Whos the governess?
An Englishwoman.
Who is she? Whats her name?
Elizabeth Dow.
All right, Miss Corning said, get hold of her. Get her on the phone. Dig up some information. I want Endicott Campbell at my suite at the hotel tonight at eight forty-five. Right on the dot, you understand... and tell him that I dont like people who are late for appointments. When I say eight forty-five, I mean eight forty-five on the dot.
Now you get busy on that telephone and Ill put the things I want in these suitcases.
At the end of a full fifteen minutes spent on the telephone Sue knew no more than she had earlier in the day. The foursome at the golf club had been canceled out. Two of the parties to the foursome had joined another pair to make a foursome. They had been advised earlier in the day by Endicott Campbell that he couldnt make it. The other party to the foursome, Harvey Benedict, was an attorney. There was no way that Sue could reach him over the weekend. No residence number was given for him in the telephone book. The phone operator advised her that he had no listed residence telephone number.
A telephone call to the Campbell residence brought the information from Elizabeth Dow that the housekeeper had not heard from Endicott Campbell all day; that he was supposed to be home at six-thirty; that he had asked to have dinner served promptly at seven oclock.
When Sue Fisher reported to Miss Corning, the woman sat for nearly thirty seconds motionless in the wheelchair. Her bony face with the high cheekbones, the lantern jaw, and the long nose, seemed almost grotesque with the immobility of concentration. Then she said, Very well. These suitcases are quite heavy for you. Go down and give the man who runs the elevator a couple of dollars to come and take these down to the sidewalk. Well get a cab there and go to the hotel.
Sue went to the elevator, explained their predicament to the assistant janitor, who promptly came and picked up the suitcases. Then Sue closed up the office and she and Miss Corning went to the elevator and down to the sidewalk. Sue hailed a cab.
Whats your address, my child? Miss Corning asked.
Sue gave her the address.
Very well, Miss Corning said to the cab driver, well drive by there first and leave this young woman at her apartment. Then you can take me to the Arthenium Hotel. Now help me fold up this wheelchair.
There was something about the way Miss Corning gave orders which caused cab drivers instinctively to touch their caps. Yes, maam, he said.
Miss Corning, with deft skill, whipped the wheelchair alongside the open door of the cab. She could, Sue noticed, use her legs enough to be of some assistance as the driver helped her into the cab, but at one period she leaned heavily on Sues shoulder and it was at that moment Sue got the impression of enormous strength in the long fingers which seemed to dig into her shoulder. Then Miss Corning was in the cab, the wheelchair was being folded and put up in front with the two suitcases. Sue got in the other side of the cab.
Oh, by the way, Sue said, I neglected to give you the change from the two-hundred dollars. The two suitcases amounted to seventy-six dollars and thirty cents with taxes. And theres the expense money you gave me at the airport.
Sue gave her the receipt, opened her purse to take out the rest of the money.
Never mind, my child. Forget it, Miss Corning said. Youve had a hard day today. You did nobly and I appreciate it. Its a pleasure to find loyalty in employees. Thats a very precious commodity. I dont often find it. Youre honest. Did you think I didnt know those first five bills I showed you were hundred-dollar bills? I was testing your honesty. If youd told me they were tens Id have fired you on the spot. You are honest; youre loyal; youre a nice girl.
Why... why... thank you, Sue said, completely overwhelmed.
Not at a ll, Miss Corning said.
I dont see how you stand it, Sue said. You must have had a terrific trip flying up from South America and with all the strain of packing and getting away, and the work youve done in the office, and
Bosh! Miss Corning interrupted curtly. It was nothing. Dont you worry about me. I stopped over in Miami and had a good hot tub. Im fresh as a daisy.
Youre sure you dont want me to go to the hotel with you and
What for? Miss Corning snapped. Im perfectly at home there now. I dont like to be babied, young woman. I get along by myself and as you get to know me better youll find Im very self-reliant.
Now, sit back and relax. I want to do some thinking and I dont want to have any chatter. If I want you to say anything Ill ask a question. If I dont ask a question, keep quiet.
Yes, Miss Corning, Sue said.
They rode in silence until the cab reached Sues apartment.
This has been terribly out of your way, Sue said apologetically.
Not at all. If Id gone directly to the hotel you wouldnt have taken the cab home. Youd have got out and gone on a bus and been completely exhausted by the time you arrived. As it is now, you can go get into a hot tub and relax. Im leaving it to you to get in touch with Mr. Campbell and tell him I want to see him at eight forty-five tonight.