- Case
- The Next Witness
- Year Published
- 1956
- Case Introduction
- Summer 1954. As the story opens, Wolfe is the next witness for the prosecution, scheduled to testify about the defendant, who he had rejected as a client. Wolfe, listening to the preceding testimony, skedaddles with Archie, having become convinced of the defendant's innocence.
- Notes
- Resolution
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Wolfe, hearing Bagby's testimony, had realized what fertile ground the answering service would be for a blackmail ring collecting information, and upon seeing that the East 69th street staff all lived far above their visible means, set about collecting information regarding which person connected with the service was the killer. (Bagby himself, who had the most to lose.)
Characters in the case:
As the story opens, Ashe is on trial for the murder of Marie Willis. Wolfe, however, becomes convinced during the testimony of earlier witnesses that he didn't do it.
Character descriptionHusband of Robina Keane, the stage actress.
Reserved notes for this caseAshe didn't do it.
The victim's employer, who is undergoing direct examination at the beginning of the story.
Character descriptionPresident of Bagby Answers, Incorporated, a telephone-answering service in New York City.
Reserved notes for this caseMurdered Marie Willis to avoid exposure of his participation in a blackmail racket.
Archie had talked about the Ashe case with Lon before Ashe's trial for murder.
Character descriptionReporter at the Gazette. Dark skin, dark brown eyes. Neat little face, slick black hair. Neatest (card) shuffler Archie knows.
Reserved notes for this case
Leonard Ashe's defense attorney. Archie says that he isn't a sap.
Character descriptionA champion defense attorney "whose batting average on big criminal cases had toped the list of the New York bar for 10 years."
Reserved notes for this case
Was transferred to the apartment on East 69th Street as Marie Willis' replacement after the latter's murder.
Character descriptionOperator for Bagby Answers, Incorporated.
Reserved notes for this case
Archie is under subpoena for the Ashe trial as a witness, but won't be called except in the unlikely event that Mandelbaum decides that Wolfe's testimony needs corroboration.
Character descriptionNero Wolfe's tough and witty assistant.
Reserved notes for this case
Owns a Van Gogh bigger and better than Lily Rowan's.
Character descriptionOperator for Bagby Answers, Incorporated at East 69th Street.
Reserved notes for this case
Leonard Ashe allegedly tried to bribe Marie Willis to eavesdrop on his phone line because he suspected Robina of infidelity.
Character descriptionStage name of Robina Keane Ashe, a very good stage actress who left the stage upon her marriage to Leonard Ashe. Beautiful.
Reserved notes for this case
This case (specifically, the Ashe trial) is the first time that Archie has actually seen Mandelbaum perform in a courtroom, although they were already acquainted. Mandelbaum is prosecuting Ashe.
Character descriptionAssistant district attorney in New York City.
Reserved notes for this case
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
Mentioned in comparison to Alice Hart. Owns a Van Gogh.
Character descriptionAttractive blonde. Daughter of millionaire sewer man James Rowan, owns the Bar JR ranch in Montana.
Reserved notes for this case
Had enough sense to stake out Saul's place after Archie & Wolfe ducked out from under their subpoenas.
Character descriptionInitially an employee in N.Y. D.A.'s office. Later Cramer's man.
Detective (sergeant). Unfriendly.
Reserved notes for this case
Boyfriend (possibly; opinions differ) of Marie Willis, the victim. Accompanied Helen Weltz to her first meeting with Wolfe and Archie.
Character descriptionLooks too mean to be a murderer, in Archie's opinion.
Reserved notes for this case
Gambles on horse races; takes 2 racing journals.
Character descriptionOperator for Bagby Answers, Incorporated at East 69th Street.
Reserved notes for this case
The victim whose death is the subject of the trial that's under way as the story opens.
Character descriptionOperator for Bagby Answers, Inc. Stage-struck young woman who worships Robina Keane as her ideal.
Reserved notes for this caseAn honest, ethical person.
For once, Wolfe is under subpoena and testifying in person during the Ashe trial. He's not happy.
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 case
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