- Mrs. Rachael Bruner: I'd heard you were afraid of nothing and nobody.
- Nero Wolfe: One can dodge folly without backing into fear.
- Archie Goodwin: Has he told you about his new hobby? Throwing darts!
- Nero Wolfe: It is not a hobby but an activity to placate Doctor Vollmer who thinks I weigh too much.
- Archie Goodwin: What do you suppose gave him that idea?
- Nero Wolfe: You may laugh, Sir. But I owe my life to these excess pounds which insulate my feelings. Had I stayed lean and kept moving about I should have died long ago.
- Nero Wolfe: Is that flummery?
- Archie Goodwin: No, sir. She's being followed, all right; New York 431RCY.
- Nero Wolfe: Call that girl at city hall that thinks you're irresistible and find out who it belongs to.
- Archie Goodwin: You really thinking of going ahead with this thing?
- Nero Wolfe: Suppose it's not the FBI. If Mrs. Bruner is being pursued for other, and private, reasons, then this check might be legitimately earned.
- Archie Goodwin: What "other, and private, reasons"?
- Nero Wolfe: I haven't the foggiest. Which is why Mr. Cohen of the Gazette is dining with us this evening.
- Archie Goodwin: You invited him?
- Nero Wolfe: I reserve that pleasure for you. Ask him to be here at 7.
- Archie Goodwin: He won't come. He says he's sick of supplying us with information.
- Nero Wolfe: [as Archie walks out the door] Then tell him that Fritz is preparing lamb kidneys with green peppers, served with dumplings in burnt sugar, doused in olive oil, seasoned with salt, pepper, thyme, dry mustard, mace, and brushed twice with devilled butter!
- Nero Wolfe: Is that group of yours, the club with the absurd name, still in existence?
- Hewitt: The Ten for Aristology. Ah, yes.
- Nero Wolfe: Still devoted to the idea of perfection in food and drink?
- Hewitt: Yes indeed. And it is still my intention, now matter how often you refuse, to have Fritz cook for us one evening, with you and Archie in attendance.
- Nero Wolfe: Shall we say this Thursday, here, 8pm?
- Hewitt: [surprised] Are you serious?
- Nero Wolfe: Let me suggest a favorite of mine: squab, marinated in light cream, rolled in flour, seasoned with salt, pepper, nutmeg, cloves...
- Hewitt: [the phone rings] Oh, pardon me a minute.
- [Hewitt picks up the phone]
- Hewitt: Hello? Ah, yes, yes, just a moment.
- [Hewitt sets the phone down]
- Hewitt: For you. Sounds like Archie.
- Nero Wolfe: Thank you.
- [Wolfe picks up the phone]
- Nero Wolfe: Yes? I think it's time for the cat to view the king.
- [Wolfe hangs up]
- Hewitt: Anything wrong?
- Nero Wolfe: Nothing that will prevent Fritz from cooking for the 10 for Aristology on Thursday.
- Hewitt: The members will be thrilled. How can I ever repay you?
- Nero Wolfe: I was getting to that.
- Nero Wolfe: Three.
- Fritz Benner: Five.
- Nero Wolfe: Five juniper berries in a marinade for a filet of beef would be overpowering.
- Fritz Benner: Three berries is not enough.
- Nero Wolfe: Shall we split the difference? Four.
- Fritz Benner: Five berries or I cook something else.
- Archie Goodwin: [entering the kitchen] Everybody's here.
- Nero Wolfe: Very well, five. But I won't have to taste it to verify their presence; the *smell* will tell me!