The Devil To Pay (26 page)

“Uh—Queen,” said the Inspector nervously. “I want to apologize—I mean, you’ve cracked this case and the credit is really—”

Ellery waved his hand. “Don’t want any,” he said grumpily. “Leave me out of it. … Can’t see me, hey?”

“That’s white of you,” beamed Glücke. “Say, I take it all back. How’d you like to meet the Chief of Police and the Mayor? And we could put you up—”

“He’s staying with me,” said Walter. “That’s definite.”

“Or maybe you’d like to be appointed Honorary Chief?” glowed the Inspector. “I’ve got a drag—”

“Wait,” said Ellery, frowning. “You’re grateful, eh, Inspector?”

“What do you think?”

“You’d have the City run a banquet for me, I suppose?”

“Hell, yes. We could—”

“I wouldn’t have to pay any traffic fines, either?”

“Leave it to me.”

“You could even see that I met the Governor, couldn’t you?”

Inspector Glücke said earnestly: “The Governor, or the President, or
anybody
.”

“It’s tougher than that,” said Ellery in a despairing voice. “Get me in to see Butcher.”