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In the third day of the trial, Nero Wolfe is called on to take the witness stand. First, the manager of a boarding house tells how the policy works to accept callers. What are the other events of the evening that Mr Bagby witnessed on that crucial night of the murder? Stepping out of the court room, Nero shares to Archie why he thinks the testimony is preposterous. Taking the opportunity outside the court, Nero does his own investigating of the impudent creatures.
Is there evidence of tampering with witness testimony? Who had motive? Who else are players in the mystery? Philanthropists, women in a love triangle, secrets, and cover ups abound. Nero is determined enough that he actually has been outside the office, and tramping the streets, in the fresh air, with Archie Goodwin. Wading through hostile suspects, Archie finds some that are friendly, and even oppressed by some big players in the mystery. With the cops on the look out for Nero, who ducked out of court, he and Archie have to evade their usual stomping grounds. Where will Nero go to lay his head? Will he have the evidence he needs by the next day’s session in court?
Nero finds himself in a tricky situation, where he needs to speak with the witness for the opposition, but do it without being arrested. Time for swearing in at court, and Nero takes the stand. Relying on his genius, Nero evades being trapped by the law as he presents the facts. Facing charges of contempt of court, taking the law into his own hands, and possibly worse, Nero Laying out all the details, Nero has his big reveal in court.
