- Case
- Some Buried Caesar
- Year Published
- 1939
- Case Introduction
- 12-15 September 1938, published the following year. On the way to the North Atlantic Exposition to exhibit orchids, a blown tire causes Archie to hit a tree. He and Wolfe are stranded and forced to accept the hospitality of the owner of a nearby ranch. Later, when a man is found dead on the premises, local authorities say he was gored to death by a prize bull, but Wolfe says it was murder. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Some_Buried_Caesar/zMtXPzZO-94C?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PR3&printsec=frontcover
- Notes
- Resolution
-
Wolfe deduces the fraud committed by Monte McMillan (switching an inferior bull for Caesar the champion bull), and pieces together the events that led up to the murders of Clyde Osgood and Howard Bronson. Wolfe fabricates evidence to corner Monte McMillan into confessing to the two murders. Ultimately, McMillan injects himself with the anthrax virus, condemning himself to death, and then signs a confession.
Characters in the case:
Ch. 2 - notifies Wolfe that Thomas Pratt has arrived at the ranch (where Wolfe and Archie are unexpected guests); later, Bert gets drinks for Wolfe and Archie.
Character descriptionThomas Pratt's household footman. Archie calls him "greasy-face."
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 11 - mentioned by McMillan for having suggested that Clyde Osgood may have poisoned Caesar.
Ch. 12 - arrives at the Osgood ranch and collects fingerprints (including Wolfe and Archie) of anyone at the Pratt ranch the day of Clyde's death.
Ch. 15 - with D.A. Waddell, arrives abruptly at the Exhibition wanting to take Archie for questioning.
Ch. 16 - question Archie at the Exposition regarding the death of Howard Bronson and does not appreciate his attitude. As he threatens to search Archie, Wolfe sprays him in the face with insecticide (feigning an accident). After the spraying, Barrow (who is highly suspicious of subterfuge) performs no search but takes Archie for questioning.
Character descriptionPolice captain in upstate New York.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - appears unannounced at T. Pratt's ranch with Monte McMillan and Daniel Cullen to buy prize bull Caesar from Thomas Pratt. An uproar ensues.
Ch. 6 - approaches Wolfe at the Exposition on behalf of Fred Osgood who requests his presence.
Ch. 14 - Archie finds Bennett very busy at the Exposition, but he agrees to stop by to talk to Wolfe when he has a moment (to help his friend Fred Osgood).
Ch. 15 - has lunch at the Exposition while Wolfe interviews him concerning the possibility that another bull was substituted for Caesar.
Character descriptionSecretary of the National Guernsey League.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 17 - mentioned by Archie; the brown tie with tan stripes Wolfe was wearing was sent to him by Constanza from Paris.
Character descriptionDaughter of great chef Jerome Berin.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 4 - mentioned; the meal Archie ate at the Pratt ranch was good but not up to Fritz's standards.
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. 2 - drops by the Pratt ranch with his friend from NYC, Clyde Osgood, along with his sister, Caroline Osgood, after attending the exposition. Archie deems him over-dressed for the countryside (see cultural reference).
Ch. 9 - is present at the Osgood ranch as Wolfe and Archie transfer there base of operations there (after Fred Osgood hired Wolfe).
Ch. 10 - is denounced as a crook by Nancy Osgood, as she relents to Wolfe's questioning. She goes on to tell Wolfe that Bronson is the murderer and that Clyde owed him $10,000. After Clyde's death, Bronson turns to his sister Nancy for repayment of Clyde's debt.
Ch. 12 - spotted by Archie in Osgood's library late in the evening and invited to talk over matters with Wolfe.
Ch. 13 - accepts Archie's invitation to come talk with Wolfe and comes to regret it after Archie removes the IOU he had from Clyde Osgood.
Character descriptionNYC denizen; friend of Clyde Osgood. Archie describes him as about his size but doesn't seem tough.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 10 - Nancy Osgood reports to Wolfe that Bronson wanted Clyde to introduce him to exclusive NY bridge clubs (which he could then cheat at cards for money) as repayment for his debt.
Ch. 14 - found dead by Archie, concealed beneath a pile of hay with a pitchfork through his heart.
Struggles with Archie to keep him from taking the $10,000 IOU. Loses the struggle, but impresses Archie somewhat.
Found dead by Archie, with a pitchfork in his chest and concealed by a haystack.
Ch. 14 - mentioned by Wolfe, indicating that Cramer's "indefatigable routine" separated him from the local police investigating Clyde Osgood's death.
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 case
Ch. 2 - appears unannounced at the Pratt ranch (well-dressed according to Archie) with McMillan and Bennet all of whom want to keep Thomas Pratt from killing, barbecuing, and eating prized bull, Caeasar, as a publicity stunt. Cullen has an authoritative tone throughout his visit.
Offers a deal to Tom Pratt to buy Caesar.
Character descriptionHeavy weight financier.
Owns one of the finest purebred Guernsey herds in the country.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - appears unannounced at T. Pratt's ranch with Monte McMillan and Daniel Cullen to participate in the effort to get Pratt to sell his prize bull, Caesar (rather than barbecue him). Archie says he looks tired.
Ch. 7 - present at the meeting called by Frederick Osgood at exposition offices.
Character descriptionChairman of the North Atlantic Exposition Board.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 15 - present at the Exhibition, serving as a judge and awarding Wolfe a medal and three ribbons (infuriating Shanks).
Character descriptionOrchid fancier.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 15 - mentioned by Wolfe who should have already summoned him to help.
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. 1 - driving Wolfe to an orchid exhibition in upstate New York, crashes into a tree after a tire blowout. Evades an aggressive bull in a field and later rescues Wolfe who was stranded atop a large boulder. Meets Lily Rowan for the first time (she witnessed all the excitement in the field).
Ch. 3 - witnesses the (unfriendly) wager made between Clyde Osgood and Tom Pratt. Later, leaves with Caroline Pratt to retrieve the luggage and is warned by her about Lily Rowan's capacity to destroy men (historically, like Clyde but now Jimmy). Archie offers to have lunch with Lily and to provide a report to Caroline concerning the matter.
Ch. 4 - after dinner, takes a shift guarding Caesar and is joined by Lily Rowan.
Ch. 5 - tells Fred Osgood what happened the night of the murder.
Ch. 6 - attends the Exposition (observes Wolfe and Charles Shanks discuss orchids and generally the wide variety of people present) where he eats lunch with Lily Rowan. Later, Wolfe compels Archie to abandon Lily in favor of a meeting with Fred Osgood.
Ch. 9 - with Wolfe, takes up residence at the Osgood ranch, making it the base of operations to investigate Clyde Osgood's murder. Archie assists Wolfe in direct questioning of Fred Osgood, furnishing uncomfortable questions about Osgood-Pratt relationships and about Lily Rowan.
Ch. 11 - sent by Wolfe to the Pratt ranch to photograph Caesar's corpse before it is burned; he's too late though. Later, in frustration, he kisses Lily.
Ch. 14 - pays $66.20 for the repairs to the sedan at Thompson's Garage near Crowfield. (Presumably under Wolfe's orders) scours the exposition for Lew Bennet, finds him extremely busy, and gets him to agree to see Wolfe at his next opportunity. Archie continues to play hard to get with Lily Rowan when she appears at Wolfe's orchid exhibit. After lunch with Wolfe and Lily, again looking for Bennett, observes Nancy Osgood appearing furtive along with Jimmy Pratt and investigates.
Ch. 16 - is questioned by Capt. Barrow regarding Howard Bronson's death (and Archie's presence on the scene earlier in the day). When Barrow threatens to search Archie, Wolfe provides a diversion, and he deposits his ostrich skin wallet in DA Waddell's coat pocket. At Wolfe's suggestion he goes with Barrow to the courthouse for further questioning.
Ch. 17 - for failing to give sufficiently good answer to Capt. Barrow's questions, Archie is detained in the local jail.
Ch. 18 - released from jail with warrant vacated after Wolfe makes a deal with D.A. Waddell.
Ch.19 - observes Wolfe fabricating evidence and entertains his suggestion that he enlist Lily Rowan to help conclude the case.
Ch. 20 - at the Pratt ranch enlists Lily Rowan's help;
Character descriptionNero Wolfe's tough and witty assistant.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 4 - while watching Caesar (on the lookout for any thieves) finds the body of Clyde Osgood (along with Lily Rowan who decided to keep Archie company during his shift) -- takes it hard that it happened on his shift.
Ch. 14 - finds Howard Bronson's dead body concealed in a pile of hay at the Exhibition.
On orders from Wolfe, takes the Clyde Osgood-IOU from Bronson after a small struggle.
Finds Bronson dead in a haystack with a pitchfork in his chest.
Waddell and Capt. Barrow know Archie took a document from Bronson during an interview with Wolfe. Hides the IOU on Waddell before he could be searched (with help from a diversion supplied by Wolfe).
Held in a prison cell overnight on suspicion of having evidence pertinent to the Bronson murder. Wolfe eventually gets him out.
Ch. 17 - makes Archie's acquaintance in county jail; uses his connection with "Slim" (a local employee of the jail) to get Archie a respectable lunch.
Character descriptionApparently a vagrant with extensive firsthand knowledge of geography and county jails. Vice president, treasurer, and secretary of the Crowfield County Prisoners Union.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 1 - Caroline Pratt informs Archie that the bull occupying the field with and trapping Wolfe, was worth $45,000 (implying Archie shouldn't shoot the bull).
Character descriptionLarge, fierce red bull, owned by Pratt, who plans to kill and eat him. Is believed to have killed Clyde Osgood, but Wolfe suspects differently.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 5 - mentioned (Wolfe tells Archie to remind him to wire Theodore. He found a mealy bug on one of the plants.)
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. 16 - mentioned by Capt. Barrow who requests a subordinate get a material witness commitment from him for Archie to be detained for questioning in connection with Howard Bronson's death.
Ch. 18 - vacates the warrant at D.A. Waddell's request (after he made a deal with Wolfe).
Character descriptionJudge working in Crowfield County, NY.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - mentioned by Thomas Pratt. Wolfe declined to accept a case for Hutchinson regarding his wife.
Character descriptionFriend of Thomas Pratt, fast-food restauranteur.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 8 - mentioned by D.A. Waddell as an example of how unprepared he is to investigate a murder.
Character descriptionMember of the Crowfield County, NY police force.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - appears unannounced at T. Pratt's ranch with Lew Bennet and Daniel Cullen to buy prize bull Caesar from Thomas Pratt. An uproar ensues.
Ch. 10 - accompanied by Tom Pratt, arrives at the Osgood ranch unexpectedly with news of Caesar's death.
Ch. 11 - being questioned by Wolfe, reports that Caesar died from anthrax and that the state authorities had immediate plans to burn the bull's corpse. Further, he brings news that the police suspect Clyde Osgood of having poisoned the bull before his own death.
Ch. 12 - is confronted by Wolfe who accuses him of withholding information in his investigation, leaving indignantly eventually.
Ch. 20 - agrees to meet Wolfe at the Pratt ranch; Wolfe confronts him with evidence that he killed Tom Pratt to conceal the fact that he had sold an inferior bull to Pratt in place of Caesar (who had died of anthrax poisoning) and he ultimately confesses (to the deceit and murders of Pratt and Bronson) then commits suicide from poison he had extracted from Caesar's heart.
Character descriptionCattle rancher, hard hit by the Depression. Big-boned, scraggly.
Reserved notes for this caseSwitched an inferior bull for Caesar who died of anthrax, and sold him to Tom Pratt.
Killed Clyde Osgood because he had deduced the switch and attempted blackmail.
Killed the ringer bull with anthrax virus so that the body would have to be destroyed.
Ch. 2 - drops by the Pratt ranch with sister Nancy and associate Mr. Bronson, after attending the exposition.
Ch. 3 - accuses Tom Pratt of deliberately antagonizing his father with his plans to barbecue prize bull Caesar. Then, he goes on to bet $10,000 that Pratt does not barbecue Hickory Caesar Grindon within a week (it's not at all a friendly wager, particularly after Pratt insists Osgood's father underwrites the wager).
Ch. 9 - mentioned by his father that he had returned home from NYC to ask for $10,000 (but wouldn't say why) and was refused.
Ch. 10 - his relationship to Howard Bronson is described to Wolfe by sister Nancy Osgood (in whom Clyde had confided his terrible secret).
Character descriptionRancher.
Son of Frederick Osgood, Rancher.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 10 - Clyde's sister, Nancy, reveals that he had $10,000 debt to Howard Bronson and had a scheme to repay it be introducing Bronson (a card shark) to wealthy family social connections (which Bronson would presumably cheat at cards). Clyde backs out of the deal and must find a way to repay his debt.
Blackmails Monte McMillan who has duped Tom Pratt by selling him an inferior bull in the stead of Caesar.
Killed apparently by Caesar (actually killed by Monte McMillan with a pickax).
Ch. 5 - arrives at the Pratt ranch after Clyde's murder and questions Archie. He is suspicious of and resents Lily Rowan's presence near the scene of Clyde's death. Calls the sheriff and the police.
Ch. 6 - requests that Wolfe come to meet with him at the exposition offices.
Ch. 7 - starts out badly trying to hire Wolfe to investigate the death of his son (Wolfe got up to leave twice early in the meeting), then apologizes and finally agrees to pay Wolfe $1000 for his opinion on the matter; then after hearing Wolfe believes it was murder, he agrees to pay him to compel the authorities to officially investigate.
Ch. 8 - goes with Wolfe to see District Attorney Waddell and becomes furious with him when he remains reluctant to investigate his son's death as a murder (after hearing Wolfe's reasoning on the matter).
Ch. 9 - with Wolfe and Archie, returns to his ranch as it becomes the base of operations to investigate Clyde Osgood's murder.
Ch. 11 - orders Tom Pratt out of his house but relents at Wolfe's request so Pratt and McMillan can be questioned. Osgood becomes indignant when McMillan brings news that the police suspect Clyde of poisoning the bull; Wolfe calms him down.
Character descriptionRancher.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 9 - introduced to Wolfe and Archie who have formally begun investigating her son's murder. Archie notes her eyes were red and swollen from crying. Wolfe sends her away, however, so he can question daughter, Caroline, without parental interference.
Character descriptionFrederick Osgood's wife, an older woman with her hair piled on top of her head.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2 - drops by the Pratt ranch with brother Clyde and his associate Mr. Bronson, after attending the exposition.
Ch. 3 - mentioned by Caroline Pratt who said that Jimmy Pratt was in love with Nancy.
Ch. 7 - is present at the meeting at the exposition office when her father Frederick hires Wolfe to investigate her brother's death. Archie observes that she is very uncomfortable with an investigation.
Ch. 8 - drives her father, Wolfe, and Archie to the Crowfield County Court House.
Ch. 10 - is questioned by Wolfe regarding her brother's movements the day of his murder, becoming reticent to reveal information and forcing Wolfe to become persuasive.
Ch. 14 - observed by Archie with Jimmy Pratt at the Exposition seeming distressed and furtive.
Character descriptionDaughter of rancher Frederick Osgood.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 10 - mentioned by Wolfe as an example of the forces he might bring to bear on the investigation if people (such as Nancy Osgood) aren't cooperative in answering his questions.
Ch. 15 - mentioned by Wolfe who should have already summoned him to help.
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. 15 - mentioned by Archie; he's present at the Exhibition and he and Wolfe exchange pleasantries.
Character descriptionAccomplished orchid grower.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 1 - drives her car into the field where Wolfe is trapped by an aggressive bull, offering him a safe ride out.
Ch. 3 - witnesses the tense exchange between Clyde Osgood and her uncle Tom Pratt; later drives Archie to get the luggage and warns him that Lily Rowan is a very wealthy dangerous vampire. She goes on to assert that Lily is now pursuing her brother Jimmy and she must not get him. Finally, Caroline offers to pay Archie to lure Lily away from Jimmy.
Character descriptionGolf champion. Niece of Thomas Pratt (owner of food chain Pratterias where she once worked).
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 2. - demonstrates an openly antagonistic relationship with his uncle, Thomas Pratt, over drinks with Wolfe, Archie, and Caroline Pratt. Jimmy apparently is slated to inherit a million dollars from his uncle who believes he's worthless.
Ch. 3 - witnesses the tense exchange between Clyde Osgood and his uncle and their wager. Confesses he wanted to slap Osgood. Later, his sister Caroline tells Archie that Jimmy is infatuated with Lily Rowan and she mustn't be allowed to destroy him.
Ch. 14 - Archie follows Pratt and Caroline Osgood at the Exposition after seeing them behaving furtively; Pratt is disagreeable.
Character descriptionNephew of Thomas Pratt.
Architect.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 1 - mentioned by his niece, Caroline Pratt, who explained to Wolfe that who owns the aggressive bull.
Ch. 2 - is suspicious of Wolfe's presence on his ranch, questioning Wolfe regarding his reason for being in his field where his prized bull was being kept. Pratt resents the strong-armed attempt by Cullen, Bennet, and McMillan to by his prize bull, Caesar.
Ch. 3 - invites Wolfe to be among the "epicures" at the barbecuing of Caesar; he also invites Wolfe and Archie to remain for dinner that evening. Later, Pratt accepts Clyde Osgood's wager that Pratt does not barbecue prize bull Caesar within a week (as long as Osgood's father guarantees payment).
Ch. 10 - accompanied by McMillan, arrives at the Osgood ranch unexpectedly with news of Caesar's death.
Character descriptionOwner of the food chain Pratterias.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 1 - witnesses Archie and Wolfe evasion and rescue from the aggressive bull they encountered in Thomas Pratt's field. She names Archie "Escamillo" for his efforts.
Ch. 2 - drops by the Pratt ranch with Caroline and Clyde Osgood and Mr. Bronson, after attending the exposition. Exchanges pleasantries with Jimmy Pratt who seems to be infatuated with her.
Ch. 4 - keeps Archie company in the field guarding Caesar.
Ch. 6 - meets Archie for lunch (insists he order Mrs. Miller's chicken fricassee and dumplings) at the Exposition; Lily explains her aversion to marriage and her past romantic entanglement with Clyde Osgood, including his sister's (Nancy) hatred of her. She expresses disappointment when Archie is called away by Wolfe on business.
Ch. 11 - loans Archie her camera.
Ch. 14 - shows up at Wolfe's orchid exhibit and requests he give her an orchid (Wolfe agrees to do so after the judging).
Ch. 17 - visit Archie in jail, hoping she can help make him more comfortable during his imprisonment (Archie asks only that she call Wolfe later at midnight with nonsense to annoy him).
Ch. 20 - agrees to work with Wolfe and Archie to pin a murder on a man Archie assures her is guilty.
Character descriptionAttractive blonde. Daughter of millionaire sewer man James Rowan, owns the Bar JR ranch in Montana.
Reserved notes for this caseCh. 4 - present with Archie when he discovers Clyde Osgood's corpse in the field.
Ch. 5 - arrives at the Pratt ranch and certifies Clyde Osgood's death as accidental from being gored by a bull.
Character descriptionDoctor in rural Crowfield, NY area.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 6 - Shanks (Wolfe's orchid-growing rival) is present at the exposition in Crowfield, and Archie mentions that Wolfe was being gracious to him (discussing topics such as stored pollen, nutritive solutions, and fungus inoculation). Archie actually refers to Shanks as an "enemy" because of his recent refusal to trade orchids with Wolfe (see related Orchid annotation in this case).
Ch. 14 - "chews the rag" with Wolfe at the Exposition.
Character descriptionOrchid rival. In "Some Buried Caesar," Archie describes him as "a short fat person in a dirty unpressed mohair suit with little keen black eyes and two chins."
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 6 - mentioned by Archie in his vivid decription of the Exposition where Wolfe was exhibiting orchids. Shasta is a fortune teller who will let you in on it for a dime.
Character descriptionFortune teller (likely entirely fictious, not a cultural or historical reference of any kind).
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 1 - Waved gun at Nero and Archie as they cross the field Caesar occupied. Wolfe declares to Archie he's an idiot.
Ch. 4 - takes the early evening shift guarding Caesar; relieved by Archie after dinner.
Ch. 9 - discussing candidates for who might have killed Clyde Osgood (who had fired Smalley in the past when he worked on the Osgood ranch), Wolfe rejects Dave because of his idiotic nature (the murder required brains and nerves...).
Ch. 11 - engages in small talk upon encountering Archie at the Pratt ranch as Caesar is burned.
Character descriptionFormer employee of the Osgoods -- fired by Clyde Osgood.
Farm hand employed by Tom Pratt.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 19 - hired by Wolfe to fly Lew Bennett to the offices of the National Guernsey League to retrieve the original color pattern sketches of Caesar and other bulls.
Character descriptionPilot in Crowfield County, NY. A good-looking kid with a clean face and greasy clothes.
Reserved notes for this case
Ch. 8 - is confronted by Wolfe and Frederick Osgood who want Clyde Osgood's death investigated as a murder. Waddell reluctantly agrees when confronted with Wolfe's observations and reasoning.
Ch. 11 - Wolfe compares Waddell to a befuddled trout for considering the possibility that Clyde Osgood poisoned the bull.
Ch. 12 - with Captain Barrow, arrives at the Osgood ranch investigating Clyde's death and is open to cooperating with Wolfe.
Ch. 15 - with Capt. Barrow, arrives abruptly at the Exhibition wanting to take Archie for questioning.
Ch. 18 - vacates has Judge Hutchins vacate the warrant for Archie based on Wolfe's word that he will identify the killer and provide evidence of guilt.
Character descriptionDistrict Attorney in upstate New York.
Reserved notes for this caseHolds Archie overnight in prison because he suspects him of having information connected to the Bronson murder.
Ch. 6 - bumps into Archie at the Exposition and asks a few fairly intelligent questions about Clyde Osgood's death.
Character descriptionIn "Some Buried Caesar" Archie describes this person (who identifies himself as the Asst. DA of Crowfield County, NY) as "a tall skinny guy, as young or younger than me, wearing a smile...of an elected person...." It's not clear if this person's last name is actual or an invention.
Reserved notes for this case
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.
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 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.
Meals in the case:
Ch. 6
A bottle of milk.
Meal noteArchie's late-morning snack he purchased at a dairy booth at the Crowfield exposition grounds.
Ch. 6
Chicken fricassee, dumplings, gravy, and rice.
Meal noteThis meal was recommended by Lily Rowan, who told Archie it was made by a Mrs. Miller. Apparently, it was delicious and even Wolfe said it was superb (after eating a second helping).
Ch. 12
(Hot and tasty) broiled lamb chops with stuffed tomatoes; salad (edible but way below Fritz's standards); and squash pie.
Meal noteArchie and Wolfe eat off trays in their room at the Osgood ranch.
Ch. 12
A pitcher of Advanced Register Guernsey milk.
Meal noteArchie grabs a late night snack on his way to getting Bronson for Wolfe to question. Later, Wolfe sends Archie back to the refrigerator to get two bottles of beer.
Ch. 14
Fricassee and dumplings.
Meal noteWolfe, Lily Rowan, and Archie have lunch together. Wolfe is sociable and expansive, and he and Lily have a pleasant conversation (e.g., about Egypt which Lily had visited and where Wolfe has a house).
Ch. 15
Chicken fricassee with extra dumplings, bread and butter; pie and coffee.
Meal noteCh. 15 - Wolfe provides lunch for Lew Bennett while he interviews him.
Ch. 17
Two ham sandwiches and a chocolate egg malted.
Meal noteArchie bribes a guard ($2) "Slim" to provide lunch outside of normal feeding hours in county jail.
Ch. 19
Fricassee, pie, and coffee.
Meal noteWolfe's and Archie's rushed lunch at the Exposition after sending Lew Bennett to retrieve Caesar's color pattern sketches.
Orchids in the case:
Laeliocattleyas
Orchid noteCh. 15 - Archie mentions that Raymond Plehn was present at the Exhibition and showing Laeliocattleyas and Odontoglossums.
Odontoglossums
Orchid noteCh. 15 - Archie mentions that Raymond Plehn was present at the Exhibition and showing Laeliocattleyas and Odontoglossums.
P. callossum sanderae albino
Orchid noteCh. 6 - Archie mentions that Charles Shanks produced an albino cross P. callossum sanderae and a Burmese variety and subsequently refused Wolfe's offer to trade for albinos he had produced. Wolfe now intended to exhibit his orchid and win an award over Shanks's.
Ch. 14 - Wolfe agrees to give an albino to Lily Rowan (upon her request).
Paphiopedilum lawrenceanum hyeanum albinos
Orchid noteCh. 6 - Archie mentions that Wolfe's purpose for going to Crowfield to exhibit the albinos and win an award over an albino Charles Shanks had produced (and had refused to trade with Wolfe).
Ch. 14 - Wolfe agrees to give an albino to Lily Rowan (upon her request).
Quotations in the case:
Ch. 1
Vocabulary: ... my distrust and hatred of vehicles in motion is partly based on my plerophory that their apparent submission to control is illusory...
Quotation noteWolfe explains to Archie the cause of their crash. "Plerophory" means complete assurance.
Ch. 1
History: Dr. Livingstone, I presume?
Quotation noteCaroline (along with Archie) drives a car through the field where Wolfe is trapped by an aggressive bull. Her rhetorical question to Wolfe is a famous reference to Morton Stanley's first encounter with renowned missionary Dr. David Livingstone, who was presumed dead or lost in Africa.
Morton Stanley, a reporter for the New York Herald, was sent to locate Livingstone and found him in at the city of Ujiji on Lake Tanganyika in 1871. It was at this meeting that Stanley uttered his famous declaration, "Dr Livingstone, I presume."
Ch. 1
Culture: Escamillo
Quotation noteEscamillo is a character in the opera "Carmen" by Bizet. He was the toreador (a kind of bullfighter) for whom Carmen left Don Jose.
Lily gave Archie this sobriquet as a facetious acknowledgement of his prowess in escaping from the aggressive bull present in the field Archie and Wolfe entered as they sought help after their car accident.
Ch. 2
Vocabulary: The cook is downstairs ipso facto.
Quotation noteThe Latin expression, ipso facto literally means "by the fact itself."
Ch. 3
Culture: ...the proper environment for that type is bounded by 42nd and 96th Streets on the south and north, and Lexington Avenue and Broadway on the east and west. In their habitat they don't look bad, in fact they help a lot in maintaining the tone, but out in the country like that, still wearing a Crawnley town suit including vest and a custom-made shirt and a Monteith tie, they jar.
Quotation noteArchie describes Bronson, who was overdressed in his opinion, as he arrived at the Pratt ranch. A Crawnley suit would be more appropriate for a dandy in town rather than a comparatively well-dressed man in the countryside.
Ch. 3
History: You will be very happy for a while, then you will take a long journey under water and will meet a bald-headed man sitting on some seaweed who you will think is William Beebe ...
Quotation noteArchie is talking apparent nonsense to Lily here.
Born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in East Orange, New Jersey, Charles William Beebe left college before obtaining a degree to work at the then newly opened New York Zoological Park, where he was given the duty of caring for the zoo's birds. He quickly distinguished himself in his work for the zoo, first with his skill in designing habitats for its bird population, and soon also with a series of research expeditions of increasing length, including an expedition around the world to document the world's pheasants.
Beebe gradually developed an interest in marine biology, ultimately leading to his 1930s dives in the Bathysphere, along with its inventor, Otis Barton, off the coast of Bermuda. This was the first time a biologist observed deep-sea animals in their native environment and set several successive records for the deepest dive ever performed by a human.
It's not clear why he is mentioned by Archie other than the possibility that Beebe was lately in the news, catching Stout's attention.
Ch. 4
Sophistry. Casuistry. Ignoratio elenchi.
Quotation noteSophistry: 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.
Ch. 5
Vocabulary: You remind me of a second-grade dick harassing a dip.
Quotation noteDip (slang): a pickpocket.
Archie speaking to Fred Osgood after his son was found dead, criticizing his technique for questioning him and others.
Ch. 6
Vocabulary: ...the fight for a hotel room, which was a pippin...
Quotation notePippin (slang): a very sound or excellent thing (OED); something of high quality.
Archie refers to his difficulty obtaining a hotel room in Crowfield in the middle of the Exposition.
Ch. 6
Culture: I passed a platform whereon a woman stood wearing a grin and a pure gold brassiere and a Fuller brush skirt 11 inches long...
Quotation noteA Fuller brush skirt constituted fashionable clothing in the 1930's. An 11-inch long skirt was notably risque.
Ch. 7
I'm going on with it.
Quotation noteOsgood becomes resolute in his desire to suffer the consequences of allowing Wolfe to investigate the murder of his son, Clyde. Wolfe responds, "Then prepare yourself for annoyance, intrusion, plague, the insolence of publicity."
Ch. 7
If you regard it as a rational project to try to find a legitimate nocturnal pick washer, go ahead.
Quotation noteWolfe 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.
Ch. 8
Now I don't know. Petitio principii isn't a good way to begin. Is it?
Quotation noteDistrict Attorney Waddell responds to Wolfe who just asserted he could offer pertinent information regarding the murder of Clyde Osgood.
In rhetoric, "petitio principii" (Latin) is a fallacy in which a conclusion is taken for granted in the premises of an assertion. Waddell, thus, is indicating that it is not an established fact that Clyde was murdered.
Ch. 9
Vocabulary: Driving into Crowfield that morning, Caroline pointed out the Osgood demesne...
Quotation noteDemesne: an estate occupied by its lord.
Ch. 9
Vocabulary: I feel very much de trop...I'll leave now if you prefer it
Quotation noteBronson seems to be fishing for an invitation from Fred Osgood to remain on the Osgood ranch in the aftermath of Clyde Osgood's death.
"De trop" (pronounced: duh tro, with a rolled / gravelly r) is a French expression meaning "unwanted." Literally, it means "of too much (something)."
Ch. 9
Vocabulary: The only way I can apodictically eliminate anyone from consideration as the possible murderer is to find out who did it.
Quotation noteWolfe 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.
Ch. 10
Literature: You called Mr. Pratt Monte Cristo?
Quotation noteDuring 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.
Ch. 10
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.
Quotation noteWhen 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.
Ch. 10
Culture: ... he had invited luck to contribute to the good cause by sundry methods from crackaloo to 10-cent bridge...
Quotation noteArchie summarizes how Clyde Osgood ran up debt, leading to his unfortunate involvement with Howard Bronson.
"Crackaloo" is a game of chance in which players throw coins at the ceiling of a room, aiming to have them fall as near as possible to a certain crack in the floor.
Ch. 11
Literature: I sometimes think that never grows so red The Rose as where some buried Caesar bled.
Quotation noteDave making small talk with Archie as Caesar is burned, recites a slightly modified poem by Omar Khayyám (lived 1048-1131 AD. Persian mathematician, astronomer, philosopher, and poet. He was born in Nishabur, in northeastern Iran, and spent most of his life near the court of the Karakhanid and Seljuq rulers in the period which witnessed the First Crusade).
The actual, entire poem is as follows (note: Dave substituted "grows" for "blows" in his recitation, or Archie misquotes him):
I sometimes think that never blows so red
The Rose as where some buried Caesar bled;
That every Hyacinth the Garden wears
Dropt in her Lap from some once lovely Head.
Source: https://quotepark.com/quotes/1894694-omar-khayyam-i-sometimes-think-that-never-blows-so-red-the-ros/
Ch. 11
Culture: yellow Wethersill
Quotation noteArchie mentions seeing a yellow Wethersill when he parks his car on the Pratt ranch, and this is an invention by Stout. No such automobile was ever manufactured.
Ch. 11
Vocabulary: Nor did I respond to the melting quality that seemed to be creeping into her tone, but kept strictly to persiflage.
Quotation noteAfter suddenly kissing Lily and her favorable response (e.g., intertwining her arm with his), Archie plays harder to get.
"Persiflage" islight and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter.
Ch. 12
Vocabulary: Bert...sat in the kitchen and listened to the radio with his ear glued to it because it had to be kept pianissimo.
Quotation noteArchie describes the scene at the Osgood ranch during Captain Barrow's and D.A. Waddell's visit.
"Pianissimo" means very softly. Presumably Dave doesn't want to disturb anyone as he passes the time.
Ch. 12
Literature: Victor Hugo wrote a whole book to prove that a lie can be sublime.
Quotation noteWolfe makes this reference to Hugo's "Les Miserables" in which Jean Valjean lies about his identity after escaping from prison and rebuilding his life.
Ch. 13
Vocabulary: ...we can discuss facts calmly, without a lot of useless pother.
Quotation noteWolfe bantering with Bronson before getting more direct regarding Clyde Osgood's murder.
"Pother" is a state of nervous activity or fuss.
Ch. 13
Vocabulary: Ethology is chaos.
Quotation noteWolfe bantering with Bronson prior to substantive questioning.
"Ethology" is the study of animal (in this case human) behavior.
Ch. 17
Vocabulary: If I palaver with you at all -
Quotation noteWolfe is trying to explain to DA Waddell why his lines of inquiries are flawed.
Palaver (v) - to talk unproductively and at length.
Ch. 19
Vocabulary: Proscriptions carried too far lead to nullity.
Quotation noteWolfe 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.