About noon at the office, Mr. Keen says "Going out to lunch, Mike?" He says "Oh, I thought I'd grab myself a sandwich, Mr. Keen". Suddenly, there is a knock at the front door. Mike says "Someone's at the door, boss. I'll see who it is". Mike opens the door to see a distraught young lady standing there. She asks "Are you Mr. Keen?" Mike says "No, I'm his partner Mike Clancy. Here's Mr. Keen". He asks "What can I do for you?" She says "Help me, Mr. Keen, I didn't mean to do it. I don't even remember doing it. Please, you've got to save me". Keen asks "Save you from what?" She says "I've just shot a woman to death!" Keen says "Come inside". Mike says "Oh, she looks like she's a bit out of her mind". Keen asks "Who are you?" She says "My name is Helen Taylor". Keen says "And you just killed someone?" She says "Yes, with this gun". Mike says "I'll take charge of that if you don't mind". Mike inspects the gun and says "Two bullets are missing". Helen says "Yes, Mrs. Ellis was shot twice". Keen says "Mrs. Ellis? Is she the woman you killed?" Helen says "Yes". Keen asks "When did this happen?" Helen says "In her home. Oh, Mr. Keen, I just can't understand it. I've never even seen Mrs. Ellis before in my life. What possessed me to take a gun and go to her home to murder her?" Keen says "I'd like to help you if I can. Now, why not tell me the entire story Miss Taylor". She says "Mrs. Taylor. I'm married, Mr. Keen, and that's another thing that horrifies me. This will ruin my husband's life". Keen says "Mike, get the car. I think we ought to go to the scene of the crime immediately". Mike says "Okay, we'll meet you downstairs in five minutes". Keen says "Now, Mrs. Taylor, tell me exactly what happened from the beginning". Helen says "Oh, Mr. Keen, I only know that I found myself with that gun in my hand in Mrs. Ellis's apartment. She was lying on the floor dead". Keen says "And you don't know who she is?" Helen says "Well, her name is familiar, but that's all. I'm sure I've never seen her before".

One evening, Fred and Myra Dorsey, business owners, are expecting visitors at their home. Fred says "What time are they coming, Myra?" She says "Around 9 o'clock". Fred says "Uh, it's near that now". Myra says "Sit down will you, Fred? Relax, you're getting me nervous. What are you worried about?" Fred says "Myra, maybe we better call this off". Myra says "Oh don't be silly". Fred says "It's not too late. We could ...." Myra says "No, we made a decision, Fred. When you make a decision it's better to carry it through". Fred says "We might regret it later". Myra says "And we might regret it if we back out". Fred says "I don't think so". Myra says "I do. That's life, a series of regrets for something you did or something you failed to do. Personally, I'd rather regret an act than an omission. I don't like ...." Fred says "Oh, for Heaven's sake ...." Just then, the doorbell rings. Myra says "Here they are now. I'll get it". She opens the door and the man there says "Mrs. Dorsey?" She says "Come in, Mr. Marmon". He says "This is my partner, Lou Gairn". Myra says "How do you do, gentlemen? This is my husband, Mr. Dorsey". Fred says "Hello. Let's all sit down". Myra says "Well, I guess we better get right down to business. How much, Mr. Marmon?" He says "Well, uh me and Lou talked it over for a long time. We figured it from all the angles. This one's not such an easy job. It's risky". Myra asks "How much, Mr. Marmon?" He says "For a job like this we figured uh, two grand". Fred says "Two grand?" Myra says "That's rather high, don't you think, Mr. Marmon?" He says "No, I don't think so". Myra says "So, how did you arrive at your price?" Marmon says "Well like I said, we figured it from all the angles, such as the insurance you'll get from the place. Two grand's only a small part of it. Now, we work on the percentage idea. Fair trade practice and all that". Myra asks "What makes you think we're doing it for the insurance?" Marmon says "Look, Mrs. Dorsey, I wasn't born yesterday. What other reason do people have for burning down their own business?"

In the city jail at Vancouver, British Columbia, A striking young woman wearing a leopard skin coat was being led toward the visitor's cage. The guard says "Right this way, Miss". They walk down a narrow hallway to a door at the end. The guard says "In there. The young woman says "Yes, sir. Thank you", and steps inside. She says "Hello, Harry". He says "Blanch, where's the clothes? Didn't you bring the clothes?" She says "Yes, I brought them. They made me leave them at the desk". Harry says "Oh, fine. I'm in here five months, and on the last day, they're still afraid I'm going to break out". Blanch says "Well, don't get mad at me, Harry. It's not my fault. They took them from me". Harry asks "What'd you bring?" Blanch says "What you said, the brown suit with a tie to match and a white shirt". Harry asks "What about shoes?" Blanch says "I brought shoes". Harry says "It'll be a pleasure to get out of these rags". Blanch says "The baby is fine, Harry. I was out to see him yesterday". Harry says "Yeah, that's good". Blanch says "The country is really nice for him. It's going to be a shame to bring him back to the hotel room". Harry says "Maybe that'd be a good idea to leave him in the country". Blanch says "No, I want him back, Harry. I do want him". Harry says "All right, we'll talk about it later". Blanch says "I really do". Harry says "This is no place to talk about it. Let me get out of here, then we'll talk about it". Blanch says "All right, Harry. Do you want me to wait for you?" Harry says "No. Who knows when they'll let me out. Come here, Blanch. Give me a kiss". Blanch says "Oh, Harry". He says "Now, look, baby. Get a hold of Doug and Billy boy. Tell them I want to see them tonight. I got big things cooking". Blanch says " But Harry, you're just getting out. There's no sense in ...." Just then, the guard steps in to escort her back out. He says "This way, Miss". Harry says "Honey, I'll see you in a couple of hours. We'll go out. We'll have the biggest steak in town. Blanch says "Goodbye, Harry. He says "Get ahold of those parties for me, Blanch".

All day long, the blizzard sweeping down from the Arctic has howled across the flat, bleak country surrounding the little Alaskan village of Ruckland. Now, as the gloom of night closes in, Mrs. Nan Miller sits all alone in John Miller's log cabin trading post. She's mending a sweater near the old pot-bellied stove. Suddenly, the front door swings open, and man enters. Nan says "Well?" The man asks "Where's the trader? She says "You got something to trade?" The man says "I said, where is he?" Nan says "John ain't here". The man asks "When will he be back?" Nan says "He's up north. Be down about a week". He asks "Anybody else here?" She asks "Would that be bad?" He says "What do you mean?" Nan says "What could I mean?" After a few seconds, she asks "You put up your dogs?" The man says "I haven't got any". Nan says "You haven't got any snowshoes either". He says "I rode with an Eskimo sled this way. What's that thing on the counter behind you?" She says "What does it look like?" He says "A shortwave radio". She says "That's right. It works both ways". He says "What does it reach?" She says "Fairbanks". He asks "Has there been any news?" She says "About what?" He says "About anything?" She says "Why should you be so interested?" He says "Just answer my question. Okay?" Nan says "They signaled here about fifteen minutes ago. There was a report on some trouble in Fairbanks. The government assayer was shot and killed in his office earlier today. They asked me to be on the lookout for the guy that did it". He asks "Did they give a description?" She says "Yeah, they said he was a fellow about your size, wearing a red and black mackinaw. Just like the one you got on". He asks "Anything else?" She says "That's enough, ain't it?" He asks "What did they tell you to do if he showed here?" She says "Call them back". He says "That might make trouble for you". She says "I know". He says "Well, what are you going to do, sweetheart?" She says "It gets awful lonesome here. How about some tea?"

It was about half past noon when Jeff Regan reported to the Lyon's office to see what was on tap for the afternoon. He sees a haughty little man sitting across the desk from the Lyon, who had his mouth wide open. He says "Jeffery, come in here, I've been waiting for you. This is Mr. uhh ... " The little man says "McMurray, Jonathan McMurray". Lyon says "Yes, McMurray. He thinks he needs our help". Jeff asks "Not sure yet, Mr. McMurray?" He says "Yes, I am quite sure. It is your employer, Mr. Lyon who is not sure". Lyon says "Oh well now, yours is a very unusual case". Jeff says "Suppose somebody tells me what this is all about". McMurray says "Mr. Regan, it's quite simple. I want you to prove I am guilty of murder". Jeff says "What?" McMurray says "I have murdered my wife, Mr. Regan. I've gone to the police and confessed. They refuse to believe me. It's up to you to prove I'm right". Lyon says "Of course, Jeffery ...." Jeff says "Wait a minute, Fatso, let's get all the story. Mac, when did you kill your wife? McMurray says "On the morning of April 3rd at 3 AM, three years ago. I had gone to bed early the night of April 2nd. I heard noises several hours later. I assumed they were burglars, so I went downstairs, taking my gun of course, and saw a figure breaking in. Naturally, I fired. It was my wife". Jeff says "Your wife was breaking into your own house?" McMurray says "It seemed that way at the time. We all make mistakes, you know". Jeff says "We all make mistakes". McMurray says "Of course. I do not believe in murder, that is why I am here". Jeff says "The police wouldn't believe you". McMurray says "They're nothing but a group of incompetent immoral civil servants ...." Jeff says "What happened after you shot your wife?" McMurray says "I lost my head and fled the city and for three years". Jeff says "So, your conscience got to bothering you?" McMurray says "Yes, I decided that I must make an example of myself". Lyon says "Hey, Jeffrey, perhaps we'd better explain to Mr. McMurray that we're pretty busy this season here ...."

Inspector Carr at Scotland Yard receives a call asking for assistance from the Kent County Constabulary concerning the apparent murder of race car driver Rick Lester. Having been a racing fan from his younger days, Carr was familiar with the name, Rick Lester. He was one of the brightest of that select galaxy of stars, the Grand Prix drivers and since he had signed a contract with the Turnbull Racing Team, it appeared to be a combination with World Champion written all over it. Inspector Carr and Sergeant Jackson arranged for a car and left at once for the Grand Prix circuit at Brands Hatch. On the way, Carr says "Well, Jackson, it strikes me that this might be a case where some specialized knowledge may be useful. What do you know about motor racing?" Jackson says "Well, I'm not an expert, sir, but since British cars have been showing the foreigners the way around, I certainly followed it rather more closely". Carr says "I suppose they're all at Brands Hatch for the British Grand Prix there". Jackson says "That's on Saturday. Today and tomorrow, they're holding the official practice sessions". As they arrive, Carr says "That must be the Turnbull Pit over there, where the other police cars are parked. They look a bit out of place in these surroundings". As they stop the car, and start walking to the pit area, a man comes up and says "Inspector Carr?" He says "Yes". The man says "Hello, sir, I'm Jones, Kent CID". He says "Well, it all happened about 2:30. They were testing the car and after some thirty laps, Lester came in, got out of the car, and picked up a drink from the pit counter, and that was that". Carr says "Looks as though it was cyanide". Jones says "Cyanide, that's what our doctor said. You can still smell it in the paper cup he used. The official report should be through any minute. We had the body taken down to the mortuary, sir. There was no reason to keep it here". Carr says "Are you sure there isn't a chance of suicide?" Jones says "Well, that can be considered as a vague possibility, but why, sir? There doesn't seem to be any reason".

The telephone is ringing in Mr. Wolfe's office. Archie answers "Nero Wolfe's office, Archie Goodwin speaking". A woman's voice on the line says "Hello? Is this Mr. Wolfe?" Wolfe says to Archie "If it's for me, I'm not here". Archie says "What if it's a case?" Wolfe says "If it is, tell them no". Archie says "I will not". Wolfe says "Confound you, Archie. Do as I say". Archie says on the phone "Hello?" The woman says "Hello, is this Mr. Wolfe's residence?" Archie says "Yes". She asks "Is this Mr. Wolfe?" Archie says "Uh, yes, Mr. Wolfe speaking" She says "I am in very much trouble. Could I see you, please, immediately?" Archie says "Well, now, what kind of trouble, Miss?" Wolfe says "Give me that phone, Archie". He says "No". Back on the phone, Archie says "Sorry, I had to turn the radio down, too loud, you know". The woman asks "May I see you right away?" Archie says "Well, I .... " The woman says "I'll give you one thousand dollars as a retainer fee". Archie says "Yes, yes indeed. I'll take the case. Come right over. The address is 601 West 35th Street". The woman says "I cannot, Mr. Wolfe. I just cannot come there". Archie asks "Well, where do you live?" She says "I am staying at the Polo Hotel, room 304 on the .... " Suddenly, Archie hears a gunshot over the phone line! He says "Hello? Hello?" Archie says to Wolfe "I heard a shot and then the line clicked off". Wolfe says "Indeed". Archie says "I'm going over to her hotel and see what goes on". Wolfe says "By all means, Mr. Wolfe". Archie says "Yeah, huh?" Wolfe says "Now that I've been insulted to the tone of being called a radio". Archie says "I'm sorry, Mr. Wolfe, but we needed the money, and this was a thousand dollars". Wolfe says "If you will excuse me, I have to attend to my orchids, Mr. Wolfe". Archie says "What about the girl, the shot?" Wolfe says "Hmm. Fascinating, isn't it? You figure it out". Archie says "Okay. I've got to get over there to Room 304, Polo Hotel. So long, boss". Wolfe says "Good luck, Mr. Wolfe. Please phone me from time to time".

Dan Holiday receives a letter in his Box 13 that reads "I don't know quite how to begin this letter except to say that it may sound fantastic to you, perhaps even a joke. But please believe me, I am serious and the situation is serious. A man is dying, yet he has nothing wrong with him. He believes he's going to die five days from now. And so Bart LaFave is dying. A strong, healthy man is dying because of witchcraft. I know this sounds in congruous, anachronistic in this 20th century. But, if you will come to Ballou, Louisiana, you will see for yourself and perhaps be able to help. Sincerely, Doris Gordon." After doing a little research at his place of employment, The Star Times, Dan caught the train heading to Louisiana. His research made him change his mind a little about that letter. Doris Gordon met him at the Ballou Train Station. Five minutes later, Doris was driving him along a dusty back road in her little car. She says "I didn't think you'd come, Mr. Holiday". Dan says "Well, I never refuse a chance to get mixed up in something that sounds different". Doris says "Or insane?" Dan says "Well, what's the difference? Automobiles and radios were different when they came along. Before that, they were insane". Doris says "But, this is different. We're in the 20th century. Salem and the witch hunts are history". Dan says "History? Well, to bat a cliche into center field, history often repeats itself". Doris says "I know. Oh. By the way, no one must know why you're here, Mr. Holiday". Dan says "Yes. Why not?" Doris says "These are good people, but they're liable to resent a stranger. So, I want you to pretend to be my cousin. You see, I've been here for only six months, teaching school. No one knows much about my personal life. They've come to trust me and like me. I think they'll accept you because of it". Dan says "Fair enough". Doris says "Now, I board with the LaFave's". Dan says "Your letter mentioned a Bart LaFave". Doris says "He's their youngest son and he's dying". Dan asks "What did the doctor say?" Doris says "He said there's nothing wrong with him".