- Case
- The Rubber Band
- Year Published
- 1936
- Case Introduction
- 7-9 October 1935. A group of people claim to be owed a very large of money by a foreign nobleman (who happens to be traveling in New York). Long ago, the nobleman (alias George Rowley) was in prison for murder and to be hanged. When he was liberated by the Rubber Band (a group of toughs led by a man nick-named Rubber), the nobleman promised to pay back half of a fortune he said he would receive should he return to his home in England. Descendants of and actual members of the Rubber Band ask Wolfe's help in getting payment from the nobleman.
- Notes
- Resolution
-
A major clue to the murderer is that very few people knew that Harlan Scovil was in New York--his murderer was one of them, Wolfe concludes. Perry saw Scovil in Wolfe's office. Victor Lindquist gave a description of Coleman which further supported Wolfe's conjecture. Perry, however, cannot be placed at the murder scene of Mike Walsh because of his presence at Wolfe's door two minutes after Archie and Wolfe heard (over the telephone) Walsh get shot. After some failed experiments (Wolfe slamming wood boards together in the greenhouse, as Archie watches), Wolfe finds that a large rubber band snapped on the reciever of a telephone gives the effect to the listener of a muffled gunshot. Wolfe confirmed this with Panzer before the big meeting with the public servants, Clivers, Perry, etc. Wolfe learned from Lord Clivers that the debt owed to the Rubber Band was already paid to Rubber Coleman in 1906. Clara Fox, however, still sought the money owed her and the others. Perry learned of her search and managed to get her employed by his company to watch her. When her search was about to bear fruit (she had found Clivers and had gathered Lindquist, Walsh, and Scovil), he attempted to have her discredited by framing her for stealing the $30,000 from Muir's desk. Wolfe reveals all of the damning details, and Perry remains silent, "I'm not talking." Ultimately, he admitted to being Rubber Coleman, after Wolfe's scrutiny and suddenly pulls a gun and fires at Wolfe. Goodwin and Cliver both fire at Perry and kill him. Wolfe has only a flesh wound.
Characters in the case:
Ch. 4 - mentioned by Clara Fox as she described the story of the Rubber Band to Wolfe and Archie. Turtle-back had the fastest horse in town and sold it to help George Rowley escape from jail.
Character description"Old-timer"; member of the Rubber Band.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - mentioned by Anthony Perry who says that Arbuthnot was present when the money was taken but is beyond suspicion.
Character descriptionVice President, Seaboard Corporation.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 10 - retained by Wolfe on behalf of Clara Fox. Wolfe assigns Barber to post bail for Durkin after his arrest.
Character descriptionWolfe's 1st lawyer.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 3 - interviewed by Archie at the Seaboard offices. Barish admits she doesn't like Clara Fox but has no information supporting Muir's belief that she stole the money.
Character descriptionSecretary to Ransom Muir at Seaboard Corporation.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 12 - mentioned by Archie in Cramer's office.
Character descriptionStock broker. Member of the League of Frightened Men. Archie describes him as, "medium-sized ... and tired all over; has "little feet...and neat little lady-hands."
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 4 - Archie finds Fritz in the kitchen reading a French language newspaper, and is told by him that Scovil received a phone call 30 minutes after Archie left for the Seaboard offices and that he left the brownstone.
Ch. 5 - tells homicide detective, Slim Foltz, about Harlan Scovil's visit to the office and the phone call that called him away.
Ch. 16 - is angry with Johnny Keems for hanging out in the kitchen too much and eating ingredients intended for Wolfe's meals.
Character descriptionMaster chef in Wolfe's kitchen, has a small apartment in the basement. (In "Fer-De-Lance," his apartment is across from the plant room, not in the basement.) Swiss; native French speaker, served in WWI. Uninterested in murder, except whether a client is in the offing; gets anxious about household finance when Wolfe isn't working. Doesn't like to talk while cooking. Changes to his old slippers at 9 pm because of "things left on his feet by the war to remember it by". Implied he was a member of the Swiss Alpine Patrol during WWI.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 1 - mentioned by Archie.
Character descriptionNotorious Chicago gangster.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 10 - given instructions and money. Later, Orrie reports back that disguised as an electrician he did reconnaissance on the Seaboard Corp.'s boardroom.
Character descriptionSecond in line behind Saul Panzer when Nero and Archie need extra manpower.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 8 - mentioned by Wolfe as he explains to Insp. Cramer that only extreme circumstances compel him to leave the brownstone.
Character descriptionPaul Chapin's wife; maid of Dr. Loring Burton's wife; approximately 5- years old; generally unattractive.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 12 - mentioned by Archie in Cramer's office.
Character descriptionAuthor, Harvard graduate. Handicapped.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 1 - Archie reads about the Marquis of Clivers (who is currently in the U.S. on official government business) in the New York Times.
Ch. 12 - arrives at the brownstone, unannounced.
Ch. 13 - informs Wolfe that he paid Rubber Coleman approximately $1,000,000 in 1906. Clivers is under the assumption that Wolfe was a blackmailer.
Ch. 15 - arrested at the scene of Mike Walsh's murder.
Ch. 17 - agrees to come to the office at Wolfe's request.
Ch. 18 - arrives at the brownstone and is sent upstairs to confer with Wolfe; asserts that Anthony Perry is Rubber Coleman; shoots Perry through the heart when he pulls a gun and points it at Wolfe.
Character descriptionNobleman from England travelling in the U.S. on diplomatic mission.
Reserved notes for this caseComes upon the corpse of Mike Walsh moments after his murder and is the prime suspect.
Fatally shoots Perry through the heart after Perry shoots Wolfe at the finale of the book. Archie got Perry in the shoulder.
Ch. 4 - mentioned by Clara Fox as she described the story of the Rubber Band to Wolfe and Archie. Coleman was the ringleader of the gang that helped free George Rowley from jail.
Caretaker of the actual document recording the bargain with George Rowley; whereabouts unknown.
Character descriptionRubber Band leader.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 8 - calls Wolfe to object to Sgt. Heath's treatment (at Archie's hands) in his search for Clara Fox; arranges with Wolfe to come by late at night to discuss an important matter.
Ch. 9 - smoking a cigar in the office, informs Wolfe that Commissioner Hombert is involved and interested in the case (due to its sensitive political aspect - the involvement of the Marquis of Clivers). Cramer warns Wolfe that the case has the attention of the US Dept. of Justice and that, "They might really send and get you. That's a friendly warning."
Ch. 12 - calls and asks a favor of Archie - that he identify one of the eight Mike Walshes the police have picked up in their investigation of Scovil's murder. Cramer releases all eight when Archie refuses to identify him as the one that came to Wolfe's office.
Ch. 14 - calls and informs Wolfe that Muir has withdrawn his charges against Clara Fox; and now Cramer wants to talk to her about Scovil's murder.
Ch. 15 - arrives at the brownstone with Police Commissioner Hombert, District Attorney Skinner, and Purley Stebbins unannounced.
Ch. 16 - winks at Archie (who grinned in return) during Hombert's intense questioning of Wolfe.
Ch. 18 - comes to the office with Hombert and Skinner at Wolfe's invitation to wrap up the case.
Character descriptionInspector with NYPD, Homicide. Has tolerate / hate relationship with Wolfe. He respects Wolfe, but is greatly irritated by his eccentricities. Habitually chews (but rarely lights) cigars. Notably, Cramer lights a cigar in Wolfe's office during "Instead of Evidence" in which the murder weapon is an exploding cigar! First name is given as Fergus one time, but generally accepted as Lionel. Had a son in the Army Air Corps during WWII. Archie has called Mrs. Cramer on the phone more than once to reach the Inspector at home. Archie's favorite alias for him is "the man about the chair" or "any name with a double "d", e.g., Mr. Judd".
At no time is Inspector Cramer ever referred to in the books as "Lionel T." Cramer; his first name is given as "Fergus" in "Where There's a Will." There is a lone later reference to him as L.T.C. (The Silent Speaker), but never Lionel. Stout's biographer, John McAleer, asked Stout to explain the "Fergus"/"L.T.C" discrepancy; Stout replied: "No significance. Laziness. I didn't bother to check on whether he already had a first name. Of course, all discrepancies in the Nero Wolfe stories are Archie Goodwin's fault." (from "Royal Decree; Conversations with Rex Stout)
He is featured in a book by Stout called Red Threads, first published 1939, tracking down a killer with a young fashion designer. There is no reference to Nero Wolfe.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 18 - present in Wolfe's office during the fatal shooting of Anthony Perry.
Ch. 9 - mentioned by Insp. Cramer to Wolfe; Devore went to discuss Scovil's murder with the Marquis of Clivers without consulting police headquarters.
Character descriptionHomicide
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 15 - called by Wolfe long-distance, and agrees to warn Vic Lindquist of possible attempt to injure him.
Character descriptionNebraska farmer. Friend / neighbor of the Lindquists.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 6 - comes to the brownstone for instructions. Later, he returns after retrieving Clara Fox's automobile, which a detective had been watching.
Ch. 10 - given instructions and money. Later, Durkin calls the office and informs Archie that he's been arrested; Wolfe involves Barber to have him released.
Ch. 12 - returns to the brownstone after release from NYPD headquarters on bail.
Character descriptionHired hand used by Wolfe and Archie when extra manpower is needed. Not the best, but can tail better than anybody but Saul. The favorite "irregular" after Saul - Fritz: "I'm glad it's Orrie instead of Saul or Fred"; Archie: "Such a chore for Saul or Fred of course, but I didn't like doing it for Orrie."; Mr Wolfe: "He doesn't have the dignity of a man who has found his place and occupies it, as you have, Fred."
Bald, burly, 5'10, 190 lbs; moves like a bear. Married with four children. Archie: "You can trust him to hell and back."
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 4 - arrives at the brownstone to ask Wolfe if he knows anything about the man, Harlan Scovil, shot 5 times down the street.
Ch. 5 - discusses Scovil's visit to the office with Archie and Fritz.
Character descriptionHomicide detective detailed to the district attorney's office. On a first name basis with Archie.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 17 - found out somehow that Wolfe knew something about the Scoville murder and called for a scoop; Archie kidded him and "backed him off."
Character descriptionArchie's Gazette contact. Pre-Lon Cohen days.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - mentioned by Anthony Perry, indicating she had opportunity to take the $30,000 missing from Mr. Muir's office. Perry indicates, however, that he doesn't think she took it.
Ch. 3 - confronted by Mr. Muir regarding the stolen money, she handles herself well.
Ch. 4 - attends the initial meeting in Wolfe's office with Mike Walsh and Hilda Lindquist.
Ch. 5 - responds to Wolfe's questioning regarding the stolen money and Scovil's murder; she pays him a $1 retainer and becomes the client. Along with Mike Walsh and Hilda Lindquist, dines with Wolfe and Archie.
Ch. 7 - NYC detectives arrive at the brownstone with a warrant (filed by Ramsey Muir) for Clara's arrest; Archie refuses to admit them.
Ch. 11 - hides in a box of osmundine under boards supporting orchids being sprayed by Wolfe as Lt. Rowcliff searches for her in the plant rooms, evading arrest for larceny.
Ch. 16 - at Wolfe's direction and in the office, Fox tells Hombert, Cramer, and Skinner the story of the Rubber Band.
Character descriptionAge 26, decodes cables and telegrams at the Seaboard Products Corporation. Had considered a career as an adventuress.
Reserved notes for this caseStolen money is planted in her car.
Clara hides underneath orchids which Wolfe waters while Rowcliff searches the house for her.
Ch. 4 - mentioned by Clara Fox as she described the story (as written by her father, Gilbert) of the Rubber Band to Wolfe and Archie. Gilbert was the part of the gang that helped free George Rowley from jail. He wrote the story from Europe during WWI in a letter to his wife, Lola. Fox did not survive the war.
Character descriptionFather to Clara Fox.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 4 - Mentioned in a letter read by Clara Fox (her daughter) to Wolfe.
Character descriptionMother to Clara Fox.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 11 - mentioned by Archie as Rowcliff searched the plantrooms for Clara Fox.
Character descriptionPresident, Horticultural Society of France.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 10 - Morley informs Archie that Frisbie is handling the larceny case against Clara Fox and that he considers it airtight after finding $30,000 cash in her car.
Ch. 15 - mentioned by Wolfe discussing the case with Perry.
Character descriptionNYC Assistant District Attorney. Archie describes him as, "the window-dummy type - high collar, clothes pressed very nice, and embalmed stiff and cold."
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - briefly discusses the details of the missing $30,000 and the personnel involved with Mr. Perry. Harlan Scovil is escorted into the office by Fritz, and Archie asks him to wait while he consults with Wolfe on the investigation for Perry. Archie talk briefly with Scovil, but leaves him in the office after Mr. Perry calls and insists Archie come at once to his offices to deal with the developing situation there.
Ch. 3 - goes on foot to the Seaboard offices and meets Mr. Muir, Ms. Barish, Ms. Vawter, and Clara Fox.
Ch. 5 - answered Slim Foltz's questions regarding Scovil's visit to the office.
Ch. 6 - interrupted at dinner by Panzer and Durkin to whom he gives instructions.
Ch. 7 - knocked backwards into the hallway by a pair of NYC detectives wanting to talk to Wolfe about Clara Fox. Archie repels the assault.
Ch. 8 - discusses whether or not Clara Fox is in the brownstone with two NYC detectives (one named Steve) on the stoop.
Ch. 10 - allows Francis Horrocks to see Clara Fox to avoid his going to the police. Before Horrocks leaves, Lt. Rowcliff arrives with a search warrant.
Ch. 11 - hounds Lt. Rowcliff throughout his search of the brownstone for Clara Fox.
Ch. 14 - along with Wolfe, takes a frantic phone call which includes some shouting, a gunshot, and then ends. The caller seemed to identify himself as Walsh.
Ch. 18 - gets all guests situated in the office, and is vigilant throughout Wolfe's presentation.
Character descriptionNero Wolfe's tough and witty assistant.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 18 - shoots Perry in the shoulder after Perry shoots Wolfe. Takes the rap for killing Perry, at Wolfe's suggestion, to spare Lord Clivers the publicity.
Ch. 13 - mentioned by Wolfe as the maker of his remarkable globe.
Character descriptionGlobemaker.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 7 - tried to push his way into the brownstone, catching Archie off-guard. Archie shoves him back out along with a fellow detective.
Ch. 8 - discusses Clara Fox's whereabouts with Archie on the front stoop; he also shows Archie an arrest warrant for Clara Fox. Camps outside after Archie refuses him entry.
Character descriptionNYC homicide sergeant. An inch taller than Archie; not terribly friendly.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 9 - Wolfe orders Archie to prepare for a long-distance connection with Hitchcock in London.
Ch. 10 - Wolfe talks from his room with Hitchcock long-distance.
Character descriptionPrivate investigator in England.
Reserved notes for this caseInvestigated Marquis of Clivers for Wolfe in England.
Ch. 9 - mentioned by Insp. Cramer during a late-night conversation in the office; Hombert is very interested in the case because the Marquis is involved. We also learn from Cramer that the marquis informed Hombert that Clara Fox had asked for money, the ancient debt to the Rubber Band. Cramer informs Wolfe that Hombert had ordered the "assault" (by two homicide detectives) on the brownstone and used Muir's accusations against Clara Fox to have her arrest warrant served (Archie thwarted his efforts by not allowing the men to enter).
Ch. 15 - arrives at the brownstone with District Attorney Skinner, Inspector Cramer, and Purley Stebbins unannounced.
Ch. 16 - lectures Wolfe regarding his apparent defiance of the law and shouts, "You are directly and legally responsible for his [Walsh's] death!"
Ch. 18 - comes to the office with Cramer and Skinner at Wolfe's invitation to wrap up the case.
Character descriptionPolice commissioner. Unfriendly.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 6 - searching Clara Fox's apartment, Saul Panzer discovers a box of roses sent to her from Horrocks.
Ch. 10 - arrives at the brownstone unannounced dressed like the "best man" dropping Lord Clivers's name; Archie admits him. Horrocks demands to see Clara Fox (who called him earlier) or he'll go to the police; Archie acquiesces.
Ch. 11 - present in the plant rooms with Wolfe and Horstmann when Rowcliff conducts his search for Clara Fox.
Ch. 17 - accompanies Clivers to the brownstone for the conclusion of the case; upon arrival, he immediately expresses interest in Clara Fox's welfare, and Archie sends him up to the South room.
Character descriptionDiplomat with specialty in the Far East; 6' tall, spare but not skinny, fair-skinned with chilly blue eyes. Marquis of Clivers' nephew.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - mentioned by Archie who goes to the plant rooms to get instructions from Wolfe; Horstmann is fussing with a pot of charcoal and osmundine.
Ch. 11 - helps extract Clara Fox from her hiding spot in a box of osmundine where she eluded arrest during Lt. Rowcliff's search for her in the plant rooms.
Character descriptionOlder man. Wolfe's orchid nurse. Lives in small cubbyhole on the roof with the plants. First mentioned in ch. 3 of "Fer-de-lance" - Archie sometimes hears him shouting at Wolfe in the mornings.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 12 - at Wolfe's direction, is searching for Mike Walsh. Using code, Keems reports in that the police have picked up Walsh. Later, Wolfe orders Keems to find a means by which Archie can talk to Walsh at the construction site where he works without police detection.
Ch. 14 - returns to the brownstone and presents diagrams for the entrances Archie can use to meet secretly with Mike Walsh while he is at work. Stays around to cover for Archie while he is out.
Ch. 15 - arrives at the brownstone with a newspaper announcing Lord Clivers's arrest at the scene of Mike Walsh's murder.
Character descriptionReserve manpower called in periodically. Looks like a Princeton boy with his face washed. With his satisfied handsomeness, Johnny unquestionably wants Archie's job, Archie believes; but Archie knows Wolfe would never be able to stand him.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 10 - compared by Archie with a large, menacing homicide detective watching the brownstone.
Character descriptionNotable English stage and film actor. Played Captain Bligh in the film "Mutiny on the Bounty" in 1935. in 1939, he played the hunchback of Notre Dame.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 4 - Lindquist attends the initial meeting in Wolfe's office with Clara Fox and Mike Walsh; she represents her father's interests in the Rubber Band affair.
Ch. 5 - with Clara Fox and Mike Walsh, dines with Wolfe and Archie.
Ch. 15 - brought to the brownstone at Wolfe's direction (by an associate of Saul) after Mike Walsh's murder.
Character descriptionDaughter to Vic Lindquist.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - mentioned by Harlan Scovil in the office.
Ch. 12 - talks with Wolfe over long-distance.
Character descriptionRubber Band member.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 11 - assisted Lt. Rowcliff in searching the brownstone for Clara Fox (including the plant rooms with Wolfe present).
Character descriptionCop
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 18 - mentioned in a document between George Rowley and the Rubber Band (Mollen was a member of the Band).
Character descriptionaka Turtleback. Member of the Rubber Band.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 9 - Wolfe orders Archie to get Morley at the District Attorney's office early the next morning, so he can talk to him.
Ch. 10 - Wolfe talks on the telephone to Morley early in the morning. Later, Morley calls the office and informs Archie that Asst. DA Frisbie is involved and that a police search of Clara Fox's car uncovered $30,000 cash. The larceny case against her is considered airtight.
Character descriptionFriendly contact in the NYC DA Office.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - mentioned by Anthony Perry, indicating that $30,000 is missing from his desk. Muir believes Clara Fox took the money.
Ch. 3 - as Archie arrives at the Seaboard offices, we learn from Perry that Muir has confronted Clara Fox and insists on calling the police. Muir implies that Perry and Fox are romantically involved which is why Perry seems to be protecting her.
Ch. 5 - Clara Fox informs Wolfe that she was sorry she ever aroused Muir's interest and that his obsession with her cured her of wanting to be an adventuress.
Ch. 7 - we learn that Muir has formally accused Clara Fox of stealing, and the police take a warrant for Fox's arrest to the brownstone.
Ch. 12 - with an appointment, comes to the office to talk with Wolfe; Perry has ordered him to drop his charges against Clara Fox, but he is obsessed with seeing her first. He leaves frustrated.
Ch. 14 - Cramer informs Wolfe that Muir has dropped charges against Clara Fox.
Ch. 18 - arrives at the brownstone with Perry at Wolfe's invitation; readily accepts Wolfe's conclusion that Perry is Rubber Coleman and a murder.
Character descriptionSenior vice president of the Seaboard Products Corporation. Among other duties, Muir makes large cash payments to representatives of foreign countries for "certain privileges."
Reserved notes for this caseHad affair with Clara Fox.
Ch. 9 - Wolfe orders Archie to get copies of all available years of "Metropolitan Biographies" from Murger's shop.
Character descriptionOwns and operates a bookstore.
Reserved notes for this case
Harlan Scovil says John Orcutt chews tobacco and spits east and west of the Mississippi.
Character descriptionRenowned spitter
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 6 - comes to the brownstone for instructions. Later, he returns after searching Clara Fox's apartment (see entry re: Bill Purvil).
Ch. 7 - accepts Wolfe's commission to arrange for Hilda Lindquist "to be in seclusion for a while" (in order to avoid the police in the aftermath of Scovil's murder).
Ch. 8 - returns to the brownstone and reports to Wolfe and Archie; stays in the north room that night.
Ch. 10 - reports back to Wolfe regarding Lindquist's father in Nebraska.
Ch. 15 - Wolfe sends Saul to retrieve Hilda Lindquist after Mike Walsh is found murdered.
Ch. 17 - assists Wolfe in an experiment regarding the mysterious gunshot he and Archie heard over the phone.
Ch. 18 - repeats the fake gunshot experiment for the benefit of Skinner and Cramer to convince them of Perry's guilt.
Character descriptionTop hired hand Nero and Archie look to for manpower. Hosts regular Thursday night poker game at eight pm at his apartment in Brooklyn. Rust-colored hair, 5'7, 145 lbs, big nose and flat ears.
In the "Rubber Band" (ch. 6) Archie tells us that Panzer has a photographic memory when it comes to faces.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - asks Wolfe to investigate $30,000 (cash) stolen from the office of a senior vice president (Ramsey Muir) at the Seaboard Products Corporation. Mr. Muir is convinced Clara Fox took the money, and Perry wants Wolfe to find the truth (and hopes he will exonerate Ms. Fox). After leaving the office, calls back and insists Archie come to the office immediately to deal with the developing situation there.
Ch. 5 - is upset with Wolfe when informed that Clara Fox is his client and that he cannot, therefore, represent him or his corporation.
Ch. 15 - comes to the office to get information regarding how Wolfe knew Clara Fox was innocent of the larceny charges (ostensibly to gather evidence against Muir); Wolfe refuses him and refuses to shake his hand when he leaves.
Ch. 18 - comes to the brownstone with Mr. Muir; denies Clivers' and Wolfe's assertion that he is Rubber Coleman and responsible for Scovil's and Walsh's murder. He tells Wolfe, "I'm not talking. Not just now. You go on."
Character descriptionPresident of Seaboard Products Company.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 18 - Perry is the infamous Rubber Coleman. He hired Clara Fox to keep tabs on her progress in solving the mystery of the Rubber Band. Perry murders Harlan Scovil who had seen him in Wolfe's office. Perry shoots Wolfe after Nero outlines his exploits and conducts an experiment faking a gunshot over the phone (with Saul Panzer's assistance).
Ch. 10 - referenced by Archie in a comment about Francis Horrocks's manner of dress.
Character descriptionAmerican writer noted for writings on etiquette and manners.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 6 - Saul reports to Wolfe that Purvil had staked out Clara Fox's apartment when he had arrived to search it.
Character descriptionPoliceman. Saul Panzer encountered him in Brooklyn in 1932 during the "Moschendon" case.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 10 - leads three other men in serving search warrant for Clara Fox at Nero's townhouse. Archie hassles him throughout the search of the house. Rowcliff finds nothing.
Ch. 16 - is present outside the brownstone when Hombert, Cramer, and Skinner meet with Wolfe.
Character descriptionLieutenant in NYPD. Has antagonistic relationship with Archie and Wolfe.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 4 - mentioned by Clara Fox as she tells Wolfe about the story of the Rubber Band.
Character descriptionaka Marquis of Clivers.
Reserved notes for this caseGeorge Rowley was the alias once used by Marquis of Clivers during his days in the American West.
Ch. 2 - Mentioned by Perry - he's the public relations counsel with Seaboard Corporation.
Character descriptionPublic Relations Counsel with Seaboard Corporation.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 1 - mentioned by Archie.
Character descriptionGangster
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - arrives at the brownstone unannounced; Fritz brings him to the office where he finds Archie wrapping up a meeting with Anthony Perry. Scovil confides in Archie his unease about leaving Wyoming and being in NYC, "You can see the kind of man I am. I am out of my county. Hell, I'm clear over the mountains." He goes on to tell Archie that he is in town to see Mike Walsh, Vic Lindquist's daughter, Gil Fox's daughter, and George Rowley.
Ch. 4 - Fritz informs Archie that Scovil received a phone call and left the brownstone.
Character description6' 3" tall, wears a ten-gallon hat; lives in Wyoming. Member of the Rubber Band.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 4 - Official from the DA's office, Slim Foltz, arrives at the brownstone and informs them that Harlan Scovil was murdered down the street. A piece of paper with Wolfe's name on it was found in his pocket.
Perry called him from Wolfe's office by phone and killed by gunfire from a car.
Ch. 15 - mentioned by Perry whom he knows personally. Arrives at the brownstone with Police Commissioner Hombert, Inspector Cramer, and Purley Stebbins unannounced.
Ch. 16 - along with Hombert bombards Wolfe with angry questions regarding Walsh's murder and Clivers's meeting with Wolfe, but he begins to "melt with sweetness" as he realizes Wolfe has information he needs.
Ch. 18 - comes to the office with Cramer and Hombert at Wolfe's invitation to wrap up the case.
Character descriptionDistrict attorney. Unfriendly.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 15 - finds Marquis of Clivers standing over the body of Mike Walsh at the construction site where Walsh was employed as a watchman. Arrives with Police Commissioner Hombert and Inspector Cramer unannounced.
Ch. 16 - at Cramer's request, he is taken to the kitchen (where he plays checkers with Johnny Keems).
Character descriptionInitially an employee in N.Y. D.A.'s office. Later Cramer's man.
Detective (sergeant). Unfriendly.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - mentioned by Anthony Perry who indicates she was present when money was taken from the office, but that she has been with the company for 11 years and Mr. Muir trusts her. She insisted that he search her belongings after the money was discovered to be missing.
Ch. 10 - admits Orrie (disguised as an electrician) into the Seaboard Corp. boardroom where he does reconnaissance.
Character descriptionExecutive Reception Clerk, Seaboard Corporation.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 18 - Patched up Wolfe in the brownstone after Wolfe was shot in the fleshy part of the left arm.
Character descriptionM.D. Wolfe's consultant where a physician is needed.
Wolfe likes him. Always accepts a beer when he calls in the evenings. He leaves abruptly after business is finished. His house and office is one minute (60 yards)from the brownstone. His brownstone still has a vestibule (Mr Wolfe removed his years ago to make the front hallway bigger). Once signed a medical certificate that Mr Wolfe was batty. Once took 22 stitches in Archie's side when a character "went wide enough but not deep enough".
Short. Spectacled.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - mentioned by Harlan Scovil who announced that Anthony Perry was not Mike Walsh when he encountered him in Wolfe's office.
Ch. 4 - attends the initial meeting in Wolfe's office with Clara Fox and Hilda Lindquist. Clara Fox described Walsh's role in the story of the Rubber Band to Wolfe and Archie. Walsh was guarding George Rowley in jail the night the Rubber Band helped him escape.
Ch. 5 - with Clara Fox and Hilda Lindquist, dines with Wolfe and Archie.
Ch. 6 - shows his gun (an old Folwell .44) to Wolfe and Archie; it's loaded but has not been fired recently.
Ch. 7 - is upset and distrustful of everyone after learning of Scovil's murder; is restrained by Archie (on Wolfe's order), attempting to leave the office. After discussing the situation, Wolfe let's him leave. Later, Archie suspects he called the police, informing them of Clara Fox's whereabouts.
Ch. 12 - is picked up by the police in connection with the murder of Harlan Scovil. Cramer releases him along with 7 other Mike Walshes when Archie refuses to identify him as the one corresponding to the name on the list found in Scovil's pocket.
Character descriptionMember of the Rubber Band. Crack shot in his youth.
Reserved notes for this case
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.
Character descriptionMaster 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 for this caseCh. 18 - shot in the arm by Anthony Perry (aka Rubber Coleman) in the office.
Ch. 1 - Archie goads Wolfe by suggesting they try to get Woolf to do a piece on Wolfe because it would be good for business. Archie goes on to read from Woolf's most recent piece concerning the English nobleman, the Marquis of Clivers, who is currently in the U.S. (Washington and NYC) on official business.
Character descriptionNew York Times journalist who has written pieces on the likes of Babe Ruth, the King of Siam, the Prince of Wales, and three different U.S. presidents.
Reserved notes for this case
Meals in the case:
Ch. 5
Filets of beef in sauce Abano; soup; Hungarian petits-poissons; fruit.
Meal noteWolfe instructs Fritz to cut the meat into morsels, and include soup and Hungarian petits-poissons to augment the meal to provide enough for 5 (Clara Fox, Hilda Lindquist, and Mike Walsh were unexpected guests for dinner). Fritz proposed giving them canned chicken and mushrooms, but Wolfe said, "Confound it, no! If there are to be hardships, I must share them."
Ch. 10
Canadian bacon, pancakes, and wild thyme honey (which Wolfe got from Syria). Plenty of coffee.
Meal noteArchie eats breakfast alone in the corner of the kitchen going over the morning papers' coverage of Scovil's murder.
Ch. 12
Pork chops and pumpkin pie.
Meal noteFred Durkin eats this meal after his release from NYPD headquarters on bail. He brought the chops with him for Fritz to cook.
Ch. 12
Minced lamb kidneys with green peppers, and a dish of endive; pie and coffee.
Meal noteArchie's lunch after returning from Cramer's office (where he refused to identify Mike Walsh in a lineup).
Ch. 15
Guinea chicken Braziliera.
Meal noteWolfe mentions the menu and that dinner time approaches to Archie and that there is yet work to be done (Wolfe particularly resents such disturbances at that time of day).
Orchids in the case:
Cattleyas trianae
Orchid noteCh. 10 - Theodore is turning out some old orchids in the plantrooms, when Archie startles him, saying "You're going to get shot in the gizzard". It's unclear why Archie said that, though.
Laeliocattleya Lustre
Orchid noteCh. 11 - Wolfe is pressure spraying these orchids and conversing with Francis Horrocks when Rowcliff arrives in the plant rooms during his search for Clara Fox (who happens to be hiding in the box under the boards supporting the orchids).
Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, and Miltonia hybrids
Orchid noteCh. 11 - these orchids are present in the first of the plant rooms and cause Rowcliff and Detective Loedenkrantz to pause and admire during their search for Clara Fox.
Oncidiums
Orchid noteCh. 2 - Archie finds Wolfe in the plant rooms turning some off-season Oncidiums that were about to bud.
Quotations in the case:
Ch. 2
...whenever I interrupted him in the plant-rooms he pretended he was Joe Louis in his training camp and I was a boy peeking through the fence.
Quotation noteJoe Louis was a world-famous heavyweight boxing champion. Archie indicates that Wolfe makes him feel rather unwelcome when intruding upon his time in the plant rooms.
Ch. 5
Great hounds and Cerebrus! Don't need to eat! In heaven's name, are you camels, or bears in for the winter?"
Quotation noteWolfe 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.
Ch. 7
...this is Mr. Saul Panzer. I trust him further than might be thought credible.
Quotation noteWolfe 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.
Ch. 7
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.
Quotation noteWolfe explains to Clara Fox what an honor it is to be invited to stay in the South Room.
Ch. 9
The Commissioner [Hombert] was talking on the telephone this evening to the Department of Justice. That's the kind of lay-out it is. They might really send and get you. That's a friendly warning.
Quotation noteCramer explains to Wolfe the gravity of the case and the consequences that Wolfe might face should he not cooperate with law enforcement.
Ch. 11
Look here, Goodwin. You've had your bluff called. Why not save time? Why don't you bring this Fox woman down here, or up here, and call it a trick? It'd save a lot of messing around."
Quotation noteLt. Rowcliff asks Archie to make the execution of the search warrant for Clara Fox easier.
Ch. 12
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.
Quotation noteWolfe explains to Archie why he keeps certain information from him during the course of a case.
Ch. 13
Eh? What kind of talk is that? Rot.
Quotation noteLord Clivers responding to Wolfe's philosophizing about debts, "All debts are preposterous. They are the envious past clutching with its cold dead fingers the throat of the living present."
Ch. 13
Confound you, Archie. I have you to thank for this acarpous entanglement.
Quotation noteWolfe expressing his frustration after learning from Lord Clivers that he already paid his debt to the Rubber Band. "Acarpous" means fruitless.
Ch. 15
Your meddlings have not entitled you to usurp the fatal dignity of Atropos; don't flatter yourself.
Quotation noteWolfe 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.
Ch. 15
If this keeps up another ten minutes I'll get Weltschmerz!
Quotation noteArchie expresses frustration at Wolfe's apparent lack of action or development of a plan (after Mike Walsh is murdered). "Weltschmerz" is a feeling of weariness and/or pessimism about life in general.
Ch. 16
You'll talk or you'll rot!
Quotation noteHombert responding to Wolfe that he will do no talking whatever if he is arrested as a material witness to the Walsh murder.
Ch. 16
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.
Quotation noteWolfe responding to Hombert's shouting and threat to arrest Wolfe as a material witness.
Ch. 17
I can't help that either; do you think I have the Moerae running errands for me?
Quotation noteWolfe, 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.