgood's death on his watch) by informing him that his logic is flawed. The bull did not kill Osgood; thus, Archie could not be responsible for allowing him to do so.
Vocabulary: The only way I can apodictically eliminate anyone from consideration as the possible murderer is to find out who did it.
Wolfe is explaining to Fred Osgood who shall be under his scrutiny as he investigates the murder. "Apodictically" means to express something as a certain truth.
Literature: You called Mr. Pratt Monte Cristo?
During an interview, Caroline Osgood inadvertently refers to Tom Pratt as Monte Cristo, which Wolfe confirms in this quotation to Caroline.
In the French novel "The Count of Monte Cristo," Monte Cristo is the identity the character Dantès assumes when he emerges from prison and acquires a vast fortune. The Count of Monte Cristo is usually associated with a coldness and bitterness that comes from an existence based solely on revenge. Thus, it seems that the Osgood children ridicule Pratt with this name they consider humorous.
Literature: I am a hired instrument of vengeance ... Nowadays, an Erinys wears a coat and trousers and drinks beer and works for pay, but the function is unaltered and should still be performed, if at all, mercilessly.
When Nancy Osgood objects to the nature and tone of Wolfe's questioning, he explains the nature of his existence and purpose in her household.
In Greek mythology and religion, the "Erinyes" ("Erinys" is the singular; also, known as the "Furies" and the "Eumenides) were female deities of vengeance who sprang initially from the spilled blood of Uranus.
Literature: Victor Hugo wrote a whole book to prove that a lie can be sublime.
Wolfe makes this reference to Hugo's "Les Miserables" in which Jean Valjean lies about his identity after escaping from prison and rebuilding his life.
Vocabulary: ...we can discuss facts calmly, without a lot of useless pother.
Wolfe bantering with Bronson before getting more direct regarding Clyde Osgood's murder.
"Pother" is a state of nervous activity or fuss.
Vocabulary: Ethology is chaos.
Wolfe bantering with Bronson prior to substantive questioning.
"Ethology" is the study of animal (in this case human) behavior.
Vocabulary: If I palaver with you at all -
Wolfe is trying to explain to DA Waddell why his lines of inquiries are flawed.
Palaver (v) - to talk unproductively and at length.
Vocabulary: Proscriptions carried too far lead to nullity.
Wolfe is encouraging Archie to utilize Lily Rowan's fondness for him to their advantage (Archie had indicated that he didn't like "to use his spiritual appeal for business purposes."
Proscription (n): the action of forbidding something; banning.
Nullity (n): something legally void; a thing of no importance or worth.