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Bell thought a moment Mrs Comden had not been in New York but had stayed in the West with Hennessy “Since you inquire about my friend, I have to ask you who told you that”

“Kincaid Who do you suppose? He ith her in New York when she met Abbott Please understand, Bell, I a to underet over my dead body”

“Lillian’s too, I iine,” said Bell, which drew a smile

“Although,” Hennessy went on, “I must admit that this president talk is a nerinkle I may have underestimated Kincaid …” He shook his head in amazement “I’ve always said I’d rather have a baboon in the White House than Theodore Roosevelt We should be careful ish for But at least Kincaid would be my baboon”

Bell asked, “If you would accept a baboon in the White House, provided he was your baboon, would you take him as a son-in-law?”

Hennessy dodged that question, saying only, “I’h suitors, I want to know my options”

“All right, sir Now I understand I will tell you what I know Archie Abbott-Archibald Angell Abbott IV-is an excellent detective, a uise, a handy felloith his fists, a deft hand with a knife, deadly with a firearm, and a loyal friend”

“A man to ride the river with?” Hennessy asked with a smile

“Without reservation”

“And his circumstances? Is he as poor as Kincaid claims?”

“He lives on his detective salary,” said Bell “His fa in the Panic of ‘93 His mother stays with her brother-in-law’s family Before that, they were reasonably well-off, as the old New York fahborhood”

Hennessy looked at Bell, sharply “Could he be a gold digger?”

“Twice he walked away fro ladies whose mothers would be thrilled to marry them into as illustrious a family as the Abbotts One was the only child of a hter of a textileIn both cases, their fathers made it clear they would take him into the business or, if he preferred not to work, simply put him on an allowance”

The old man stared hard at him Bell held his eye easily

Hennessy finally said, “I appreciate your candor, Bell I won’t be around forever, and I’m pretty much the only fa happens to me”