Point of View

The novel is written in the first person perspective, from the point of view of Nero Wolfe's assistant, Archie. The reader tags along with Archie as the story unfolds, uncovering the solution to the mystery as Archie learns it. The major exception to this is when Nero Wolfe reveals to Archie his plan to outwit the FBI and collect a healthy fee from his client, Mrs. Bruner. Wolfe seems to have no real leverage to use on the FBI, but nonetheless, he has developed a plan. The reader first learns of the plan when Archie comes back from an errand to find Wolfe sitting in a chair, eyes closed, lips pushing in and out, thinking. Though Wolfe tells his plan to Archie, it's kept a secret from the reader.

As the reader follows Archie from this point, Wolfe's plan is tantalizingly revealed bit by bit. Lewis...