The League of Frightened Men

Professor Hibbard seeks Nero Wolfe's help after sinister letters kill two of his acquaintances. Wolfe agrees to take the case and begins a careful, logical investigation. This initial meeting marks the start of a methodical search for the truth behind the letters.

Wolfe pins the suspected culprit on Paul Chapin, the crippled author. He theorizes that Chapin is driven by payback rather than mere mischief. The motive is tied to a long-ago Harvard prank that harmed Hibbard and his circle.

Hibbard reveals that his daughter is romantically involved with Chapin's elder brother, Mark. The revelation adds a personal dimension to the investigation and potential conflicts of interest. Wolfe notes how intertwined loyalties could influence the case.

Wolfe arranges for all surviving Harvard friends to gather at his residence to testify and clear the air. Most agree to attend, sensing the seriousness of the situation, but taxi driver Pitney Scott declines. The meeting is shaped by the anticipation of revealing hidden motives among the group.

Wolfe learns that two of Hibbard's Harvard friends are experiencing financial difficulties. This revelation creates potential motives and opportunities for manipulation or deception. It narrows the field of suspects while suggesting possible debt-related temptations.

Archie Goodwin is posted to guard Chapin's house as the planned gathering approaches. Chapin himself is invited to join the meeting at Wolfe's residence, bringing a tense dynamic to the proceedings. The stage is set for a confrontation and revelation.

Just as Chapin arrives at Wolfe's residence, Dr. Burton is shot by a hidden assailant. The ambush immediately shifts the investigation toward the shooter and the potential suspects in Wolfe's circle. Wolfe quickly assesses the direction of the shot to gauge the likely culprit.

Observing the trajectory of the shot, Wolfe contends that Chapin is not the attacker and should be considered innocent in this instant. The accusation against Chapin is re-evaluated, and Wolfe reinforces Chapin's standing as a potential victim of the real scheme. The meeting resumes with heightened scrutiny on all attendees.

In retaliation for being accused of Chapin's misdeeds, Mark and his accomplices capture Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. The kidnapping escalates the conflict and raises the stakes for solving the case quickly. The captive duo must rely on their wits to survive and end the threat.

Wolfe and Goodwin manage to break free from their captors, and Inspector Cramer promptly arrests Mark for kidnapping. The arrest shifts the momentum back toward resolving the letter mystery and clarifying the true killer’s identity. The tension of the seizure begins to lift as investigators regroup.

Wolfe concludes that Chapin did send the letters to frighten the recipients, but the actual killer is Ferdinand Bowen, one of Hibbard's friends. Bowen had stolen money and created the debt story to cover his theft, using the scare campaign as a cover. The revelation ties together the financial pressures and the manipulation that fueled the crime.