A grand master of the form, Rex Stout is one of Americas greatest mystery writers, and his literary creation Nero Wolfe is one of fictions greatest detectives. Here, in Stouts first two complete Wolfe mysteries, the arrogant, gourmandizing, sedentary sleuth and his trusty man-about-town Archie Goodwin solve their most baffling cases.Fer-de-lanceThe fer-de-lance is among the most deadly snakes known to man. When someone makes a present of one to Nero Wolfe, his partner, Archie Goodwin, suspects it means Wolfe is getting close to solving the devilishly clever murders of an immigrant and a college president. But this is a case with more twists than an angry rattler...and if Wolfe doesnt handle it with extreme care, hell be the next one struck by a killer with poison in his heart.The League of Frightened MenPaul Chapins Harvard cronies never forgave themselves for the hazing prank that left their friend a cripple. Yet they believed that Paul himself had forgiven themuntil a class reunion ends in death and a series of poems promising more of the same. Now this league of frightened men is desperate for Nero Wolfes help. But can even the great detective outwit a killer smart enough to commit an unseen murderin plain sight?