Perry Mason Mysteries - 11

The Case of the Lame Canary

By
Erle Stanley Gardner
Chapter 1
ANY STUENT of !hara!ter "ill !on!ede that o#tstandin$ e%amples of !lass r#n
!ontrary to type& The 'est dete!ti(es loo) li)e !ler)s& The 'est $am'lers loo) li)e
'an)ers& And nothin$ in Perry Mason*s appearan!e indi!ated that his a$ile 'rain+
#n!on(entional methods+ and darin$ te!hni,#e made him the !ity*s most feared and
respe!ted trial la"yer&
Seated in his offi!e+ he re$arded the yo#n$ "oman "ho sat in the 'i$ leather !hair+
holdin$ a !a$ed !anary in her lap& -is steady eyes held none of the $imlet ,#alities
so fre,#ently asso!iated "ith !ross - e%aminers+ '#t "ere+ instead+ filled "ith
patien!e+ to#!hed "ith sympathy& -is r#$$ed feat#res mi$ht ha(e 'een !ar(ed from
$ranite&
.That !anary+. he said+ "ith the ,#iet insisten!e of one "ho "ill !ontin#e to repeat
his statements #ntil he has s!ored his point+ .has a sore foot&.
The yo#n$ "oman shifted the !a$e from her lap to the floor+ as tho#$h tryin$ to
)eep the la"yer from seein$ too m#!h& ./h+ 0 don*t thin) so+. she said+ and then
added 'y "ay of e%planation+ .he*s a little fri$htened&.
Mason appraised the yo#thf#l lines of her fi$#re+ the neatly shod feet+ the lon$
taperin$ fin$ers of the $lo(ed hands& .So+. he said+ .yo#r '#siness "ith me "as
#r$ent eno#$h to ma)e yo# !rash the $ate&.
She tilted her !hin defiantly& .My '#siness is important& 0t !o#ldn*t "ait+ and
neither !o#ld 0&.
.0 ta)e it+. the la"yer remar)ed m#sin$ly+ .patien!e isn*t one of yo#r (irt#es&.
.0 didn*t )no"+. she said+ .that patien!e "as a (irt#e&.
.Yo# "o#ldn*t& 1hat*s yo#r name2.
.3ita S"aine&.
.-o" old are yo#& Miss S"aine2.
.T"enty - se(en&.
.1here do yo# li(e2.
.1455 Chestn#t Street+. she said+ $lan!in$ a!ross at ella Street+ "hose pen "as
'#sy ma)in$ !opperplate shorthand notes&
.That*s all ri$ht+. Mason ass#red her+ .Yo# needn*t "orry a'o#t Miss Street& She*s
my se!retary& o yo# li(e in an apartment ho#se2.
.Yes& Apartment 675&.
.Telephone2.
.Not in my name& There*s a s"it!h'oard ser(i!e&.
.1hat do yo# "ant to see me a'o#t2.
She lo"ered her eyes and hesitated&
.A'o#t the !anary2. Mason as)ed&
.No+. she said hastily+ .not a'o#t the !anary&.
.o yo# #s#ally !arry a !anary "ith yo#2.
She la#$hed ner(o#sly and said+ ./f !o#rse not& 0 don*t #nderstand "hy yo# atta!h
so m#!h importan!e to the !anary&.
.Be!a#se+. he told her+ .so fe" of my !lients 'rin$ !anaries to the offi!e&.
She started to say somethin$+ then !he!)ed herself& Mason $lan!ed si$nifi!antly at
his "rist "at!h and his a!tion started her tal)in$& .0 "ant yo# to help my sister+
3ossy+. she said& .That*s short for 3osalind& A'o#t si% months a$o she married
1alter Pres!ott& -e*s an ins#ran!e ad8#ster+ and he married her for her money& -e
manip#lated thin$s so he $ot most of it and - and no" he*s tryin$ to ma)e tro#'le
for 3ossy&.
.1hat sort of tro#'le2. Mason as)ed as she hesitated&
.Tro#'le o(er 9immy&.
.1ho*s 9immy2.
.9immy ris!oll& She "as $oin$ "ith him 'efore she married 1alter&.
.And ris!oll*s still in lo(e "ith her2. Mason as)ed&
She shoo) her head emphati!ally and said+ .No& 9immy*s in lo(e "ith me&.
.Then "hy sho#ld yo#r sister*s h#s'and - .
.1ell+ 9immy "rote her a letter+ as a friend&.
.1hat sort of a letter2.
The Case of the Lame Canary :
.3osalind started it& She "rote to 9immy and told him she "as #nhappy+ and 9immy
"rote to her+ 8#st as a friend+ and ad(ised her to 'rea) a"ay from 1alter& -e said
1alter had only married her for her money+ and that marria$e "as 8#st li)e a
finan!ial in(estment+ yo#r first loss "as yo#r 'est loss& Yo# see+. she "ent on "ith a
ner(o#s la#$h+ .9immy*s in the 'ro)era$e '#siness and handled 3osalind*s
in(estments for her 'efore her marria$e+ so she*d #nderstand "hat he meant 'y that
sort of tal)&.
.-e didn*t handle her in(estments after marria$e2.
.No&.
.And 1alter Pres!ott $ot this letter ris!oll "rote2.
.That*s ri$ht&.
Mason*s fa!e sho"ed his interest& .And+. the $irl in the pearl - $ray s#it "ent on
,#i!)ly+ .0 don*t thin) 3ossy )no"s ho" 9immy feels to"ard me& Yo# see+ "e ne(er
mention his name& B#t 0 ha(e some money of my o"n+ and+ after 3ossy*s marria$e+
9immy )ept ri$ht on handlin$ my in(estments+ and 0 "ent o#t "ith him ,#ite a 'it&.
.And yo#r sister )no"s nothin$ of this2.
.No - at any rate+ 0 don*t thin) so&.
.1hat*s Pres!ott $oin$ to do a'o#t the letter2. Mason as)ed&
.-e*s $oin$ to s#e 3ossy for di(or!e+ !laimin$ that she*s )ept #p her old affair "ith
9immy& And he*s $oin$ to s#e 9immy for alienation of affe!tions 'e!a#se he p#t in
the letter a'o#t 1alter*s marryin$ her for her money and told her she*d 'etter lea(e
him&.
Mason shoo) his head& .0 don*t handle di(or!e !ases&.
./h+ '#t yo# m#st handle this& 1 ha(en*t told yo# e(erythin$ yet&.
Mason $lan!ed ,#i;;i!ally a!ross at ella Street+ smiled and said+ .1ell+ then+
s#ppose yo# tell me e(erythin$&.
.1alter $ot a'o#t t"el(e tho#sand dollars from 3ossy& -e said he "as $oin$ to
in(est it in his '#siness and she*d $et 'etter than ten per!ent on her money+ and the
in(estment "o#ld in!rease it*s (al#e& No" he s"ears he ne(er re!ei(ed a !ent from
her&.
.Can she pro(e that he did2.
.0*m afraid not& Yo# )no" ho" it is "ith thin$s li)e that& A "oman !ertainly
"o#ldn*t as) her h#s'and to $i(e her a re!eipt& 3osalind had some 'onds and she
$a(e them to 1alter and told him to sell them and p#t the money in the '#siness&
1alter admits he sold some se!#rities for her+ '#t he !laims the money "as t#rned
o(er to her& And Geor$e 1ray+ that*s 1alter*s partner - Pres!ott < 1ray in the
oran B#ildin$+ 0ns#ran!e Ad8#sters - says it*s a's#rd to thin) that 1alter p#t any
s#!h amo#nt of money in the '#siness& -e says they*(e 'een ta)in$ money o#t of the
'#siness instead of p#ttin$ it in&
.So yo# see "hat*s happenin$& 1alter*s $ot that money and he*s tryin$ no" to p#t
3ossy in the "ron$ so he !an $et a"ay "ith it&.
.Yes+. Mason told her+ .0 thin) yo#*d 'etter see some $ood la"yer "ho spe!iali;es
in domesti! relations and &&& .
.No& No& 1e "ant yo#& Yo# see - 1ell+ somethin$ happened this mornin$&.
Mason smiled at her and said+ .No" listen+ yo#n$ lady+ 0*m not interested in di(or!e
!ases& 0 li)e trial "or)& 0 spe!iali;e in m#rder !ases& 0 li)e mysteries& 0 sympathi;e
"ith yo#r sister+ '#t 0*m not interested in her !ase& There are h#ndreds of !ompetent
attorneys in the !ity "ho "ill 'e $lad to represent her&.
The yo#n$ "oman*s lips trem'led& .0 " - " - " - "ish yo#*d at least hear "hat 0
ha(e to s - s - s - say+. she said+ 'lin)in$ 'a!) tears& B#t+ apparently re!o$ni;in$ the
f#tility of her appeal+ she hoo)ed the middle fin$er of her ri$ht hand thro#$h the
rin$ in the "ire !a$e+ and prepared to arise from the 'i$ leather !hair&
Mason said+ .1ait a min#te& 0*m interested in that !anary& /dd thin$s li)e that sti!)
in my mind& No"+ 0 "ant to )no" "hy yo# !arried that !anary into my offi!e&.
.That*s "hat 0 "anted to t - t - tell yo#& 0 "as "or)in$ #p to it in my o"n " - " - " -
"ay&.
.Go ahead and tell me+. Mason said+ .and then perhaps 0 !an for$et it& /ther"ise
0*ll 'e "astin$ the entire afternoon spe!#latin$ on the thin$+ tryin$ to #n!o(er some
lo$i!al e%planation&.
.1ell+. she said+ .0 "as o(er at 3osalind*s ho#se this mornin$+ !#ttin$ the !anary*s
!la"s "ith a nail !lipper& Yo# )no"+ a !anary in a !a$e has to ha(e the tips !lipped
off his !la"s e(ery so often& And "hile 0 "as doin$ that+ 9immy !ame - and told me
he lo(ed me+ and too) me in his arms+ and the !anary $ot a"ay - and then t"o
a#tomo'iles smashed into ea!h other ri$ht in front of the ho#se - And 0 loo)ed #p at
the "indo"+ and there "as Mrs& Snoops "at!hin$ #s+ and a man "as h#rt in the
a#tomo'ile a!!ident+ and 9immy ran o#t+ and the offi!ers $ot his name and li!ense
n#m'er+ and 9immy "ill 'e !alled as a "itness "hen they try the a#tomo'ile dama$e
!ase+ and 1alter "ill say that 9immy !ame to his h - h - h - ho#se "itho#t his ! - ! -
!onsent+ and - And - ammit= 0 hate to ' - ' - ' - 'a"l+ and yo#*(e made me ! - ! -
!ry&.
She snapped open her p#rse+ fished o#t a s,#are of s!ented la!e and 8a''ed
f#rio#sly at the tears "hi!h oo;ed from her eyes&
Mason settled 'a!) in his !hair "ith a deep si$h of !ontentment& .An a#tomo'ile
a!!ident+ a lo(e story+ a lame !anary+ and Mrs& Snoops& 1hat !o#ld 'e 'etter2
Somethin$ seems to tell me that 0*m $oin$ to ta)e yo#r sister*s !ase& At any rate+ 0*m
$oin$ to hear all a'o#t it& No" ,#it !ryin$ and tell me a'o#t Mrs& Snoops&.
3ita S"aine 'le" her nose+ tried to smile a"ay her tears+ and said+ .0 hate to !ry&
Us#ally 0 ta)e thin$s on the !hin& on*t thin) 0 p#t on an a!t to impress yo#+ Mr&
Mason+ 'e!a#se 0 didn*t&.
-e nodded and said+ .1ho*s Mrs& Snoops2.
.1e !all her Mrs& Snoops 'e!a#se she*s s#!h an old '#sy'ody& -er name*s Stella
Anderson& She*s a "ido" "ho has the ho#se ne%t door+ and she*s al"ays snoopin$
and pryin$ into other people*s '#siness&.
.And 9immy told yo# he lo(ed yo#2.
.Yes&.
.And this "as o(er at 3osalind*s ho#se2.
.Yes&.
.-o" did 9immy happen to !ome there to tell yo# he lo(ed yo#+ and "here "as
3osalind2.
.1ell+. she said+ dryin$ the last of her tears+ .1alter fo#nd 9immy*s letter and
started ma)in$ an a"f#l s!ene& -e "ent to see his la"yer and 3ossy "as afraid he
"as $oin$ to do somethin$ terri'le& -e*d threatened to )ill her+ and 3ossy tho#$ht
he mi$ht do it& She "anted to lea(e ri$ht a"ay& So she ran o#t of the ho#se and "as
afraid to $o 'a!)&.
.1hat time "as that2.
.0 don*t )no" e%a!tly "hat time& 0t "as early this mornin$+ aro#nd nine or ten
o*!lo!)+ 0 thin)& 1ell+ any"ay+ a little after ele(en+ 3ossy telephoned me and told me
"hat had happened+ and as)ed me to $o o(er to the ho#se and pa!) #p her !lothes
in her "ardro'e tr#n) and a !o#ple of s#it!ases "hi!h "ere in the !loset of her
'edroom& Yo# see+ her ho#se is o(er at 14>? Alsa!e A(en#e& 1alter 'o#$ht it 8#st
'efore they "ere married& 0t*s only a !o#ple of 'lo!)s from "here 0 li(e&.
.Yo# ha(e a )ey to the ho#se2. Mason as)ed&
She shoo) her head&
.-o" did yo# $et in+ then2.
./h+. she said+ .3ossy 8#st ran o#t and left the doors #nlo!)ed& 1alter said he "as
$oin$ to )ill her+ and she "as fri$htened&.
.And the !anary2. Mason as)ed&
.0t*s her !anary& She*s had it for years& She "anted me to )eep it for her& 1alter
"o#ld ha(e )illed it 8#st o#t of spite& That*s ho" mean he is& -e*ll 'e simply f#rio#s
"hen he ret#rns and finds her $one&.
Mason said+ .0*m sorry& 0 sho#ld ha(e let yo# "al) o#t+ then 0 !o#ld ha(e ind#l$ed
in a lot of spe!#lation as to "hat !om'ination of !ir!#mstan!es had for!ed a
fri$htened yo#n$ "oman to !arry a !a$ed !anary thro#$h the streets and into my
offi!e& No" yo#*(e e%plained a perfe!tly intri$#in$ mystery into an interestin$
!ommonpla!e&.
-er eyes sho"ed indi$nation&
.0*m so sorry 0 'ored yo#+ Mr& Mason=. she 'la;ed& .After all+ my sister*s happiness
doesn*t mean a thin$ as !ompared "ith yo#r entertainment=.
The la"yer smiled and shoo) his head& .on*t $et me "ron$+. he e%plained& .0*m
$oin$ to see yo# thro#$h& That*s the pri!e 0*ll pay for ind#l$in$ my !#riosity& So $o
ahead and tell me the rest of it&.
.Yo# mean yo#*re $oin$ to represent her2.
Mason nodded&
-er fa!e sho"ed relief& .That*s splendid of yo#&.
.Not at all+. Mason said "earily& .0 'e!ame interested in that !anary& The only
le$itimate reason 0 had to pry into yo#r pri(ate affairs "as as yo#r attorney& So 0
made my de!ision and "ill pay the pri!e& The fa!t that 0*m a'o#t to em'ar) on a
distastef#l !ase nat#rally needn*t !on!ern yo#& So 9immy ris!oll told yo# he lo(ed
yo#+ did he2.
She nodded&
.-ad he e(er told yo# that 'efore2. Mason as)ed+ "at!hin$ her shre"dly&
.No+. she said+ .ne(er 'efore&. And her eyes dropped do"n to rest on the !a$ed
!anary&
.B#t yo# )ne" it+ of !o#rse+. Mason "ent on&
.1ell not e%a!tly+. she said in a lo" (oi!e& .0 )ne" that 0 li)ed him and 0 hoped he
li)ed me& B#t it !ame as a s#rprise&.
.And ho"+. Mason as)ed+ .did it happen that 9immy ris!oll !ame o(er to
3osalind*s ho#se2.
She lifted her eyes to his+ then+ and said+ .-e "ent to my apartment first& The !ler)
at the des) o(er there thin)s 9immy is 8#st a'o#t ri$ht& 9immy "as a'le to ma)e
him a little money on!e+ so the !ler) told him that my sister had !alled and seemed
(ery m#!h e%!ited and that 0*d dashed o(er to her ho#se in a h#rry&.
.-e*d 'een listenin$ in on the "ire2. Mason as)ed&
.No+ 0 don*t thin) so& -e )no"s 3ossy*s (oi!e+ so he )ne" she*d !alled+ and then
"hen 0 left 0 told him "here 0 "as $oin$&.
.So 9immy "ent o(er to 3osalind*s ho#se2.
.Yes& Yo# see+ it*s only a !o#ple of 'lo!)s&.
.And fo#nd yo# there2.
.Yes&.
.And yo# told him 3ossy had left2.
.Yes&.
.And then "hat happened2.
/n!e more her eyes a(oided the la"yer*s&
.1ell+. she said+ ."e tal)ed for a "hile+ and 0 "as holdin$ the !anary in my hand
and !lippin$ his !la"s+ and then the first thin$ 0 )ne" 9immy*s arms "ere aro#nd
me+ and he told me ho" he lo(ed me+ and 0 let $o of the !anary and !l#n$ to him&
And then+ "hile 0 "as tryin$ to !at!h this !anary+ all of a s#dden there "as this
terri'le !rash o#t in front of the ho#se+ and+ nat#rally+ "e ran to the li(in$ room
"indo" - "e "ere in the solari#m at the time - and fo#nd this 'i$ !o(ered mo(in$
(an and a !o#pe had had a smash - #p+ and of !o#rse the !o#pe had $ot the "orst of
it& The dri(er "as h#rt+ and 9immy ran o#t to help lift the dri(er o#t of the !o#pe&
The dri(er of the (an said he !o#ld r#sh the man to the hospital ,#i!)er than
"aitin$ for an am'#lan!e+ so he and 9immy loaded him in the (an&.
.Then 9immy !ame 'a!) into the ho#se2. Mason as)ed&
She nodded&
.And "hat happened after that2.
.1ell+ "e tal)ed thin$s o(er+ and 0 de!ided perhaps he*d 'etter lea(e+ 'e!a#se
1alter "as $oin$ to ma)e tro#'le and 0 didn*t thin) it "o#ld 'e a $ood thin$ for
people to )no" 9immy had 'een there in the ho#se& 0 tho#$ht he mi$ht 'e !alled as a
"itness to that a#tomo'ile a!!ident& Yo# see+ he*d par)ed his !ar on the side street
and 0 tho#$ht perhaps the dri(er of the (an "o#ld !ome 'a!) and try to in(ol(e
9immy in some "ay& And Mrs& Snoops had 'een "at!hin$ #s "hen 9immy too) me
in his arms+ and - .
.So 9immy left the ho#se2.
.Yes& B#t Mrs& Snoops m#st ha(e telephoned for the poli!e "hen the a!!ident
happened+ 'e!a#se "hen 9immy "al)ed o#t of the ho#se+ he "al)ed ri$ht into the
arms of a !o#ple of offi!ers "ho*d dri(en #p in a radio !ar& They as)ed ,#estions
a'o#t the a!!ident and too) 9immy*s name and address& They made him sho" them
his dri(in$ li!ense so he had to $i(e them his ri$ht name&.
.1hat time "as this2. Mason as)ed&
.0t m#st ha(e 'een t"o or three ho#rs a$o& 0 thin) it "as ri$ht a'o#t noon "hen the
a!!ident happened&.
.1hat time did 3osalind !all yo#2.
.Aro#nd ten or ele(en o*!lo!)+ 0 thin) - 0 !an*t tell e%a!tly&.
.1ell+. Mason said+ .if yo# "ant me to represent yo#r sister in the di(or!e a!tion+
yo#*d 'etter ha(e her !ome in and tal) "ith me&.
3ita S"aine nodded+ leaned a!ross the arm of the !hair and spo)e rapidly& .Yes+
that*s all ri$ht+ Mr& Mason+ 0*ll ha(e her do that+ '#t don*t yo# thin) it "o#ld 'e a
$ood plan to fi% thin$s so "e !o#ld )eep 1alter from e(er findin$ o#t that 9immy
"as there at the ho#se2 Yo# see+ 3osalind left this mornin$ and 1alter mi$ht ma)e
it appear that 9immy had somethin$ to do "ith her lea(in$&.
.B#t 9immy is in lo(e "ith yo#+. Mason said&
She nodded&
.1ell+ then+. Mason said+ ."hy not simply !ome o#t and say so2 1hy not anno#n!e
yo#r en$a$ement2.
.Be!a#se+. she said+ .people "o#ld thin) it "as somethin$ 9immy+ 3osalind and 0
had !oo)ed #p to )eep 1alter from $ettin$ any"here "ith his !ase&.
Mason*s eyes narro"ed& .So yo#*(e tho#$ht of that+ ha(e yo#2.
.1hy+. she said+ .it seems to me the lo$i!al thin$ for 1alter*s la"yer to !laim& So 0
tho#$ht perhaps yo# !o#ld in(esti$ate this a!!ident+ and if the man in the !o#pe "as
in the "ron$+ fi% it so he didn*t s#e+ and if the dri(er of the (an "as responsi'le+ see
that they made a prompt settlement so there "o#ldn*t 'e any la"s#it& Then it
"o#ldn*t !ome o#t that it "as 9immy "ho "as there in the ho#se&.
.-o" serio#sly "as the man in8#red2. Mason as)ed&
.0 don*t )no"& -e "as #n!ons!io#s "hen 9immy helped load him in the (an&.
.o yo# )no" "ho o"ned the (an2.
.Yes+ there "as a si$n& 0t*s Trader*s Transfer Company&*.
.-o" a'o#t the !o#pe2.
.0t*s still o#t in front+. she said+ .pretty 'adly smashed& The li!ense n#m'er is
?T@>>4+ and the re$istration !ertifi!ate "rapped aro#nd the steerin$ post sho"s
that it*s re$istered in the name of Carl Pa!)ard+ "ho li(es at 154? 3o'inson A(en#e+
Alta(ille+ California&.
Mason nodded+ t#rned to ella Street and said+ .3in$ the ra)e ete!ti(e A$en!y+
ella& As) Pa#l ra)e to step in here&. Then to 3ita S"aine+ .0*ll $et '#sy ri$ht
a"ay and see "hat !an 'e done a'o#t that a#tomo'ile a!!ident& 0n the meantime+
yo# tell yo#r sister to !ome in and see me&.
.0 don*t )no" 8#st "here 3ossy is ri$ht no"+. she said+ .'#t as soon as 0 hear from
her 0*ll tell her to !ome in&. .1here !an 0 rea!h yo#2. Mason as)ed& .0*ll 'e at my
apartment&.
The la"yer $lan!ed a!ross at his se!retary& .Yo# ha(e the address+ ella2.
.Yes+. ella Street said& .1hat*s yo#r telephone n#m'er+ Miss S"aine2.
./rd"ay si% - na#$ht - nine - t"o - t"o&.
Mason arose+ !rossed the offi!e+ and opened the !orridor door&
.0sn*t there a retainer to 'e paid no"2. 3ita S"aine as)ed+ openin$ her p#rse and
p#llin$ o#t a sheaf of !#rren!y&
.No" no"+. Mason told her& .After all+ yo# )no"+ 0 as)ed for this& &&& And yo#*d
'etter p#t that money in the 'an)+ yo#n$ lady& Good Lord= Yo# don*t !arry s#ms
li)e that aro#nd in yo#r p#rse+ do yo#2.
./f !o#rse not& 0 tho#$ht yo#*d "ant some money 'efore yo# "ent ahead "ith the
!ase+ so 0 stopped at the 'an) and $ot t"o tho#sand dollars&.
Mason started to say somethin$+ then smiled+ held the door open for her and said+
.1ell+ yo#*d 'etter p#t it 'a!) in the 'an)& Miss S"aine& 0*ll fi% a fee later on "hen 0
feel more $enero#s& 3i$ht no" 0 !an only thin) of yo# as a yo#n$ "oman "ho
spoiled a mystery& Good afternoon&.
.Good afternoon+ Mr& Mason+. she said& She p#t the money 'a!) in her p#rse+
pi!)ed #p the !anary !a$e and "al)ed rapidly from the offi!e& 0n the !orridor she
pa#sed to in,#ire+
.o yo# )no" anythin$ a'o#t the pet store that*s in this 'lo!)2.
.The man "ho r#ns it+. Mason said+ ."as on!e a !lient of mine& -e*s an old
German+ ,#ite a !hara!ter& Aarl -elmold*s the name& 1hy did yo# as)2.
.0 tho#$ht 0*d lea(e i!)ey there for a "hile&.
.That*s the !anary2.
.Yes& Then+ "hen 3ossy $ets settled she !an send for him& B#t 0*d "ant to 'e !ertain
that 1alter "o#ldn*t )no" "here 0*d left him&.
.0*m ,#ite s#re+. Mason said+ .yo# !an tr#st the dis!retion of Aarl -elmold& Tell
him 0 sent yo#&.
She nodded+ and her !la!)in$ heels e!hoed rapid steps as she "al)ed to"ard the
ele(ator&
Mason !losed the door and t#rned to ella Street&
.That+. he said+ ma)in$ a "ry $rima!e+ .is "hat !omes of tryin$ m#rder !ases& 0*m
!onstantly translatin$ e(eryday o!!#rren!es into terms of the 'i;arre& That $irl
!ame in here !arryin$ a !a$ed !anary& She "as e%!ited+ ner(o#s and #pset+ and 0+
li)e a fool+ 'e$an to !lothe her "ith all sorts of mysterio#s 'a!)$ro#nds&.
.1hy didn*t yo# ref#se to ta)e her !ase+ Chief2. ella Street as)ed&
.Not after 0*d pried into her pri(ate affairs+ ella& 3emem'er+ this is 8#st a '#siness
"ith #s& 0t*s somethin$ else to the !lient& The sister*s di(or!e !ase is a !hore to me+
'#t ri$ht no" it*s the most important thin$ in that yo#n$ "oman*s life - e%!ept her
lo(e affair "ith 9immy ris!oll&.
ella Street s#r(eyed the la"yer "ith tho#$htf#lly spe!#lati(e eyes& .Chief+. she
said+ .spea)in$ to yo# as a "oman "ho is #nder no ill#sions as to her se%+ and is+
therefore+ imm#ne to feminine "iles and tearf#l entreaties+ did it o!!#r to yo#
there*s somethin$ stran$e a'o#t the "ay she rea!ted to that lo(e affair2 She
"o#ldn*t loo) yo# in the eyes "hen she tal)ed a'o#t it& She a!ted as tho#$h it "ere
somethin$ f#rti(e+ somethin$ to 'e !on!ealed+ somethin$ of "hi!h she "as ashamed&
on*t yo# thin) that she may ha(e do#'le !rossed her sister more than she admits -
in order to $et 9immy+ 0 mean2.
Mason !h#!)led deli$htedly and said+ .There yo# $o+ ella& 0 tell yo#+ it*s too many
m#rder !ases& Birst it*s a !a$ed !anary "hi!h thro"s me for a loss+ then this lo(e
affair $ets yo#& 1hat "e need*s a (a!ation& 1hat do yo# say "e !h#!) the "hole
'#siness and ta)e a trip aro#nd the "orld2 0*ll loo) into the 8#rispr#den!e of the
different !o#ntries "e (isit+ and yo# !an ta)e notes on "hat 0 find&.
-er eyes "idened& .Yo# mean it+ Chief2.
.Yes&.
.-o" a'o#t the la" '#siness2.
.1e*ll lea(e it& 9a!)son !an handle ro#tine matters "hile 0*m $one+ and there*ll 'e
plenty of 'i$ thin$s "hen "e $et 'a!)&.
.And ho" a'o#t this !ase2.
./h+. Mason said !as#ally+ ."e*ll $et 3ossy o#t of her diffi!#lties& That "on*t ta)e
lon$&.
ella Street pi!)ed #p the telephone and said to the e%!han$e operator in the o#ter
offi!e+ .Get me the ollar Steamship Company on the line& 3i$ht a"ay+ please+
'efore+ the 'oss !han$es his mind&.
Chapter @
PAUL 3AAE+ head of the ra)e ete!ti(e A$en!y+ 'ra!ed his tall+ thin form
lan$#idly a$ainst the door 8am'& The film "hi!h !o(ered his sli$htly protr#din$ eyes
seemed li)e a (eil dra"n 'et"een his tho#$hts and the o#ter "orld& #rin$
moments of repose+ his fish - li)e mo#th h#n$ partially open+ $i(in$ his fa!e an
e%pression of droll h#mor& E(en an a!#te o'ser(er "o#ld ha(e admitted he loo)ed
more li)e a dr#n)en #nderta)er than a dete!ti(e&
.My God+ Perry+. he said+ in dra"lin$ protest+ .don*t tell me yo#*re startin$ on
another !ase&.
Mason nodded&
.0 "ish+. ra)e "ent on in the same $ood - nat#red+ dra"lin$ (oi!e+ .that yo#*d
ta)e a (a!ation for my health&.
.1hat*s the matter+ Pa#l2 Can*t yo# ta)e it any more2.
ra)e sa#ntered o(er to the 'i$ leather !hair+ sat do"n in it !ross - "ise+ one of the
!hair*s arms s#pportin$ his 'a!)+ the other !at!hin$ his le$s 8#st 'a!) of the )nees&
.0*(e )no"n yo# no" for fi(e years+. he said reproa!hf#lly+ .and 0 ne(er sa" yo#
yet "hen yo# "eren*t in a h#rry&.
.1ell+. Mason told him !risply+ .0*m - not $oin$ to 'rea) the re!ord no"+ Pa#l&
Some time aro#nd noon+ o#t near the !orner of Bo#rteenth Street and Alsa!e
A(en#e+ a tr#!) o"ned 'y the Trader*s Transfer Company smashed a !o#pe dri(en
'y Carl Pa!)ard of Alta(ille+ California& 0t sho#ld 'e a !in!h to !hase do"n&
Pa!)ard "as in8#red+ and the tr#!) dri(er p#t him in the (an and r#shed him to a
hospital& Bind o#t "hi!h hospital+ ho" serio#sly Pa!)ard "as h#rt+ "hether he*s
ins#red+ "hether the tr#!)*s ins#red+ ho" the tr#!) dri(er reported the a!!ident+
"hether the tr#!)in$ !ompany "ill admit lia'ility+ and ho" m#!h the !ase !an 'e
settled for 'y "hi!he(er party "as in the "ron$&.
ra)e said+ .And yo# "ant all of this in a h#rry 2.
.Yes& 0*d li)e to ha(e the information in an ho#r&.
.And that*s all yo# "ant2.
.No& -ere*s another one& 1alter Pres!ott+ 14>? Alsa!e A(en#e+ s#in$ his "ife for
di(or!e& Bind o#t "ho his $irl - friend is&.
.1hat ma)es yo# thin) he has one2.
.-e short - !han$ed his "ife o#t of t"el(e tho#sand '#!)s& -e didn*t p#t it in his
'#siness&.
.Any leads2. ra)e as)ed&
.Nothin$ in parti!#lar& -e*s an ins#ran!e ad8#ster& The firm name is Pres!ott <
1ray+ and they ha(e offi!es in the oran B#ildin$& Bind o#t "here he '#ys his
flo"ers& Get a loo) at the deli(ery addresses at the florist*s& -a(e an operati(e '#st
into Pres!ott*s offi!e and !laim that a yo#n$ "oman dri(in$ Pres!ott*s a#tomo'ile
smashed into him and ripped off a fender and hasn*t settled& 1at!h "hat n#m'er he
!alls #p "hen he ref#tes the story& P#t a !o#ple of shado"s on him and find "here
he $oes "hen he isn*t at the offi!e&.
.S#ppose he*s "ise and doesn*t $o2.
.1rite him an anonymo#s letter that his s"eetie has another 'oy - friend "ho !alls
on her e(ery afternoon& Start him mo(in$ aro#nd+ then see "here he mo(es to&.
ra)e p#lled a leather - !o(ered note'oo) from his po!)et and "rote names and
addresses&
.-ere*s somethin$ else+. Mason said& .A Stella Anderson has the ho#se ne%t door to
the Pres!ott pla!e& Apparently she*s the nei$h'orhood $ossip& rop in and )id her
alon$& See if she !an*t $i(e yo# a line on Pres!ott& Bind o#t "hether he spends his
e(enin$s home or is o#t a $ood part of the time and see if she dishes o#t any dirt on
Pres!ott*s "ife&.
.0n other "ords+. ra)e said mo#rnf#lly+ .yo# "ant e(erythin$&.
.That*s it+. Mason told him& .P#t some operati(es o#t doin$ the le$ "or)& Yo#*d
'etter tal) "ith Mrs& Snoops first+ and then p#ll the ro#$h st#ff to ma)e Pres!ott
!onta!t his $irl - friend& Yo# !an "rite him an anonymo#s letter and send it spe!ial
deli(ery& P#t a !o#ple of shado"s on him - .
.1ho*s the Snoops dame2. ra)e as)ed&
Mason $rinned& .0 for$ot a'o#t that& That*s a pet name for the Anderson "oman&.
.Anythin$ else2.
.Yes& 1hile yo#*re $ettin$ the lo" - do"n on the nei$h'orhood $ossip from Mrs&
Anderson+ find o#t a'o#t a ne!)in$ party "hi!h she loo)ed in on ne%t door some
time this mornin$&.
.1hat do yo# "ant me to find o#t a'o#t it2.
.9#st $et her des!ription of it+. Mason said& .0t so#nds 8#st a little fishy to me&.
.on*t people ne!) in the mornin$s in that nei$h'orhood2. ra)e as)ed&
.0t isn*t that& 0t*s 8#st the "ay the thin$ "as des!ri'ed to me& /)ay+ Pa#l+ on yo#r
"ay&.
.-o" many men shall 0 t#rn loose on this thin$2.
.All yo# need to $et res#lts in a h#rry&.
.Any limit on e%penses2.
.No limit+. Mason said& .This is my party&.
.1hat*s the idea2 Gettin$ 'ene(olent2.
.No& 0 fell for a lame !anary and "hat 0 tho#$ht "as a mystery& This is "hat !omes
of it&.
.So#nds li)e a $oofy !ase+. ra)e said+ pi(otin$ aro#nd in the !hair and $ettin$ to
his feet&
.0t is&.
./)ay& Yo# "ant me to report 'y telephone2.
.Uh h#h& Aeep feedin$ st#ff in to me as soon as yo# $et it& 0f 0*m not here+ yo# !an
tal) "ith ella& 0*m $oin$ o#t and see a man&.
.A'o#t a do$2. ra)e as)ed+ $rinnin$&
.A'o#t a !anary&.
The dete!ti(e fro"ned+ .1hat*s the $a$ a'o#t the !anary+ Perry2.
.0 don*t )no"& Tell me+ Pa#l+ "hy sho#ld a !anary ha(e a sore foot2.
.0*ll 'ite+. ra)e !o#ntered& .1hy sho#ld it2.
Mason motioned to"ard the door& ./n yo#r "ay+. he said& .Yo#*re no help at all&.
The dete!ti(e hea(ed an e%a$$erated si$h& .This+. he anno#n!ed+ .is a relief&.
.1hat is2. the la"yer as)ed&
.Be!a#se yo# didn*t "ant me to shado" the !anary+. ra)e said& .0 "as afraid yo#
"ere $oin$ to t#rn him loose+ as) me to $et an airplane+ a pair of 'ino!#lars+ and
s#'mit a !omplete report on him from e$$ to !a$e&.
-e opened the door a fe" in!hes and eased himself almost f#rti(ely into the
!orridor+ his $rin fadin$ thro#$h the narro" openin$ as he silently p#lled the door
to&
Mason rea!hed for his hat+ said+ .0*m $oin$ do"n to the pet store+ ella&.
.Still "orryin$ a'o#t the !anary& Chief2.
-e nodded& .1hy sho#ld a !anary ha(e a sore foot2 1hy sho#ld a $irl !arry a
!anary thro#$h the streets and #p to a la" offi!e2.
.Be!a#se her sister "ants the !anary p#t in a safe pla!e&.
Mason said slo"ly+ .Loo)s li)e her sister intends to 'e a"ay for a "hile& And+ "hen
yo# !ome ri$ht do"n to it+ ella+ no one has told #s "here the sister is ri$ht no"&.
.She said she didn*t )no"+. ella Street e%plained&
.That+. Mason told her+ .is e%a!tly my point& amn it+ don*t yo# ta)e all the
roman!e o#t of life& 0f 0 !an s,#ee;e a mystery o#t of this !anary+ 0*m $oin$ to do it -
e(en if 0 ha(e to p#t him thro#$h a !lothes "rin$er&.
Chapter 4
T-E PET ST/3E on the !orner "as a 'edlam of noise "hen Mason opened the
door+ nodded to a !ler)+ and "al)ed 'a!) to"ard the offi!e in the rear& A parrot
s!ree!hed $reetin$& A !hained mon)ey thr#st forth an in,#isiti(e pa"+ !l#t!hin$ at
the la"yer*s !oat& A fat indi(id#al+ "ith pale+ patient eyes+ and a 'la!) s)#ll!ap
prote!tin$ the shiny dome of an onion 'ald head+ loo)ed #p from a led$er+ then
!ame "addlin$ from the $lass - en!losed offi!e&
.9a+ 9a+. he said+ .it is the -en Co#nselor+ himself= 0t is an honor yo# !ome to my
pla!e of '#siness&.
Mason shoo) hands+ per!hed himself on the ed$e of a !o#nter and said+ .0 ha(en*t
m#!h time+ Aarl& 0 "ant to find o#t somethin$&.
.9a+ 8a= A'o#t the Bra#lein "ho !ame in "ith the !anary+ eh2 She said that yo# had
sent her& Yo# perhaps "ant to )no" somethin$ a'o#t that !anary2.
Mason nodded&
.0t is a $ood !anary+. -elmold said& .0t is "orth a $ood pri!e& -e has a fine (oi!e&.
.-e seems to ha(e a sore foot+. the la"yer said&
.9a& 0t is nothin$& The !la"s on the ri$ht foot ha(e 'een !#t too short& Today he is
lame& Tomorro" he is lame& The ne%t day+ nothin$& And the day after that+ yo# !o#ld
ne(er tell&.
.-o" a'o#t the left foot2. Mason as)ed&
./n the left foot the !la"s are !#t ni!ely+ all e%!ept one !la"+ and that !la"+ it is not
!#t at all& 0 do not #nderstand&.
.The !la"s "ere !#t today2. Mason as)ed&
.9a+ 8a& There are little fine threads of 'lood on the per!h "hi!h !ome from the sore
toes of the ri$ht foot& 0t "as done today+ 8a&.
.And the yo#n$ "oman "ants to )eep him here2.
.9a&.
.Bor ho" lon$2.
The fat proprietor of the pet store shr#$$ed his sho#lders and said+ .0 do not )no"&
She does not tell me that&.
.Bor a day2. Mason as)ed&
The eyes $re" "ide "ith s#rprise& .Yo# 8o)e+ ni!hf "ahr2 A day= 1hat sort of a
stora$e '#siness is that2.
.No+. Mason said+ .0 "ant to )no"& id she say anythin$ a'o#t lea(in$ him here
for a day2.
.A!h+ no& By the month 0 ,#oted her pri!es+ and 'y the month she paid&
Understand+ Co#nselor+ not e(en 'y the "ee) 'y the month&.
Mason slid from the !o#nter& ./)ay+ Aarl+. he said& .0 8#st "anted to !he!) #p on
it&.
.0 than) yo# for sendin$ her to me+. -elmold said& .Some day perhaps 0 !an do
somethin$ for yo#+ ni!ht "ahr2.
.Possi'ly+. Mason said& .1hat name did she $i(e yo#2.
.-er name2.
.Yes&.
-elmold stepped into the offi!e+ th#m'ed o(er some re!ords+ !ame o#t "ith a !ard
in his hand and said+ .The name is Mildred /"ens+ and the address is General
eli(ery+ 3eno& She mo(es to 3eno+ and after a "hile she sends and $ets the 'ird&
B#t not for more than a month+ any"ay&.
A slo" $rin spread o(er the la"yer*s fa!e&
.That is $ood ne"s2. -elmold as)ed an%io#sly+ loo)in$ o(er the top of his $lasses&
.Cery $ood ne"s+. Mason said& .Yo# )no"+ Aarl+ 0 "as !ommen!in$ to thin) my
h#n!hes "eren*t ri$ht& No" 0 feel a lot 'etter& Ta)e !are of that !anary+ Aarl&.
.9a+ 8a& 0 ta)e !are of him& 1o#ld yo# li)e to loo) aro#nd and - .
.Not today+ Aarl& 0*ll see yo# some other time& 0*m '#sy ri$ht no"&.
-elmold nodded $enially+ es!orted Perry Mason to the door of the pet shop& .Any
time 0 !an do somethin$ for yo#+ yo# tell me& 0t is a pleas#re& This - . "ith a s"eep of
his hand - .tal) of a lame !anary+ it is nothin$& 0 "ish to do somethin$&.
Mason $rinned+ left the pet - shop proprietor 'o"in$ and smilin$ in the door"ay+
and so#$ht a 'ar'er shop+ "here he "as sha(ed+ massa$ed and mani!#red&
Us#ally+ hot to"els on his fa!e made him rela% into a state "here he "as neither
a"a)e nor asleep+ a pe!#liar+ dro"sy+ half - dreamin$ !ondition in "hi!h+ his
ima$ination stim#lated+ he !o#ld see thin$s "ith !rystal !larity& B#t this time the hot
to"els steamed no tho#$hts into his mind& The !anary "as lame& /ne of the !la"s on
the left foot had not 'een !lipped at all& The remainin$ !la"s on that foot had 'een
trimmed !orre!tly& B#t the !la"s on the ri$ht foot had 'een trimmed too !losely&
And it "as this "hi!h made the !anary lame& Moreo(er+ 3ita S"aine+ in ta)in$ the
'ird to the pet store+ had 'een fran) eno#$h in referrin$ to Mason as the person
"ho had sent her there+ '#t had $i(en a fi!titio#s name and address&
1hy2
/#t of the 'ar'er !hair+ Mason ad8#sted his tie+ $lan!ed at his "rist "at!h+ and
strolled leis#rely 'a!) to his offi!e& The street "as filled "ith afternoon shado"s and
the ad(an!e $#ard of the late afternoon traffi! 8ams&
3o#ndin$ the !orner in the !orridor from the ele(ator+ he sa" ella Street standin$
in the door"ay of his pri(ate offi!e+ 'e!)onin$ to him franti!ally+ and+ as he
,#i!)ened his stride+ she ran s"iftly do"n the fla$$ed floor of the '#ildin$&
.Listen+. she said+ .Pa#l ra)e*s on the pri(ate line and he says he m#st tal) "ith
yo# ri$ht a"ay&.
Mason*s lon$ le$s added another fe" in!hes to his ,#i!) stride& .-o" lon$ a$o did
he !all2.
.-e*s on the line+ 8#st this min#te& 0 re!o$ni;ed the so#nd of yo#r steps in the
!orridor&.
.This his first !all2.
.Yes&.
Mason said+ .0t may 'e important+ ella& on*t $o home #ntil "e find o#t&. -e
p#shed his "ay into his pri(ate offi!e+ pi!)ed #p the re!ei(er of his des) telephone
and said in a lo" (oi!e+ ./)ay+ Pa#l+ "hat is it2.
The sli$htly distorted so#nd of the dete!ti(e*s (oi!e sho"ed the la"yer that ra)e
"as holdin$ his lips dire!tly a$ainst the transmitter&
.Perry+. he said+ ."as this a r#n - aro#nd2.
.1as "hat a r#n - aro#nd2.
.A'o#t the di(or!e !ase&.
.No& 1hat are yo# tal)in$ a'o#t2.
.0 thin)+. ra)e told him+ .yo#*d 'etter $et o#t here ri$ht a"ay&.
.1here*s *here*2.
./#t in front of Mrs& Stella Anderson*s pla!e on Alsa!e A(en#e& 0*m tal)in$ from a
dr#$ store a !o#ple of 'lo!)s a"ay+ '#t 0*ll meet yo# "here my !ar*s par)ed&.
.1hat*s the tro#'le2. Mason as)ed+ fro"nin$&
ra)e lo"ered his (oi!e and said+ .Listen& A !o#ple of men in a pro"l !ar dro(e #p+
stopped at the Pres!ott ho#se+ opened the 'a!) door "ith s)eleton )eys+ and "ent in&
A'o#t fifteen min#tes later+ Ser$eant -ol!om' of the homi!ide s,#ad !ame o#t "ith
lots of sirens and a !o#ple of men+ and a fe" min#tes later the !oroner sho"ed&.
Mason $a(e a lo" "histle& .id yo# pi!) #p anythin$+ Pa#l2.
.Not m#!h+ '#t 0 #nderstand the tip - off !ame from a Mrs& 1eyman+ "ho li(es 8#st
"est of the Pres!ott ho#se on Bo#rteenth Street&.
.-o" did she $et the tip - off2. Mason as)ed&
.No one )no"s& .
.And yo# don*t )no" "ho*s the !orpse&.
.No&.
.Yo#+. Mason told him+ ."ait for me in front of Stella Anderson*s pla!e& 0*m !omin$
o#t& And let me $i(e yo# a tip+ Pa#l - don*t e(er #nderestimate a h#n!h on a lame
!anary&.
Chapter 6
3AAE*S AUT/M/B0LE "as par)ed near a neat+ '#t some"hat din$y - loo)in$
ho#se+ 8#st to the north of a 'i$ t"o - storied residen!e in front of "hi!h half a do;en
!ars "ere !l#stered&
Mason slid his !ar to a stop in 'ehind ra)es ma!hine& The dete!ti(e 8oined him on
the side"al)& .They )no" yo#*re here+ Pa#l2.
.Not yet& They ha(en*t spotted me&.
.-a(e they started as)in$ ,#estions of the nei$h'ors2.
.Not yet& They*re foolin$ aro#nd inside the ho#se&.
.Ne"spaper men2.
.Yes+ a !o#ple of those !ars are Press& 0 $ot the lo"do"n on the 1eyman tip - off
from one of them&.
./)ay+. Mason said+ ."e ha(en*t m#!h time& Let*s $o& Yo# ma)e a sta' at Mrs&
1eyman+ pretend yo#*re sellin$ "ashin$ ma!hines& Life ins#ran!e+ or in(esti$atin$
the a#to a!!ident& 0*ll ta)e Mrs& Snoops& 9oin me here& Ma)e it snappy&.
ra)e nodded+ s"#n$ aro#nd the !orner& Mason "al)ed #p a narro" !ement "al)+
!lim'ed the e!hoin$ steps of a "ooden por!h+ and pressed his th#m' a$ainst the 'ell
'#tton& -e had r#n$ the third time "hen the door "as thro"n open and an an$#lar
"oman+ "hose lon$+ 'ony nose fen!ed apart restless+ $litterin$ eyes+ as)ed
impatiently+ .1hat do yo# "ant2.
.0*m in(esti$atin$ an a#tomo'ile a!!ident "hi!h too) pla!e o#t here - .
.Come in+. she said& .Come ri$ht in& Are yo# a dete!ti(e2.
Mason shoo) his head&
Bor a moment there "as a fli!)er of disappointment on her fa!e+ '#t she led the "ay
into an old - fashioned li(in$ room "here !hairs "ith !ro!heted doilies for head and
arm rests "ere arran$ed in a stiffly !on(entional desi$n&
.Sit do"n+. she in(ited& . - Land sa)es+ 0*m so e%!ited 0*m all of a trem'le+ "hat
"ith that a#tomo'ile a!!ident this mornin$+ and then "hat they*(e fo#nd o(er in the
Pres!ott ho#se& 0 8#st !an*t seem to !alm myself do"n&.
Mason seated himself+ stret!hed his ne!) to peer o#t of the "indo"& .1hat ha(e
they fo#nd in the Pres!ott ho#se2. he as)ed&
.0 don*t )no"+. she said+ .'#t 0 thin) it*s a m#rder& And 0 don*t )no" "hether 0 did
ri$ht in not tellin$ the offi!ers "hat 0 sa"& 0 s#ppose they*ll !ome o(er and ,#estion
me+ "on*t they2.
Mason smiled and said+ .1hat did yo# see+ Mrs& Anderson2.
.1ell+. she said+ sittin$ (ery stiffly ere!t+ .0 sa" plenty& 0 8#st said to myself+ says 0
to myself+ says 0+ *There*s somethin$ $oin$ on o(er in that ho#se+ and yo#+ Stella
Anderson+ had 'etter !all the offi!ers&.
.B#t yo# didn*t do it2.
.Not a'o#t that& 0 !alled them a'o#t the a#tomo'ile a!!ident&.
.And yo# didn*t tell them a'o#t "hat yo#*d seen in the ho#se2.
She shoo) her head+ !ompressed her thin lips and said in a tone of ri$hteo#s
indi$nation+ .They didn*t as) me& They didn*t e(en !ome near the ho#se& 0 ne(er
had a !han!e to tell them+ and it ser(es them ri$ht=.
.1hat=. Mason e%!laimed& .They didn*t e(en !ome to tal) "ith yo# after yo#*d p#t
in the !all for them2.
.That*s ri$ht& They !ame and loo)ed o(er that !o#pe+ and too) do"n the li!ense
n#m'er and !opied the re$istration !ertifi!ate+ then they tal)ed "ith the yo#n$ man
"ho !ame o#t of 1alter Pres!ott*s ho#se+ and then $ot in their !ar and dro(e a"ay&
They ne(er on!e !ame near my pla!e+ not on!e=.
.And yo#*d seen somethin$ yo# !o#ld ha(e told them a'o#t2. Mason as)ed&
.0*ll say 0 !o#ld&.
Mason+ si;in$ her #p "ith his steady+ patient eyes+ !rossed one le$ o(er the other+
settled 'a!) in the !hair and said !as#ally+ ./h+ "ell+ if it had 'een important they*d
ha(e as)ed yo# a'o#t it&.
She teetered 'a!) and forth on the ed$e of her !hair+ her 'ony 'a!) ri$id "ith
indi$nation& .1hat*s that2. she snapped&
Mason said+ .They pro'a'ly had all the information a'o#t the a#tomo'ile a!!ident
they needed&.
.1ell+. she said+ 'ristlin$+ .it 8#st happens this "asn*t a'o#t the a#tomo'ile
a!!ident& on*t yo# $o 8#mpin$ at !on!l#sions+ yo#n$ man&.
Mason raised his eye'ro"s& .1hat "as it2.
.No+. she said+ .it doesn*t !on!ern yo#& Yo#*re in(esti$atin$ the a#tomo'ile
a!!ident& 1hat do yo# "ant to )no" a'o#t it2.
.E(erythin$ yo# )no" a'o#t it+. Mason said&
.1ell+. she said+ .0 "as here in my ho#se at the time&.
.id yo# a!t#ally see the a!!ident2.
-er fa!e sho"ed disappointment& .0 heard the so#nd of slidin$ tires and ran to the
"indo" 8#st a'o#t the time of the !rash& The !ars "ere lo!)ed to$ether and
s)iddin$& Then they str#!) the !#r' "ith an a"f#l !rash& The man "ho "as dri(in$
the (an 8#mped do"n and tried to $et the door of the !o#pe open+ '#t he !o#ldn*t do
it& Then he ran aro#nd to the other side of the !o#pe+ and 'y that time the man had
r#n o#t of the Pres!ott ho#se& -e helped - .
.1hat man2. Mason interr#pted her&
.A man 0*d seen o(er there earlier&.
Mason raised his eyes and said+ ./h+ yo# had seen him+ then&.
./f !o#rse 0*d seen him&.
.Yo# didn*t say so&.
.1ell+ yo# didn*t $i(e me a !han!e&.
.0 tho#$ht+. Mason remar)ed+ .that 0*d as)ed yo# a'o#t "hat yo# sa" in the ho#se
and yo# told me it "as none of my '#siness - o yo# mind if 0 smo)e2.
.0 didn*t say it "as none of yo#r '#siness+. she said+ .and 0*d (ery m#!h prefer yo#
didn*t smo)e& The odor of to'a!!o $ets in the !#rtains and stays there&.
Mason nodded& .1here "ere yo# "hen yo# first heard the so#nd of slidin$ tires2.
.0 "as in the dinin$ room+. she said&
Mason nodded to an open ar!h"ay and said+ .That*s the room2.
.Yes&.
.1o#ld yo#+. Mason as)ed+ .mind sho"in$ me e%a!tly "here yo# "ere standin$2.
She $ot to her feet "ith effortless a$ility and "itho#t 'endin$ her 'a!)& 1itho#t a
"ord+ she strode thro#$h the door"ay into the dinin$ room&
.Stand 8#st as yo# "ere standin$ "hen yo# heard the so#nd of the tires+. Mason
said&
She t#rned and stared o#t thro#$h the so#th "indo"& Mason stepped o(er and stood
at her side& .That*s the Pres!ott ho#se o(er there2. he as)ed&
.Yes&.
.Yo#*re rather !lose to it+ aren*t yo#2.
.Yes&.
.1hat*s the room dire!tly opposite2.
.That*s the solari#m&.
.And yo# "ere standin$ here "hen yo# heard the so#nd of the tires2.
.Yes&.
.0n 8#st a'o#t this position2.
.Yes&.
.And "hat did yo# do2.
.0 ran thro#$h that door+ a!ross the parlor+ p#lled 'a!) the !#rtains and loo)ed
o#t&.
.9#st in time to see the (an p#sh the !o#pe into the !#r'2.
.Yes&.
.o yo#+. Mason as)ed+ .)no" "ho "as to 'lame2.
.No& 0 didn*t see eno#$h of it& And+ e(en if 0 had+ 0 mi$ht not 'e a'le to tell m#!h& 0
ne(er did learn to dri(e a !ar& No"+ let*s $o 'a!) in the other room& There*s
somethin$ 0*m interested in+ and - .
.1hat did yo# do after the a!!ident2.
.1ell+ 0 "ent to my telephone and notified the poli!e there*d 'een an a!!ident and a
man "as h#rt& After a fe" min#tes+ a poli!e !ar !ame aro#nd that !orner& The yo#n$
man "ho had helped load the dri(er of the !o#pe in the tr#!) "as 8#st lea(in$ the
Pres!ott ho#se& The men from the poli!e !ar as)ed him ,#estions and made him
sho" them his dri(in$ li!ense - .
She 'ro)e off as a !ar dro(e 'y on Alsa!e A(en#e& She follo"ed it "ith her eyes #ntil
it slo"ed and ro#nded the !orner on Bo#rteenth Street&
.That*s se(en !ars+. she said+ .that ha(e !ome there in the last half ho#r& No"+ "ho
do yo# s#ppose that !o#ld 'e2.
.0*m s#re 0 don*t )no"+. Mason told her&
.1ell+ one of the !ars had *-omi!ide S,#ad* painted on the side& Yo# !o#ld hear the
siren !omin$ a mile a"ay&.
Mason said+ .Perhaps the man "ho "as h#rt in the a#tomo'ile a!!ident died&.
.on*t 'e silly+. she snapped& .The man "ho "as h#rt "ent to a hospital& Traffi!
a!!idents aren*t homi!ides& This "as the homi!ide s,#ad&.
.Are yo#+. Mason as)ed+ .a'sol#tely !ertain that the yo#n$ man ran o#t of the
Pres!ott ho#se2.
./f !o#rse 0*m !ertain&.
.0sn*t it possi'le he*d 'een sittin$ in a !ar par)ed aro#nd the !orner2 0 see that the
Pres!ott ho#se is ri$ht on the !orner of Bo#rteenth Street and - .
.Certainly not+. she interr#pted& .That*s a's#rd= 0 $#ess 0 )no" "hen a man !omes
o#t of a ho#se& 1hat*s more+ 0 sa" him in the ho#se 'efore that a!!ident&.
Mason raised in,#irin$ eye'ro"s& .1hate(er happened in the Pres!ott ho#se
!o#ldn*t ha(e any 'earin$ on the a#tomo'ile a!!ident& 0*m afraid yo#*(e
e%a$$erated some tri(ial nei$h'orhood happenin$ - .
.Biddlesti!)s=. she interr#pted& .No" yo# loo) here+ yo#n$ man - 1hat*s yo#r
name2.
.Mason&.
.All ri$ht+ Mr& Mason+ yo# loo) here& 0 )no" "hen somethin$*s important and "hen
it isn*t& No" yo# let me tell yo# 8#st "hat 0 sa" o(er there+ and yo#*ll reali;e that it
is important and "hat a mista)e those radio offi!ers made not !omin$ o(er to tal)
"ith me in the first pla!e&
.No"+ 0 "as standin$ in front of that "indo" in my dinin$ room+ loo)in$ o#t& 0
"asn*t loo)in$ at anythin$ in parti!#lar+ '#t yo# !an see ho" thin$s are& A 'ody
!an*t help '#t see thin$s that $o on in the solari#m o(er in the Pres!ott ho#se #nless
the shades are dra"n& And Mrs& Pres!ott ne(er dra"s the shades& Land sa)es+ the
thin$s 0*(e seen - 1ell+ this yo#n$ man "as in there "ith Mrs& Pres!ott*s sister& She
"as alone in that ho#se "ith this yo#n$ man&.
.-e pro'a'ly 8#st dropped in to pass the time of day+. Mason said&
-er sniff "as elo,#ent& .The time of day+. she e%!laimed s!ornf#lly& .1ell+ he*d
'een there e%a!tly forty - t"o min#tes 'efore the a!!ident+ and if yo#*d seen "hat 0
sa" "hen 3ita S"aine let $o of that !anary yo#*d !han$e yo#r t#ne a 'it&.
.1hat+. Mason as)ed+ stri(in$ to )eep the interest from his (oi!e+ .!a#sed her to let
$o of the !anary2.
.She "as standin$ there+. Mrs& Anderson said+ .ri$ht in front of that "indo"& The
shades "ere #p and she m#st ha(e )no"n 0 !o#ld see her from my dinin$ room if 0*d
happened to 'e loo)in$ o#t of the "indo" - not that 0 ma)e a pra!ti!e of loo)in$
into people*s ho#ses+ 'e!a#se 0 don*t& 0 ha(en*t any desire to $o sti!)in$ my nose into
other people*s '#siness& B#t if a yo#n$ "oman lea(es the shades #p and en$a$es in
passionate lo(ema)in$ ri$ht in front of my eyes+ she*s $ot no !omplaint if 0 loo)&
Land sa)es= 0*m not $oin$ to )eep my shades do"n 8#st 'e!a#se the nei$h'ors
ha(en*t any modesty& These modern "omen don*t )no" the meanin$ of the "ord&
1hen 0 "as a $irl - .
.So the yo#n$ man "as ma)in$ lo(e to her+ "as he2. Mason prompted&
.1ell+. she said+ dra"in$ herself #p primly+ .in my time that "asn*t "hat "e*d
ha(e !alled it& Lo(e + h#h= 0 ne(er sa" t"o people !arry on so in my life&.
.B#t aren*t yo# mista)en a'o#t the !anary2. Mason as)ed&
.Certainly 0*m not mista)en a'o#t him& 3ita S"aine "as holdin$ that !anary in her
hand& She*d 8#st started to !lip his !la"s "hen this yo#n$ man $ra''ed her in his
arms& And the shameless "ay in "hi!h she t"ined herself aro#nd him made me
'l#sh for her& 0 ne(er did see s#!h !arryin$s - on& She !ertainly ne(er learned
em'ra!es li)e that in any yo#n$ "oman*s finishin$ s!hool& She 8#st - .
.And "hat happened to the !anary2.
.The !anary "as flyin$ all aro#nd the pla!e+ fri$htened+ and fl#tterin$ #p a$ainst
the "indo"s&.
.And the man had 'een there for some time then2.
.Yes& And he let her $o and she "as all fl#stered and ner(o#s& She tried to !at!h the
!anary+ and !o#ldn*t& The yo#n$ man slipped o#t into the ad8oinin$ room& And then
0 heard the a!!ident&.
.So then yo# left the dinin$ room "indo" and ran to the front "indo"+ is that
ri$ht2.
.Yes&.
.And then "hat happened2.
She lo"ered her (oi!e and said+ .After this yo#n$ man had $one 'a!) into the
Pres!ott ho#se+ 0 "ent 'a!) to the dinin$ room "indo"& 0 !o#ldn*t help "onderin$
"hat he and Mrs& Pres!ott - .
./h+ "as Mrs& Pres!ott there2.
.No+ she "asn*t+. Stella Anderson said& .That "as my mista)e& 0*d tho#$ht for a
min#te it "as Mrs& Pres!ott+ tho#$h& Yo# see+ 3ita S"aine "as "earin$ one of
3osalind Pres!ott*s dresses& 0t*s a print ho#se dress that 0 )no" 8#st as "ell as 0
)no" my o"n !lothes+ 'e!a#se 0*(e seen it so often& She and her sister aren*t t"ins+
'#t they*re as ali)e as t"o peas from the same pod& And+ at the time+ seein$ that
dress and not 'ein$ a'le to see her fa!e !learly+ 0 tho#$ht it "as Mrs& Pres!ott& And
thin)in$ "hat a pretty )ettle of fish it "o#ld ma)e if this yo#n$ man had 'een that
"ay "ith a married "oman - 1ell+ 0*m $lad he "asn*t=.
.Perhaps it "as Mrs& Pres!ott+. Mason said&
.No+ it "asn*t& After"ards 0 $ot a $ood loo) at her fa!e&.
.And it "asn*t Mrs& Pres!ott2. Mason as)ed&
.No+. she said in a (oi!e "hi!h sho"ed her disappointment+ .it "asn*t&.
.Yo#*re !ertain2.
./f !o#rse 0*m !ertain& 0*m 8#st as !ertain as 0 am that 0*m sittin$ here ri$ht this
min#te&.
.Yo#*re tal)in$ no" a'o#t somethin$ "hi!h too) pla!e after the a!!ident2.
.Yo# mean "hen 0 fo#nd o#t for !ertain it "as the #nmarried sister2.
.Yes&.
.1ell+ 'y that time this yo#n$ man had $one 'a!) into the Pres!ott ho#se& -e
seemed fri$htened a'o#t somethin$+ and that*s "hen he $a(e 3ita S"aine the $#n&.
.A $#n2*
.Yes - /h+ 0 "asn*t $oin$ to tell yo# a'o#t that& Perhaps 0 sho#ldn*t& Yo# - .
.1hat )ind of $#n2.
.0t "as a 'l#ed - steel re(ol(er& -e too) it from his hip po!)et and $a(e it to 3ita
and she p#lled o#t a dra"er in that 'i$ des) near the !orner of the solari#m+ and
p#shed the $#n in 'a!) of the dra"er and then !losed the dra"er&.
.Then "hat happened2. Mason as)ed&
.1ell+. she said+ .0*d already telephoned to the offi!ers that there*d 'een an
a!!ident and that a man "as h#rt& 0 fi$#red 0 !o#ld tell them a'o#t the $#n "hen
they !ame o(er here to ,#estion me& And then they didn*t !ome&.
.1as the man still in the !o#pe "hen yo# telephoned2.
.No& -e*d 'een ta)en to the hospital&.
.-o" lon$ "o#ld yo# say it "as after yo# telephoned that the offi!ers !ame2.
.0 don*t thin) it !o#ld ha(e 'een o(er fi(e min#tes& 0t mi$ht ha(e 'een se(en or
ei$ht min#tes+ '#t 0 thin) it "as aro#nd fi(e&.
.And "hat did they do2.
.They loo)ed the !o#pe o(er and too) do"n the li!ense n#m'ers+ and then this
yo#n$ man "as 8#st !omin$ o#t of the ho#se+ and they too) his name and address
and loo)ed at his dri(er*s li!ense+ and then dismissed him+ and then they $ot in their
!ar and dro(e a"ay "itho#t on!e !omin$ o(er here& 0 !an*t #nderstand it& 0 "as the
person that had !alled them& They didn*t as) me "hat 0 )ne" a'o#t it&.
.B#t+ of !o#rse+. Mason said+ .yo# didn*t see the a!!ident&.
.1ell+. she said+ .0 sa" plenty of it& And+ a$ain+ ho" did they )no" that2 0 mi$ht
ha(e seen the "hole thin$ for all they )ne"& 0 mi$ht ha(e 'een standin$ ri$ht there
in the "indo"&.
.Yes+. Mason said tho#$htf#lly+ .that*s so& 1hom ha(e yo# told a'o#t this2.
.No one+. she said+ .e%!ept Mrs& 1eyman&.
.Mrs& 1eyman2.
She nodded and said+ .Yes+ that*s the ne%t door nei$h'or o(er on Bo#rteenth Street&
They*(e 'een there for si% months no"& /#r 'a!) doors are 8#st a fe" steps from
ea!h other& 0 told her a'o#t it ri$ht after the a!!ident+ "ithin less than an ho#r& She*s
a "onderf#lly fine "oman& 0t*s !ertainly too 'ad a'o#t her h#s'and&.
.1hat*s "ron$ "ith her h#s'and2. the la"yer in,#ired&
.rin)=. she sniffed& .1hen he*s so'er he*s all ri$ht+ '#t "hen he*s dr#n) he starts
loo)in$ for tro#'le& -e*s al"ays 'eatin$ someone #p or $ettin$ 'eat #p& Land sa)es+
he !ame in "hile 0 "as there tellin$ a'o#t it& -e "as ree)in$ of "his)ey+ sta$$erin$
all o(er the pla!e+ and he*d 'een in an a"f#l fi$ht& 1ell+ perhaps that*ll 'e a lesson
to him& -e $ot the "orst of this one&.
.id he admit it2. Mason as)ed+ smilin$&
.-e didn*t ha(e to admit it& -e*d had a 'loody nose and a !#t !hee) and a !o#ple of
'la!) eyes& 0t "as 'ad eno#$h so he*d had to $o to a do!tor and ha(e his fa!e
'anda$ed& A pretty ho" - d*y - do "hen a man !an lea(e a s"eet+ refined little
"oman li)e Mrs& 1eyman sittin$ home !ryin$ her eyes o#t+ "hile he ma)es a
sodden n#isan!e of himself&.
Mason nodded sympatheti!ally&
.Gettin$ 'a!) to "hat happened o(er in the Pres!ott ho#se+. he $lan!ed !as#ally
o#t of the "indo" and o'ser(ed the s,#are - sho#ldered+ short - ne!)ed indi(id#al
"ho "as ploddin$ his p#rposef#l "ay to"ard the Anderson residen!e+ .yo# say yo#
had a $ood loo) at 3ita S"aine - that is+ yo# sa" her !learly eno#$h so yo# !o#ldn*t
'e mista)en2.
./f !o#rse 0 did& Later on she !a#$ht the !anary and !ame and stood ri$ht at the
"indo"& She seemed to "ant to $et a
lot of li$ht on "hat she "as doin$& My -ea(ens+ yo#*d thin) she*d 'een a s#r$eon
doin$ a 'rain operation+ the f#ss she made o(er that 'ird*s !la"s=.
.0*m "onderin$+. Mason said+ ."hether yo# are $ood at remem'erin$ details&.
.0 thin) my po"ers of o'ser(ation are ,#ite normal+ yo#n$ man&.
.Co#ld yo#+ for instan!e+ tell me "hi!h foot she "as !lippin$ "hen she "as so
!aref#l to $et the li$ht on her "or)2. Mason as)ed&
Mrs& Anderson p#rsed her lips+ "rin)led her forehead into a fro"n+ and then said
positi(ely+ .The ri$ht one&.
.Yo#*re !ertain2.
.Yes+ 0 !an see her ri$ht no" in my mind*s eye+ standin$ there at the "indo"+ the
!anary held in her left hand+ his feet #p in the air - yes+ it "as the ri$ht foot she "as
"or)in$ on&.
.That "as after the yo#n$ man had left2.
./h+ yes+ that "as after 0*d !ome 'a!) from the 1eymans* - 1ell+ no"+ here*s
someone else !omin$= 0 "onder "hat he "ants& Land sa)es+ this has 'een a day=.
Mason $ot to his feet and stood 'y his !hair "hile Mrs& Anderson+ "ith ,#i!)+
ner(o#s strides+ fl#ttered o(er to"ard the door& Ser$eant -ol!om' had hardly
to#!hed the 'ell '#tton 'efore she opened the door and said+ .-o" do yo# do2
1hat do yo# "ant2.
.Yo#*re Stella Anderson2.
.Yes&.
.0*m Ser$eant -ol!om'+ of the homi!ide s,#ad& Yo# reported ha(in$ seen a yo#n$
man o(er in the ho#se ne%t door hand a re(ol(er to a "oman "ho !on!ealed it2.
.1hy+ yes+. she said+ .'#t 0 don*t )no" ho" yo# fo#nd it o#t& 0 ha(en*t told a so#l
e%!ept Mrs& 1eyman+ and a man "ho*s !allin$ on me - .
.1hat man2. -ol!om' as)ed&
.A Mr Mason&.
Mason heard the so#nd of Ser$eant -ol!om'*s (oi!e - - - the poli!e ser$eant stood
s!o"lin$ at him from the threshold& .So+. he said+ .yo#*re here&.
Mason nodded and said !as#ally+ .-o" are yo#+ Ser$eant2 Better dit!h the !i$ar&
She doesn*t "ant the !#rtains to smell of to'a!!o smo)e&.
Ser$eant -ol!om' made little 8a''in$ motions "ith the !i$ar he "as holdin$
'et"een the first t"o fin$ers of his ri$ht hand& .Ne(er mind that+. he said& .-o" do
yo# fit in on this m#rder2.
.1hat m#rder*2. Mason as)ed+ raisin$ his eye'ro"s&
Ser$eant -ol!om' said sar!asti!ally+ ./h+ s#re+ yo# "o#ldn*t )no" anythin$ a'o#t
it+ "o#ld yo#2.
.Not a thin$+. Mason told him&
.And 0 pres#me+. -ol!om' said "ith a sneer+ .yo# 8#st dropped in for a so!ial !hat+
to as) Mrs& Anderson to $o to a mo(ie&.
Mason said "ith di$nity+ .As a matter of fa!t& Ser$eant+ 0 !alled to in(esti$ate an
a#tomo'ile a!!ident&.
-ol!om' t#rned to"ard Stella Anderson and raised in,#irin$ eyes&
-er $litterin$ eyes "ere fastened in 'eady indi$nation on the !i$ar "hi!h Ser$eant
-ol!om' ret#rned to his lips&
.That ri$ht2. Ser$eant -ol!om' m#m'led past the moist end of the so$$y !i$ar&
.Yes+. she said+ sniffin$ a#di'ly&
./)ay+. -ol!om' said to Perry Mason& .Yo#*(e fo#nd o#t a'o#t the a#tomo'ile
a!!ident+ and that*s all yo#*re !on!erned "ith& on*t let me detain yo#& 0 ha(e
'#siness "ith Mrs& Anderson&.
Mason+ mo(in$ to"ard the door+ smiled at Stella Anderson and said+ .Than) yo# so
m#!h+ Mrs& Anderson& 0t*s a pleas#re to meet a "oman "ho sees and remem'ers
thin$s as !learly as yo# do& So many "itnesses are p#tty in the hands of an offi!er
"ho "ants them to s"ear to ta!ts "hi!h "ill s#pport his theory of the !ase&.
-ol!om' !leared his throat omino#sly+ '#t Perry Mason+ smilin$ at Stella Anderson+
stepped o#t of the door and "al)ed rapidly a!ross to Pa#l ra)e*s !ar
The dete!ti(e "as seated 'ehind the steerin$ "heel&
.Bind o#t anythin$ at 1eyman*s2. Mason as)ed+ slidin$ into the seat 'eside him&
ra)e $rinned and said+ .0 $ot thro"n o#t on my ear&.
.By the homi!ide s,#ad2. Mason as)ed&
.No+ 'y an irate h#s'and& -e*s !ro!)ed to the eye'ro"s& Some $#y*s $i(en him a
'ea#tif#l li!)in$& -is fa!e is pat!hed+ 'anda$ed and 'r#ised+ and no" he*s loo)in$
for someone he !an li!)& The "oman is ni!e& 0 don*t thin) she )no"s (ery m#!h
a'o#t "hat happened+ '#t this Anderson "oman $a(e her an earf#l a'o#t seein$ a
$irl named S"aine and some #nidentified man hidin$ a $#n& And Mrs& 1eyman $ot
to thin)in$ it o(er and de!ided to !all the !ops&.
Mason stared thro#$h the "indshield in fro"nin$ !on!entration and said+ .0 don*t
li)e this thin$+ Pa#l& 1hy sho#ld a "oman !all #p the !ops 8#st 'e!a#se she*s heard
that a ne%t door nei$h'or and a 'oy - friend "ere hidin$ a $#n2 And "hy sho#ld the
!ops !ome o#t and start sear!hin$ the ho#se on a tip li)e that2 Us#ally+ yo# !o#ld
phone thin$s li)e that to head,#arters #ntil yo# "ere 'la!) in the fa!e and $et
nothin$ more than a stall o#t of the des) ser$eant&.
ra)e motioned to"ard the ho#se and said+ .1ell+ there*s yo#r ans"er& Mrs&
1eyman $ot more than a stall o#t of them&.
.Tell me some more a'o#t her+. Mason said&
.She*s in the late thirties+ rather slender+ and so#nds ni!e& She tal)s in a ,#iet+
refined "ay+ '#t there*s a lot of determination a'o#t her& -er fa!e sho"s
#nhappiness and !hara!ter& Loo)in$ at her+ yo#*d say she*s 'een thro#$h some $reat
tra$edy and it had made her - oh+ yo# )no"+ sort of s"eet and $entle and patient&.
.Any idea "hat the tra$edy "as2. Mason as)ed&
ra)e !h#!)led and said+ .Ta)e a loo) at her h#s'and "hen yo# $et a !han!e&.
.1hat*s he li)e+ a 'i$ '#lly2.
.No& Medi#m si;ed& -e*s a'o#t her a$e+ '#t he*s an a"f#l soa)+ pro'a'ly all ri$ht
"hen he*s so'er+ '#t he isn*t so'er no"& Yo# )no" the )ind 0 mean& Perry+ fo#r
drin)s and they*re "onderf#l fello"s+ fi(e and they*re ,#arrelsome& And from then
on they 8#st $et more ,#arrelsome& 1ell+ 0 sho#ld 8#d$e he*s had a'o#t fifteen
drin)s&.
.1hat did he say to yo#2. Mason as)ed&
.-e heard me tal)in$+ and !ame st#m'lin$ do"nstairs+ '#sted into the room and
made a s!ene& 0 !o#ld ha(e h#n$ one on his 8a" and st#!) aro#nd& B#t Mrs&
1eyman "as so em'arrassed to thin) 0*d seen him in that !ondition she "o#ldn*t
ha(e told me anythin$ more any"ay& 0*d already $ot most of it&.
.-ad the homi!ide s,#ad 'een in there2.
.0 don*t thin) so&.
.1hat did yo# tell her2.
.Told her 0 "as in(esti$atin$ an a#tomo'ile a!!ident+ and then as)ed her "hat "as
happenin$ ne%t door&.
.She admitted !allin$ the poli!e2.
.Yeah&.
.B#t she didn*t say "hy she*d !alled them2.
.She said that Mrs& Anderson had told her a'o#t seein$ a Miss S"aine+ and some
fello" "ho "as e(idently ma)in$ pretty (iolent lo(e to her+ hidin$ a $#n& And she
said they loo)ed $#ilty& She said that after "orryin$ a'o#t it for some time she*d
!alled the poli!e&.
.Yo# didn*t find o#t any more than that2.
.No+ 0 didn*t+ Perry& 0 "as 8#st a'o#t that far in the inter(ie" "hen the tro#'le
started+ and 0 fi$#red it "as a $ood plan to $et o#t&.
.1ell+. Mason told him+ .let*s dri(e to a phone+ p#t in a !all for the offi!e and see
"hat*s ne"& There*s nothin$ "e !an do here "hile the homi!ide s,#ad are ma)in$
n#isan!es of themsel(es&.
.Ta)e 'oth !ars2. ra)e as)ed&
Perry Mason nodded& .Let*s !lear o#t of the nei$h'orhood+. he said+ rea!hin$ for
the !ar door& .0*ll meet yo# in the dr#$ store on the 'o#le(ard&.
By the time the la"yer arri(ed at the dr#$ store+ ra)e "as at the telephone& -e
s!ri''led somethin$ in his note'oo) and said+ ./)ay+ hold the line a min#te&.
.0 ha(e a report on that a!!ident st#ff& o yo# "ant it2. he as)ed Mason&
.Go ahead& Shoot+. the la"yer told him&
.The Trader*s Transfer Company+ "hi!h o"ns the (an+ is a one - man !on!ern&
-arry Trader*s the 'i$ shot& -e "as dri(in$ the (an himself+ deli(erin$ some st#ff to
1alter Pres!ott*s $ara$e& Pres!ott had $i(en him a )ey& Trader says he "as !omin$
do"n the Alsa!e A(en#e and "as 8#st $ettin$ ready to t#rn into Bo#rteenth Street
"hen this !hap+ Pa!)ard+ dri(in$ a li$ht !o#pe+ tried to pass him on the ri$ht
"itho#t so#ndin$ the horn& Trader says he had to s"in$ fairly "ide to $et the 'i$
(an aro#nd the !orner+ and "hen he made the t#rn the !o#pe "as 'et"een the (an
and the !#r'+ and it "as 8#st too 'ad for the !o#pe& Pa!)ard "as #n!ons!io#s and
Trader deli(ered him to the Good Samaritan -ospital& -e st#!) aro#nd there #ntil
the do!tor told him Pa!)ard "as o)ay+ and !o#ld lea(e #nder his o"n po"er& -e had
a so!) on the side of his head "hi!h had p#t him o#t& -e "as p#n!h - $ro$$y for a
"hile after he !ame to& Trader says it "as all Pa!)ard*s fa#lt+ '#t he*s f#lly !o(ered
'y ins#ran!e and isn*t $oin$ to "orry a'o#t it (ery m#!h& -e said he "as fri$htened
at first 'e!a#se he tho#$ht the man "as serio#sly in8#red+ '#t that any damn fool
"ho tries to pass a 'i$ mo(in$ (an on the ri$ht+ "itho#t #sin$ the horn and "itho#t
"at!hin$ the road+ is a !andidate for the 'oo'yhat!h& Trader says that after Pa!)ard
re!o(ered !ons!io#sness at the hospital+ he admitted it "as all his fa#lt+ said he
"asn*t "at!hin$ the street+ '#t "as starin$ at somethin$ he*d seen in a "indo"& Birst
thin$ he )ne"+ he sa" this 'i$ (an on his left+ and then he str#!) it+ 8#st as Trader
"as ma)in$ a ri$ht t#rn&.
.Somethin$ he sa" in a "indo"2. Mason as)ed&
.That*s "hat Trader reports&.
.idn*t say "hat "indo"2.
.Apparently not&.
.Then it m#st ha(e 'een either in Pres!ott*s ho#se or Stella Anderson*s ho#se& Let*s
r#n o#t to the hospital and see if "e !an !hase do"n the do!tor "ho treated
Pa!)ard& 0*d li)e to find o#t 8#st "hat Pa!)ard said "hen he admitted lia'ility&.
ra)e said+ ./)ay+ Perry+. t#rned to the telephone and said+
.That*s all+ Ma'el& Stay on the 8o' and ta)e do"n the dope as it !omes in& The
homi!ide s,#ad*s doin$ thin$s o#t at Pres!ott*s ho#se& They*re not passin$ o#t any
information+ '#t yo#*ll pro'a'ly hear details from one of the 'oys& As soon as yo#
$et anythin$ definite+ !all me at the Good Samaritan -ospital& 0*m $oin$ o#t there
no"& 0*ll !all yo# a$ain "hen 0 lea(e& /)ay Ma'el& G*'y&.
ra)e h#n$ #p the re!ei(er+ t#rned to Mason and said+ .Perry+ 0 "as 8#st
"onderin$& o yo# s#ppose this S"aine $irl "o#ld ha(e any reason for "antin$ her
sister o#t of the "ay2.
.Bor$et it+. Mason told him& .0f yo# m#st pin a m#rder on someone+ han$ it on the
$#y "ho "as in there ma)in$ lo(e to the sister& on*t "ish it off on one of my
!lients&.
.0s the S"aine $irl yo#r !lient2. ra)e as)ed as they "al)ed to"ard the door of the
dr#$ store&
Mason said slo"ly+ .Come to thin) of it+ Pa#l+ she isn*t& She*s the one "ho employed
me+ '#t 0*m employed to represent the married sister&.
.Yo# mean Mrs& Pres!ott2.
.Yes&.
ra)e Said+ .1ell+ 0*ll 'et yo# fi(e to one yo#r !lient*s dead+ then+ Perry&.
Mason said+ .0 thin) 0*ll lea(e my !ar here+ Pa#l+ and ride o#t "ith yo#& That*ll $i(e
#s a !han!e to tal)& 9#st ho" do yo# fi$#re it*s Mrs& Pres!ott "ho*s )illed2.
.0t*s a !in!h+. ra)e said& .A!!ordin$ to Mrs& Anderson+ the m#rder m#st ha(e
'een ri$ht aro#nd noon+ 8#st 'efore that a#tomo'ile a!!ident& No"+ at that time of
day+ 1alter Pres!ott+ as a '#sinessman+ "o#ld 'e at his offi!e+ '#t Mrs& Pres!ott
"o#ld 'e playin$ ho#se"ife&.
.Pres!ott may ha(e slept late+. Mason pointed o#t&
.No& 3emem'er that he $ot -arry Trader to ta)e some thin$s #p to his $ara$e+ and
$a(e Trader a )ey to the $ara$e& That sho"s that he "as not only #p this mornin$+
'#t that he didn*t intend to 'e home "hen Trader made the deli(ery and Trader "as
!omin$ to ma)e the deli(ery 8#st a'o#t the time the S"aine $irl and her 'oy - friend
"ere hidin$ the $#n&.
Mason nodded as ra)e started the !ar& .Good reasonin$+ ra)e+. he said&
.0t*s a $ift+. ra)e $rinned&
.Then+. Mason told him+ .yo# mi$ht try this one 3ita S"aine and her 'oy - friend
are at the 'a!) of the ho#se+ in the solari#m+ at the time of the a!!ident& B#t
Pa!)ard sa" somethin$ in a "indo"& -e !o#ld only ha(e seen the front of the ho#se&
No"+ then+ "ho else "as in that ho#se+ and "hat or "hom did Pa!)ard see in that
"indo"2 And remem'er& Mister 1ise - G#y+ it m#st ha(e 'een somethin$
interestin$ eno#$h to send him !rashin$ into a mo(in$ (an&.
ra)e said r#ef#lly+ .Yo# "o#ld 'rin$ that #p& /)ay+ Perry+ yo#r !lients ha(e an
ali'i - if Pa!)ard sa" "hat yo# thin) he sa" in the front of the ho#se - only don*t
for$et it mi$ht not ha(e 'een any !rime at all+ perhaps some "oman "ho*d for$otten
to p#ll do"n the shades - perhaps she*d $ot 'lood stains on her !lothes "hen she
)illed someone+ and "as - .
Mason la#$hed& .There yo# $o a$ain= Yo# ha(e a !riminal mind+ Pa#l+ and yo#*ll 'e
ima$inin$ my !lients into the $allo"s 'efore yo#*re done& Step on it+ and let*s see
"hat that medi!o says&.
.on*t try !ra"fishin$+. ra)e insisted& .0 rather li)e that 'lood - stained !lothes
'#siness myself&.
Chapter D
3& 9AMES 1ALLACE "as still on d#ty at the Good Samaritan -ospital "hen
Mason and ra)e arri(ed& -e listened to Mason*s introd#!tion "ith !o#rteo#s
attention&
.0ndeed+ yes+. he said+ sha)in$ hands+ .0 remem'er the patient perfe!tly& -e "as
re!ei(ed at t"el(e - ten this afternoon& Bor the most part+ his in8#ries "ere !ranial
and s#perfi!ial+ '#t there "as a most interestin$ !ondition "hi!h is sometimes
en!o#ntered in !ases of this sort& The man "as s#fferin$ from tra#mati! amnesia&.
.Translated into En$lish+. ra)e said+ ."hat is tra#mati! amnesia2.
The do!tor fa(ored ra)e "ith a !ondes!endin$ smile and said+ .Pardon& 0 didn*t
intend to #se te!hni!al terminolo$y& Amnesia is a loss of memory& Ci!tims of amnesia
)no" nothin$ of their past+ !annot tell their names of anythin$ a'o#t themsel(es&
And tra#mati!+ of !o#rse+ implies that the !a#se of the amnesia "as s#perind#!ed 'y
in8#ry+ that is+ an e%ternal (iolen!e&.
.Let*s see if 0 #nderstand yo#& o!tor+. Mason said& .1hen Pa!)ard re$ained
!ons!io#sness he had an impaired memory - is that ri$ht2.
.That*s ri$ht+. r& 1alla!e said in his "ell mod#lated+ s#a(ely !o#rteo#s (oi!e&
.There "ere no 'ro)en 'ones& 0n fa!t+ from "hat 0 hear of the a!!ident+ 0 "o#ld say
he had es!aped remar)a'ly "ell& There "ere a fe" e!!hymoses+ one or t"o
s#perfi!ial !#ts a'o#t the fa!e+ the possi'ility of a strained li$ament+ and+ of !o#rse+
the effe!t of sho!)& My treatment of his physi!al in8#ries too) only a (ery fe"
min#tes&
.A!!ordin$ to the statement of the man "ho 'ro#$ht him here+ the !ollision had
'een rather se(ere& The patient had 'een #n!ons!io#s "hen lifted into the tr#!)& -e
re$ained !ons!io#sness as he "as 'ein$ earned on the stret!her to the s#r$ery+ '#t
he had a !omplete lapse of memory& -e !o#ldn*t tell #s his name+ his o!!#pation+
"here he !ame from+ "hether he "as married or sin$le+ or anythin$ a'o#t himself&
1e sear!hed his po!)ets and fo#nd !ards "hi!h sho"ed that he "as Carl Pa!)ard+
of Alta(ille+ California& 0 "as (ery !aref#l not to !all his attention to these !ards+ or
do anythin$ "hi!h mi$ht refresh his re!olle!tion #ntil after the effe!t of the sho!)
had "orn off some"hat+ and 0 had satisfied myself there "ere no serio#s in8#ries&
Then 0 $a(e him a 'randy+ tal)ed "ith him for a fe" moments+ and then ,#ite
!as#ally as)ed him ho" thin$s "ere in Alta(ille&.
There "as a moment of dramati! silen!e+ "hile r& 1alla!e stood smilin$ at them+
"aitin$ for the effe!t of his strate$y to sin) in&
.-ad 0 atta!hed #nd#e importan!e to the ,#estion+. r& 1alla!e "ent on to e%plain+
.the man "o#ld ha(e sensed that 0 "as pla!in$ too m#!h emphasis on it+ and
#n!ons!io#sly "o#ld ha(e )no"n "hy& There#pon the temporary paralysis of the
memory f#n!tion "o#ld ha(e 'een a$$ra(ated 'y a pro!ess of self - !ons!io#sness+
8#st as "e sometimes en!o#nter in 'ad !ases of sta$e - fri$ht& 1e - .
.Ne(er mind that+. Mason interr#pted& .id he re!o(er his memory2.
.Yes+. r& 1alla!e said+ the tone of his monosylla'i! ans"er a re'#)e to the
la"yer*s a'r#ptness&
.id he remem'er his name2.
.Yes&.
.id yo# ha(e to tell him his name or did he remem'er it of his o"n a!!ord2.
.-e remem'ered it of his o"n a!!ord+. r& 1alla!e said "ith di$nity& .0f yo# "ill
permit me to $i(e yo# a !omplete report+ 0 thin) yo# "ill $et the pi!t#re a little more
a!!#rately&.
.Go ahead+. Mason said+ p#llin$ his !i$arette !ase from his po!)et& ra)e loo)ed
aro#nd the room+ si$hed+ dropped into a !hair+ propped his head 'a!) a$ainst the
"all and !losed his eyes&
.1hen 0 as)ed him ho" thin$s "ere in Alta(ille+. r& 1alla!e said+ .0 too)
parti!#lar pains to ma)e my ,#estion !as#al& -is ans"er "as e,#ally !as#al& 0 as)ed
him if he )ne" the President of the Birst National Ban) in Alta(ille+ and he said he
did+ said he )ne" him ,#ite "ell& 1e !hatted alon$ for a moment+ and 0 as)ed him
8#st "here he li(ed in Alta(ille& -e $a(e me an address "hi!h !oin!ided "ith that on
his dri(in$ li!ense& 0 as)ed him his name& -e told me& By de$rees 0 'ro#$ht him #p
to the a!!ident+ and then he remem'ered it perfe!tly&.
.1hat did he say a'o#t it2.
.Said that he "as the one "ho "as at fa#lt& The tr#!) man+ Mr& Trader+ "as (ery
'#siness - li)e& -e said he "as ins#red that if he "ere to 'lame+ the ins#ran!e
!ompany "o#ld pay+ '#t he "asn*t at fa#lt& Pa!)ard seemed rather sheepish a'o#t
it& -e said he*d seen somethin$ in the "indo" of one of the ho#ses on his ri$ht+ that
he*d !raned his ne!) to $et a 'etter loo) and then sensed somethin$ !losin$ in on his
left& The !rash !ame almost at on!e+ and that*s all he remem'ers&.
.id he say "hat he sa" in the "indo"2.
.No+ '#t he seemed a 'it - "ell+ em'arrassed& 0 thin) *sheepish* des!ri'es it&.
.1as it a "oman2. ra)e as)ed+ openin$ his eyes&
.-e didn*t say+. r& 1alla!e remar)ed "ith di$nity&
.id Pa!)ard say "hat he planned to do in !onne!tion "ith mo(in$ the !ar2.
Mason in,#ired&
.-e said he "as $oin$ o#t to ta)e a loo) at it and see "hat !o#ld 'e sal(a$ed&.
.0s Pa!)ard ins#red2.
.0 $athered that he "as not&.
.-o" lon$ "as he here2.
.Perhaps t"enty min#tes&.
.1hen he left+ he "as all ri$ht+ "as he2.
./h+ ,#ite all ri$ht - that is+ e%!ept for these s#perfi!ial !#ts and 'r#ises&.
.id yo#+. Mason as)ed+ .$et Pa!)ard*s address2.
./h+ yes& 9#st a moment and 0*ll $et it&.
r& 1alla!e !ons#lted his file of !ard re!ords+ sele!ted one+ and read off an address+
.154? 3o'inson A(en#e+ Alta(ille+ California&.
.That*s e(idently his permanent address+. Mason said& .id yo# find "here he "as
stayin$ here in the !ity2.
.No+ 0 didn*t& 0 $athered that he "as 8#st passin$ thro#$h&.
.id yo# $ather that impression from a dire!t statement made 'y him+ or simply
'e!a#se of "hat yo# - .
.Certainly not+. r& 1alla!e said+ "ith di$nity& .0n my profession one does not rely
#pon inferen!e e%!ept "hen it is a'sol#tely ne!essary& 0 as)ed him "hen he had
arri(ed here+ and he said he had rea!hed here this mornin$& That he had e%pe!ted to
'e in San ie$o 'y ni$ht&.
.Yo# didn*t as) him "here he*d stayed last ni$ht2.
.No+ 0 didn*t& 0 failed to see that that "o#ld assist me in any "ay in rea!hin$ a
dia$nosis+ or pres!ri'in$ a treatment& Yo# m#st remem'er+ $entlemen+ that my
interest in the matter is p#rely from a medi!al standpoint& 0n!identally+ 0 may say
that it "as a matter "hi!h !alled for rather deli!ate handlin$& To ha(e impressed
#pon Pa!)ard that he "as a (i!tim of amnesia "o#ld ha(e !a#sed a s#dden fri$ht
"hi!h "o#ld ha(e 'een a !#m#lati(e sho!)+ s#perimposed+ as it "o#ld ha(e 'een+
#pon the sho!) in!ident to the a!!ident& Yo# see+ $entlemen+ in a motor a!!ident+
there is not only the sho!) res#ltin$ from the in8#ries+ '#t there is that momentary
reali;ation of impendin$ disaster "hi!h !omes a fra!tion of a se!ond 'efore the
a!t#al impa!t&.
Mason nodded and said+ .0 #nderstand& Yo# ha(en*t any more information "hi!h
mi$ht 'e of (al#e to me+ ha(e yo#2.
.None "hate(er+. r& 1alla!e said+ .other than that 0 may repeat+ the man*s
in8#ries "ere not serio#s& o#'tless yo# are representin$ an ins#ran!e !ompany
"hi!h - .
.No+. Mason said+ .0*m not representin$ the ins#ran!e !ompany& 0*m interested+
that*s all& Yo# ha(e -arry Trader*s address2.
.Yes& The Trader*s Transfer Company+ 151> Center Street&.
Mason said+ .Than) yo#+ o!tor& Come on+ Pa#l+ let*s $o&.
r& 1alla!e follo"ed them into the !orridor+ his manner s#a(e+ di$nified and
professional& .Good afternoon+ $entlemen+. he said&
As they left the hospital and !rossed to the a#tomo'ile+ ra)e said+ in his slo"
dra"l+ .1here does that lea(e yo#+ Perry2.
Mason said+ .0 don*t )no"& 0 !an*t tell (ery m#!h a'o#t it #ntil after 0 find o#t
"hat*s happened at the Pres!ott residen!e& 3i$ht no" 0*m "or)in$ pretty m#!h in
the dar)&.
ra)e said+ .1ell+ 0*ll !all the offi!e and $et another earf#l&.
.0*ll "ait here in the !ar+. Mason said& .Tell yo#r $irl to r#n m to my offi!e and tell
ella to "ait for me&.
Bor some fi(e min#tes Mason re!lined a$ainst the !#shions of ra)e*s !ar+ smo)in$
tho#$htf#lly+ then he raised e%pe!tant eyes as ra)e !ame r#nnin$ do"n the "hite
stone steps of the 'i$ '#ildin$& .Anythin$ ne"2. he as)ed+ as ra)e opened the
door of the !ar&
.0*ll say= Plenty of ne"s& The homi!ide s,#ad "as playin$ aro#nd the Pres!ott ho#se
'e!a#se 1alter Pres!ott "as fo#nd dead in an #pstairs 'edroom& -e "as f#lly
!lothed for the street+ and some'ody had pl#$$ed him ri$ht thro#$h the 'ris)et "ith
a &45 !ali'er re(ol(er& Three shots "ere fired& All of them too) effe!t& /ne of them
"ent thro#$h the heart& The shots m#st ha(e 'een fired at !lose ran$e+ 'e!a#se there
"ere po"der '#rns on the !lothin$ and s)in& The !ops sear!hed the dra"er in the
des) "here Mrs& Anderson had seen the S"aine $irl plantin$ the $#n& They didn*t
find any $#n in the dra"er+ '#t 'a!) of the dra"er+ "here it had 'een sho(ed do"n
into a little re!ess in the des)+ they fo#nd a &45 !ali'er Smith < 1esson re(ol(er+
"ith three empty !artrid$es in the !ylinder+ and three loaded shells& The smell of the
$#n sho"s it had 'een re!ently fired&.
.-o" a'o#t the S"aine $irl2. Mason as)ed& .1hat are they doin$ a'o#t her2.
.They*re loo)in$ for her& She left the ho#se aro#nd t"o - thirty+ !arryin$ a s#it!ase
and a !a$ed !anary& Poli!e fi$#re she intended to s)ip the !o#ntry and didn*t "ant
to lea(e the !anary in the ho#se to star(e&.
.0n that e(ent+. Mason pointed o#t+ .she m#st ha(e felt !ertain her sister+ 3osalind
Pres!ott+ "asn*t $oin$ to ret#rn&.
.The poli!e are loo)in$ for the sister+ too&.
.Any l#!)2.
.None so far&.
.They*(e identified the man "ho "as at the ho#se2.
.Yes& A !hap 'y the name of ris!oll& They*re loo)in$ for him&.
.Bind him2.
.0 don*t thin) so& Not yet&.
.P#t a !o#ple of men on the 8o' di$$in$ o#t all the information yo# !an a'o#t
ris!oll+. Mason ordered&
ra)e*s !arp - li)e mo#th t"isted into a slo" $rin& .0 sa(ed a ni!)el on that one+. he
said&
.1hat do yo# mean2.
.0 started a !o#ple of operati(es on him as soon as 0 had the name o(er the
telephone+ so 0 "on*t ha(e to !all 'a!)&.
Mason nodded and said+ .Get in+ Pa#l& 1e*re $oin$ to h#nt #p -arry Trader& 1e*ll
try his pla!e of '#siness first& -e may 'e there&.
-arry Trader+ a 'arrel - !hested indi(id#al+ "ith the odor of stale perspiration and
to'a!!o !lin$in$ to him+ "as still in his offi!e+ ma)in$ o#t some reports& -e s#r(eyed
his t"o (isitors "ith !old+ $ray eyes&
.9#st "here do yo# t"o $#ys fit into this pi!t#re2. he as)ed&
.1e*re ma)in$ an in(esti$ation+. Mason told him&
Trader slipped a pl#$ of to'a!!o from the po!)et of his stained o(eralls+ !#t off a
sli!e and inserted it in his mo#th& 1ith !alm deli'eration+ he repla!ed the to'a!!o+
sh#t the )nife+ and sho(ed it do"n deep in his po!)et& .Yeah+. he said& .1hen a $#y
starts as)in$ ,#estions+ he*s ma)in$ an in(esti$ation& That don*t mean anythin$& Are
yo# representin$ Pa!)ard2.
.No+ 0*m not+. Mason said& .0*m in(esti$atin$ another an$le of the !ase&.
.1hi!h an$le2.
Mason said+ .An an$le "hi!h is ,#ite in!idental&.
Trader rolled the pie!e of to'a!!o a'o#t in his mo#th thro#$h ti$htly !len!hed lips+
and said+ .Uh h#h& Than)s for tellin* me&.
.id yo# ta)e Pa!)ard to the hospital2. Mason as)ed&
.Yes&.
.id yo# ta)e him o#t of the hospital2.
.No& 0 had a deli(ery to ma)e& 0 t#rned him o(er to the do!tor&.
.Yo# don*t )no" "hen he left2.
.No&.
.Yo# don*t )no" ho" serio#sly he "as h#rt2.
.S#re& -e "as 8#st 'an$ed #p a 'it& 0 st#!) aro#nd #ntil 0 "as s#re there "as
nothin$ "ron$ "ith him&.
.1as he s#fferin$ from amnesia - loss of memory2.
.-e "as p#n!h - $ro$$y+ if that*s "hat yo# mean&.
.-o" did the a!!ident happen2. Mason as)ed&
Trader ad8#sted the pie!e of to'a!!o 'et"een his molars+ !he"ed "ith a 'arely
per!epti'le motion+ his fa!ial m#s!les '#n!hin$ into little )nots as his 8a"s !lamped
sh#t& -is eyes "ere !old and #n!ordial& /n the "all+ a !lo!) !ra!)ed off the se!onds&
.Yo#*re not $oin$ to ans"er that ,#estion2. Mason as)ed&
.Yo# said it+ '#ddy& 0*(e made my report to my ins#ran!e !ompany& Go tal) "ith
them if yo# "ant to&.
.9#st "ho is yo#r ins#ran!e !ompany2. Mason as)ed&
.That*s somethin$ else a$ain+. Trader told him&
.Loo) here+. Mason said+ .for reasons "hi!h are none of yo#r damned '#siness+
0*m tryin$ to $et this thin$ !leaned #p in a "ay "hi!h "ill 'e satisfa!tory to all
!on!erned& Yo# ha(en*t anythin$ to lose 'y !o - operatin$ "ith me&.
.Yo# $o see my ins#ran!e !ompany+. Trader said&
.B#t "e don*t )no" "ho yo#r ins#ran!e !ompany is+. ra)e pointed o#t&
.That*s ri$ht+ '#ddy+. Trader said+ .yo# don*t&.
.Yo# "ere ma)in$ a deli(ery o#t near the s!ene of the a!!ident2. Mason in,#ired&
.Yes&.
.To Pres!ott*s ho#se2.
.0 don*t see as it ma)es any differen!e+. Trader said&
.0t ma)es a differen!e as to "hether yo# "ere really ma)in$ a t#rn do"n
Bo#rteenth Street+. Mason pointed o#t&
.Yes+. Trader said+ .it "as to Pres!ott*s pla!e& 0 had some st#ff to p#t in his
$ara$e&.
.And as soon as the a!!ident o!!#rred+ yo# and some other man lifted Pa!)ard from
the !ar and p#t him in yo#r tr#!)& Yo# too) him dire!tly to the hospital+ is that
ri$ht2.
.That*s ri$ht&.
.1ho "as this other man2.
.0 don*t )no"& Some $#y that !ame o#t of the ho#se&.
.1hat ho#se2.
.Pres!ott*s ho#se&.
.o yo# )no" Pres!ott2.
.Yes&.
.Ano" him "ell2.
.0*(e done some '#siness for him&.
.Ano" "ho this man "as2.
.0*(e ne(er seen him 'efore&.
.1o#ld yo# )no" him if yo# sa" him a$ain2.
./f !o#rse 0 "o#ld&.
.And+ "hen yo# fo#nd o#t Pa!)ard "asn*t serio#sly in8#red+ yo# left the hospital+
ret#rned to the s!ene of the a!!ident and made yo#r deli(ery to Pres!ott*s ho#se - is
that ri$ht2.
.That*s ri$ht&.
.1as anyone home in Pres!ott*s ho#se2.
.0 don*t )no"& My instr#!tions "ere to p#t the st#ff in the $ara$e+ and 0 p#t it in the
$ara$e&.
.1ho $a(e yo# those instr#!tions2.
.Pres!ott& -e $a(e me a )ey to the $ara$e&.
.1hen2.
.As) Pres!ott&.
.1hat "ere the arti!les2.
.As) Pres!ott&.
.1hen yo# made the deli(ery+ the "re!)ed !o#pe "as still in front of the ho#se2.
.Yes&.
.id Pa!)ard ma)e any statement to yo# a'o#t "here he "as stayin$ in to"n+ "hat
his '#siness "as+ or "hat his plans "ere2.
Trader !lamped his lips to$ether a$ain+ and after a moment p#!)ered #p the !orners
eno#$h to send o#t a thin stream of yello" li,#id into the !#spidor "hi!h stood 'y
his ta'le&
.Not ans"erin$ that ,#estion2. Mason as)ed&
Trader shoo) his head& .-e admitted it "as his fa#lt+. he said at len$th& .That*s all
0*m tellin$ yo# $#ys a'o#t the tal) 0 had "ith him&.
Mason said+ .Loo) here& Trader+ yo#*re not helpin$ #s (ery m#!h& 0*m not tryin$ to
dr#m #p a dama$e s#it& 0*m tryin$ to $et information+ and it isn*t $oin$ to h#rt yo#
any to $i(e #s that information&.
.0*(e done all the tal)in$ 0*m $oin$ to+. Trader said&
Mason motioned to Pa#l ra)e& .Come on+ Pa#l+. he said+ .let*s $o&.
.1here to no"2. the dete!ti(e as)ed+ as they !rossed the !#r' to his !ar&
.Ta)e me o#t to my !ar+. Mason said& .0*ll dri(e it 'a!) to the offi!e& 0n the
meantime+ yo# start men findin$ this !hap+ Carl Pa!)ard&.
.-o" 'ad do yo# "ant him2. the dete!ti(e as)ed&
.So 'ad it h#rts+ Pa#l& /n all the other st#ff "e*re ta$$in$ alon$ 'ehind& /n this one
thin$+ "e*re ahead of the poli!e+ or "ill 'e+ if "e !an find Pa!)ard& 1hat he sa" in
that "indo" may sa(e the life of an inno!ent man or "oman&.
./r+. ra)e said dryly+ s"it!hin$ on the headli$hts and startin$ the motor+ .may
han$ a m#rder aro#nd the ne!) of yo#r !lient& -a(e yo# tho#$ht of that+ Perry2.
.No+. the la"yer said+ his fa!e $rim+ .and "hat*s more+ 0 "on*t let myself thin) of
it&.
Chapter ?
MAS/N fitted a lat!h)ey to the e%it door of his pri(ate offi!e and entered+ to find
ella Street seated at her se!retarial des)+ telephonin$& She said into the transmitter+
./)ay+ 0*ll tell him& -e*s !omin$ in the door no"+. h#n$ #p+ smiled and said to
Mason+ .1ell+ yo#r lame !anary seems to ha(e 'ro#$ht yo# a mystery after all&.
.0*ll say& 1ho "as on the line2.
.ra)e*s se!retary& She said to tell yo# operati(es hadn*t 'een a'le to !onta!t
9immy ris!oll+ 3ita S"aine+ or 3osalind Pres!ott& And+ of !o#rse+ the poli!e are
loo)in$ for all three+ so they m#st ha(e s)ipped o#t&.
.All ri$ht+. Mason said+ ."hat did she tell yo# a'o#t the m#rder2.
.Nothin$ ne"& Pres!ott "as fo#nd in the #pstairs 'edroom+ shot three times "ith a &
45 !ali'er re(ol(er& The re(ol(er the poli!e fo#nd+ "here 3ita S"aine had hidden it+
"as also a &45& ra)e*s men ha(en*t 'een a'le to find o#t "hether the riflin$ mar)s
on the '#llets are identi!al& The pro'a'ilities are the poli!e ha(en*t the information
themsel(es yet& Tell me& Chief+ if 3ita had 'een mi%ed #p in the )illin$+ "hy didn*t
she say so fran)ly "hen she !ame in here2 She m#st ha(e )no"n it "o#ld all !ome
o#t& -a(in$ yo# "or)in$ in the dar) didn*t help her any&.
Mason !rossed the room+ sat on the !orner of his des) and lit a !i$arette& .o yo#
)no" "hat Pa#l ra)e*s men ha(e dis!o(ered+ ella2.
She nodded& .0 "as tal)in$ "ith Ma'el Boss a fe" min#tes a$o& She $a(e me the
latest&.
.Then yo#*(e pro'a'ly noti!ed that the only e(iden!e "hi!h !onne!ts 3ita S"aine
"ith the a!t#al m#rder is the testimony of Stella Anderson&.
./ther"ise )no"n as *Mrs& Snoops+*. ella Street !ommented& .1hat a'o#t her2.
.0t isn*t a'o#t her+. Mason said slo"ly+ .it*s a'o#t the e(iden!e+ ella& She says that
3ita S"aine "as !lippin$ the !anary*s !la"s+ that there "as a passionate lo(e s!ene
'et"een her and 9immy ris!oll+ that the !anary es!aped& And a'o#t that time there
"as this a#tomo'ile a!!ident& 9immy ran o#t and helped load the (i!tim into the (an
"hi!h too) him to the hospital& Then 9immy !ame 'a!) and $a(e 3ita a $#n "hi!h
3ita hid& Then+ as he "as lea(in$ the ho#se+ 9immy ran ri$ht sma!) into the arms of
the offi!ers& Thereafter an inter(al elapsed d#rin$ "hi!h the "itness !o#ldn*t see
"hat "as $oin$ on in the ho#se& Later on she sa" 3ita ret#rn+ !at!h the !anary+ and
finish trimmin$ its !la"s& No" then+ noti!e that+ on this o!!asion 3ita apparently
needed plenty of li$ht to determine "hat she "as doin$& Before+ she*d 'een a'le to
!lip the !anary*s !la"s standin$ near the middle of the solari#m+ and "itho#t
'otherin$ to mo(e the la!e !#rtains& B#t "hen she finished the 8o'+ she fo#nd it
ne!essary not only to !ome to the "indo"+ '#t to p#sh aside the !#rtain and stand
dire!tly a$ainst the "indo"+ !lippin$ the !la"s on the !anary*s ri$ht foot&.
.B#t+. ella Street said+ fro"nin$+ .isn*t that the foot that*s !lipped too !losely2.
Mason nodded&
.1ell+. she said+ .$o ahead+ Chief+ tell me the rest of it&.
.At the time+. Mason "ent on+ .3ita "as "earin$ one of 3osalind*s dresses& oes
that mean anythin$ to yo#2.
ella Street shoo) her head+ .Not a dam thin$+ Chief+ e%!ept that 0 al"ays felt 0 "as
short - !han$ed 'y not ha(in$ any sisters& T"o sisters "ho are the same hei$ht and
'#ild !an - -ey+ "ait a min#te= Yo# don*t mean - . -er (oi!e trailed a"ay into
silen!e as she stared at the la"yer "ith "ide - open+ startled eyes&
.That*s e%a!tly "hat 0 mean+. Mason said+ .Mrs& Snoops "as standin$ in her
"indo"+ loo)in$ in the solari#m& She sa" the fren;ied lo(e s!ene+ and she sa"
9immy ris!oll hand 3osalind Pres!ott the $#n& At the time+ 3osalind and 9immy
"ere too en$rossed in "hat they "ere doin$ to pay (ery m#!h attention to their
s#rro#ndin$s& Later on+ 3osalind sa" Mrs& Snoops standin$ o#tlined a$ainst the
"indo"+ and reali;ed she*d seen e(erythin$&
.No" let*s analy;e that sit#ation a 'it 3osalind "as standin$ in the solari#m in
front of the des)+ "hi!h is some ei$ht or ten feet 'a!) from the "indo"s& The
"indo"s are !o(ered "ith thin la!e !#rtains& 0t*s possi'le to see thro#$h those
!#rtains and into the solari#m+ '#t not too distin!tly& /n the other hand+ 3osalind+
standin$ there near the !enter of the room+ loo)in$ o#t thro#$h those !#rtains+ and
a!ross to the Anderson ho#se !o#ld (ery plainly see the an$#lar form of Stella
Anderson standin$ at the "indo"+ (ery apparently an interested o'ser(er of "hat
had 'een ta)in$ pla!e&.
.Then+. ella Street said positi(ely+ .it "as 3osalind Pres!ott 9immy made lo(e to
and not 3ita S"aine&.
Mason said !a#tio#sly+ .0t loo)s li)e it&.
.And "as 3ita in the ho#se at the time2.
.Pro'a'ly not+. Mason said& .3emem'er that later on+ "hen 3ita appeared at the
"indo" "ith the !anary+ she "as "earin$ one of 3osalind*s dresses& 0t "as a print
dress "ith a distin!ti(e flo"er desi$n+ stri)in$ eno#$h in pattern and - !i(id eno#$h
in !olor so Stella Anderson !o#ld easily re!o$ni;e it& She "as more !ertain of the
identity of the dress than of the person "earin$ it "hen she*d seen it earlier&
.No" then+ let*s s#ppose that sometime aro#nd noon 3ita S"aine "as s#mmoned to
the telephone+ and heard the franti! (oi!e of her sister sayin$+ *Listen+ 3ita+ 0*m in
an a"f#l 8am& 9immy ris!oll "as o(er here and "e 8#st !o#ldn*t )eep apart& -e
too) me in his arms and 0 for$ot e(erythin$ and !l#n$ to him& Then 0 loo)ed #p+ and
"ho sho#ld "e see "at!hin$ #s '#t old Mrs& Snoops& No"+ yo# )no" "hat that
means& 1alter*s $oin$ to s#e me for di(or!e+ and dra$ 9immy into it if he !an& 1e
8#st !an*t let Mrs& Snoops testify that 9immy "as in the ho#se+ ma)in$ lo(e to me+
"hile 1alter "as at the offi!e&*
.Then it*s possi'le 3ita said+ *1ell+ lie o#t of it& Pretend that 9immy*s yo#r 'rother&
After all+ she doesn*t )no" "ho 9immy is+* and 3osalind said+ *1e !an*t do that
'e!a#se there "as an a#tomo'ile a!!ident+ and "hen 9immy "ent to lea(e the ho#se+
the offi!ers too) his name and address from his dri(in$ li!ense+ so "e*re #p a$ainst
it& No" listen+ 3ita+ 0 "as !lippin$ the !anary*s !la"s at the time& The !anary $ot
a"ay and is still flyin$ aro#nd the solari#m& 9immy has left+ and 0*m $oin$ to 3eno&
No" s#ppose yo# !ome o(er and p#t on that print dress of mine+ "hi!h is the one 0
"as "earin$+ !at!h the !anary+ $o 'a!) o(er and stand in front of the "indo"+ as
tho#$h yo#*d !ome 'a!) to finish !lippin$ his !la"s& Ma)e !ertain Mrs& Snoops sees
yo#& 1hen yo# see her loo)in$+ p#ll the !#rtain aside so she !an $et a $ood loo)&
Then she*ll see that it*s yo# instead of me& That*ll ma)e her thin) it "as yo# all
alon$& Then yo# !an anno#n!e to some of yo#r intimate friends that 9immy*s madly
in lo(e "ith yo#+ '#t yo# don*t "ant me to )no" it ri$ht at present& o it in s#!h a
"ay it $ets 'a!) to Mrs& Snoops&*.
.o yo# mean to say she*d let her sister in for that2. ella Street as)ed& .1ith
1alter Pres!ott*s 'ody lyin$ #pstairs all the time2.
Mason shoo) his head and said+ .That*s e%a!tly it+ ella+ 0 don*t thin) she*d ha(e
done it if she*d )no"n 1alter*s 'ody "as #pstairs in the 'edroom&.
.B#t she m#st ha(e )no"n it if she "ent #p there to pa!) her thin$s&.
.She didn*t pa!)& She left that for 3ita to do& And the 'ody "as in 1alter*s
'edroom+ not hers&.
.1ell+ after 3ita !ame to the ho#se+ then "hat happened2.
.That+. Mason said+ .is somethin$ else& /f !o#rse+ 3ita mi$ht or mi$ht not ha(e
$one into 1alter*s 'edroom& 3osalind "o#ld ha(e left the dress in her 'edroom&
3ita !o#ld ha(e $one there and !han$ed+ then $one do"n and !lipped the !la"s on
the !anary& Nat#rally+ she "as thin)in$ more of re$isterin$ "ith Mrs& Snoops than
of "hat she "as doin$+ so she !lipped the ri$ht foot t"i!e+ "itho#t noti!in$ that the
ri$ht foot had 'een finished+ "hile the left foot hadn*t&.
./ne thin$& Chief+. ella Street said+ as she stared at him thro#$h tho#$ht - slitted
eyes .1hy do yo# say 3osalind Pres!ott said+ *0*m $oin$ to 3eno*2.
Mason $rinned and said+ .That*s a 'rea)& 0 "ent do"n to tal) "ith Aarl -elmold
a'o#t the !anary& 3ita S"aine had told him 0 sent her+ '#t she*d $i(en him the name
of Mildred /"ens and the address as General eli(ery+ 3eno& Yo# see+ ella+ she
intended to lea(e the !anary there temporarily+ '#t to send for him later on& Perhaps
she )ne" that her name "as $oin$ to 'e in the papers& Perhaps she*d already pi!)ed
the alias of Mildred /"ens and "anted to ha(e it so the !anary !o#ld 'e sent to her
#nder her alias "itho#t any tro#'le+ and "hene(er she "rote for it&.
ella Street+ starin$ at him+ said+ .And that means yo#*re $oin$ to 3eno2.
-e nodded& .1e*re $oin$&.
.Goin$ to try to 'eat the !ops to it2.
A$ain he nodded+ .And it may 'e dan$ero#s+ ella& 1e*re playin$ "ith le$al
dynamite&.
She s!ooped #p a note'oo)+ pen!ils+ and said+ ./)ay& Let*s
$o&.
Mason helped her into her !oat& .Nat#rally+. he said+ .it*s important as the de(il no
one )no"s "here "e*re $oin$ nor "hy "e*re $oin$& 1e*ll !harter a spe!ial plane at
the airport& No"+ there*s 8#st a !han!e Ser$eant -ol!om' may start loo)in$ for me+
find me $one+ p#t t"o and t"o to$ether+ and ta)e a !han!e on !allin$ the airport& So
yo# rin$ #p and en$a$e the plane #nder yo#r name&.
.1hy not #se an ass#med name2.
.Be!a#se+. he told her+ .0 don*t "ant to do anythin$ "hi!h "o#ld sho" a $#ilty
intent& This is plenty "arm ri$ht no"& Before "e $et done "ith it+ it*s $oin$ to 'e hot&
0 don*t "ant yo# to $et yo#r fin$ers '#rnt&.
.Ne(er mind my fin$ers+. she told him+ .'#t yo# )eep in the !lear+ Chief&
3emem'er+ yo#*re $oin$ to ta)e a !r#ise aro#nd the "orld&.
-e nodded and said+ .0t*ll 'e f#n+ ella+ '#t 0*ll miss the a!tion of a ro#$h - and -
t#m'le la" '#siness+ at that&.
.on*t "orry+. she told him+ .yo#*ll ha(e plenty of a!tion - dan!es on the de!) in
the moonli$ht+ the 'ea!h at 1ai)i)i+ 9apan in Cherry Blossom Time+ a!ross the
Yello" Sea+ #p the 1han$ Poo to Shan$hai+ the Pans of the /rient+ "ith - .
.Yo#+. he !har$ed+ le(elin$ an a!!#sin$ forefin$er at her+ .ha(e 'een readin$
steamship literat#re&.
.And ho"=. she admitted& .0n !ase yo# "ant to )no"& Chief+ 0 too) all the papers
o#t of yo#r top dra"er and loaded it #p "ith pamphlets on Bali+ the /rient+
-onol#l#+ 0ndia+ and - .
-e !ir!led her "aist "ith his arm+ s"ept her off her feet and aro#nd in a !ir!le
to"ard the door& .Come on+ 'a$$a$e+. he told her+ .there*s "or) to 'e done&.
Chapter :
T-E M/T/3 !eased its monotono#s+ rhythmi! roar& The nose of the plane tilted
sharply for"ard& ella Street+ her fa!e pressed a$ainst the "indo"+ said+ .So that*s
3eno+ eh2.
Mason nodded& To$ether they "at!hed the li$hts as the plane 'an)ed into a sharp
t#rn and slid do"n"ard thro#$h the dar)ness& The so#nd of the "ind thro#$h the
str#ts 'e!ame a#di'le as a hi$h - pit!hed+ "hinin$ note& The pilot flattened o#t+
$#nned the motor+ and throttled do"n to a perfe!t three - point landin$& Then the
motor roared on!e more into a !res!endo of noise as the plane ta%ied #p to the
airport&
ella Street*s fa!e "as $lo"in$ "ith e%!itement as she stood in the door"ay of the
en!losed f#sela$e+ and Mason e%tended his hand& 1ind+ thro"n 'a!) 'y the idlin$
propeller+ "hipped her s)irts !losely a'o#t her& She pla!ed her hand in Mason*s and
8#mped li$htly to the $ro#nd&
.Any !l#es& Chief+. she as)ed+ .or do "e $o it 'lind2.
.1e $o it 'lind& Get a !a'+. he told her& And to the pilot+ .All ri$ht+ $et yo#r ship
f#eled and ready to ta)e off at a moment*s noti!e& Get somethin$ to eat and hold
yo#rself a(aila'le+ "ith e(erythin$ ready&.
0n the ta%i!a'+ Mason said+ .1e*ll !o(er the $am'lin$ pla!es& 0 don*t )no" a'o#t
3osalind+ '#t 3ita S"aine doesn*t impress me as one "ho "o#ld stay in a hotel room
- not in a !ity li)e 3eno&.
.1hat do "e do "hen "e lo!ate her2. ella as)ed& .Try to shado" her2.
Mason shoo) his head and said+ .1e p#t it #p to her+ !old t#r)ey&.
.S#ppose she tells #s to $o 8#mp in the la)e2.
.0n that e(ent+. Mason said+ ."e*ll $et ro#$h "ith her&.
.-o" ro#$h !an yo# $et& Chief2. ella as)ed+ stealin$ a sidelon$ $lan!e as she
added dem#rely E ."ith a "oman&.
.Plenty+. he told her& .Yo# only see me on my $ood 'eha(ior&.
The !a'-dri(er t#rned and said+ .1here do yo# "ant to $o2.
.The main stem+. Mason told him&
.Yo# mean Cir$inia Street2.
.1here(er the ni$ht life is thi!)est&.
The !a'-dri(er said+ .There*s life all o(er this !ity& 'rother+ t"enty - fo#r ho#rs a
day& 0*ll dri(e do"n Cir$inia on!e+ then t#rn aro#nd and !ome 'a!)+ and yo# !an
pi!) the pla!e yo# "ant to $et o#t at&.
Not "ithstandin$ the lateness of the ho#r+ the '#siness distri!t "as !ro"ded "ith
people of (ario#s des!riptions& Co"p#n!hers in hi$h - heeled 'oots !l#mp - !l#mped
alon$ the side"al)s& Men in shirt slee(es+ "itho#t !oats or ne!)ties+ r#''ed el'o"s
"ith men "ho mi$ht ha(e ser(ed for fashion plates& An o!!asional !o#ple in e(enin$
!lothes sa#ntered from door"ay to door"ay+ "hile "omen+ e(idently from ran!hes+
"ent s"in$in$ past "ith the lon$+ easy strides of those "ho li(e in the open&
The dri(er passed #nder the ar!hed si$n 'earin$ the ill#minated le$end in 'la;in$
letters
T-E B0GGEST L0TTLE C0TY 0N T-E 1/3L
./)ay+. Mason told him+ .dri(e 'a!) slo"ly& 1e*ll $et o#t on the other side of the
railroad tra!)&.
The !a'-dri(er (ent#red a s#$$estion& .0f yo# fol)s "anted to $et a li!ense+. he said+
.0 !o#ld - .
ella Street la#$hed and shoo) her head& .1hy spea) of lo(e+. she as)ed+ ."hen
there*s "or) to 'e done2.
She t#!)ed her arm thro#$h Mason*s+ and+ to$ether+ they "al)ed a 'lo!) to the left+
t#rned to the ri$ht+ and started ma)in$ a s#r(ey of the 'ars and $am'lin$ ho#ses&
The third pla!e they entered "as The Ban) Cl#'& -ere+ faro+ ro#lette+ "heels of
fort#ne+ !raps+ and t"enty - one f#rnished the main attra!tion to the Goddess of
Chan!e+ ea!h ha(in$ its little !ir!le of de(otees rin$ed 'y !#rio#s spe!tators&
ella Street !l#t!hed Mason*s arm& .There she is=. she e%!laimed&
.1here2. Mason as)ed&
./(er at the 1heel of Bort#ne& See her "ith that $ood - loo)in$ 'ei$e "ool !oat
o(er the 'ro"n print dress2.
Mason nodded and said+ .She*s !han$ed her !lothes sin!e she "as in the offi!e&.
./f !o#rse she has& She m#st ha(e !ome #p here 'y plane& That !o#ple is "ith her&.
.Yo# mean the ones o(er on the left2.
.Yes&.
Mason stood attenti(ely "at!hin$ the little )not of people "ho pla!ed 'ets ran$in$
from fi(e !ents to a dollar+ "hile the "heel of fort#ne "hirled its !latterin$ !o#rse&
The "oman ne%t to 3ita S"aine "as !hestn#t - haired+ 'ro"n - eyed+ alert and
(i(a!io#s& She "as "earin$ a 'la!) dress "ith a frill of "hite at the throat+ and a
sa#!y+ ti$ht - fittin$ 'la!) hat& 1hile Mason "as "at!hin$ her+ she "on a fifty - !ent
'et pla!ed on the ten - dollar 'ill& The attendant slid ten+ fifty - !ent pie!es a!ross the
$lass top of the ta'le& The yo#n$ "oman thre" - 'a!) her head and la#$hed&
.She*s not "earin$ any rin$s+. Mason o'ser(ed spe!#latin$ly& .That may mean
e(erythin$ or nothin$&
-e+ shifted his eyes to the hatless yo#n$ man "ho "as "ith her+ a man in the late
t"enties+ sli$htly a'o(e the a(era$e hei$ht+ "ith the 'road sho#lders+ slim hips and
easy $ra!e of an athlete& Li$ht $linted from his dar) !#rly hair as his head mo(ed&
-is eyes "ere 'la!)+ smolderin$ "ith intense fires& The fa!e "as (olatile and
animated& /n the "hole+ a man "ho+ on!e seen+ "o#ld 'e easily remem'ered+ a man
"ho "o#ld 'e ,#ite !apa'le of $atherin$ a "oman into his arms+ re$ardless of
spe!tators+ h#s'ands or !onse,#en!es& ella Street said+ #nder her 'reath+ .And 0*ll
'et he*s a s"ell dan!er&.
Mason p#shed past her+ strode for"ard+ and slid a sil(er dollar a!ross the $lass top
so that it rested on the t"enty - for - one& 3ita S"aine+ "itho#t loo)in$ #p+ silently
mo(ed o(er to $i(e the ne"!omer room& The other yo#n$ "oman raised fran)+
spe!#lati(e eyes+ s"ept Mason*s fa!e in interested appraisal+ t#rned to the man at
her side+ and said somethin$ in an #ndertone& The "heel of fort#ne sp#n "ith a
rapid "hir "hi!h slo"ly resol(ed itself into indi(id#al so#nds as the stiff leather
ton$#e 'eat a fatef#l tattoo a$ainst the metal prot#'eran!es& Slo"ly+ the "heel !ame
almost to a stop& The leather ta' hesitated for a moment+ then+ "ith one last faint
slap+ slid o(er into the t"enty - for - one s#'di(ision&
0t "as ine(ita'le that 3ita S"aine sho#ld loo) #p at the man "ho had 8#st "on
t"enty dollars& 0t "as as she raised her eyes that Mason+ s!oopin$ in his "innin$s+
said+ .Are yo# $oin$ to introd#!e yo#r friends2.
Bor a moment there "as pani! in 3ita S"aine*s eyes+ then she !ontrolled herself+ slid
fifty !ents o(er on the t"enty - for - one+ said+ .9#st in !ase this sho#ld repeat -
3ossy+ this is Perry Mason&.
Mason half t#rned+ to loo) do"n into 'ro"n eyes "hi!h "ere no lon$er la#$hin$+
into a pleadin$+ #pt#rned fa!e& .0 tho#$ht so+. 3osalind Pres!ott said simply& .0
as)ed 9immy if it "asn*t&.
.And Mr& ris!oll+. 3ita said&
Mason shoo) hands+ felt the impa!t of the 'la!) eyes on his+ the lon$+ firm fin$ers
"hi!h !ir!led his hand& The fa!e itself "as as "at!hf#lly e%pressionless as that of the
$am'ler 'a!) of the faro de!)&
.-o" did yo# do it2. 3ita S"aine as)ed&
.0t*s a se!ret+. Mason told her& .1here !an "e tal)2.
.3ossy*s room at the 3i(erside+. 3ita said& . - /h+ there*s Miss Street& Good
e(enin$+ Miss Street&.
ella smiled& Mason introd#!ed her to 3osalind Pres!ott and 9immy ris!oll& As
tho#$h they had 'een !as#al to#rists+ sa#nterin$ from pla!e to pla!e in sear!h of
entertainment+ they strolled o#t of The Ban) Cl#' and "al)ed to the 3i(erside
-otel&
Mason dropped 'ehind and said+ .0*m sorry+ ella+ '#t yo#*re not $oin$ #p "ith #s&
This thin$ is loaded "ith dynamite& Stay here in the lo''y and )eep one of the ho#se
phones in yo#r hands& 0f anyone !omes in "ho loo)s li)e an offi!er+ and "ho as)s for
3ita S"aine or 3osalind Pres!ott+ $et a !all thro#$h to the room and tip me off&.
She nodded&
.And don*t let the others )no" "hat yo#*re doin$+. he "arned&
As they entered the lo''y of the hotel+ ella Street said+ .Chief+ if yo#*ll pardon me+
0*ll r#n into the dinin$ room and see if 0 !an $et a sand"i!h and a !#p of !offee& 0
ha(en*t eaten anythin$+ and 0*ll ha(e a terrifi! heada!he if 0 don*t $et somethin$&.
Mason nodded+ said !as#ally+ ./)ay+ ella& Come #p "hen yo# $et thro#$h& 1hat*s
yo#r room n#m'er+ Mrs& Pres!ott2.
.Three thirty - one&.
.Let*s $o+. the la"yer said&
0t "as 9immy ris!oll "ho !aref#lly !losed and lo!)ed the 'edroom door+ after first
ma)in$ !ertain no one "as loiterin$ in the !orridor& Then he opened his arms to
3ita S"aine+ and said+ .Ne(er mind+ s"eetheart+ "e*ll see it thro#$h to$ether&.
Mason "al)ed a!ross the room+ sat on the 'ed+ fl#n$ an el'o" o(er the 'rass rail at
the foot+ !rossed his lon$ le$s and said !as#ally+ .Yo# fol)s don*t need to )eep that
#p+ yo# )no"&.
.Aeep "hat #p2. 3ita S"aine as)ed+ spinnin$ aro#nd to fa!e him&
.That phony lo(e a!t+. Mason said+ .Yo#r sister mi$ht $et 8ealo#s+ 3ita&.
.1hat do yo# mean2. 3ita S"aine demanded& .Yo# )no" "hat 0 mean+. Mason
told her+ and then )ept them "aitin$ "hile he fished a !i$arette !ase from his po!)et+
"ent thro#$h the motions of offerin$ a !i$arette to the others+ sele!ted one+ sat 'a!)+
lit it+ and said+ .After all+ yo# )no"+ 0*m not Mrs& Snoops&.
ris!oll said omino#sly+ .0*m not !ertain that 0 li)e that !ra!)& Mason&.
Mason lo!)ed eyes "ith him& .No one as)ed yo# to+ ris!oll&.
.1ell+. ris!oll said+ .s#ppose yo# e%plain - or apolo$i;e&.
.Bosh=. Mason said& .1hat do yo# people thin) yo#*re p#llin$2.
3osalind Pres!ott+ standin$ (ery strai$ht+ said+ .0 thin) Mr& Mason*s ri$ht&.
.3ossy=. 3ita e%!laimed&
ris!oll didn*t ta)e his eyes from the la"yer& .0 don*t thin) he*s ri$ht+. he said+
.and 0 don*t li)e his manner&.
.Yo#+. Mason told him+ .!an $o to the de(il= 0 s#ppose 'e!a#se yo#*re $ood -
loo)in$+ "omen ha(e 'een easy for yo# all yo#r life& No" yo#*re in a 8am and yo#
find it a lot easier to hide 'ehind petti!oats than to !ome o#t in the open&.
ris!oll started for Mason& The la"yer raised himself omino#sly from the 'ed&
3osalind Pres!ott+ 8#mpin$ for"ard+ $ra''ed ris!oll*s arm+ !l#n$ to it and said+
.9immy+ stop it= Yo# hear me2 Stop it=.
Mason said+ .Go ahead+ yo# yo#n$ fool& Start somethin$& That*ll 'rin$ in the ho#se
dete!ti(e+ and then the !ops& 0t*ll 'e
a'o#t on a par "ith the 'onehead mo(es yo#*(e made so far&.
ris!oll said "ith ,#i(erin$ lips+ .0 don*t ha(e to ta)e this from yo#+ yo# )no"&.
.The hell yo# don*t+. Mason said easily+ .Yo# 8#st thin) yo# don*t& Yo#*ll ta)e it and
li)e it& Sit do"n=. .Please+ 9immy+. 3osalind Pres!ott pleaded& 3ita S"aine+ starin$
a!ross at the la"yer+ said+ .1hy are yo# tal)in$ li)e that2.
.Yo# sho#ld )no"& There are t"o reasons& /ne of them is
that 0 don*t li)e to 'e do#'le - !rossed 'y !lients&. .No one tried to do#'le - !ross
yo#+. she said& ./h+ !ertainly not+. Mason o'ser(ed sar!asti!ally& .1hen yo# told
me that yo# "ere the one Mrs& Snoops sa" "ith 9immy+ yo# "eren*t tryin$ to play
me for a s#!)er& Yo# "ere 8#st $i(in$ yo#r ima$ination a fe" indoor !alistheni!s&.
-e t#rned moodily to s#r(ey 3osalind Pres!ott and said+ .0 thin) yo#*ll tell the
tr#th&.
.Sh#t #p+ 3ossy+. ris!oll "arned in a lo" (oi!e& .This is serio#s&.
Mason appraised him "ith hostile eyes and said+ .0t*d 'e different if yo# !o#ld $et
a"ay "ith it+ '#t yo# !an*t $et a"ay "ith it& Yo# didn*t $et a"ay "ith it "ith me+
and+ in the lon$ r#n+ yo# "on*t $et a"ay "ith it "ith the distri!t attorney& B#t+
tryin$ to $et a"ay "ith it is playin$ ri$ht into his hands& 1hy the de(il didn*t yo#
fol)s tell me the tr#th in the first pla!e+ and let me tell yo# "hat to do2 B#t no+ yo#
had to $o on the amate#r ho#r+ and try and dress the "indo" so it "o#ld loo) all
ni!e and pretty& So 3osalind s)ips o#t and lea(es her dress "here 3ita !an p#t it on&
3ita !at!hes the !anary+ $oes #p to the "indo" so as to ma)e s#re Mrs& Snoops !an
see her+ and finishes !lippin$ the !anary*s !la"s& 1here she ma)es her mista)e is in
'ein$ too e%!ited to noti!e that the !la"s on the ri$ht foot ha(e already 'een !lipped
on!e& 0t*s the left foot "hi!h "as left #nfinished& B#t 3ita painsta)in$ly !#ts the
ri$ht !la"s t"i!e+ and lea(es one of the left !la"s #nto#!hed&.
3ita S"aine said indi$nantly+ .1hy+ 0 ne(er - .
.Yo#*re ri$ht+ Mr& Mason+. 3osalind Pres!ott anno#n!ed&
Mason shifted his eyes to her and said& .0 thin) 0*m $oin$ to li)e yo#& Tell me "hat
happened+ and tell it fast& 1e may not ha(e m#!h time& Yo#r sister left a "ide 'a!)
trail& 0 follo"ed it+ and someone else may follo" it&.
ris!oll too) a deep 'reath and started to say somethin$ Mason said+ .Sh#t #p+
ris!oll&.
3osalind Pres!ott said+ .0 fo#$ht "ith my h#s'and& -e "as $oin$ to di(or!e me& -e
fo#nd a letter 9immy had "ritten& The letter "as !apa'le of t"o interpretations& -e
!hose the "orst& -e left the ho#se to $o see a la"yer& 0 'e!ame pani! - stri)en and
did the "orst possi'le thin$& 0 telephoned for 9immy+ to tell him "hat had happened+
and to tell him 0 "as lea(in$& Then 9immy $ot hotheaded and !ame tearin$ o#t to
the ho#se& And+ to !ap the !lima%+ !arried a $#n+ "ith some fan!if#l idea of
prote!tin$ me from 1alter& 1alter*d threatened to )ill me if 0 tried to !laim any
share of his '#siness&.
.Yo#*d told ris!oll that2. Mason as)ed
.Yes+ o(er the telephone&.
./)ay+. Mason said+ .remem'er it& ris!oll tho#$ht yo# "ere in a!t#al dan$er& Yo#
pro'a'ly "ere in a!t#al dan$er& -e !arried a $#n only for the p#rpose of prote!tin$
yo#& No" $o ahead&.
.9immy !ame o#t there& 1e "ere in the solari#m& 0 tried to tal) thin$s o(er sensi'ly
"ith him& 9immy - "ell+ 9immy lost his head and too) me in his arms+ and 0 - .
.Yes+ 0 )no"+. Mason said& .Mrs& Snoops des!ri'ed the s!ene to me&.
.-o" did it so#nd "hen she des!ri'ed it2.
.Passionate+. Mason said tersely&
She met his eyes fran)ly and said+ .All ri$ht+ it "as&.
Mason nodded& .Good $irl& Go ahead&.
.9immy told me 0 m#st lea(e+ and he "as $oin$ to $et plane reser(ations& Then there
"as this a#tomo'ile a!!ident& 9immy ran o#t and helped lift the man o#t of the
!o#pe and p#t him in the (an& Then he !ame 'a!)+ and 0 s#ddenly reali;ed he mi$ht
'e !alled as a "itness that the man "ho "as dri(in$ the (an mi$ht !ome 'a!) and
try to $et his name and address+ and 9immy*s !ar "as standin$ o#tside+ par)ed
do"n on the side street& So 0 told 9immy he m#st lea(e at on!e+ that 0*d pa!) and $o
later& 9immy didn*t "ant to $o& 0 insisted& So then 9immy told me that 0 m#st ta)e
his $#n+ for prote!tion+ in !ase 1alter sho#ld !ome 'a!)& 0 told him 0 didn*t "ant a
$#n+ and "o#ld ne(er #se one+ '#t he insisted - 0 m#st ha(e one some"here in the
ho#se "here 0 !o#ld $et it if 0 had to& So 0 too) the $#n and hid it 'a!) of the dra"er
in the des)+ "here 0 )ne" 1alter "o#ld ne(er find it& 0 ne(er did intend to #se it+ not
e(en as a last resort& 0 8#st too) it in order to ma)e 9immy feel 'etter and so he*d
,#it ar$#in$ and $et o#t of there& -e*s o'stinate at times - and this "as one of the
times&.
.And then2. Mason as)ed&
.Then+. she said+ .0 loo)ed #p and sa" Mrs& Snoops had 'een "at!hin$& Lord
)no"s ho" lon$ she*d 'een "at!hm$ - pro'a'ly she*d seen e(erythin$& 0 told 9immy
to lea(e& -e started to $o and ran into some offi!ers from a radio pro"l !ar+ "ho
too) his name and address from his dri(in$ li!ense& Then 0 )ne" "e "ere s#n)&.
.No"+ "ait a min#te+. Mason said& .id 9immy !ome 'a!) into the ho#se alter the
offi!ers too) his name and address2.
.Yes&.
.And then "hat happened2.
.1e tal)ed thin$s o(er+ and 9immy had the idea of ha(in$ 3ita !ome o(er and p#t
on my dress+ !at!h the !anary+ finish !lippin$ his !la"s+ and ta)e o!!asion to stand
in the "indo" "here Mrs& Snoops !o#ld see her and re!o$ni;e her plainly& Yo# see+
"e loo) eno#$h ali)e so Mrs& Snoops !o#ldn*t ha(e 'een a'sol#tely !ertain+ seein$
thro#$h the la!e !#rtains&.
.Go ahead+. Mason said&
.0 ran$ #p 3ita& She )no"s the rest&.
.1here did yo# rin$ her #p from2.
.The ho#se+ '#t 0 didn*t dare say m#!h&.
.-o" lon$ "ere yo# there after yo# telephoned2.
.No time at all& Telephonin$ her "as the last thin$ 0 did in the ho#se& 0 r#shed to the
airport+ "here 0 !alled 3ita a$ain and told her e(erythin$&.
.id yo# !ome here in a re$#lar plane+ or a !hartered plane2.
.No+ 0 fle" to San Bran!is!o+ and then too) a plane to 3eno&.
Mason 8er)ed his head to"ard 9immy ris!oll and said+ .-o" a'o#t yo#2.
.-e !ame too+. she said&
./n the same plane2.
3osalind nodded&
.No" then+. Mason as)ed+ ."hen did yo# first )no" yo#r h#s'and had 'een
m#rdered2.
-er eyes $re" "ide and ro#nd& .1alter2. she said& .M#rdered2.
Mason+ "at!hin$ her narro"ly+ said+ .Yes& M#rdered&.
.1at!h o#t+ 3osalind+. ris!oll "arned& .0t*s some sort of a trap& -e hasn*t 'een
m#rdered+ or "e*d ha(e heard of it&.
Mason t#rned to stare at 3ita S"aine& .Yo# )ne" it+ 3ita+. he !har$ed&
She shoo) her head& .0 don*t )no" "hat yo#*re tal)in$ a'o#t+ #nless it*s some sort
of a stall to $et a 'i$ fee o#t of 3ossy&.
.0s that the tr#th2. 3osalind Pres!ott demanded& .-as he 'een m#rdered+ or is this
some sort of a trap2.
Mason !ontin#ed to re$ard 3ita S"aine "ith tho#$htf#l eyes& .-o" did yo# !ome
here2. he as)ed& .By re$#lar plane or !hartered plane2.
.0 !hartered a plane and !ame dire!tly here&.
.-o" soon after yo# left my offi!e2.
.1ithin a (ery fe" min#tes& 0 left the !anary at the pet store 0*d as)ed yo# a'o#t+
then too) a !a' and "ent dire!tly to the airport&.
.And yo# didn*t )no" 1alter Pres!ott*s 'ody "as lyin$ in the #pstairs 'edroom of
that ho#se2.
.Yo# mean 3osalind*s ho#se2.
.Yes&.
She shoo) her head& .0 didn*t+ and 0 don*t thin) it "as or is&.
3osalind Pres!ott a'r#ptly sat do"n+ stared "ide - eyed at the la"yer&
.Yo# didn*t )no" it2. Mason as)ed her&
.No+ of !o#rse not - it*s - it*s a sho!) to me& Not that 0 !ared for him& 0 didn*t& 0 hated
him& Yo#*(e no idea ho" !old - 'looded+ ho" s!hemin$+ ho" #tterly petty he "as=
There "asn*t a spar) of affe!tion in his ma)e - #p - 1hether he*s dead or ali(e+ 0
still hate him - '#t this is a sho!)+ 8#st the same&.
.Yo#r h#s'and+. Mason said+ ."as fo#nd in his 'edroom #pstairs& -e "as f#lly
!lothed+ ready for the street& -e had 'een shot three times "ith a &45 !ali'er
re(ol(er& The poli!e fo#nd the $#n in 'a!) of the dra"er in the des) "here yo#*d
hidden it+ and they fi$#re+ so far+ it*s the fatal $#n& 0f anythin$ has t#rned #p to
!han$e their opinion 0 ha(en*t heard of it&.
Mason t#rned to 9immy ris!oll& .1hat "as the $#n yo# $a(e 3osalind2.
.A Smith < 1esson&.
.1hat !ali'er2.
ris!oll hesitated+ then said+ .A &45 - '#t that*s not an #n#s#al !ali'er&.
.Any distin$#ishin$ mar)s on it2. Mason as)ed&
.1hat do yo# mean2.
.Yo# )no" "hat 0 mean - anythin$ 'y "hi!h that $#n !an 'e identified+ any mar)s
or s!rat!hes2.
.Yes& A little C - shaped pie!e "as 'ro)en o#t of one of the pearl handles ri$ht near
the '#tt of the $#n&.
.1as it 'l#ed - steel or ni!)el - plated2.
.Bl#ed - steel&.
Mason said in a (oi!e de(oid of e%pression+ Let*s hear yo#r side of this thin$+
ris!oll - no+ "ait a min#te 'efore yo# say anythin$& 0*m 3osalind Pres!ott*s la"yer&
Pro'a'ly 0*m representin$ 3ita S"aine too& 0 don*t )no" a'o#t that 0*ll ha(e to
fi$#re it o#t& 0*m not representin$ yo#+ and 0*m not $oin$ to represent yo#&.
.0 don*t "ant yo# to+. ris!oll said (ehemently& .0 ha(e !o#nsel of my o"n+ in
"hom 0 ha(e more !onfiden!e a la"yer "hose professional manner is far more
di$nified than yo#rs&.
Mason appraised him 8#di!ially& .Yes+ yo# "o#ld fall for a di$nified manner+ proper
!lothes+ a 'i$ maho$any des)+ and the #s#al 'a!)$ro#nd of ho)#m& All ri$ht+ that*s
settled& Yo# ha(e yo#r la"yer& 0*m 3osalind Pres!ott*s la"yer& No"+ do yo# "ant to
say anythin$2.
./f !o#rse 0 "ant to say somethin$&.
.Go ahead+. Mason told him& .Say it&.
.0 "ant to !orro'orate 3osalind*s statement in e(ery "ay&.
Mason stared at him "ith !old eyes& .id yo# )ill 1alter Pres!ott2. he as)ed&
./f !o#rse not& 0 didn*t )no" anythin$ a'o#t it&.
.id yo# see 1alter Pres!ott "hile yo# "ere in the ho#se2.
.No& 0 "as "ith 3osalind all of the time&.
.All of the time2. Mason as)ed&
.Yes&.
.E(ery min#te2.
.Yes&.
.Yo#*re "illin$ to s"ear to that2.
.Yes&.
.No"+ don*t mis#nderstand me+. Mason said& .Yo#*re $oin$ to s"ear that yo# "ere
"ith 3osalind Pres!ott e(ery min#te+ from the time yo# entered the ho#se #ntil yo#
and 3osalind left to$ether2.
.Yes&.
.-o" a'o#t "hen yo# "ent o#t to lift the man o#t of the !o#pe+ and "hen yo# met
the offi!ers2 Yo# "eren*t "ith her then&.
ris!oll said+ in a !alm tone "hi!h 8#st missed 'ein$ patroni;in$+ .That*s "hile 0
"as o#t of the ho#se& 0 #nderstood
that yo#r ,#estions related to the time 0 "as in the ho#se&.
.And all the time yo# "ere in the ho#se+ yo# "ere "ith 3osalind e(ery min#te of the
time2.
.0*(e already ans"ered that t"o or three times&.
.Ans"er a$ain+ then& Yo# "ere "ith her*2.
.Yes&.
3osalind started to say somethin$+ '#t !he!)ed herself as ris!oll fro"ned at her&
.All ri$ht+. Mason said+ .then yo# "ere in the 'edroom "ith her "hile she "as
!han$in$ her !lothes&.
ris!oll started to ma)e some ,#i!) re8oinder+ !han$ed his mind+ !losed his lips on
his #nspo)en "ords+ $lan!ed hastily at 3osalind and said+ .1ell+ of !o#rse+ she -
-o" a'o#t it+ 3osalind2.
3osalind said+ ./f !o#rse he "asn*t "ith me "hile 0 "as !han$in$ my !lothes= -e
"asn*t "ith me "hile 0 "as pa!)in$ my o(erni$ht 'a$& -e*s 8#st tryin$ to ma)e an
ali'i for me&.
.9#st in !ase that*s ri$ht+. Mason said+ .0 "anted yo# to see "hat a pri!e yo#*d
ha(e to pay for ma)in$ that ali'i& That ,#estion*s $oin$ to !ome #p& Either 9immy
ris!oll has to s"ear he "as in the 'edroom "ith yo# "hile yo# "ere !han$in$ yo#r
dress+ or he*s $oin$ to ha(e to pla!e yo# in that 'edroom alone&.
.B#t "ait a min#te+. 3osalind said+ .that "as after 9immy*d $i(en me the $#n& Mrs&
Snoops "ill ha(e to admit that&.
Mason nodded& .Yes+ yo# !han$ed yo#r !lothes after"ards& B#t ho" a'o#t 1alter+
"as his 'ody lyin$ in his 'edroom at that time+ or "asn*t it2.
.1hy - "hy+ 0 don*t )no"&.
.-o" lon$ sin!e yo#*d 'een in his 'edroom2.
.0 hadn*t 'een in all the mornin$& -is 'edroom is different from mine 'y my
dressin$ room and a 'ath& 0 met him that mornin$ at 'rea)fast& -e "as parti!#larly
offensi(e& -e*d fo#nd a letter 9immy had "ritten me& -e*d 8#st 'een "aitin$ for
somethin$ li)e that - -e*d ta)en t"el(e tho#sand dollars of my money+ and 0 didn*t
ha(e a thin$ to sho" for it& -e "as afraid 0 "as $oin$ to demand it 'a!) and he "as
8#st loo)in$ for an opport#nity to p#t me in the "ron$ and file s#it for di(or!e+ so it
"o#ld loo) as tho#$h 0*d tho#$ht #p the money '#siness after he*d filed and in
order to sa(e my o"n rep#tation 'y p#ttin$ him in the "ron$&.
.0 s#ppose yo# )no"+. Mason told her+ .this is $oin$ to so#nd li)e hell in front of a
8#ry&.
She nodded&
.A!!ordin$ to Mrs& Snoops+. Mason "ent on+ .yo# "ere trimmin$ the !la"s of the
!anary "hen ris!oll !ame into the solari#m and too) yo# in his arms&.
She nodded&
.Mrs& Snoops+. Mason "ent on remorselessly+ .had 'een "at!hin$ yo# for se(eral
min#tes 'efore ris!oll !ame in& ris!oll "asn*t in the solari#m "ith yo#+ '#t he*d
already 'een in the ho#se for some forty - fi(e min#tes& Mrs& Snoops sa" him !ome
in and noti!ed the time&.
.She "o#ld=. 3osalind e%!laimed 'itterly
.That+. Mason said+ .isn*t the point& The point is+ ris!oll "asn*t in the solari#m
"ith yo#& 1here "as he2.
.Telephonin$+. ris!oll said ,#i!)ly&
.To "hom2.
.To my offi!e& 3osalind*s telephone !all had !a#$ht me at my apartment& 0 dashed
o#t to see her+ and 0 had some orders "hi!h had to 'e e%e!#ted first thin$ in the
mornin$+ so 0 telephoned my offi!e&.
.-o" lon$ "ere yo# telephonin$*2.
.0 don*t )no" e%a!tly+ perhaps fi(e min#tes+ perhaps ten min#tes&.
.And it "as "hile he "as telephonin$+. Mason as)ed+ t#rnin$ to 3osalind Pres!ott+
.that yo# "ent into the solari#m to !lip the !la"s on the !anary2.
.Yes&.
.And prior to that time ris!oll hadn*t $one in for affe!tion2.
.-e hadn*t ta)en me in his arms+ it that*s "hat yo# mean&.
.That*s "hat 0 mean&.
.No&.
.So that*s another period of time "hile ris!oll "as in the ho#se that yo# !an*t
a!!o#nt for "hat he "as doin$2.
.No+. she said+ .0 $#ess not&.
.0f yo# "ant to p#t it that "ay+. ris!oll said hostilely&
.0t*s the "ay 0 "ant to p#t it+. Mason remar)ed+ "itho#t ta)in$ his eyes from
3osalind Pres!ott& .And it "as "hile this telephone !on(ersation "as $oin$ on that
the a#tomo'ile a!!ident too) pla!e o#tside2.
.Yes&.
.And yo# let $o of the !anary and dashed to the front of the ho#se2.
.No+ "ait a min#te& 0 let $o of the !anary "hen 9immy too) me in his arms& Then
9immy let me $o+ and 0 "as all fl#stered+ and 9immy said he "as $oin$ to !all and
ma)e reser(ations for me on the ne%t plane to 3eno& So he "ent o#t to telephone+
and 0 "as $ettin$ ready to !at!h the !anary+ and then the a!!ident too) pla!e&.
.And+ 'efore that+ ris!oll had 'een telephonin$ his offi!e2.
.Yes+ 0 'elie(e so& 0t*s all !onf#sed in my mind& 0 "as pretty m#!h #pset 'y the
,#arrel "ith 1alter+ and then findin$ myself r#nnin$ a"ay "ith 9immy - "ell+ 0 8#st
!an*t remem'er thin$s in detail& There are a lot of 'l#rred impressions in my mind&.
.B#t+ all in all+ ris!oll "as at the telephone for se(eral min#tes+ and on at least t"o
o!!asions2.
.Yes&.
.B#t yo# !an*t s"ear he "as at the telephone2.
.No&.
.1hat time did the a!!ident happen2.
.0 !an tell yo# that& 0t "as ri$ht at noon& The t"el(e o*!lo!) "histles had 8#st started
to 'lo" "hen 0 heard the !rash&.
Then ris!oll "ent o#t+ helped lift the #n!ons!io#s man from the !o#pe+ and
ret#rned to the ho#se& By the time he ret#rned yo# "ere 'a!) in the solari#m+ is
that ri$ht2.
.Yes&.
.1hen did yo# first )no" Mrs& Snoops "as "at!hin$ yo#2.
.After 9immy had $i(en me the $#n&.
.And that "as "hen yo# de!ided that he "as $oin$ to lea(e the ho#se and yo#*d 8oin
him later2.
.Yes& 0 "as $oin$ to the airport& -e*d meet me at 3eno&.
.And he "ent o#t+ ran into the offi!ers+ had to $i(e them his name and address+ and
then !ane to tell yo# that the fat "as in the fire and that yo#*d 'etter $et him to $o to
3eno "ith yo#2.
.Not e%a!tly li)e that& -e told me "hat had happened& 1e reali;ed it p#t #s in an
a"f#l spot+ so "e set do"n and tried to fi$#re o#t some "ay of $ettin$ aro#nd it&
Then 9immy tho#$ht of ha(in$ 3ita !orne in and finish !lippin$ the !anary*s !la"s
"here Mrs& Snoops !o#ld see her& She !o#ld p#t on my dress and $o stand in the
"indo"&.
Mason+ loo)in$ a!ross at ris!oll+ said+ .A !le(er idea - only rather to#$h on 3ita&.
ris!oll said+ .At that time+ Mr& Mason+ yo# "ill )indly remem'er+ 0 didn*t )no"
anyone had 'een m#rdered& i tho#$ht it "as simply a ,#estion of sa(in$ 3osalind
from ha(in$ her name dra$$ed thro#$h a lot of le$al m#d 'e!a#se of my
imp#lsi(eness and 'e!a#se 0 !o#ldn*t help sho"in$ my lo(e&.
Mason said disinterestedly+ .Sa(e it for the 8#ry+ ris!oll& They*ll "ant to hear it
more than 0 do& No" then+ does either of yo# )no" "hat !a#sed that a#tomo'ile
a!!ident2.
ris!oll disdained to say anythin$+ '#t 3osalind Pres!ott shoo) her head&
.0*ll tell yo# "hat 0*(e fo#nd o#t+* Mason said& .-arry - Trader+ dri(in$ one of his
(ans+ ma)in$ a t#rn into Bo#rteenth Street+ to deli(er some st#ff Pres!ott had
ordered him to p#t in the $ara$e& -e s"#n$ the (an "ide to ma)e the t#rn& Pa!)ard+
dri(in$ the !o#pe+ !ame dashin$ #p on the inside "itho#t loo)in$ "here he "as
$oin$& The first thin$ he )ne"& he sensed the (an loomin$ ahead of him and on his
left& By that time+ it "as too late& The (an "as s"in$in$ in for the !#r'& Pa!)ard
!o#ldn*t !han$e the !o#rse of his !ar+ and they str#!)& No" then+ the reason Pa!)ard
"asn*t loo)in$ "here he "as $oin$ "as 'e!a#se he*d seen somethin$ in a "indo" of
one of the ho#ses on his ri$ht+ "hi!h had arrested his attention& 0t !o#ldn*t ha(e
'een the Anderson ho#se+ 'e!a#se Mrs& Anderson "as the only one in that ho#se
and she "as standin$ at her dinin$ room "indo"+ loo)in$ into yo#r solari#m&
Therefore+ it m#st ha(e 'een somethin$ "hi!h he sa" in yo#r ho#se+ Mrs& Pres!ott&
No" then+ ha(e yo# any idea of "hat that somethin$ !o#ld ha(e 'een2.
.None "hate(er+. she said promptly&
.-e !o#ldn*t ha(e 'een in the Pres!ott ho#se+. ris!oll said positi(ely+ .'e!a#se
3osalind and 0 "ere alone in the ho#se& She "as in the solari#m and 0 "as
telephonin$&.
.That+. Mason said moodily+ .is "hat yo# say& 1hat do yo# s#ppose Pa!)ard "ill
say "hen they find him2.
.0 don*t )no" and 0 don*t !are - 1hat*s the matter2 Can*t they find him2.
Mason shoo) his head& .-e "andered o#t of the hospital and disappeared& No"
then+ ris!oll+ "here "ere yo# "hen Pa!)ard left the hospital2.
.1hat do yo# mean2.
.A'o#t an ho#r after the a!!ident&.
3osalind la#$hed hardheartedly and said+ .That*s on!e the 'rea)s are "ith #s+ Mr&
Mason& 9immy "as "ith me at the airport - in fa!t+ 0 $#ess "e "ere already flyin$ to
San Bran!is!o&.
Mason said+ .No" here*s somethin$ else Yo# people are "anted 'y the poli!e& 0
)no" yo#*re "anted 'y the poli!e& 3ita left a 'road 'a!) trail 'e!a#se of that lame
!anary& 0 tra!ed her thro#$h that+ and if 0 did+ the poli!e may& No" then+ if it "ere
e(er )no"n that 0 tal)ed "ith yo# here and didn*t t#rn yo# into the poli!e+ )no"in$
that yo# "ere f#$iti(es from 8#sti!e+ 0 mi$ht 'e held as an a!!essory& The ,#estion is+
!an 0 tr#st yo# to )eep yo#r mo#ths sh#t2.
3ita S"aine nodded and said+ .1hy+ of !o#rse&.
3osalind Pres!ott said+ .B#t "e*re not f#$iti(es from 8#sti!e+ Mr& Mason&.
.1ell+ it loo)s li)e it& 1hy did yo# !ome here in s#!h #nseemly haste2.
.0 !ame here+*. she said+ .'e!a#se 0 "anted to $et o#t of the state so 1alter !o#ldn*t
ser(e any di(or!e papers on me& 0 tho#$ht 0 !o#ld !ome to 3eno and file a di(or!e
!ase of my o"n& After 0 $ot here+ 0 fo#nd o#t 0 !o#ldn*t do it #ntil 0*d had si% "ee)s*
residen!e& B#t 0 didn*t "ant 1alter to )no" "here 0 "as for a "hile 'e!a#se 0 "as
afraid he*d )ill me& So this s#ited me all ri$ht&.
.And ris!oll !ame here to 'e "ith yo#2.
.Yes&.
.And "hy did yo# !ome here+ 3ita2.
.To 'rin$ some of the thin$s 3ossy needed&.
.And yo# had to !harter an airplane to do it2.
.1ell+. she said+ .0 "anted to tell 3ossy that e(erythin$ had "or)ed li)e a !harm
that 0*d fooled Mrs& Snoops and that yo#*d a$reed to represent her+ and that she "as
to $et in to#!h "ith yo#& 0 tho#$ht perhaps she !o#ld telephone yo# and arran$e for
an appointment& She !o#ld fly in and fly o#t and 1alter "o#ldn*t 'e any the "iser&.
.Yo# didn*t $o into that #pstairs 'edroom "hile yo# "ere in the ho#se2. Mason
as)ed&
.Not into 1alter*s 'edroom+ no& 3ossy had left the dress on the 'ed in her room& 0
ran #p to her room+ !han$ed into her dress+ !ame do"n+ !a#$ht the !anary+ p#t on
an a!t for Mrs& Snoops+ pa!)ed some thin$s for 3ossy+ and too) them "ith me "hen
0 left the ho#se& 0 sent some other thin$s 'y e%press&.
.Yo# had the e%press man !all for them "hile yo# "ere there2.
.Yes&.
.1here did yo# send them2.
.To Mildred /"ens+ General eli(ery+ 3eno& Yo# see+ that*s the name 3osalind had
told me she*d re$ister #nder+ so 0 !o#ld )eep in to#!h "ith her "itho#t anyone
)no"in$&.
.So#nds li)e rather an ela'orate set of pre!a#tions 8#st to a(oid a h#s'and+. Mason
pointed o#t&
.0 !an*t help it& That*s the tr#th&.
Mason raised his eyes to ris!oll& .-o" a'o#t yo#+ ris!oll+ are yo# $oin$ to )eep
,#iet a'o#t my ha(in$ 'een here2.
ris!oll said+ .Yo# don*t seem to ha(e any !onfiden!e in me+ and 0 don*t see "hy 0
sho#ld ha(e any in yo#& 0*ll $i(e yo# no promises&.
.9immy=. 3osalind Pres!ott e%!laimed& .Can*t yo# see Mr& Mason is ta)in$ a 'i$
ris) 8#st in order to prote!t #s2 Can*t yo# - .
The telephone ran$& Mason p#shed past ris!oll to 8er) the re!ei(er from its hoo)
and say+ .-ello=.
ella Street*s e%!ited (oi!e said+ .Ser$eant -ol!om' and t"o lo!al dep#ties+ "ith 'i$
som'reros and tanned fa!es+ are 8#st $ettin$ in the ele(ator& Chief&.
.Gra' a !a'+. he told her& .Beat it to the airport& Meet me there& 0f 0 don*t sho" #p
in an ho#r+ head 'a!) for the offi!e& -an$ #p yo#r phone+ ,#i!)=.
Mason 8i$$led the hoo) #p and do"n "ith his fin$er #ntil the hotel operator said
impatiently+ .Yes+ "hat is it2 No need to ha(e a fit= That h#rts my ear&.
Mason said+ .0*m in a h#rry& This is Perry Mason+ a la"yer& 0 "ant to report that
there are three persons in room three thirty - one "ho are "anted 'y the Los
An$eles poli!e& There*s 3osalind Pres!ott+ re$istered #nder the name of Mildred
/"ens+ 9immy - .
9immy ris!oll l#n$ed for him& Mason+ holdin$ the re!ei(er to his ear "ith his left
hand+ lashed o#t "ith his ri$ht+ !at!hin$ ris!oll on the point of the !hin& As the
yo#n$ man sta$$ered 'a!)+ Mason "ent on e(enly into the telephone+ as tho#$h
there had 'een no interr#ption+ .ris!oll+ 'oth of "hom are "anted for the m#rder
of 1alter Pres!ott in Los An$eles& There*s also 3ita S"aine+ 3osalind Pres!ott*s
sister+ "ho is "anted for ,#estionin$ in !onne!tion "ith the same m#rder&.
ris!oll+ re!o(erin$ his 'alan!e+ !ame !har$in$ for"ard&
Mason slammed the re!ei(er 'a!) on its hoo) and said+ .yo# fool= The 8i$*s #p& No"
listen+ 3osalind+ yo# and 3ita are $oin$ to 'e ,#estioned& on*t ans"er ,#estions&
on*t "ai(e e%tradition& Stand on (oi# !onstit#tional ri$hts& on*t do anythin$
#nless 0*m - .
A peremptory po#ndin$ on the door interr#pted him& A man*s (oi!e said+ ./pen #p
in there=.
ris!oll stood $lo"erin$ at Mason& 3osalind Pres!ott "as "at!hin$ him "ith a
p#;;led ,#estion in her eyes& Mason p#shed past 3ita S"aine+ and #nlo!)ed the
door&
Ser$eant -ol!om'+ a!!ompanied 'y t"o 'ron;ed men in Stetsons+ p#shed for"ard+
then !ame to a s#rprised halt as he sa" Perry Mason&
.Yo#=. he said&
.0n person+. Mason ass#red him&
A $rin s#ff#sed -ol!om'*s feat#res as he said+ .1ell+ isn*t that ni!e& Yo# )ne" that
these people "ere "anted 'y the poli!e& Yo# sm#$$led them a!ross the state line and
- .
.1ait a min#te+. Mason interr#pted& .0 had nothin$ to do "ith their !rossin$ the
state line&.
.That*s "hat yo# say+. -ol!om' sneered&
.0t*s "hat 0 say+. Mason said+ .and it*s "hat 0 !an ma)e sti!)&*
./)ay& Any"ay+ "e !at!h yo# here+ plottin$ "ith them+ a(oidin$ the poli!e&.
.That "asn*t "hat 0 "as doin$ at all&.
./h+ yeah2 1ell+ try and tell that to the Grie(an!e Committee of the Bar
Asso!iation&.
Mason said+ .As it happens 0 don*t ha(e to tell anythin$ to the Grie(an!e
Committee of the 'ar Asso!iation+ i !ame here 'e!a#se 0 had reason to 'elie(e a
person re$istered in this hotel as Mildred /"ens "as+ in fa!t+ 3osalind Pres!ott+ "ho
= happened to )no" is "anted 'y the poli!e for m#rder& The fa!t that she happens to
'e my !lient in !onne!tion "ith another matter has nothin$ to do "ith it&.
-ol!om' said+ .Try and ma)e that+ sti!)&.
.And+. Mason "ent on+ .as soon as 0 fo#nd o#t a'o#t this 0 "as determined to
s#rrender her to the poli!e&.
-ol!om' said+ .on*t ma)e me la#$h& My side h#its& 0*(e heard some "ild stories in
my time+ '#t that*s the "ildest&.
Mason nodded to"ard the telephone& .0f yo#*ll )indly !all the operator yo#*ll find
that 0 as)ed her to notify the poli!e se(eral min#tes 'efore yo# arri(ed&.
-ol!om' stared at Mason+ said+ .0*ll l#st nail yo# to the !ross on that one 'efore yo#
ha(e a !han!e to 'ri'e the telephone operator to !ommit per8#ry+. pi!)ed #p the
telephone re!ei(er and said+ .id anyone from this room try to !all poli!e
head,#arters2.
The re!ei(er made s,#a")in$ noises& -ol!om'*s fa!e sho"ed !ha$rin as he listened&
-e said+ .All ri$ht+ for$et it= The poli!e are here+. and slammed the re!ei(er into
pla!e& -e $lo"ered at Mason& .There*s somethin$ fishy a'o#t this& 1e*ll pass it for
the moment+ '#t 0*m not done "ith it - not 'y a lon$ "ays& Yo#*re representin$
3osalind Pres!ott+ Mason2.
.Yes&.
.3epresentin$ ris!oll here2.
.No&.
.3epresentin$ 3ita S"aine2.
.Yes&.
.All ri$ht& -o" a'o#t "ai(in$ e%tradition2.
.Yo#*re arrestin$ them2.
.Yes& /n s#spi!ion of m#rder& 1ill yo# "ai(e e%tradition2.
Mason smiled at him and said+ .0*ll "a(e my hands+ and that*s all&.
.Get o#t=. -ol!om' ordered&
Mason pi!)ed #p his hat and said+ .3emem'er+ yo# t"o+ don*t say a "ord in ans"er
to any ,#estion #nless 0*m there and ad(ise yo# to ans"er that ,#estion& They !an*t
ma)e yo# tal) if yo# don*t "ant to& on*t "ant to& 0*ll do the tal)in$& on*t "ai(e
e%tradition& on*t si$n anythin$& on*t (ol#nteer any information and remem'er
that they*ll p#ll the old poli!e da$ of t-ilinn ea!h one of yo# the other has !onfessed
and - .
The three !on(er$ed on him+ omino#s p#rpose in their eyes& Mason slipped ,#i!)ly
into the !orridor+ said+ .Good ni$ht+ $entlemen+. and slammed the door sh#t 'ehind
him&
There "as no si$n of ella Street in the lo''y& -e "ent 'y !a' to the airport+ fo#nd
the pilot and said .-a(e yo# seen anytnin$ of the yo#n$ "oman yo# 'ro#$ht #p
here2.
.1hy+ no+. the a(iator said& .0 tho#$ht she "as "ith yo#&.
Mason said+ .Get yo#r plane o#t and "arm it #p& -old it in readiness&.
0t "asn*t #ntil the motors had 'een t#rnin$ for se(eral min#tes that a shado"y
fi$#re emer$ed from the dar)ness to to#!h Mason li$htly on the arm& .E(erythin$
o)ay+ Chief2. she as)ed in a lo" (oi!e&
.Lord+ yo# $a(e me a fri$ht=. he said& .0 tho#$ht they*d na''ed yo#&.
.No+. she told him+ .'#t 0 fi$#red it "o#ld 'e a $ood mo(e for me to )eep o#t of
si$ht in !ase they !ame o#t here pro"lin$ aro#nd& 1hat did yo# do2.
.Co(ered myself "ith "hite"ash+. he told her+ .'y telephonin$ for the poli!e&
Than)s to yo#r tip+ 0 had an opport#nity to $et the thin$ all planted 'efore -ol!om'
po#nded on the door& -ol!om'*s s#spi!io#s+ '#t he !an*t pro(e anythin$&.
The a(iator said+ .0*m ready& -o" a'o#t it2.
Mason nodded& .Let*s $o+. he said&
Chapter 5
M/3N0NG SUN "as streamin$ thro#$h the "indo"s of Mason*s pri(ate offi!e+ as
he opened the door from the !orridor and stood re$ardin$ ella Street "ith a
"himsi!al smile&
She "as standin$ 'y his des)+ p#ttin$ the finishin$ to#!hes to an arran$ement of
maps and !ir!#lars "hi!h !ompletely !o(ered the top&
.Ship ahoy=. Mason !alled& .1here are "e - 9a(a+ Sin$apore+ or 9apan2 Lo"er the
$an$plan) so 0 !an !ome* a'oard&.
She made motions of t#rnin$ a "indlass& ./)ay+ Chief+. she said+ ."at!h yo#r step&
Those sampans aie tri!)y thin$s to step o#t of -ere yo# are& No" !lim' this ladder&
/)ay& -ere+ $i(e me a hand&.
She stret!hed forth her ri$ht hand+ !lin$in$ to the des) "ith her left& Mason $ripped
her hand+ $a(e a lon$ 8#mp to rea!h her side and said+ .-o"*s this2.
.That*s fine& No" yo#*re a'oard& 1hat do yo# thin) o= =2*
.1onderf#l. 0s this my steamer !hair2. he as)ed+ indi!atin$ the offi!e !hair&
.Yes+. she said& .9#st settle 'a!) and rela% and loo) at the s!enery& /(er here*s
-onol#l#& That*s iamond -ead 8#st 'eyond the 'ea!h at 1ai)i)i& See the nati(es
ridin$ the s#rf "ith o#tri$$er !anoes2 The !ir!#lar says yo# $et a speed of third or
forty miles an ho#r+ !omin$ in for almost a mile+ ridin$ the !rests of the h#$e
'rea)ers& Loo) at the "ay the "ater hissed #p from the 'o"&.
.Too tame+. Mason told her+ .0 "ant to 'e the !hap r#lin$ the s#rf 'oard&.
.They say that ta)es lots of pra!ti!e&.
.1ell+. he told her+ .it*d 'e f#n learnin$& 1here do "e $o from here2.
She indi!ated the ne%t !ir!#lar& .To)io+. she said .Tha1 is+ the 'oat do!)s at
Yo)ohama& 1e !an see Yo)ohama and ta)e a r#n #p to To)io& And after that+ here*s
Ao'e+ that*ll !o(er another !ir!#lar+ .and then "e !ross the Yello" Sea and $o #p
the ri(er to Shan$hai&.
.-o" a'o#t side trips2. Mason as)ed& .o "e stop 'et"een 'oats2.
.1e !an if yo# "ant+ '#t "hat yo# need is a rest& So 0 tho#$ht it "o#ld 'e 'etter to
$et on a ship+ pa!) o#r st#ff in staterooms& Ta)e all "e "ant+ and not ha(e to 'other
a'o#t loadin$ and #nloadin$ it+ $ettin$ it thro#$h !#stoms+ and #& hotels& 0n !ase yo#
don*t )no" it+ yo# ha(e a del#%e s#ite& F the "ay aro#nd the "orld& Startin$
Sat#rday afternoon yo# #npa!) yo#r tr#n)s+ p#t on yo#r 'athro'e and slipper& Go
"here there are no telephones+ hysteri!al "omen+ or lame !anaries&.
.That*s s"ell+. Mason said+ $rinnin$& .Spea)in$ of lame !anaries+ do yo# s#ppose
"e !o#ld send a !a'le$ram to Pa#l ra)e and find o#t "hat*s happenin$ in the
present !ase2 After all+ yo# )no"+ "e ha(e to ma)e a li(in$ in order to pay for
del#%e s#ites on the ollar Steamship Lines&.
.Yes+. she said+ .0 pres#me "e !o#ld rea!h him 'y !a'le+ altho#$h 0 hope yo# "on*t
try to !arry yo#r '#siness alon$ "ith yo#&.
./h+ not in the least+. he said+ $rinnin$& .1here are "e no"+ in Ao'e2.
.No& 1e "ere in Shan$hai+ the last stop& B#t+ "hy 'other "ith !a'le$rams2 1hy not
#se 0nternational Lon$ istan!e2.
.No" there*s a tho#$ht+. he said& .Let*s $et him on the line&.
ella Street p#t thro#$h the !all+ said to Perry Mason+ .3emem'er+ yo#*re only as
far as Shan$hai+ then yo# $o do"n to -on$ Aon$+ Manila+ Sin$apore - /h+ yes+
that*s one optional side trip& 1e !an stop o(er at Sin$apore and r#n do"n to Bali+
9a(a and S#matra& 0*(e arran$ed for that trip at yo#r option&. *
./)ay+. he told her+ .let*s ta)e that trip& 1e may as "ell see if all "hile "e*re doin$
it& Besides+ if "e stay on one ship too lon$ the !aptain mi$ht !ommit a m#rder and
0*d ha(e to represent him& Say& ella+ ho" a'o#t stoppin$ o(er in -onol#l#+ r#nnin$
do"n to A#stralia "ith Captain 9ohansen on the Monterey+ and - .
She said into the telephone+ .-ello+ Ma'el+ this is ella& The 'oss is in and "ants to
tal) "ith Pa#l& &&& /)ay+ p#t him on&&&& That folder #p in the #pper ri$ht - hand
!orner of the des) is the oneG 711 Bali+ Chief& Better loo) at it&&&& -ello&&& 9#st a
min#te+ Pa#l& The 'oss "ants to tal) "ith yo#&.
Mason "histled and said+ .1ait a min#te& 0s this Bali2.
.That+. she told him+ .is Bali&.
.All ri$ht+. he told her+ ."e stop off at Bali&&&& -ello+ Pa#l& 1hat*s ne" #nder the
s#n2.
.3ead the papers2. ra)e as)ed&*
.Yes& 0 see that the poli!e ha(e ta)en a t#m'le to Pa!)ard and are $i(in$ plenty of
p#'li!ity to his disappearan!e&.
.Not only that+. ra)e said+ .'#t they aren*t $ettin$ any"here& 0t*s no "onder 0
!o#ldn*t lo!ate him+ "ith the limited reso#r!es "hi!h are a(aila'le to a pri(ate
dete!ti(e a$en!y& The poli!e ha(e 'een mo(in$ hea(en and earth to find him and&
!an*t e(en $et a tra!e of him&.
.B#t s#rely+. Mason said+ .they m#st ha(e 'een a'le to #n!o(er somethin$ a'o#t
him in Alta(ille&.
.Not a tra!e+. ra)e said& .At any !han!e+ nothin$ they !an "or) on& Pa!)ard is
the most important "itness in this !ase+ and he*s "anderin$ aro#nd the !ity
some"here in a da;e& The pro'a'ilities are his amnesia !ame 'a!) on him and he
doesn*t )no" "ho he is&.
.Yo#*(e 'een r#nnin$ do"n all the leads2.
.0*ll say so& 0*(e !o(ered the hospitals+ 8ails and e(ery other lead 0 !an thin) of& The
poli!e ha(e 'een doin$ the same& They*(e !om'ed the !ity+ loo)in$ for an amnesia -
(i!tim& They*(e #n!o(ered dr#n)s+ idiots+ !roo)s and '#ms+ '#t not a tra!e of
Pa!)ard&.
.-o" a'o#t his !o#pe2.
.The poli!e fi$#re he mi$ht ha(e !onta!ted some $ara$e to !ome and mo(e the !ar+
and perhaps $i(en an in!orre!t address& 0 #nderstand they*(e !o(ered e(ery $ara$e
"hi!h has a to" !ar and still ha(en*t learned a thin$&.
.-a(e they mo(ed the "re!)2.
.No& They*re lea(in$ it there+ hopin$ Pa!)ard may !ome 'a!) to it or send after it&
0f he sho"s #p+ they*ll $ra' him&.
Mason fro"ned tho#$htf#lly at the telephone for se(eral se!onds+ then said+ .Come
on in here+ Pa#l& 0 ha(e an idea 0 "ant to tal) o(er "ith yo#&.
-e h#n$ #p the re!ei(er and indi!ated his des) "ith a s"eepin$ $est#re& .0*m sorry+
ella+ (a!ation*s o(er&.
.Yo# aren*t $oin$ to stay in Shan$hai2*
.No+. he told her& .1e*ll ha(e to let the 'oat sail "itho#t #s+ and !ome 'a!) on the
!lipper&.
FThat*s "hat 0 "as afraid of+. she said+ pi!)in$ #p the folders one at a time& .Listen+
Chief+ yo# aren*t $oin$ to 'a!) o#t on this (a!ation+ are yo#2.
.No&. he told her "ith a $rin+ ."e sail+ as per s!hed#le& 0 !an !lean #p this !ase of
the lame !anary& And that !ase $ets more and more !ompli!ated+ and o#r sailin$
that ma)es more #n!ertain&.
Pa#l ra)e tapped li$htly on the panels of the !orridor door& and ella Street let
him in& ra)e !rossed o(er to slide into
o(erst#ffed leather !hair+ and said+ .1hat*s on yo#r mind+ Perry2.
.Simply this+. Mason said& .That do!tor o#t at the hospital "as a little too self -
satisfied+ a little too positi(e+ a little too definite in his dia$nosis&.
.1hat do yo# mean - 2.
.That tra#mati! amnesia '#siness+. Mason said& .The man had met an a!!ident& -e
had amnesia& 0mmediately the do!tor de!ided it "as tra#mati! amnesia& Nine
h#ndred and ninety - nine times o#t of a tho#sand+ it "o#ld ha(e 'een B#t - non
amnesia patient "o#ldn*t ha(e left the hospital and had a rer-r#n atta!)& No" then+
Pa#l+ s#ppose that it "asn*t tra#mati! amnesia+ '#t "as a !ase of !hroni! amnesia2
S#ppose it "as amnesia "hi!h lea(es a man on the 'order - line of normal!y2.
0s there an amnesia li)e that2.
.0 don*t )no"& 0*m not tryin$ to st#dy medi!ine+ 0*m tryin$ to find o#t !a#ses and
res#lts& 0 "ant to add fi$#res and $et the ans"er&
.No" 0*(e ne(er had amnesia myself+ '#t 0*(e for$otten names that 0 "anted to
remem'er lots of times+ and 0 s#ppose a man "ho for$ets his o"n identity has 8#st
a'o#t the same symptoms as someone "ho for$ets the identity of another Person& 0n
other "ords+ he has spells d#rin$ "hi!h he !an almost $et it& The name does
e(erythin$ '#t pops into his mind+ (anishes a$ain 8#st as soon as he tries to
!on!entrate on
.0 )no" "hat yo# mean+. ra)e said& .Go on from there&.
.0n that !ase* Mason said+ .this man Pa!)ard leads sort of an interr#pted life& -e
"a)es #p in the mornin$+ or has a sho!) of someone+ and !an*t remem'er "ho he is&
-e stans $ropin$ "ith the pro'lem& -e !an almost remem'er+ '#t not ,#ite+ -e
thin)s he*s Carl Pa!)ard of Alta(ille& -e $oes #nder that name for a "hile& Then
somethin$ happens and he for$ets it& A man $ently reminds him of Alta(ille+ and the
asso!iation of ideas 'rin$s the name Pa!)ard 'a!) to his mind& Bor a moment he
thin)s he*s Pa!)ard+ '#t 8#st as soon as the effe!t of s#$$estion is "ithdra"n+ he
!an*t remem'er "ho he is.
ra)e said+ .1hat yo# mean is that the man*s name may 'e somethin$ li)e
Pa!)ard+ and he pro'a'ly does !ome from Alta(ille&.
.That*s it+. Mason said& .No"+ there aren*t many names "hi!h so#nd li)e Pa!)ard&
B#t Pa!)ard is the name of an a#tomo'ile& No"+ s#ppose yo# start men at "or) in
Alta(ille+ loo)in$ #p e(ery person "ho has disappeared+ and parti!#larly seein$ if
yo# !an*t lo!ate someone 'y the name of Bord or Lin!oln+ or A#'#rn+ "ho is ta)in$
an a#tomo'ile trip some"here and hasn*t "ritten to any of his friends for se(eral
"ee)s&.
ra)e nodded and said+ .0t*s a $ood h#n!h+ any"ay&.
.No" here*s another one+. Mason said& .Let*s s#ppose this man has one of these
spells+ and there isn*t some do!tor a(aila'le to adroitly s#$$est to him that he really
is Carl Pa!)ard of Alta(ille& Then he*d 'e apt to ta)e some other name& No"+ "e
don*t )no" ho" lon$ he*s 'een here in the !ity& So+ in addition to the Alta(ille an$le+
start men "or)in$ on e(ery disappearan!e "hi!h has 'een reported "ithin the last
t"o months& 0n other "ords+ if a man "al)s o#t of a hotel or apartment and doesn*t
!ome 'a!)+ '#t lea(es his thin$s+ #nder !ir!#mstan!es "hi!h ma)e it loo) as tho#$h
he "asn*t tryin$ to 'eat a hotel 'ill+ "e may ha(e a li(e lead& 0 don*t thin) it*s $oin$
to 'e (ery diffi!#lt to find those !ases 'e!a#se the poli!e "ill ha(e re!ords of all of
them& Get in to#!h "ith the Missin$ Persons B#rea# at head,#arters+ and sift
thro#$h their re!ords& o it in a r#sh+ 'e!a#se the poli!e may ha(e the same h#n!h+
and 0*d li)e to tal) "ith Pa!)ard 'efore the distri!t attorney se"s him #p& And don*t
for$et o!tor 1alla!e said he "as headed for San ie$o& So do some "or) on that
an$le+ too&.
ra)e nodded and said+ .0*ll $et at that ri$ht a"ay& No" here*s somethin$ else Perry
0*m #n!o(erin$ a lot of st#ff a'o#t Pres!ott& Most of it doesn*t ha(e any parti!#lar
si$nifi!an!e and "on*t mean anythin$ #ntil 0*(e $ot eno#$h st#ff to 'e a'le to p#t it
all to$ether in a !omplete report& B#t here*s somethin$ yo# !an $et a lot easier than 0
!an& Pres!ott had an a!!o#nt o(er at the Se!ond Bidelity Sa(in$s Loan& Nat#rally+
they aren*t passin$ o#t information to stran$ers a'o#t the a!!o#nts of their
!#stomers+ '#t 0 did find this o#t There*s somethin$ fishy a'o#t it& Lar$e deposits
"ere made in the form of !ash& And+ #nless Pres!ott*s '#siness "as a $old mine+ he
"as $ettin$ some !ash from o#tside so#r!es&.
.S#re he "as+. Mason said $rimly& .-e $ot t"el(e tho#sand '#!)s o#t of his "ife+
and 0 only hope his a!!o#nt sho"s "here he deposited that m#!h in !ash&.
ra)e said si$nifi!antly+ .0f my information*s !orre!t+ Perry+ t"el(e tho#sand
dollars isn*t a drop in the '#!)et& -e deposited o(er se(enty - fi(e tho#sand dollars
sin!e the first of the year&.
.-e did "hat2. Mason as)ed&
.eposited o(er se(enty - fi(e tho#sand dollars& There*s somethin$ o(er si%ty
tho#sand dollars in the a!!o#nt ri$ht no" in the form of !ash& Mind yo#& Perry+ 0*m
doin$ a lot of $#essin$ on this '#siness nat#rally+ the 'an) isn*t p#ttin$ o#t any
offi!ial information&.
.Yo#*re all "et+. Mason told him& .1hoe(er $a(e yo# the information has 'een
ma)in$ some '#m $#esses&.
.1ell+ that*s the "ay 0 fi$#red it at first+. ra)e admitted+ .'#t my information
isn*t so m#!h a matter of $#ess"or) as yo# mi$ht s#ppose& No"+ here*s my idea&
Yo#*re representin$ his "ido"& She*s entitled to letters of administration+ if there
isn*t a "ill+ or to 'e e%e!#tri% if there is - #nless+ of !o#rse+ the "ill spe!ifi!ally
disinherits her& B#t+ e(en so+ some of this is !omm#nity property No"+ s#ppose yo#
$o do"n to the 'an)+ ha(e a tal) "ith them+ p#t yo#r !ards on the ta'le+ and see if
yo# !an*t $et the information&.
Mason said slo"ly+ .They pro'a'ly "o#ldn*t t#rn loose anythin$ #ntil after she*d
a!t#ally 'een appointed&.
.on*t 'e too s#re+. ra)e said+ .That*s a ni!e+ 8#i!y a!!o#nt They "on*t "ant to
let $o+ too te!hni!al and anta$oni;e the person "ho*s $oin$ to inherit it+ on!e they*re
satisfied that she is $oin$ to inherit it&.
.1ell+. Mason said+ .it*s "orth a try+ any"ay - .
The telephone on ella Street*s des) ran$& She pi!)ed #p the re!ei(er+ listened for a
moment+ then t#rned to Perry Mason and said+ .on*t let me interr#pt+ Chief+ '#t
Aarl -elmold*s on the line& -e*s so e%!ited he !an hardly tal)& -e "ants to see yo#
ri$ht a"ay&.
Mason nodded+ pi!)ed #p his des) phone and said+ .All ri$ht+ Aarl& 1hat is it2.
.9a= 9a= H#i!). -elmold said e%plosi(ely+ and h#n$ #p the re!ei(er&
Mason dropped his phone 'a!) into position+ $rinned a!ross at the dete!ti(e+ and
said+ .Most !ases hit yo# an a"f#l "allop ri$ht in 'et"een the eyes "ith a mess of
!ompli!ated !ir!#mstan!es "hi!h $rad#ally simplify themsel(es "hen yo# start
#nra(elin$ them& This !ase starts o#t "ith a lame !anary and $oes on from there in a
'i$ "ay& E(ery time "e find a ne" thread+ it ma)es the snarl that m#!h "orse&.
ra)e nodded& ./ne other thin$& Perry Yo# !o#ld drop into the oran B#ildin$ and
tal) "ith Geor$e 1ray+ the s#r(i(in$ partner& E(en if yo# !an*t $et any"here "ith
the 'an)+ yo# !an !ertainly $et pla!es "ith 1ray+ 'e!a#se he*ll ha(e to a!!o#nt to
the "ido"+ and+ as her attorney+ yo# !o#ld ma)e thin$s rather disa$reea'le for him
if yo# "anted to& Yo# see+ that*s a partnership+ and+ as 0 #nderstand it+ on the death
of one partner the s#r(i(in$ partner has to "ind #p the '#siness& 0s that ri$ht2.
Mason nodded+ pi!)ed #p his hat+ $rinned at ella Street and said+ .0*m on my "ay+
ella& That*s "hat !omes of hirin$ a hi$h - !lass pri(ate dete!ti(e to do the le$ "or)&
-e drifts into the offi!e "ith a lot of ro#tine reports and sends me r#nnin$ errands
aro#nd the !ity& 0*m $oin$ to $et sha(ed+ then if anythin$ #r$ent !omes #p and yo#
"ant me+ 0*ll either 'e at Pres!ott < 1ray*s offi!es in the oran B#ildin$+ or do"n
at the Se!ond Bidelity Sa(in$s Loan& Come on+ Pa#l+ and "al) as far as the ele(ator
"ith me& There are a !o#ple of ,#estions 0 "ant to as) yo#& -o" a'o#t the $#n the
poli!e fo#nd2 1as it the "eapon "ith "hi!h the m#rder "as !ommitted2.
.0*ll say it "as& Not only that+ '#t they*(e tied it #p to ris!oll 'y a man#fa!t#rer*s
n#m'er and a sales re!ord& All three of the fatal '#llets "ere dis!har$ed from that
$#n+ and at !lose ran$e& There "ere po"der '#rns on the !lothin$ and s)in&.
.1hat time did death o!!#r2. Mason as)ed+ holdin$ the door open for the
dete!ti(e&
.The a#topsy s#r$eon isn*t too definite+. ra)e said& .Yo# )no" ho" it is+ Perry&
They #sed to pro'e aro#nd in a $#y*s di$esti(e apparat#s+ tal) a'o#t ri$or mortis+
and $i(e yo# a time as tho#$h they*d 'een standin$ 'y the side of the (i!tim+ holdin$
a stop "at!h+ "hen he !roa)ed& Then that Thelma Todd !ase+ and the 3attlesna)e
M#rder !ase+ and a !o#ple of others hit them ri$ht "here they li(ed+ and they*(e
'een so !a$ey e(er sin!e they "on*t fi% a definite time&.
.0 )no"+. Mason told him+ rin$in$ for the ele(ator& .1hat*s the 'est they !an do in
this !ase2.
.Bet"een noon and t"o - thirty+ and that*s as far as they*ll $o - .
.My God=. Mason e%!laimed+ .they fo#nd the 'ody 'efore fi(e o*!lo!) didn*t
they2.
.Somethin$ li)e that+ '#t 'et"een noon and t"o - thirty is the 'est yo# !an $et them
to do& That s#its the poli!e all ri$ht+ 'e!a#se it 'rin$s the earliest time limit 8#st
"ithin the time 9immy ris!oll "as seen in the ho#se "ith the $#n&.
Mason ran$ a$ain me!hani!ally for the ele(ator& -is eyes "ere slitted in tho#$ht&
.1o#ldn*t it+. he said+ .'e a f#nny tri!) for 3ita to play on her sister if - .
The ele(ator !a$e slid smoothly into position& The door $lided 'a!) and Mason said+
./)ay+ Pa#l+ )eep "or)in$ on those other an$les& Get in to#!h "ith me if yo# find
o#t anythin$&.
-e "as still fro"nin$ in tho#$htf#l !ontemplation as he entered -elmold*s pet store&
.1ell+ "hat is it2. he as)ed of the e%!ited proprietor&
.They too) it+ -err Co#nselor& They too) it=. -elmold said e%!itedly&
.Yo# mean the !anary2.
.9a= 9a= They !ame+ the poli!e+ "ith many ,#estions+ and they too) the !anary&.
.id they as) yo# a'o#t his 'ein$ lame2.
.Not as)ed& B#t they loo)ed at his feet&.
.id they seem to )no" anythin$ a'o#t !anaries2.
.Not them+ '#t they tal) of ta)in$ him to an e%pert&.
Mason nodded and said+ .1ell+ don*t let it 'other yo#+ Aarl& 0t*s 8#st one of those
thin$s& 0 tried to $et that !anary o#t of the "ay+ '#t 0 !o#ldn*t do anythin$ "itho#t
in(ol(in$ yo#+ and 0 didn*t "ant to do that&.
.0t is e(iden!e2. -elmold as)ed&
Mason nodded and said+ .They thin) it is+ any"ay& All ri$ht+ Aarl& Than)s a lot for
tellin$ me&.
Mason dropped in at his 'ar'er shop and "as sha(ed& Then he !alled a !a'+ "ent to
the oran B#ildin$+ sa" from the dire!tory Pres!ott < 1ray "ere in 45@+ too) the
ele(ator to the third floor+ "al)ed do"n the !orridor to the inside offi!es+ p#shed
open the entran!e door+ and said to a red - headed $irl "ho s#r(eyed him "ith
snappy 'l#e eyes+ .0*m Perry Mason& 0 "ant to see Geor$e 1ray& Tell him it*s
important&.
-e "at!hed her idly "hile her deft fin$ers flipped o(er a telephone )ey+ and heard
her transmit the messa$e& She nodded to"ard a door mar)ed .Pri(ate+. and said+
.Mr& 1ray said for yo# to !ome ri$ht in&.
Before Mason had rea!hed the door+ it "as p#shed open 'y a !h#n)y man of forty+
"ho !lamped Mason*s o#tstret!hed hand in a !ordial $rip and said+ .Mr& Mason=
This indeed is a pleas#re= 0*(e heard a lot a'o#t yo#+ read a lot in the papers+ '#t
hardly e%pe!ted to 'e so fort#nate as to meet yo# in the flesh& Come in= Come ri$ht
in= Come in and sit do"n&.
Mason t#rned to say o(er his sho#lder to the red head at the des)+ .0f anyone sho#ld
!all+ as)in$ for Mr& Mason+ "ill yo# see that 0*m !onne!ted2.
-er eyes sho"ed interest as she loo)ed him o(er in fran) appraisal& .S#re+. she
said&
Mason allo"ed 1ray to pilot him to a !hair& The a#tomati! door !he!) s"#n$ the
door firmly sh#t&
.1ell+ "ell+ 0*m $lad to see yo#+. 1ray said+ ass#min$ the !on(ersational a$$ressi(e
at on!e& .0*d tho#$ht some of !omin$ to yo#r offi!e '#t 0 reali;ed ho" '#sy yo#
"ere+ and didn*t "ant to intr#de on yo#& This is a most #nfort#nate o!!#rren!e=
o#'ly #nfort#nate 'e!a#se 1alter*s "ife is in(ol(ed& 0 !an*t #nderstand ho" the
poli!e !o#ld s#spe!t her of anythin$ li)e that&.
.Yo# don*t2. Mason as)ed&
1ray shoo) his head (ehemently& .0ndeed not+. he said "ith 'oomin$ finality& .0*(e
)no"n her for ei$ht or nine months& She*s e(ery in!h a lady&.
.Yo# )ne" her 'efore the marria$e then2.
.Yes+ 0 met her almost as soon as 1alter did& They*(e 'een married a'o#t si%
months+ $oin$ on to se(en+ 0 thin)&.
.0t "as a 'rief !o#rtship2.
1ray nodded and 'e!ame s#ddenly non!ommittal+ his 'oomin$+ $enial manner
o's!#red 'y a s!reen of !old+ "at!hf#l !a#tion&
Mason said+ ./f !o#rse+ #nder the !ir!#mstan!es+ ro#tine matters of administration
"ill 'e delayed+ '#t sooner or later& Mrs& Pres!ott "ill 'e entitled to some share of
the estate+ ho" m#!h depends #pon "hether 1alter Pres!ott left a "ill& 0 tho#$ht
perhaps yo#*d li)e to tal) thin$s o(er informally in a preliminary "ay&.
1ray re$ained his $eniality immediately&
.No" listen+ Mr& Mason+ 0*m only too $lad to !ooperate "ith yo# in any "ay& Mrs&
Pres!ott "on*t 'e dependent on any "ill or any estate&.
Mason offered 1ray a !i$arette+ too) one himself+ snapped a po!)et li$hter into
flame and as)ed+ .1hy not2.
.Be!a#se it*s all ta)en !are of&.
.-o"2.
.1alter too) !are of it& 1e ha(e '#siness ins#ran!e !o(erin$ the death of a partner&
-is life is ins#red in my fa(or for t"enty tho#sand dollars+ my life is ins#red in his
fa(or for t"enty tho#sand dollars& The arti!les of partnership pro(ide that in the
e(ent of the death of one of the partners+ the "ife of the de!eased partner "ill
re!ei(e the t"enty tho#sand dollars in !ash+ in lie# of any interest in the
partnership&.
.T"enty tho#sand dollars+ eh2. Mason as)ed&
1ray nodded&
.3ather a lar$e amo#nt+ isn*t it2 0f yo# li,#idated yo#r '#siness+ do yo# thin) it
"o#ld r#n to a $ross of forty tho#sand2.
.No+ 0 don*t+. 1ray admitted+ and added "ith a $rin+ .0n fa!t+ 0 )no" damn "ell it
"o#ldn*t& That "as the idea of ma)in$ the ins#ran!e lar$e eno#$h so there !o#ldn*t
'e any ,#estion a'o#t it& 0n other "ords+ the "ido" of the de!eased partner "o#ld
'e ti!)led to death to ta)e the !ash instead of the half interest in the '#siness& 0n that
"ay+ the s#r(i(or !o#ld )eep the '#siness $oin$ "itho#t ha(in$ to "ind it #p& And
then+ of !o#rse+ "e paid the premi#ms on the ins#ran!e poli!ies o#t of o#r
partnership f#nds and those ins#ran!e poli!ies "ere in the nat#re of a partnership
asset "hi!h a#tomati!ally in!reased o#r assets proportionately&.
.And this "as handled in a partnership a$reement2.
.Yes&.
.id Mrs& Pres!ott si$n that partnership a$reement2.
./h+ yes& She si$ned it+ and my "ife si$ned it& 0t*s all dra"n #p le$al and ship -
shape& 0*m s#rprised Mrs& Pres!ott didn*t tell yo# a'o#t that& Pro'a'ly she didn*t
f#lly #nderstand it& And 0 pres#me she has plenty on her mind ri$ht no" - tell me+
do they a!t#ally ha(e her in 8ail2.
.They*re detainin$ her+. Mason said&
.1ell+ it*s a damn shame - perhaps she doesn*t #nderstand a'o#t this partnership
a$reement& Yo# mi$ht e%plain it to her& This ins#ran!e isn*t part of the estate& The
money "ill !ome to me and 0*ll t#rn it o(er to Mrs& Pres!ott+ a!!eptin$ from her her
release as to any ri$ht in the partnership assets&.
.Mind if 0 ta)e a loo) at that a$reement2. Mason as)ed&
.Not at all+. 1ray said& .0n fa!t+ 0*(e 'een rather anti!ipatin$ yo#*d "ant to see it
and ha(e had 3osa di$ it o#t of the safe&.
.3osa the $irl in the o#ter offi!e2. Mason as)ed&
.Yes+ 3osa -endri%&.
.Been "ith yo# lon$2.
.Not (ery - fo#r or fi(e months& Cery effi!ient and (ery attra!ti(e&.
Mason nodded and #nfolded the le$al - 'a!)ed do!#ment "hi!h 1ray handed him&
After he had read it+ he nodded and said+ .That seems to 'e "ell dra"n&.
.0t is+. 1ray ass#red him& .Co#nsel for the ins#ran!e !ompany !he!)ed it o(er
after o#r la"yer had dra"n it&.
Mason said+ .As 0 #nderstand it+ "hen yo# e%e!#ted that a$reement+ yo#
a#tomati!ally fro;e the (al#e of a one - half interest m this partnership as t"enty
tho#sand dollars& 0f the partnership assets "ere "orth a $reat deal less that that+ the
s#r(i(in$ "ido" "o#ld+ ne(ertheless+ re!ei(e t"enty tho#sand dollars& And if+ on the
other hand+ the partnership assets sho#ld in!rease in (al#e+ the "ido" !o#ldn*t
possi'ly re!ei(e more than t"enty tho#sand dollars&.
.1e intended to ta)e !are of that 'y in!reasin$ the ins#ran!e in the e(ent the
partnership assets sho#ld sho" any s#dden in!rease+. 1ray e%plained&
.0 see+. Mason o'ser(ed& .1o#ld yo# mind $i(in$ me an offhand estimate of the
a!t#al (al#e of the partnership assets2.
1ray lo"ered his eyes+ to stare at the s#rfa!e of the des) for a fe" moments+ then
said+ .1ell+ Mr& Mason+ that*d 'e pretty hard to do& Yo# see+ this is a personal effort
partnership& That is+ "e don*t ha(e assets of the )ind yo#*d ha(e in a mer!handisin$
'#siness+ and - .
.0 #nderstand all that+. Mason interr#pted+ .'#t "hat 0 "ant to )no" is $enerally
"hat "o#ld 'e a fair (al#ation of the partnership assets&.
.1hy+ "hate(er o#r $ood "ill*s "orth&.
.1hat*s that "orth2.
.1hate(er "e !o#ld !o#nt on ta)in$ in thro#$h o#r 8oint efforts&.
.Perhaps+. Mason told him+ .0 !an $et at it another "ay& 1o#ld yo# mind tellin$
me ho" m#!h yo# ea!h too) o#t of the '#siness d#rin$ the last year2.
1ray a(oided Mason*s eyes+ s"#n$ from his offi!e !hair and started for the safe&
-alf"ay there+ he !han$ed his mind+ t#rned aro#nd+ !ame 'a!) to the des)+ sat
do"n and said+ .0 thin) "e too) o#t a'o#t si% tho#sand apie!e&.
.Ea!h of yo# dre" o#t si% tho#sand dollars2.
.Aro#nd that+ yes&.
.Then+. Mason said+ .1alter Pres!ott !o#ldn*t ha(e p#t any money into the
'#siness&.
1ray s#ddenly smiled& -is eyes met Mason*s+ and he said+ ./h+ that*s it& Yo#*re
"onderin$ a'o#t that t"el(e tho#sand dollars 3osalind Pres!ott said she $a(e
1alter to p#t in the '#siness&.
Mason nodded&
1ray said+ .To tell yo# the tr#th+ Mr& Mason+ she*s all "et on that& She didn*t p#t
any money into this partnership&.
.o yo# thin) she $a(e him t"el(e tho#sand dollars2.
.1ell+ it*s hard to say a'o#t that& 0f she says she did+ then 0*d 'e in!lined to a$ree
"ith her&.
.And if 1alter said she hadn*t $i(en him any money+ "o#ld that !han$e yo#r (ie"s
any2.
.That*s rather a to#$h ,#estion&.
.0 )no" it is&.
.1ell+. 1ray said after a moment+ .my ans"er stands&.
.0n that e(ent+. Mason as)ed+ ."hat "o#ld 1alter ha(e done "ith the money2.
1ray la#$hed ner(o#sly& .No" yo#*re as)in$ me to 'e somethin$ of a !lair(oyant&.
.No+. Mason told him+ .0*m not as)in$ yo# to do anythin$ more than ma)e a
$#ess&.
.0 !o#ldn*t $#ess&.
.-o" a'o#t "omen2.
./h+ no+. 1ray hastily ass#red him& .No "omen& 1alter "asn*t that )ind&.
.1hat ma)es yo# thin) he "asn*t2.
.Yo# didn*t )no" him personally2.
.No&.
.1ell+. 1ray said+ .if yo#*d )no"n him+ yo#*d reali;e "hat 0 mean& -e "as sort of
- oh+ sort of !old - 'looded - $a(e yo# the impression of ha(in$ i!e "ater in his (eins
- more the 'oo))eepin$ type& -e didn*t ma)e friends readily and "asn*t m#!h of a
mi%er& 0 'ro#$ht in most of the '#siness& 0 li)e to !ir!#late aro#nd& 1alter - .
-e "as interr#pted 'y the rin$in$ of the telephone on his des)& 1ray do(e to"ard
the re!ei(er "ith an ea$er ala!rity "hi!h sho"ed he "el!omed the interr#ption+
said+ .-ello+. then nodded to Mason and said+ .0t*s for yo#+ Mr& Mason&. -e passed
the telephone o(er+ and Mason said+ .-ello+. heard ra)e*s (oi!e sayin$+ ./)ay+
Perry+ yo# "in&.
.1hat do 0 "in2. Mason as)ed&
.Yo# "in on h#n!hes& 0*(e done some fast "or) and lo!ated this Carl Pa!)ard
#nder another name&.
.1hat*s the other name2. Mason as)ed&
.9ason Bra#n&.
.Bro"n2. Mason as)ed&
.1o+. ra)e said+ .it*s B - r - a - # - n+ 9ason Bra#n&.
./)ay+. Mason said+ ."hat a'o#t 9ason Bra#n2.
.-e disappeared a'o#t t"o "ee)s a$o+ had an apartment on 1est Thirty - fifth
Street+ a 'a!helor pla!e "ith maid ser(i!e+ rent paid #p in ad(an!e+ a fe" friends+ a
spea)in$ a!,#aintan!e "ith the landlady+ s#'s!ription to the daily ne"spaper+ a
!o#ple of $irlfriends "ho o!!asionally dropped in for a !o!)tail+ and the #s#al
'a!)$ro#nd a yo#n$ salesman "o#ld ha(e&
.Then he (anished from si$ht& Ne"spapers piled #p in front of the door& The 'ed
hadn*t 'een slept in& Mail !ame and laid #n!laimed in the 'o%& A s#it at the !leaners
he*d 'een most an%io#s to ha(e ready at a !ertain time "asn*t !alled for& /ne of the
$irlfriends ran$ #p the landlady+ said he*d had a date "ith her and hadn*t )ept it&
She felt s#re somethin$ m#st ha(e happened to him& After tal)in$ "ith her+ the
landlady notified the poli!e& The poli!e fo#nd o#t that he*d ta)en his !ar from the
$ara$e+ as #s#al+ and disappeared& -e*d told the landlady he "as a salesman& No one
seemed to )no" e%a!tly "hat it "as he "as sellin$& The poli!e tried to !he!) 'a!) on
him and !ame #p a$ainst a 'lan) "all& -e "asn*t re$istered as a (oter& They
!o#ldn*t find "here he "as employed& The theory of the poli!e "as that his employer
"o#ld pro'a'ly ma)e a report if it "as a $en#ine disappearan!e& 1hen they didn*t
hear anythin$ f#rther+ they 8#st let the matter drop& They ha(e a !omplete file on the
!ase at the Missin$ Persons B#rea#&.
.-o" do yo# )no" that he*s the man "e "ant2. Mason as)ed&
.Thro#$h the !ar+. ra)e said& .0 "ent to the $ara$e "here he )ept his !ar+ fo#nd
he*d had some "or) done on it re!ently+ $ot the me!hani! "ho did the "or)+ too)
him o#t to the "re!)ed !ar+ sho"ed it to him+ and he identified it a'sol#tely+ pointed
o#t some of the "or) he*d done on it& 1e*re o#t there no"& 0*m telephonin$ from
that dr#$ store&.
.Any e%planation of ho" this !ar happens to 'e re$istered in the name of Carl
Pa!)ard2.
.No+ '#t it*s Bra#n*s !ar+ all ri$ht+ '#t the man#fa!t#rer*s serial n#m'ers on it don*t
a$ree "ith the serial n#m'ers on that re$istration !ertifi!ate&.
.Yo#*re s#re2.
.Yes+ the me!hani! 8#st pointed that o#t to me& 1hen he*d "or)ed on the !ar it had
different li!ense plates on it and had 'een re$istered to 9ason Bra#n& The present
li!ense n#m'ers a$ree "ith the re$istration !ertifi!ate to Carl Pa!)ard+ and the
ma)e and model of !ar is the same& The rest of it is all hay"ire&.
Mason fro"ned tho#$htf#lly& .1ell+ Pa#l+ "e*re $ettin$ some"here no"& 1e !an
start tra!in$ the re$istrations and that other !ar sho#ld $i(e #s a lead& Aeep
"or)in$ on it& 0*ll $i(e yo# a rin$ after a "hile&.
-e h#n$ #p the telephone and said to 1ray+ .1ell+ $ettin$ 'a!) to this partnership
'#siness+ 0*m "onderin$ if - .
.0 'e$ yo#r pardon+. 1ray interr#pted+ .'#t yo# mentioned the name of 9ason
Bra#n o(er the telephone& -e*s not in any
tro#'le+ is he2.
Mason )ept e%pression from his fa!e+ pi!)ed #p his !i$arette from "here 'e had laid
it on the des) "hen he ans"ered the telephone+ and as)ed !as#ally+ .Ano" him2.
.1hy+ yes+. 1ray said& .0 )no" him rather "ell&.
.-o" lon$ sin!e yo#*(e seen him2. Mason in,#ired&
.Yesterday&.
.Mornin$ or afternoon2.
.Mornin$& Tell me+ is anythin$ "ron$2.
.-e "as missin$ from his apartment+. Mason said+ .and his landlady notified the
poli!e&.
1ray 'oomed into hea(y la#$hter& .That+. he pro!laimed+ .is a $ood one= 9ason
Bra#n missin$= Good Lord+ he*s 'een ri$ht aro#nd to"n all the time& 0*(e seen him
t"o or three times d#rin$ the past t"o "ee)s+ and he "as here in the offi!e
yesterday mornin$&.
.1hat*s his line2. Mason in,#ired+ sittin$ 'a!) in the !hair and !rossin$ his lon$
le$s in front of him& 0ns#ran!e2.
.Not e%a!tly+. 1ray said&
Mason sho"ed that he "as "aitin$ for 1ray to ans"er the ,#estion in $reater
detail& The ins#ran!e ad8#ster fid$eted #neasily and said+ .1ell+ after all+ Mr&
Mason+ sin!e yo#*re representin$ Mrs& Pres!ott+ 0 feel yo#*re one of the family and 0
)no" 0 !an tr#st yo#r dis!retion& Bra#n represents the ins#ran!e #nder"riters&.
.A salesman of some sort2. Mason as)ed&
.No+ not a salesman& -e in(esti$ates fires to determine "hether they*re of
in!endiary ori$in& 0f they are+ he )no"s "hat to do& -e*s hi$hly spe!iali;ed&.
.Somethin$ in the nat#re of a dete!ti(e2. Mason in,#ired&
.Yes&.
.1hat "as his '#siness "ith yo# yesterday2. Mason "anted to )no"&
./h+ he didn*t ha(e any parti!#lar '#siness+. 1ray said& .-e dropped in for a
so!ial !hat& As a matter of fa!t+ he*s my "ife*s !o#sin&.
.Any idea "here 0 !o#ld $et in to#!h "ith him no"2. Mason as)ed&
.Thro#$h the Board of Under"riters+. 1ray said& .B#t+ loo) here+ Mason+ 0*d a lot
rather yo# didn*t let them )no" 0*d tipped yo# off to "hat he*s doin$& 0t*s hi$hly
!onfidential+ yo# )no"&.
.The other ins#ran!e ad8#sters don*t )no" a'o#t it2.
.Good Lord+ no=.
.-o" a'o#t yo#r partner+ did he )no" a'o#t it2.
.No+ he*d ne(er met Bra#n& Yo# see+ 9ason )ept his identity pretty "ell mas)ed
'e!a#se so many times he had to pose as a fire - '#$ in order to trap the people he
"as after& And+ in!identally+ that*s "hy this '#siness a'o#t his disappearan!e is a
8o)e& 0 happen to )no" that ri$ht no" he*s "or)in$ on a 'i$ !ase& There ha(e 'een
no less than t"el(e fires in the last si% months "hi!h !an 'e tra!ed 'a!) to one $an$
of fire - '#$s - no proof+ yo# #nderstand+ '#t the #nder"riters are morally !ertain&.
Mason said+ .Loo) here+ 1ray+ 0*m $oin$ to as) yo# to do me a fa(or somethin$
"hi!h "ill 'e of the $reatest 'enefit to Mrs Pres!ott& 0 "ant yo# to $et in to#!h "ith
9ason Bra#n for me& 0 "ant yo# to arran$e for a !onfidential meetin$ at the earliest
possi'le moment& 0 "ant to see him 'efore he sees anyone else& o yo# thin) yo# !an
do it2.
.1hy+ s#re+. 1ray said& .1hy+ 0 !an $et Claire - that*s the
"ife - to lo!ate him "ithin an ho#r&.
.3emem'er+. Mason said+ .he left this apartment t"o "ee)s a$o and hasn*t 'een
heard from sin!e& -e had an en$a$ement "ith a $irlfriend and stood her #p on that
en$a$ement& Confidentially+ there*s some e(iden!e to indi!ate he may 'e s#fferin$
from an impaired memory& Cir!#mstan!es "hi!h 0 "on*t dis!#ss no" indi!ate that -
.
./h 0*m s#re there*s nothin$ li)e that+. 1ray said& .-e*s "or)in$ on a !ase+ that*s
all& Claire "ill )no" a'o#t it& 1hy+ 0 "as tal)in$ "ith him myself yesterday mornin$
and he "as perfe!tly normal&.
.-e re!o$ni;ed yo# then2.
1ray said ./f !o#rse he re!o$ni;ed me& My God+ Mason+ 0 don*t )no" "hat yo#*re
after+ '#t "hate(er it is+ yo#*re 'ar)in$ #p the "ron$ tree& 9ason*s all ri$ht&
Nat#rally+ he*s se!reti(e in his methods+ that*s all&.
.1ell. Mason told him+ .please don*t mis#nderstand me& 0t*s of a'sol#tely (ital
importan!e that 0 tal) "ith 9ason Bra#n& 0 "ant to tal) "ith him 'efore the poli!e
do&.
.The poli!e2.
.Yes& -e may 'e a "itness either for or a$ainst Mrs& Pres!ott&.
.1ell+ he "on*t 'e a "itness a$ainst her+. 1ray said& .Yo# !an depend on that+
'e!a#se 9ason Bra#n "ill tell the tr#th+ and the tr#th "on*t h#rt 3osalind Pres!ott&
0 don*t )no" "ho )illed 1alter+ '#t yo# !an $am'le she didn*t& 0f 9ason Bra#n
)no"s anythin$+ he*ll tell the tr#th& No one !an infl#en!e him one "ay or the other&.
.And yo# thin) yo# !an arran$e for me to inter(ie" him 'efore anyone else does2.
.0*m a'sol#tely !ertain of it+. 1ray said&
Mason $ot to his feet+ too) o#t a !ard and said+ .My telephone n#m'er*s on the
!ard& 1hen yo# rin$ #p+ as) for Miss Street& That*s my se!retary& Tell her "ho yo#
are and she*ll p#t yo# on my line if 0*m there+ or if 0*m o#t she*ll see that yo#r
messa$e $ets to me and 0*ll !all yo# 'a!) "ithin a (ery fe" min#tes&.
1ray !ame aro#nd the des) to sha)e Mason*s hand .Ti!)led to death to do
anythin$ 0 !an+ Mr& Mason+. he said .And+ in!identally+ if Mrs& Pres!ott is in need of
any !ash to !o(er - "ell fran)ly+ to !o(er her retainer to yo#+ 0 !an arran$e to
ad(an!e that !ash& Yo# see+ the money "ill !ome in on that ins#ran!e poli!y "ithin a
fe" days and she*ll 'e entitled to that& So 0*d 'e only too $lad to ma)e an ad(an!e
a$ainst it&.
.0 don*t thin) that*ll 'e ne!essary+. Mason told him+ .'#t it is parti!#larly
important that 0 lo!ate Bra#n& 0f yo# !an arran$e for a !onfidential inter(ie" "ith
him+ 'oth Mrs& Pres!ott and myself "ill )eenly appre!iate it&.
Brederi!) Carpenter+ first (i!e - president of the Se!ond Bidelity Sa(in$s Loan+
t#rned "atery 'l#e eyes on Perry Mason+ listened to the la"yer*s statement of his
errand "ith an e%pressionless !o#ntenan!e+ !a#tio#sly r#''ed the palm of his hand
o(er his 'ald head and said+ .0 see no reason& Mr& Mason+ "hy the 'an) sho#ld
anti!ipate the le$al pro!ed#re in!ident to pro'ate& 1hen Mrs& Pres!ott is appointed
e%e!#tri% or administratri%+ she !an file a !ertified !opy of the letters of
administration "ith #s and "e "ill then 'e (ery $lad to t#rn o(er any money in Mr&
Pres!ott*s a!!o#nt&.
.1ill yo# tell me the amo#nt of that money2.
.0 see no reason for doin$ so&.
.The !o#rt "ill ha(e to ta)e into !onsideration the amo#nt of the estate in fi%in$
'onds in the pro'ate pro!eedin$s+. Mason pointed o#t&
Carpenter nodded+ stro)ed his 'ald spot "ith a !a#tio#s palm for t"o or three
se!onds and then said+ ./f !o#rse+ Mr& Mason+ the !ir!#mstan!es in the present !ase
are some"hat #n#s#al&.
.0n "hat "ay2.
.Mrs& Pres!ott "ill pro'a'ly 'e !har$ed "ith the m#rder of her h#s'and&.
.That doesn*t need to affe!t yo# in the least&.
.0*d "ant an opinion from o#r attorney on that&.
.-o" lon$ "o#ld it ta)e to $et s#!h an opinion2.
.0 !o#ldn*t say&.
.Loo) here+. Mason said sa(a$ely+ .0 don*t )no" ho" m#!h money is here+ '#t it
may 'e rather a lar$e amo#nt& Sooner or later+ Mrs& Pres!ott is $oin$ to ha(e
!omplete !har$e of that money& Yo#r attit#de isn*t one to inspire her "ith any desire
to !o - operate "ith yo# after she $ets in the saddle&.
.0*m sorry+. Carpenter said&
.That doesn*t mean anythin$+. Mason told him&
.0 re$ret the !ir!#mstan!es+. Carpenter amplified&
.And that doesn*t mean a damn thin$+. Mason remar)ed&
.0t*s the 'est 0 !an do&.
.1ell+. Mason said an$rily+ .as attorney for Mrs& Pres!ott+ 0 !an tell yo# ri$ht no"
that yo#r attit#de isn*t appre!iated in the least& 1hen Mrs& Pres!ott is appointed
e%e!#tri% or administratri%+ as the !ase may 'e+ yo#*ll lose the a!!o#nt 8#st as fast as
she !an !he!) it o#t&.
Carpenter o'ser(ed 'landly+ .0t*s #nfort#nate&.
Mason strode from the 'an)+ his an$ry heels po#ndin$ the fla$$ed floor& Behind
him+ Brederi!) Carpenter !ontin#ed to stro)e his 'ald spot "ith an e(en tempo of
!onser(ati(e !a#tion& Then+ as Mason passed thro#$h the s"in$in$ doors+ Carpenter
rea!hed for the telephone on his des)&
Mason pa#sed on his "ay to his offi!e to telephone Pa#l ra)e& .Listen+. he told the
dete!ti(e+ .0 thin) yo#*(e #n!o(ered somethin$ on that 9ason Bra#n an$le& 0*m
"or)in$ on it from one an$le+ '#t that*s no reason yo# sho#ldn*t "or) on it from
another& Confidentially+ the man*s an in(esti$ator for the Board of Bire
Under"riters& -e*s "or)in$ on a !ase ri$ht at present and his disappearan!e may
ha(e 'een deli'erate+ in "hi!h e(ent that amnesia '#siness may ha(e 'een a stall&
No"+ the Board of Under"riters pro'a'ly "on*t 'e an%io#s to $i(e o#t any
information+ if they )no" "hy yo# "ant it& B#t if yo# !an ri$ #p a plant "ho "ill
!laim to ha(e !ertain information a'o#t some in!endiary fires "hi!h ha(e 'een set
"ithin the last t"o or three months+ the !han!es are the Board of Under"riters "ill
send 9ason Bra#n to !all on him& No"+ 0 "ant to $et this an$le !o(ered 'efore the
poli!e $et "ise to it+ so $et '#sy on it&.
./)ay+. ra)e said&
.And one more thin$+. Mason told him+ .$et '#sy on a 3osa -endri% "ho "or)s at
the offi!e of Pres!ott < 1ray& She*s a readhead "ith a !at - s"allo"ed - the - !ream
e%pression& See "hat ma)es her ti!)&.
Chapter >
AS PE33Y MAS/N entered his offi!e+ ella Street motioned to"ard the door
"hi!h led to the o#ter offi!es and said+ .A'ner immi!)+ of immi!)+ Gray
Pea'ody+ and a yo#n$ assistant 'y the name of 3odney C#ff are "aitin$ for yo#&.
Mason "histled&
.1hy the "histle2. she in,#ired&
.immi!)+ Gray Pea'ody are a'o#t the last "ord in le$al aristo!ra!y+. he told her&
.They*re attorneys for some of the 'i$ 'an)s& Their pra!ti!e is mostly !orporate and
pro'ate "or)& No"+ "hat the de(il do yo# s#ppose they "ant "ith me2.
.Perhaps it*s nothin$ important+. she said&
.on*t fool yo#rself+. he told her& .Anytime A'ner immi!) ma)es a trip to my
offi!e+ yo# !an 'et it*s important&.
.o "e sho" them in2.
.3i$ht a"ay+. Mason said+ .and "ith all the little flo#rishes and fanfare of
tr#mpets royalty is s#pposed to !ommand&.
-alf"ay to the door+ ella Street said+ .Yo# don*t s#ppose they represent the 'an)
do yo#+ Chief2.
.Yo# mean the Se!ond Bidelity Sa(in$s Loan2.
.Yes&.
.No" that+. he told her+ .is a tho#$ht& Stay aro#nd and listen to "hat they ha(e to
say+ ella& 0f 0 !o#$h lo#dly+ start ta)in$ notes of the !on(ersation&.
ella nodded+ (anished thro#$h the door+ to ret#rn in a matter of se!onds+ #sherin$
in a "hite - haired man "ith an a!rimonio#s !o#ntenan!e+ a hea(y !ane in his ri$ht
hand p#n!t#atin$ his steps as he "al)ed& Sli$htly 'ehind him "as a yo#n$ man in
the late t"enties+ in "hose !hina - 'l#e eyes $littered a de(il - may - !are t"in)le
"hi!h 'elied the self - effa!in$ manner "ith "hi!h he )ept a step or t"o 'ehind the
older man&
The "hite - haired man in the lead po#nded his "ay a!ross the offi!e& .-o" d*ye
do+. he said e%plosi(ely& .Yo#*re Mason& 0*m immi!) - immi!)+ Gray Pea'ody
Perhaps yo#*(e heard of #s& 0*(e heard of yo#&.
-e shifted his !ane to his left hand+ p#shed for"ard his ri$ht+ said+ .Caref#l no"&
3emem'er+ 0*m an old man& 0*(e $ot rhe#matism m that hand& on*t try to !r#sh my
'ones& This is C#ff+ 3odney C#ff+ my assistant& 0n the offi!e "ith me& on*t )no" yet
"hether or not he*s any $ood& 0sn*t fitted for o#r type of "or)+ any"ay& 1e*re in a
mess+ a de(il of a mess& Perhaps yo#*(e heard a'o#t it&.
Mason shoo) hands "ith C#ff+ motioned his (isitors to !hairs+ and ass#red immi!)
he hadn*t heard of it&
immi!) !lasped his interlo!)ed fin$ers a'o#t the head of the hea(y !ane+ lo"ered
himself $in$erly into the o(erst#ffed leather !hair& C#ff dropped into one of the
plain "ooden !hairs+ !rossed his le$s+ hoo)ed an el'o" o(er the 'a!) of the !hair+
and $a;ed appro(in$ly at ella Street&
A'ner immi!) had a hi$h forehead+ frin$ed "ith $ray hair+ '#shy eye'ro"s "hi!h
raised and lo"ered+ p#n!t#atin$ his remar)s& There "ere hea(y po#!hes #nder his
eyes& -is mo#th "as as de!isi(e as the 8a"s of a steel trap& A st#''y m#sta!he+
mat!hin$ the '#shy eye'ro"s+ $a(e his fa!e an appearan!e of frosty a#sterity&
.1hat*s the matter2. Mason as)ed&
.immi!)+ Gray Pea'ody mi%ed #p in a !riminal !ase2 Can yo# ima$ine it2
amnedest thin$ 1 e(er heard of=.
.Yo# tho#$ht perhaps 0 !o#ld 'e of some help2. Mason as)ed&
immi!) nodded&
3odney C#ff !o#$hed disappro(in$ly& immi!) flashed him a $lan!e and said+ .Go
ahead+ yo#n$ man+ !o#$h yo#r head off& 0 )no" "hat 0*m doin$&.
C#ff lapsed into silen!e and lit a !i$arette& ella Street let her am#sed eyes drift
to"ard Perry Mason&
.1e*re !o#nsel for Se!ond Bidelity Sa(in$s Loan+. immi!) said& .They*re
tr#stees #nder a pro'ate tr#st& The sole 'enefi!iary is a !hap 'y the name of 9ames
ris!oll& No" then+ do yo# $et the pi!t#re2.
Mason settled 'a!) in his s"i(el !hair+ lit a !i$arette and re$arded his (isitors "ith
"ary eyes& .0*m 'e$innin$+. he said+ .to $et the s)et!h&.
.All ri$ht+. immi!) "ent on& .Under the pro(isions of the pro'ate tr#st "ere to
$i(e ris!oll s#!h le$al ad(i!e as he needs& -e isn*t at li'erty to employ any other
!o#nsel e%!ept "ith the permission of the tr#stee& No" then+ he $oes and $ets himself
mi%ed #p in a m#rder !ase and there*s hell to pay&.
.9#st "hy did yo# !ome to me2. Mason as)ed&
.1e "ant yo# to help&.
A$ain 3odney C#ff !o#$hed&
.Yo# mean yo# "ant me to a!t as attorney for 9ames ris!oll2.
.Not e%a!tly that+. immi!) said& .1e "ant yo# to !ooperate "ith #s& 1e*ll
represent him& Yo#*re representin$ 3osalind Pres!ott& Their interests are identi!al
and - .
.Pardon me for interr#ptin$+. Mason said+ .'#t 0*m not satisfied their interests are
identi!al&.
.9#st as 0 "as tellin$ Mr& immi!)+. 3odney !#ff said ea$erly& .0t*s (ery e(ident
that - .
.Sh#t #p+ 3odney=. immi!) said+ "itho#t ta)in$ his eyes from Mason*s fa!e&
.1hat ma)es yo# say their interests aren*t identi!al+ Mr& Mason2.
.Be!a#se 0 don*t thin) they are&.
.Yo# mean yo# thin) 3osalind Pres!ott mi$ht ha(e 'een $#ilty of some !rime that
9ames ris!oll isn*t $#ilty of2 That*s impossi'le&.
.No+. Mason said+ .0 meant it the other "ay&.
immi!) said+ .This is em'arrassin$ to me personally+ Mr& Mason& Cery
em'arrassin$& 0 ne(er tho#$ht my name "o#ld 'e !onne!ted "ith a !riminal !ase&
B#t the 'an) insists 0 m#st s#per(ise the defense personally& 0 !an $et some attorney
"ho spe!iali;es in that sort of thin$ to sit in "ith me if 0 "ant+ '#t #nder the terms
of the tr#st 0 s#ppose 0*m o'li$ated to ta)e personal !har$e& Yo# !an see "here that
lea(es me&.
Mason nodded&
.No"+* then+ "e*re "illin$ to !o - operate "ith yo#+. immi!) said insin#atin$ly&
Mason !o#$hed lo#dly and ella Street+ pi!)in$ #p a pen+ !as#ally slid aro#nd in
her !hair so that her ri$ht el'o" "as propped on the des)& 3odney C#ff said& .-e
si$naled his se!retary to ta)e do"n "hat yo#*re sayin$+ Mr& immi!)&.
immi!) shot his eye'ro"s do"n into a le(el line+. shifted his eyes to $lare
fero!io#sly at ella Street*s poised pen+ then t#rned 'a!) to Mason and said+ .0
don*t $i(e a damn if she does& Sh#t #p+ 3odney&.
There "as a moment of tense silen!e& Then A'ner immi!) "rapped his hands
more ti$htly a'o#t the head of the !ane and said+ .The 'an) telephoned me yo#
"ere do"n there as)in$ ,#estions&.
Mason nodded&
.0t mi$ht 'e a $ood plan to pool o#r information+. immi!) said+ .to "or) o#t a
8oint plan of !ampai$n&.
.Than) yo#+ 0 don*t thin) 0*d !are to do that+. Mason told him& .0 "ant to 'e free to
represent my !lient in "hate(er "ay seems 'est as the sit#ation de(elops&.
.Can*t yo# see+ Mr& immi!)+. 3odney C#ff said impatiently+ .he*s $oin$ to pin the
"hole thin$ on ris!oll if he has a !han!e&.
immi!) !ontin#ed to stare steadily at Perry Mason& .0*m not (ery $ood at this sort
of thin$+ Mr& Mason+. he said& .0 #s#ally let the other man !ome to me& This time
0*m !omin$ to yo#& 0 )no" somethin$ of yo#r s)ill in a !o#rtroom& 0 )no" yo#*d 'e a
(al#a'le ally and a dan$ero#s enemy& No"+ if yo# !o#ld see yo#r "ay !lear to - .
.0*m sorry+. Mason told him+ .'#t 0 !an*t !ommit myself& 0*m $oin$ to "al) into
that !o#rtroom perfe!tly free to do anythin$ "hi!h seems e%pedient& 0*m not $oin$
to 8eopardi;e the interests of my !lient 'y ma)in$ any a$reement "ith anyone&.
C#ff said+ .o yo# mean 'y that+ Mr& Mason+ that yo#*re $oin$ to try to pin the
m#rder on ris!oll2.
.0f 0 thin) ris!oll*s $#ilty+ yes&.
.o yo# thin) he*s $#ilty2.
.0 don*t )no"&.
.0f he*s $#ilty+ yo#r !lient is $#ilty&.
.Not ne!essarily+. Mason said&
A'ner immi!) 'ro#$ht the head of the !ane !lose to the !hair+ p#lled himself
slo"ly to his feet& 3odney C#ff said omino#sly+ .on*t thin) "e*re $oin$ to sit 'a!)
and let yo# pin this thin$ on ris!oll+ Mr& Mason&.
.0 don*t+. Mason told him&
immi!) said irrita'ly+ .1ell+ 0*ll tell yo# fran)ly+ 0 don*t li)e this sort of thin$& 0
don*t li)e !o#rtrooms& 0 don*t li)e 8#ries& 0 don*t li)e !riminal !ases+ and 0*m too old
a do$ to learn ne" tri!)s& B#t 3odney li)es it& 3odney*s father*s an old friend of
mine& 0 promised him 0*d ta)e the 'oy in& -e doesn*t li)e o#r pra!ti!e& -e*s a $reat
admirer of yo#rs+ Mason& All he tal)s a'o#t is tryin$ !ases+ ho" thin$s "ill loo) to a
8#ry& All ri$ht+ 3odney+ this is yo#r !han!e to do yo#r st#ff&.
C#ff dre" himself #p and said+ .Please don*t thin) 0*m !ompletely ine%perien!ed+
Mr& Mason& 0 did ,#ite a 'it of trial "or) in one of the o#tlyin$ !o#nties& My father
"anted me to $et started in the !ity+ and Mr& immi!) promised to ta)e me on& 0
thin) yo#*ll find 0 )no" my "ay aro#nd in a !o#rtroom&.
.Glad to hear it+. Mason said& .Glad to ha(e met yo# 'oth&.
immi!) started stampin$ to"ard the door"ay+ pa#sed to "ait for 3odney C#ff to
open the door& .1ell+. he said+ .0 don*t li)e it& 1hat*s more+ the do!tor tells me 0
m#stn*t $et e%!ited& Aeep !alm& Ta)e it easy& on*t $et an$ry& on*t $et e%!ited&
That*s "hat they tell me& Bah= -ere 0 am+ se(enty - one+ thro"n into a !riminal !ase+
and if 0 $et e%!ited+ it may )ill me& Come on+ 3odney& No need to ta)e #p more of
Mason*s time& Glad 0 met yo#+ Mr& Mason& Good - 'y=.
-e stormed o#t of the door+ and the so#nd of his !ane 'an$in$ do"n the !orridor
"as distin!tly a#di'le #ntil he rea!hed the ele(ator& ella Street loo)ed at Perry
Mason and '#rst o#t la#$hin$& .No" that+. she said+ .is a sit#ation&.
.0*ll tell the "orld it*s a sit#ation+. Mason said+ $rinnin$+ .and one not (ery m#!h to
my li)in$&.
.1hy didn*t yo# a$ree to play 'all "ith them2.
.Be!a#se 0*m not $oin$ to tie myself #p to 9immy ris!oll - not #ntil 0 )no" a lot
more a'o#t "here he fits into the pi!t#re& -e sho"s too m#!h nat#ral aptit#de to
hide 'ehind a "oman*s s)irts to s#it me&.
.Emil S!anlon+ the !oroner+ telephoned and left a messa$e+. she said& .The in,#est
is $oin$ to 'e held toni$ht at ei$ht o*!lo!) and S!anlon says he*d $i(e yo# an
opport#nity to as) an o!!asional ,#estion if yo# "ant& -e says as far as he*s
!on!erned+ he*s $oin$ to thro" the "hole !ase "ide open&*
Mason nodded tho#$htf#lly&
.1on*t that irritate the distri!t attorney*s offi!e2. ella Street as)ed&
./rdinarily it "o#ld+. Mason told her+ .'#t 0 ha(e an idea the distri!t attorney may
'e 'a!) of the mo(e this time& -e*s in somethin$ of a spot& -e m#st smell a rat+ or he
"o#ldn*t ha(e $ra''ed the !anary as e(iden!e& 0f 3osalind too) the $#n instead of
3ita+ he*d hate to !har$e 3ita "ith m#rder 0f the e(iden!e $ets mi%ed #p+ and he
prose!#tes the "ron$ person& -e*s $oin$ to ha(e a hard time 'a!)in$ #p and $oin$
after the* ri$ht one& 0t "o#ld s#it him 8#st as "ell if "e all started fi$htin$&.
.Then yo#*re playin$ ri$ht into his hands2. she as)ed&
.oin$ "hat2.
3ef#sin$ to !o - operate "ith ris!oll*s attorneys2.
.That+. he told her+ .remains to 'e seen& 0*m not $oin$ to let anyone tie my hands&.
.1ell+. she said+ .ri$ht no" yo# ha(e an appointment to $o do"n and ha(e yo#r
passport pi!t#res ta)en& There*s a Mr Smith o(er in the Bederal B#ildin$ "ho "as
on one of yo#r 8#ries on!e& -e*ll r#sh thro#$h the appli!ation&.
Mason nodded+ $rinned+ and said+ ./)ay+ ella+ 0*m $oin$ do"n to ha(e my pi!t#re
ta)en and $et my passport&.
.0*ll let yo# see my passport pi!t#re if yo#*ll let me see yo#rs+. she promised&
.May'e "e sho#ld $et enlar$ements and han$ *em side 'y side in the offi!e so the
!lients !o#ld ha(e a treat. Mason s#$$ested&
She shoo) her head& .Yo# )no" ho" passport pi!t#res are+ 1e*d loo) li)e a !o#ple
of !roo)s&.
Mason pa#sed "ith his hand on the )no' of the door and $rinned a!ross at her&
.1ell+. he as)ed+ .aren*t "e2.
Chapter 17
T-E 3ESP/NS0B0L0T0ES of his offi!e rested li$htly on the sho#lders of En#l
S!anlon+ the !oroner& Tall+ middle-a$ed+ $ood- nat#red+ he re$arded the $r#esome
aftermaths of tra$edies "hi!h flo"ed thro#$h his offi!e "ith the deta!hed interest of
a s!ientist (ie"in$ $#inea pi$s& -e "as a sympatheti! man+ '#t he reser(ed his
sympathies for the li(in$+ "here they !o#ld do some $ood+ rather than for the
man$led remains #pon "hi!h he "as so fre,#ently !alled to hold in,#est&
-e !alled the in,#est to order in a $ood-nat#red+ matter- of-fa!t (oi!e+ his )een eyes
flittin$ o(er the !ro"ded room&
.The 8#ry has no" (ie"ed the remains&. he said+ .and "e*re ready to ta)e
testimony& The pro!eedin$s here are $oin$ to 'e informal& 0n other "ords+ 0*m not
$oin$ to stand on a lot of te!hni!alities& Apparently this man didn*t !ommit s#i!ide&
Three people are 'ein$ held 'y the a#thorities& They*re 3osalind Pres!ott+ the
"ido"+ 3ita S"aine+ the de!edent*s sister- in-la"+ and 9ames ris!oll& ris!oll
"ai(ed e%tradition and is here& Miss S"aine and the "ido" ref#sed to "ai(e
e%tradition and are not here+ so "e !an*t !all them as "itnesses& /s!ar /(ermeyer+
the dep#ty distri!t attorney+ is representin$ the interests of The People& Perry Mason
is representin$ Miss S"aine and Mrs& Pres!ott+ and 3odney C#ff is representin$ Mr&
ris!oll& No"+ o'(io#sly+ if these attorneys start $ettin$ te!hni!al and are allo"ed to
$et a"ay "ith it+ "e*ll 'e here all ni$ht& The idea of this in,#est isn*t to pro(e
any'ody $#ilty 'eyond all reasona'le do#'t+ it*s simply to as!ertain ho" the
de!edent met his death& 0n other "ords+ "e "ant to )no" 8#st "hat !a#sed 1alter
Pres!ott to die& And if the pro'a'ilities are someone )illed him+ "e "ant to )no"
"ho that someone "as&
.No"+ 0*m to $o ahead "ith this in,#est+ and if any of the interested parties "ant to
!ooperate "ith me+ 0*ll 'e $lad to ha(e them& B#t 0*m not $oin$ to ha(e this in,#est
#sed as an e%!#se to mi% thin$s #p& o yo# $entlemen #nderstand me2.
The three attorneys nodded&
.The first "itness+. S!anlon said+ ."ill 'e Geor$e 1ray&.
1ray held #p his hand and "as s"orn&
.Yo#*(e seen the remains of the de!edent2. S!anlon as)ed&
.Yes&.
.Can yo# identify them2.
.A'sol#tely& Those are the remains of 1alter Pres!ott+ "ho "as my partner in the
firm of Pres!ott < 1ray&.
.1hat sort of '#siness2. S!anlon as)ed&
.0ns#ran!e ad8#stin$&.
.1hen did yo# last see him ali(e2.
.The day 'efore yesterday&.
.id yo# tal) "ith him yesterday2.
.Yes&.
./(er the telephone2.
.That*s ri$ht&.
.At "hat time2.
.At appro%imately fi(e min#tes to t"el(e& 0 happened to loo) at the !lo!) at the
time&.
.id he say "here he "as2.
.No+ he didn*t& -e said he e%pe!ted to arri(e at the offi!e d#rin$ the first part of the
afternoon+ and 0 happened to* noti!e the time "hen he "as telephonin$ 'e!a#se 0*d
had rather a '#sy mornin$ and had more or less lost tra!) of time&.
.1hat time "as it2.
.Almost e%a!tly fi(e min#tes of t"el(e& 0 thin) it "as a'o#t fi(e and one-half
min#tes&.
.By an offi!e !lo!)2.
.Yes&.
.Yo#*(e !he!)ed that offi!e !lo!) sin!e2.
.Yes+ it*s an ele!tri! !lo!)& 0t*s a'sol#tely ri$ht to the se!ond&.
.That*s all+. the !oroner said&
.May 0 as) one ,#estion2. Perry Mason in,#ired&
The !oroner nodded his permission+ and Mason said+ .id yo# $o o#t to l#n!h
shortly after that telephone !on(ersation+ Mr& 1ray2.
.0mmediately after"ards+. 1ray said&
.That*s all+ than) yo#&.
r& -#'ert+ an a#topsy s#r$eon+ "as !alled+ identified three '#llets+ one of "hi!h
had 'een ta)en from the 'ody of the de!eased+ the remainin$ pair ha(in$ 'een
fo#nd in the room after ha(in$ e(idently passed entirely thro#$h the de!edent*s
'ody&
The physi!ian des!ri'ed the !o#rse of the '#llets& /ne of them had infli!ted a "o#nd
"hi!h "o#ld not ne!essarily ha(e 'een fatal& The other t"o infli!ted "o#nds "hi!h
"ere instantaneo#sly fatal& Po"der mar)s indi!ated the shots had 'een fired at !lose
ran$e& -e des!ri'ed ho" the 'ody had 'een fo#nd+ and testified that death had 'een
instantaneo#s& -e fi%ed the time of death as 'et"een noon and t"o-thirty in the
afternoon& The 'ody had 'een dis!o(ered shortly 'efore fi(e o*!lo!) in the e(enin$&
E&H& 9ames+ a !riminolo$ist atta!hed to the distri!t attorney*s offi!e+ identified a
$#n+ to$ether "ith mi!rophoto$raphs of test '#llets "hi!h had 'een fired from that
$#n "hi!h sho"ed that they "ere identi!al "ith the three '#llets "hi!h had 'een
pla!ed in e(iden!e 'y the a#topsy s#r$eon&
The !oroner !alled Stella Anderson& She strode #p to the "itness stand+ 'a!) ri$id+
!hin #p+ eyes flashin$+ her fl#shed fa!e sho"in$ her en8oyment at findin$ herself in
the limeli$ht& 1hile she testified as to her name and residen!e+ ne"spaper
photo$raphers snapped flashli$ht photo$raphs of her on the "itness stand&
Under ,#estionin$ 'y the !oroner+ she repeated "hat she had seen in the Pres!ott
ho#se the pre(io#s day&
.And yo# sa" this yo#n$ man $i(e the yo#n$ "oman a $#n2. S!anlon as)ed&
.Yes+ Sir+ 0 sa" him hand her a $#n& She opened the dra"er in the des) and p#shed
it do"n in 'ehind the dra"er+ then !losed the dra"er&.
.1ho "as this man2.
.That man sittin$ ri$ht there& The one in the 'l#e s#it&.
.Yo# mean 9ames ris!oll2 &&& Stand #p+ Mr& 9ames ris!oll&&&& 0s that the man+ Mrs&
Anderson2.
.Yes - that is+ he*s the man 0 sa" r#nnin$ o#t of the Pres!ott ho#se ri$ht after the
a!!ident+ and he loo)s 8#st li)e the man 0 sa" "ith the $#n& Yo# see+ those "indo"s
ha(e (ery thin la!e !#rtains 'ehind them+ and yo# !an*t see ,#ite as !learly as if they
"eren*t there& Not ,#ite+ '#t pretty near& 0*m pretty positi(e that man 0 sa" "ith the
$#n "as this yo#n$ man+ 9ames ris!oll&.
.No"+ "ho "as this "oman2.
She ra!ed him fran)ly and said+ .0 don*t )no"& 0 tho#$ht it "as 3osalind Pres!ott&
B#t later on+ 3ita S"aine appeared at the "indo" "earin$ e%a!tly that same dress+
and tryin$ to ma)e me thin) - .
.Ne(er mind "hat she tried to ma)e+ yo# thin)+. the !oroner said& .9#st tell "hat
yo# sa"&.
Mrs& Anderson pressed her lips ti$htly to$ether and said+ .1ell+ 0 ha(e my o"n
opinion&.
There "as a titter in the room+ "hi!h "as silen!ed 'y the !oroner*s $a(el& .9#st
"hat did yo# see+ Mrs& Anderson2. he as)ed&
.0 sa" 3ita S"aine standin$ at the "indo" and !lippin$ the !anary*s !la"s&.
.1hi!h foot+ the ri$ht or the left2.
.The ri$ht&.
The !oroner than)ed her+ e%!#sed her from the stand+ and nodded to"ard ris!oll+
"ho sat 'et"een a dep#ty sheriff on one side and 3odney C#ff on the other&
.Mr& ris!oll+. the !oroner said+ .as a matter of form+ 0*m $oin$ to as) yo# to ta)e
the stand and ans"er some ,#estions& 0 reali;e+ of !o#rse+ that yo#r attorney "on*t
allo" yo# to ans"er them+ '#t+ 8#st for the sa)e of )eepin$ the re!ord !lear+ 0 "ant
yo#r ref#sal to ans"er my ,#estions to appear in the re!ord of this in,#est&.
3odney C#ff+ on his feet+ "as smilin$ and #r'ane& -is (oi!e+ seemin$ly ele(ated
hardly a'o(e a !on(ersational tone+ filled the !ro"ded room "ith a (i'rant
resonan!e& .0 thin)+. he said+ .yo#r -onor mis#nderstands o#r position& 0t is only
the $#ilty "ho need to ta)e ref#$e in te!hni!alities& So far as 9ames ris!oll is
!on!erned+ he "ill #nhesitatin$ly ans"er any ,#estion p#t to him 'y the !oroner or
the dep#ty distri!t attorney&.
There "as a ripple of a#di'le s#rprise in the room& S!anlon e%!han$ed p#;;led
$lan!es "ith the dep#ty distri! attorney+ then s"ore ris!oll as a "itness&
.Yo#*re a!,#ainted "ith the de!edent+ Mr& ris!oll2. the !oroner as)ed&
.Yes+ 0*d met him+ on!e or t"i!e&.
.Yo# "ere a!,#ainted "ith Mrs& Pres!ott2.
.Yes&.
.-o" lon$ had yo# )no"n her2.
.Somethin$ o(er ei$hteen months&.
.-ad yo# at one time 'een en$a$ed to her2.
.Yes&.
.1hat happened to that en$a$ement2.
ris!oll moistened his lips "ith his ton$#e and said+ .0t "as 'ro)en 'e!a#se of a
,#arrel&.
.-o" soon after that did she marry the de!edent2.
.1ithin a month&.
.No" then+ Mr& ris!oll+ 0*ll as) yo# if a letter "as "ritten 'y yo# and sent to Mrs&
Pres!ott in "hi!h yo# s#$$ested she lea(e her h#s'and and $et a di(or!e&.
.The letter itself is the 'est e(iden!e+. Mason o'8e!ted&
C#ff smiled& .0 #nderstand Mr& Mason*s o'8e!tion perfe!tly+. he said& .B#t
,#estions and ans"ers "ill ne(er in!riminate this "itness 'e!a#se he*s !ompletely
inno!ent& Go ri$ht ahead and ans"er the ,#estion+ 9immy&.
ris!oll said+ .0 "rote s#!h a letter+ si$ned it+ p#t it in a stamped+ addressed
en(elope+ and mailed it to Mrs& Pres!ott& That "as+ 0 'elie(e+ fo#r or fi(e days a$o&.
.0n this letter yo# ad(ised Mrs& Pres!ott to lea(e her h#s'and2. the !oroner as)ed&
.Yes&.
.Yo# didn*t feel friendly to"ard him2.
.0 did not& 0 tho#$ht he "as a !roo) and a !heat&.
.Yo# "ere 8ealo#s of him2.
.0n a "ay+ yes&.
.Yo# had reason to hate him2.
.Bran)ly+ 0 did&.
The !oroner $lan!ed appealin$ly at C#ff+ then o(er to the dep#ty distri!t attorney+
and said+ .0*(e ne(er heard anythin$ ,#ite li)e this&.
/(ermeyer nodded& 3odney C#ff said !ordially+ .Go ri$ht ahead+ yo#r -onor&
Yo#*re doin$ fine& /r "o#ld yo# prefer to ha(e me as) the ,#estions2.
.No+. the !oroner said+ .0*ll as) them& No"+ yo# "ere in 1alter Pres!ott*s ho#se
yesterday mornin$+ Mr& ris!oll2.
.Yes&.
.At a'o#t "hat time2.
.At a'o#t the time mentioned 'y Mrs& Anderson& 0 didn*t loo) at my "at!h+ '#t it
"as 8#st a fe" min#tes after ele(en "hen 0 arri(ed&.
.id 1alter Pres!ott )no" yo# "ere !omin$2.
.No&.
.-ad he in(ited yo# to (isit his ho#se2.
.No&.
.Yo# "ent there for the p#rpose of seein$ his "ife2.
.Yes&.
.Yo# sa" her2.
.Yes&.
.And yo# armed yo#rself 'efore $oin$ to the ho#se2.
.0 did& 1alter Pres!ott had threatened to )ill her& 0 !onsidered him f#lly !apa'le of
doin$ 8#st that& 0 intended to prote!t her from him&.
.By #sin$ that "eapon2.
.0 didn*t thin) 0*d need to #se it+ '#t 0 "anted her to ha(e it so she !o#ld #se it if she
had to in order to defend herself&.
.id yo# ma)e any protestations of lo(e or affe!tion to Mrs& Pres!ott2.
.0 did+. ris!oll said+ "ith some feelin$& .0 !o#ldn*t 'ear the tho#$ht of her 'ein$
#nhappy& My emotions $ot the 'est of me& 0 too) her in my arms and told her 0 still
lo(ed her that 0 had al"ays lo(ed her&.
-e "as leanin$ sli$htly for"ard in the !hair no"+ 'reathin$ rapidly& Press
photo$raphers p#shed for"ard& Cameras !li!)ed a#di'ly&
The !oroner said+ .Let*s not ha(e any mis#nderstandin$ a'o#t this+ Mr& ris!oll&
id yo# )ill 1alter Pres!ott2.
.0 did not&.
.id yo# )no" he "as dead2.
.Not #ntil lon$ after 0 had left the ho#se&.
.1ill yo# des!ri'e 8#st "hat yo# did in the ho#se after+ let #s say+ ele(en-thirty2.
.0 "as tal)in$ "ith Mrs& Pres!ott a'o#t her finan!ial affairs and the em'e;;lement
of some t"el(e tho#sand dollars of her money 'y her h#s'and& -e had deli'erately
manip#lated her affairs so he !o#ld steal this money&.
.o 0 #nderstand yo# !omm#ni!ated these sentiments to 1alter Pres!ott*s "ife2.
.E%a!tly+. ris!oll said "ith feelin$& .-e*d s"indled her+ lied to her and !heated
her& -e only married her for her money& 0 felt that he*d forfeited any ri$hts he mi$ht
ha(e had as a h#s'and&.
.B#t yo# )ne" the la" re$arded him as her le$al h#s'and and still !lothed him "ith
the ri$hts of a h#s'and2.
.Yes&.
.Yo# )ne" there*d 'een no s#it for di(or!e filed2.
.Yes&.
.And yet+ 'efore yo# left that ho#se+ yo# "ere plannin$ to r#n a"ay "ith this
"oman2.
.0 "as plannin$ to ta)e her to 3eno+ "here she !o#ld instit#te a di(or!e a!tion& At
first 0 intended to let her $o 'y herself& Later on 0 de!ided to 8oin her on her trip&.
.And yo# did so2.
.0 did&.
.id yo# )no" 1alter Pres!ott "as dead "hen yo# left the ho#se2.
.0 did not&.
.Let*s $et 'a!) no" to "hat yo# "ere doin$ after ele(en- thirty&.
.0 lost my self-!ontrol and too) Mrs& Pres!ott in my arms and told her that 0 lo(ed
her& Mrs& Anderson+ "at!hin$ from the ad8oinin$ ho#se+ !an 'ear "itness to that&
Stella Anderson nodded (i$oro#sly&
The !oroner said+ .Ne(er mind+ Mrs& Anderson& Yo#*re not on the "itness stand
no"& Yo#*(e already $i(en yo#r testimony& Go ahead+ Mr& ris!oll& Tell #s "hat
happened after that&.
.After that 0 stepped into the other room to telephone the airport to $et a
reser(ation on the plane for Mrs& Pres!ott& 0 had 8#st a'o#t finished telephonin$
"hen an a#tomo'ile a!!ident o!!#rred in front of the pla!e& 0 ran o#t to render "hat
assistan!e 0 !o#ld+ and then ret#rned& Ano"in$ that+ 'e!a#se of the a!!ident+ 0
mi$ht 'e s#'poenaed at any moment as a "itness to that a!!ident+ and not "ishin$
to lea(e 3osalind Pres!ott #nprote!ted+ 0 too) the re(ol(er from my po!)et and $a(e
it to her& That*s the Smith < 1esson &45 !ali'er re(ol(er "hi!h has 'een introd#!ed
in e(iden!e here& 0t "as my re(ol(er+ '#t at the time 0 $a(e it to Mrs& Pres!ott& 0t had
not 'een fired& She told me that her h#s'and had threatened to ta)e her life+ and 0
"anted her to ha(e some means of prote!tin$ herself&.
.Then "hat did yo# do2.
.Then 0 left the ho#se and ran into a !o#ple of radio offi!ers& They too) my name+
li!ense n#m'er+ and address+ and told me 0 mi$ht 'e a "itness& 0 told them 0*d 'een
telephonin$ at the time and hadn*t seen anythin$ of "hat had o!!#rred+ '#t that
didn*t seem to ma)e any differen!e "ith them& Then 0 ret#rned to Pres!ott*s ho#se+
told 3osalind Pres!ott that my identity had 'een dis!o(ered and 0 "as afraid 1alter
"o#ld ma)e some tro#'le+ so 0 s#$$ested "e 'oth lea(e at on!e for 3eno&.
.1hat did she say2.
.She a$reed&.
.id she pa!) a 'a$2.
.9#st a little o(erni$ht 'a$+ some !reams and thin$s& She !han$ed her dress+ and "e
left at on!e 'y the side entran!e&.
.1as there any !on(ersation a'o#t "hat Mrs& Anderson mi$ht ha(e seen2.
.There "as& Mrs& Pres!ott felt !ertain Stella Anderson had 'een spyin$ on #s that
she*d seen "hat had ta)en pla!e&.
Stella Anderson 8#mped to her feet and e%!laimed indi$nantly+ .0 "asn*t spyin$= 0
ne(er spy& 0 mind my o"n '#siness and - .
The !oroner*s $a(el 'an$ed into silen!e& .Yo#*ll ha(e to 'e seated and )eep ,#iet+
Mrs& Anderson+. he said+ .or else lea(e the room&.
9immy ris!oll seemed to pay no attention "hate(er to the interr#ption& 1ith the
air of a man "ho has an #npleasant d#ty to perform+ '#t is determined to dis!har$e
it faithf#lly+ he+ said+ .Before o#r depart#re+ "e had some dis!#ssion a'o#t "hat "e
!o#ld do to pre(ent Mrs& Anderson from tellin$ 1alter Pres!ott "hat she had seen&
3osalind !on!ei(ed the idea of ha(in$ her sister !ome o(er+ dress #p in the same
dress Mrs& Pres!ott had 'een "earin$+ and appear at the "indo" "here Mrs&
Anderson !o#ld $et a $ood loo) at her fa!e& 1e telephoned Miss S"aine from the
airport& 0 listened to 3osalind Pres!ott*s !on(ersation+ and heard the instr#!tions
she $a(e Miss S"aine&.
.Then "hat did yo# do2.
.Then "e fle" to 3eno&.
.id yo# )no" 1alter Pres!ott "as dead at that time2.
.No - "hat*s more+. ris!oll said !almly+ .0 !an pro(e that 0 didn*t )ill him+ and
that 0 didn*t ha(e anythin$ to do "ith his death&.
C#ff $ot to his feet 'elli$erently and said+ .0 demand that my !lient 'e $i(en an
opport#nity to pro(e his inno!en!e&.
.No one*s stoppin$ him+. S!anlon said $ood-nat#redly&
/(ermeyer said+ .0 "ant the re!ord to sho"+ and Co#nsel to #nderstand+ the
attit#de of the distri!t attorney*s offi!e is that of ma)in$ an impartial+ independent
in(esti$ation& 1e*re not tryin$ to pin this !rime on anyone& 1e "ant the fa!ts+ that*s
all&.
.Go ahead+. 3odney C#ff said to ris!oll&
Perry Mason stirred #neasily in his seat+ started to say somethin$+ then lapsed into
silen!e&
ris!oll said+ .1alter Pres!ott "as ali(e at ele(en fi(e& -e telephoned his partner at
that time& Bi(e min#tes later+ 8#st as the noon "histles "ere 'lo"in$+ there "as an
a#tomo'ile a!!ident in front of Pres!ott*s ho#se& 0 ran o#t and helped remo(e the
in8#red man from the !o#pe& 0 then ret#rned to Pres!ott*s ho#se and $a(e 3osalind
Pres!ott the $#n "ith "hi!h+ the e(iden!e sho"s+ the m#rder m#st ha(e 'een
!ommitted& That $#n "as pla!ed 'a!) of the dra"er in the des)+ and "as
s#'se,#ently fo#nd there 'y the poli!e& No"+ from that time
#ntil the time 0 left the ho#se the "itness+ Stella Anderson+ "as "at!hin$ that room&
She didn*t see anyone ta)e the $#n o#t from 'ehind the dra"er in the des)& At
,#arter past t"el(e 3osalind Pres!ott and 0 left the ho#se 'y the side door-that*s the
one "hi!h opens on Bo#rteenth Street+ and "ent to the airport+ "here "e too) the
ne%t plane o#t and "ent to 3eno&.
Emil S!anlon said (ery sed#!ti(ely+ .That+ of !o#rse+ lea(es a $ap 'et"een ele(en
fifty-fi(e and t"el(e o*!lo!)& Not a $reat deal of time+ to 'e !ertain+ '#t one+
ne(ertheless+ "ithin "hi!h a shot !o#ld easily ha(e 'een fired&.
ris!oll said+ .#rin$ that time+ 0 "as en$a$ed in telephonin$&.
.Co#ld yo# pro(e that2. the dep#ty distri!t attorney as)ed&
.Yes+. 3odney C#ff said+ ans"erin$ for the "itness& .0f 0 may 'e allo"ed to !all a
"itness 0 !an pro(e my point&.
S!anlon hesitated for a moment+ $lan!ed at the dep#ty distri!t attorney+ then at
3odney C#ff+ then 'a!) to /s!ar /(ermeyer&
/(ermeyer slo"ly+ almost imper!epti'ly+ nodded his head+ and Emil S!anlon said+
.Cery "ell+ "e*ll $rant yo# permission to p#t on a "itness& 0t*s rather irre$#lar to
handle the thin$ in this "ay+ '#t this is a pe!#liar !ase and "e*re an%io#s to $et at
"hat a!t#ally happened&.
There "as somethin$ of tri#mph in 3odney C#ff*s manner as he $ot to his feet and
said+ .That*s all+ Mr& ris!oll& Yo# may lea(e the stand for the moment and 0*ll !all
9a!)son 1eyman as my first "itness&.
A slender-'#ilt man in the early forties $ot to his feet and started to lea(e the room&
.That*s 1eyman+. 3odney C#ff said& .0 "ant him as a "itness&.
An offi!er stopped 1eyman at the door& 1eyman t#rned and said+ .0*m not $oin$ to
'e a "itness& 0 didn*t !ome here to 'e !alled to the "itness stand&.
-is left eye "as dis!olored and 'loodshot& A pie!e of $a#;e+ held in pla!e 'y adhesi(e
tape+ !o(ered the top of his forehead+ and another smaller 'it of tape "as on his
ri$ht !hee)&
.0 demand he 'e !alled as a "itness+. C#ff said&
.Come for"ard and 'e s"orn+ Mr& 1eyman+. the !oroner ordered&
.0*m not $oin$ to do any s#!h thin$+. 1eyman said+ his (oi!e s#rly& .0 don*t "ant to
'e a "itness+ and yo# !an*t ma)e me& 0*m a hell of a loo)in$ spe!imen to $et on the
"itness stand=.
The !ro"d roared "ith la#$hter+ "hi!h S!anlon made no effort to !he!)& 1hen it
had s#'sided+ he said+ .Come for"ard and 'e s"orn+ any"ay+ Mr& 1eyman&.
.0*m not $oin$ to tell anythin$+. 1eyman said do$$edly&
The $ood-nat#red smile didn*t lea(e the !oroner*s lips+ '#t his eyes s#ddenly 'e!ame
hard& .0 thin)+. he said $ently+ .yo#*re in error on that point+ Mr& 1eyman& /ffi!er+
'rin$ him for"ard&.
The offi!er too) 1eyman*s arm and said+ .Come on+ '#ddy& This "ay&.
1eyman+ his temper flarin$ #p+ 8#mped 'a!) and lashed o#t a 'lo" at the offi!er&
The ne%t instant he fo#nd himself $ra''ed "ith a stran$le hold+ sp#n neatly aro#nd+
and then r#shed do"n the !orridor to"ard the "itness !hair+ "hile the spe!tators set
#p a deli$hted titterin$&
S!anlon said+ .-old him there 8#st a min#te+ Mr& /ffi!er& 0 "ant to say somethin$ to
him& &&& No"+ Mr& 1eyman+ this is an in,#est& The !oroner has the po"er to
s#'poena "itnesses and ma)e them testify& 0f yo# diso'ey me yo#*re $oin$ to 8ail& 0
don*t "ant to ha(e any tro#'le+ '#t if yo# )no" anythin$ a'o#t this !ase+ "e*re
$oin$ to find it o#t&&&& -a(e yo# 'een drin)in$2.
1eyman said in a s#rly (oi!e+ .0*(e had a drin) or t"o&.
.3aise yo#r ri$ht hand and 'e s"orn+. the !oroner ordered sternly&
The offi!er released his hold+ and 1eyman+ s!o"lin$ sa(a$ely+ raised his ri$ht hand
and "as s"orn&
S!anlon indi!ated the "itness !hair+ and 3odney C#ff stepped for"ard& .Mr&
1eyman+. he said+ .yo# remem'er the a#tomo'ile a!!ident "hi!h too) pla!e in
front of 1alter Pres!ott*s home2.
.1ell+ "hat if 0 do2.
.Yo# li(e ne%t door to Pres!ott2.
.Yes&.
.And yo# sa" that a!!ident2.
.Yes+ 0 sa" it&.
.1here "ere yo# at the time2.
.0 "as standin$ on Bo#rteenth Street&.
.Yo#*d 'een drin)in$+ had pi!)ed a ti$ht+ and $ot the "orst of the ar$#ment+ is that
ri$ht2.
.That*s none of yo#r damn '#siness&.
S!anlon 'an$ed "ith his $a(el+ fro"ned at the "itness+ '#t t#rned to 3odney C#ff
and said+ .This man is an #n"illin$ "itness& 0*m for!in$ him to testify& 0 don*t "ant
him #nne!essarily annoyed& 1hat has his fi$htin$ $ot to do "ith it2.
.Simply this+. 3odney C#ff said& .This "itness has a ha'it of fi$htin$ "hen he*s
dr#n)& 0t*s 'een a matter of ar$#ment 'et"een him and his "ife& This time he*d
'een 'eaten into #n!ons!io#sness+ had to $o to a do!tor to ha(e his fa!e dressed+ and
didn*t "ant to $o home and fa!e the m#si!& So he "as standin$ rather #n!ertainly on
Bo#rteenth Street near the !omer of Alsa!e A(en#e "hen the a!!ident o!!#rred& 0
"ant to sho" he "as there at the time+ and sho" "hy he "as there&.
.All ri$ht+. 1eyman said+ in a s#rly (oi!e+ .that*s ri$ht& 0 "as there& So "hat2.
.Yo# !o#ld see into 1alter Pres!ott*s ho#se2.
.0 !o#ld see thro#$h some of the "indo"s on the Bo#rteenth Street side of the
ho#se&.
.Co#ld yo# see the little hall"ay "here the telephone*s lo!ated2.
.Yes+ 0 !o#ld see that&.
.id yo# see Mr& ris!oll #sin$ the telephone2
There "as a moment of tense silen!e+ "hen 1eyman said rel#!tantly+ .0 seen a man
standin$ there+ telephonin$& -e had his 'a!) t#rned+ tho#$h - .
.No" yo# "ere standin$ there "hen the a!!ident too) pla!e2.
.Yes&.
.1hat "as ris!oll doin$ "hen the a!!ident too) pla!e2.
.The man 0 sa" "as still at the telephone&.
.And ho" lon$ had he 'een there2.
.0 don*t )no"+ fo#r or fi(e min#tes may'e&.
.1hat did yo# do after the a!!ident o!!#rred2.
.0 started to $o o(er and see "hat had happened& Then 0 de!ided to )eep o#t of it& 0
"ent 'a!) and sat do"n on the !#r'+ "at!hed them load the $#y that "as h#rt into
the (an& This $#y in the 'l#e s#it ran o#t and helped& Then he "ent 'a!) in the
ho#se+ and 0 sa" the (an dri(e a"ay& .
.Then "hat2.
.Then+ after a fe" min#tes+ 0 sa" this man+ ris!oll+ !ome o#t of the ho#se a$ain&
9#st then a pro"l !ar s"#n$ aro#nd the !orner and the offi!ers nailed this $#y&.
.-o" lon$ did yo# stay there after that2.
.0 didn*t stay& 0 didn*t "ant those offi!ers as)in$ me ,#estions+ so 0 'eat it& 0 "al)ed
aro#nd for a "hile& 0 "as )inda sleepy and "asn*t feelin$ (ery $ood& After a "hile 0
made #p my mind 0 had to fa!e the m#si!+ so 0 t#rned aro#nd and "ent home&.
.1hat time "as that2.
.0 don*t )no"& 0t "as lon$ eno#$h so 0*d !ommen!ed to feel si!)&.
3odney C#ff made a little $est#re of s#rrenderin$ the "itness+ and res#med his seat
"ith a satisfied smile&
The !oroner loo)ed a!ross at /(ermeyer+ and the dep#ty distri!t attorney $ot to his
feet+ mo(ed o(er to"ard the "itness and said+ .Co#ld yo# 'e s#re it "as Mr& ris!oll
yo# sa" at the telephone2.
1eyman said in his thi!)+ s#rly (oi!e+ .The telephone sets ri$ht #p a$ainst the
"indo"& This $#y "as standin$+ leanin$ his sho#lder a$ainst the side of the "indo"&
0 !o#ld see his 'a!) and the 'a!) of his head+ -e had the same )ind of 'la!) !#rly
hair this ris!oll has& 1hen he !ame o#t of the ho#se 0 !o#ld see his fa!e& The man
"ho !ame o#t "as ris!oll& 0 )no" that& 0 thin) he "as the one "ho "as
telephonin$&.
.Yo#*d 'een drin)in$ at the time2.
.0*d had a fe"+ yes&.
.More than yo#*(e had no"2.
There "as a half Smile on 1eyman*s fa!e as he said+ .A lot more&.
.Are yo# positi(e a'o#t the time2.
1eyman shoo) his head and said+ .No+ 0*m not& They told me the a!!ident too)
pla!e at noon& 0f that*s tr#e+ then the rest of it*s o)ay& 0f it ain*t tr#e+ 0 don*t )no"
"hat time it "as& All 0 )no" is 0*d 'een standin$ aro#nd there for a'o#t ten min#tes
'efore the a!!ident+ and 0 sa" this man telephonin$&.
/(ermeyer fro"ned tho#$htf#lly and said+ .That*s all& 0 may "ant to tal) "ith yo#
a$ain a'o#t this+ Mr& 1eyman&.
Mason said+ .May 0 as) one ,#estion2.
S!anlon nodded&
.1hom ha(e yo# told a'o#t "hat yo# sa"2.
.0 told my "ife+. 1eyman said&
.Anyone else2.
1eyman shoo) his head&
.id yo# tell her a'o#t this as soon as yo# $ot home2&. Mason as)ed&
.No+. 1eyman said "ith a "ry $rin& .1e tal)ed a'o#t other thin$s ri$ht after 0 $ot
home&.
A$ain a titter s"ept the room&
.That*s all+. Mason said&
S!anlon nodded to 1eyman& .Yo#*re e%!#sed+ Mr& 1eyman+. he said&
3odney C#ff $ot to his feet and said+ .0 "ish to point o#t that in (ie" of the
testimony of this "itness+ and the fa!t that "e !an sho" definitely the a#tomo'ile
a!!ident too) pla!e almost e%a!tly at the ho#r of noon+ it "as impossi'le for 9immy
ris!oll to ha(e )illed 1alter Pres!ott&
.0 thin) yo# !an see "hat this means+. C#ff "ent on+ starin$ steadily at the dep#ty
distri!t attorney& .0t means that sometime after 3osalind Pres!ott and my !lient had
$one to 3eno+ and "hile 3ita S"aine "as in the ho#se+ 1alter Pres!ott arri(ed& 0
"on*t pres#me to !on8e!t#re "hat happened+ '#t 3ita S"aine )illed him& Brom
"hat my !lient tells me of 3ita S"aine+ 0 pres#me that the pro(o!ation "as $reat&
Perhaps it "as self- defense+ or - .
.0f Co#nsel is $oin$ to ma)e an ar$#ment+. Perry Mason said !as#ally+ .0 "ant to
ma)e one&.
.-e isn*t $oin$ to ma)e one+. S!anlon r#led& .Sit do"n+ Mr& C#ff&.
.0 merely "anted to point o#t that - .
.Yo#*(e already pointed o#t plenty& Sit do"n&.
/s!ar /(ermeyer fro"ned tho#$htf#lly+ loo)ed #p at the !oroner and said+ .0 had
intended to pro(e 'y the !anary itself that it pro'a'ly "asn*t 3ita S"aine "hom
Mrs& Anderson had seen in the solari#m& The admission of the "itness ris!oll
ma)es this #nne!essary&.
Mason said+ .0n (ie" of "hat has 'een said 'y Co#nsel+ 0*d li)e permission to re!all
the a#topsy s#r$eon for a fe" ,#estions&.
.No o'8e!tion+. /(ermeyer said& .My offi!e "ants to $et to the 'ottom of this thin$
as "ell as the !oroner&.
- .The !oroner*s $oin$ to $et to the 'ottom of it+. S!anlon said !heerf#lly& .r&
-#'ert+ ta)e the stand a$ain&.
1hen the do!tor had seated himself& Mason said+ .0n (ie" of the statements "hi!h
ha(e 'een made+ o!tor+ 0 thin) yo# !an "ell appre!iate the importan!e of 'ein$
a'sol#tely a!!#rate in yo#r testimony as to the time of death& Yo# ha(e already
ans"ered this ,#estion in effe!t+ '#t in (ie" of the importan!e 1hi!h no" atta!hes
to this phase of the !ase+ 0 "ant to as) yo# a$ain 0s it possi'le that 1alter Pres!ott
!o#ld ha(e met his death earlier than "ithin the time limits yo# ha(e pre(io#sly
mentioned2.
r& -#'ert !rossed his le$s+ interla!ed his fin$ers #pon a pa#n!hy stoma!h+ !leared
his throat and said+ .0 don*t "ant to 'e mis#nderstood& Medi!al testimony as to the
time of death is ne(er a'sol#tely mathemati!al& There are !ertain (aria'le fa!tors+
the e%a!t nat#re and e%tent of "hi!h !annot 'e intelli$ently !orrelated& Therefore+
an a#topsy s#r$eon fi%es a pro'a'le time of death& Then+ ta)in$ into !onsideration
all of the (aria'le fa!tors+ he !reates a mar$in of pro'a'ility on either side of the
time !hosen& 0f he is !ons!ientio#s+ he e%tends this mar$in of pro'a'ility so that it
!o(ers e(ery possi'le !om'ination of (aria'le fa!tors& Then he anno#n!es the time
of death in terms of a time 'ra!)et&.
.Yo# did this2. Mason as)ed&
.Yes&.
.And "hen yo# said that the time of death o!!#rred 'et"een noon and t"o-thirty in
the afternoon+ do 0 #nderstand that yo# estimated+ p#rely as a matter of 'lind
re!)onin$+ that the de!edent met his death at appro%imately one-fifteen that it "as
possi'le+ ho"e(er+ !ertain (aria'le fa!tors+ as yo# ha(e termed them+ mi$ht ha(e
!a#sed an error in yo#r ded#!tion that yo#+ therefore+ made a ma%im#m allo"an!e
of one ho#r and fifteen min#tes in either dire!tion as the $reatest possi'le mar$in of
error in yo#r time fi%in$2.
.That*s appro%imately !orre!t+. r& -#'ert said& .Personally+ 0 "o#ld say the man
"as )illed 'et"een one and one-thirty& Ei$ht or nine times o#t of ten+ 0*d 'e ri$ht&
B#t there*s the possi'ility of a !om'ination of (ario#s !ir!#mstan!es "hi!h "o#ld
impair the !on!l#sion in perhaps one o#t of ten times& So 0*(e ta)en that into
!onsideration+ and e%tended the mar$ins far eno#$h 'oth "ays so as to in!l#de e(en
that one time in ten&.
.And !an yo# say that t"el(e o*!lo!) is the earliest possi'le time at "hi!h the
de!edent !o#ld ha(e met his death2.
.Yes&.
.A!!ordin$ to yo#r o"n testimony+ o!tor+ the man !o#ld ha(e died at one min#te
past t"el(e+ noon&.
.That*s ri$ht&.
.-e !o#ld ha(e died at noon2.
.Yes+ Sir&.
.B#t he !o#ldn*t ha(e met his death at ele(en fifty-nine2.
./h+ 0 say+. r& -#'ert said+ .that*s rather an #nfair "ay of p#ttin$ it&.
.0 don*t thin) so+. Mason said*&
.1ell+ yes+ ot !o#rse+. r& -#'ert said+ some"hat testily+ .if yo#*re $oin$ to split
hairs that fine+ if the man !o#ld ha(e died at t"el(e o*!lo!)+ he !o#ld also ha(e died
at ele(en fifty-nine& 0 don*t thin) he did+ '#t he !o#ld ha(e&.
.-o" a'o#t ele(en forty-fi(e2.
.A "itness heard him spea)in$ on the telephone at ele(en fifty-fi(e+. r& -#'ert
pointed o#t a!idly&
.E%a!tly+. Mason said& .No" yo# ha(e my point e%a!tly+ o!tor& 1hen yo# fi% the
earliest time at "hi!h the man !o#ld ha(e met his death as aro#nd t"el(e o*!lo!)+
yo#*re ta)in$ into !onsideration that the man+ a!!ordin$ to the testimony of one
"itness+ had 'een ali(e at ele(en fifty-fi(e+ isn*t that ri$ht2.
.No&.
.Yet+ "hen 0 as) yo# if it isn*t a medi!al possi'ility that the man !o#ld ha(e 'een
)illed at ele(en forty-fi(e+ yo# ans"er me 'y pointin$ o#t that a!!ordin$ to the
testimony of a "itness+ he "as ali(e at ele(en forty-fi(e& No" then+ o!tor+ are yo#
testifyin$ as to yo#r medi!al )no"led$e+ or as to an opinion formed 'y ta)in$ into
#n!ons!io#s !onsideration+ the testimony of "itnesses2.
.0*m testifyin$ as to a medi!al opinion formed from a postImortem e%amination of
the de!edent&.
.Let*s $et at it in another "ay+ o!tor& Yo# ha(e mentioned one !ase in ten in "hi!h
a !om'ination of (aria'le fa!tors mi$ht ne!essitate mo(in$ the time 'ra!)et o(er a
"ider ran$e& No"+ isn*t it possi'le that there is+ perhaps+ one !ase in a tho#sand+ or
one !ase in ten tho#sand+ "hi!h "o#ld ne!essitate mo(in$ the 'ra!)ets o(er a still
"ider ran$e than "o#ld 'e !o(ered 'y that one !ase in ten "hi!h yo# mentioned2.
./h+ all ri$ht+. r& -#'ert said+ .if yo# "ant to p#t it that "ay+ let*s say that he
died 'et"een ele(en-thirty in the mornin$ and three o*!lo!) in the afternoon+ and
0*ll sta)e my professional rep#tation he died "ithin those times+ and !o#ldn*t ha(e
died as early as ele(en t"enty-nine& oes that satisfy yo#2.
.0t isn*t a ,#estion of satisfyin$ me+. Mason pointed o#t& .0t*s a ,#estion of $ettin$
at the fa!ts&.
.1ell+ yo#*(e $ot at them no"+. r& -#'ert said&
S!anlon nodded and said+ .0 thin) "e+ all of #s+ #nderstand the fa!ts& Yo#*re
e%!#sed+ o!tor&.
There "as a moment of silen!e& Then the !oroner said+ .0n (ie" of the
!ir!#mstan!es+ 0 "ant to re!all Mr& ris!oll for one more ,#estion&.
.Ta)e the stand+ ris!oll+. 3odney C#ff said&
S!anlon stared at the yo#n$ man "ith steady+ p#rposef#l eyes& .0s it possi'le that
someone else !o#ld ha(e 'een in the Pres!ott ho#se "hile yo# "ere there+ Mr&
ris!oll2.
ris!oll shoo) his head& .0 thin) not+ yo#r -onor&.
S!anlon*s (oi!e 'e!ame #tterly "itho#t emphasis or e%pression& .id yo#+. he
as)ed+ .$o into all the rooms in that ho#se2.
.1ell+. ris!oll said+ hesitated+ then "ent on ,#i!)ly+ .of !o#rse "e didn*t $o into
the #pstairs 'edrooms+ no+ sir&.
.Yo#*re positi(e of that2.
.H#ite=. ris!oll snapped&
.And yo# didn*t $o into the 'asement2.
.No+ if there is a 'asement 0 didn*t $o into it&.
.0t is+ then+ ,#ite possi'le some other person "as in the ho#se at the time+ and
"itho#t yo#r )no"led$e2.
.Yes+. ris!oll said+ '#t added+ .S#!h a person+ ho"e(er& Co#ldn*t ha(e ta)en that
re(ol(er from my possession+ fired three shots into 1alter Pres!ott and ret#rned the
re(ol(er to my po!)et "itho#t my )no"in$ it& 0n the e(ent Pres!ott "as )illed "ith+
my $#n+ he "as )illed at some time after 0 had left the ho#se&.
.0 #nderstand yo#r point perfe!tly+. S!anlon said& .That*s all+ Mr& ris!oll& Yo#*re
e%!#sed&.
Less than ten min#tes later+ the !oroner*s 8#ry 'ro#$ht in its (erdi!t+ findin$ that
1alter Pres!ott had 'een shot to death 'y person or persons #n)no"n& 3odney
C#ff+ sa#nterin$ o(er to"ard Perry Mason+ said+ .-o" do yo# li)e the (erdi!t+
Co#nselor2.
.Sho#ld 0 li)e it2. Mason as)ed&
C#ff nodded and said+ .0 thin) so& 0 li)e it fine&.
./ne thin$+. Mason !ommented+ .is that "hen yo# see Mr& immi!) in the
mornin$ yo# !an tell him that+ in my opinion+ he has no !a#se for "orry at the
,#ality of representation yo# "ill $i(e yo#n$ ris!oll& -a(in$ him $o on the stand
and admit the plot to s#'stit#te 3ita S"aine for 3osalind Pres!ott is rather a stro)e
of $eni#s&.
.Yes+. C#ff said+ his e%pression 'land& .Yo# see+ 0*d heard that the distri!t
attorney*s in(esti$ators had ta)en !har$e of the !anary+ and 0 ded#!ed that !o#ld
mean only one thin$& Than)s to yo#r !le(er ded#!ti(e reasonin$+ ris!oll )ne" the
8i$ "as #p+ and told me the !ir!#mstan!es fran)ly+ "here he mi$ht other"ise ha(e
tried to !on!eal them&.
.-o" did yo# )no" a'o#t 1eyman as a "itness2. Mason as)ed&
C#ff la#$hed& .-e told his "ife+ and his "ife told Stella Anderson+ and she )eeps a
se!ret li)e a sie(e holds "ater& 0 felt 0 !o#ld !all him #ne%pe!tedly and ma)e a 'etter
impression than if 0*d tal)ed "ith him and introd#!ed him as a "illin$ "itness&.
Mason nodded+ lit a !i$arette and said+ .-o" do yo# s#ppose 3osalind*s $oin$ to
feel "hen she learns that ris!oll tried to di(ert s#spi!ion from himself 'y in(ol(in$
3ita S"aine2.
.Yo# s#rely don*t thin) he did that2. C#ff as)ed&
.Yes+ he did e%a!tly that&.
C#ff tho#$ht for a moment+ then said+ ./ne thin$ yo# may 'e o(erloo)in$+ Mr&
Mason+ Before this in,#est started+ the distri!t attorney "as preparin$ e%tradition
pro!eedin$s a$ainst 'oth 3ita S"aine and 3osalind Pres!ott& As matters no" stand+
he "ill pro!eed to e%tradite 3ita S"aine& -e !an*t e%tradite 3osalind Pres!ott - not
in the fa!e of this e(iden!e&.
.And yo# thin) that*s a $ood thin$2. Mason as)ed&
.0 thin) so+ yes&.
.Bor "hom2.
.Bor 3osalind Pres!ott+ primarily&.
.-o" a'o#t Miss S"aine2. Mason in,#ired&
.Miss S"aine+. C#ff told him+ ."ill ha(e to ta)e !are of herself - "ith yo#r (ery
a'le assistan!e&.
Mason nodded+ said+ .0 $athered as m#!h& Yo# )no"& C#ff+ there*s 8#st one
disad(anta$e a'o#t ha(in$ yo#r !lient sta$e this !ards-on-the-ta'le a!t&.
.1hat*s that2. C#ff as)ed&
.God help him if he*s lyin$+. Mason said $rimly&
Chapter 11
30TA S1A0NE sat a!ross from Perry Mason in the (isitor*s room in the !o#nty 8ail&
A lon$ ro" of hea(y "ire mesh di(ided the ta'le into t"o parts& 3ita sat on one side+
and Mason on the other&
.Can 0 tal) here2. she as)ed&
.Aeep yo#r (oi!e lo"+. Mason said+ .and+ a'o(e all+ don*t $et e%!ited& People are
"at!hin$ #s& Ma)e yo#r manner !as#al& No matter "hat yo# tell me+ sha)e yo#r
head on!e or t"i!e emphati!ally+ as tho#$h denyin$ yo#r $#ilt& No"+ $o ahead and
tell me the tr#th&.
.3osalind )illed him+. she said&
.-o" do yo# )no"2 id she say so2.
.No+ not in so many "ords& /h+ it*s a"f#l& She*s my o"n sister+ and no" she*s t#rned
a$ainst me& She and 9immy ris!oll did it and she*s "illin$ to ha(e 9immy ma)e me
the $oat 'e!a#se she lo(es him so m#!h she !an*t 'ear the tho#$ht of anythin$
happenin$ to him+ and he*s p#shin$ it all o(er on me 8#st to sa(e his o"n s)in&.
.-o" do yo# )no" they )illed him2. Mason as)ed&
.Be!a#se+. she said+ .they did& 1alter !ame in and !a#$ht 9immy there+ and 9immy
shot him&.
.Go ahead+. Mason told her+ his (oi!e a lo"+ r#m'lin$ monotone& .Tell me "hat yo#
)no"& B#t sha)e yo#r head first E that*s it&.
.3ossy !alled me o(er the telephone+ said somethin$ a"f#l had happened and as)ed
me to $o o(er to her ho#se ri$ht a"ay& 0 told her 0 !o#ldn*t $o ri$ht at that moment&
So then she told me to $o do"n to the pay station in the dr#$ store and !all a !ertain
n#m'er& She did that 'e!a#se she didn*t "ant to ta)e !han!es on ha(in$ the !ler) at
the s"it!h'oard hear "hat "e "ere tal)in$ a'o#t&.
.All ri$ht+. Mason said+ .yo# "ent to the dr#$ store and !alled her& 1here "as
she2.
.She "as at the airport then& She told me that 9immy had 'een there in the ho#se
"ith her that he*d ta)en her in his arms and made passionate lo(e to her+ that
there*d 'een an a#to a!!ident o#t front and the poli!e had made 9immy $i(e them
his name and address and that he*d 'e !alled on as a "itness& She said that 9immy
had $i(en her a $#n ri$ht after the a!!ident and 'efore he*d r#n into the poli!e that
she*d dropped the $#n do"n in 'a!) of a dra"er in the des) in the solari#m& Then
she said 9immy had tried to lea(e+ had r#n into the poli!e+ and had de!ided the only
thin$ to do "as to r#n a"ay "ith her+ that Mrs& Snoops had seen e(erythin$ and
she*d #ndo#'tedly tell 1alter&.
.So "hat did yo# do2. Mason said&
.She $a(e me all the details+ told me that she*d left the dress she*d 'een "earin$ in
the 'edroom and that the !anary "as fl#tterin$ aro#nd the solari#m&
.1ell+ of !o#rse+ 0 told her 0*d $o o(er and p#t on an a!t for the 'enefit of Mrs&
Snoops& 0 didn*t "ant to do it parti!#larly+ 'e!a#se 0 "as afraid 0 mi$ht r#n into
1alter& B#t she told me she )ne" a'sol#tely 1alter "o#ldn*t 'e there&.
.id she tell yo# ho" she )ne"2. Mason as)ed&
.No&.
.So yo# "ent o(er there2. Mason in,#ired& .And then "hat2.
.1hen 0 "ent to the #pstairs 'edroom to !han$e into the dress 3ossy had 'een
"earin$+ 0 fo#nd the door to 1alter*s 'edroom sli$htly a8ar& 0 didn*t thin) anythin$
of it at the moment+ left my dress there+ p#t on 3ossy*s+ "ent do"n to the solari#m+
!a#$ht the !anary+ and did my st#ff "here Mrs& Snoops !o#ld $et an eyef#l& Then 0
"ent 'a!) #pstairs to !han$e my dress a$ain& 0 "ent into the 'athroom to "ash my
hands+ and $ot a sho!)& There "ere 'loodstains on the "ash 'o"l - not stains of p#re
'lood+ '#t pla!es "here drops of 'loody "ater had dried on the por!elain+ lea(in$
little pin)ish stains+ and in some pla!es the drops hadn*t dried&
.So 0 p#shed open the door+ loo)ed in 1alter*s 'edroom+ and there "as 1alter+
lyin$ on his 'ed+ on his 'a!)+ his arms o#tstret!hed+ his (est #n'#ttoned+ and 'lood
flo"in$ from '#llet "o#nds& 0 stood there on the threshold and s!reamed&
Then+ after a moment+ 0 !ried o#t+ 1alter+ "hat*s the matter2* and ran a!ross to the
'ed+ )nelt 'y his side and p#t my hands on his sho#lders&
.0 )ne" ri$ht a"ay that he "as dead&.
She pa#sed+ 'reathin$ hea(ily thro#$h dilated nostrils& -er lips ,#i(ered&
.Go ahead+. Mason told her& .Gi(e me the rest of it+.
.-onestly+ Mr& Mason+ 0 don*t )no" "hat made me do the thin$ 0 did ne%t& At first 0
"as so sho!)ed and horrified 0 !o#ld hardly 'reathe& And then+ all of a s#dden+ 0
seemed to ad8#st myself in relation to "hat it "o#ld mean to me and to 3ossy - .
.Ne(er mind the psy!holo$y+. Mason said& .1hat did yo# do2.
.0 tho#$ht a'o#t that letter 9immy had "ritten& 0 )ne" that 1alter had planned to
file s#it a*$ainst 9immy and 0 )ne" "hat it "o#ld mean to 3ossy if they sho#ld
sear!h the 'ody+ find that letter and - .
.1hat did yo# do2. Mason interr#pted&
.0 opened his inner po!)et+ too) o#t his "allet and loo)ed for the letter&.
.id yo# find it2.
.Yes&.
.1hat did yo# do "ith it2.
.Bolded it and p#t it in the top of my sto!)in$&.
.Yo# "ere "earin$ 3osalind*s dress at the time2.
.No+ 0*d ta)en off the dress&.
.1ere yo# "earin$ a slip2.
.Not then& 0 p#t one on later&.
.-o" lon$ "as it 'efore yo# too) that letter o#t of yo#r sto!)in$2.
.After 0*d $ot do"nstairs&.
.1hat did yo# do "ith it2.
.B#rnt it in the firepla!e&.
.-o" did yo# '#rn it2.
.1hy+. she said+ .0 to#!hed a mat!h to it& -o" does anyone e(er '#rn thin$s2.
.That isn*t "hat 0 mean& 1hat did yo# do "ith the ashes2.
.1hy+ left them in the firepla!e+ of !o#rse&.
.id yo# ta)e a po)er or a sti!) or anythin$ and 'rea) them #p2.
.No+ 0 set fire to the letter+ sa" it "as '#rnin$+ and then tossed it into the firepla!e&
0t flamed #p all at on!e and sin$ed my hair a little&.
.-o" "ere yo# dressed at the time2.
.0 had on my $ray s#it&.
.The same one yo# "ore to my offi!e2.
.Yes&.
.1hat else did yo# do2.
.0 too) the !anary and !ame to yo#& That*s "hy 0 !ame to yo#+ Mr& Mason& 3ossy
hadn*t "anted me to $et her a la"yer& She 8#st "anted me to p#t on the a!t for Mrs&
Snoops+ '#t 0 felt she needed someone to prote!t her interests&.
.0n other "ords+ yo# )ne" there "as $oin$ to 'e a m#rder !ase "hen yo# !ame to
me2.
.Yes&.
.Then yo# fle" to 3eno2.
.That*s ri$ht&.
.And then "hat2.
.0 "as "aitin$ to ha(e a tal) "ith 3ossy after 9immy had $one to 'ed and 0 !o#ld
tal) "ith her alone& 0 told her 0*d arran$ed for yo# to 'e her la"yer+ and 0*d told her
a'o#t Mrs& Snoops& 0 didn*t tell her a'o#t 1alter+ or as) her a'o#t the m#rder& 0
)ne" 3ossy "o#ldn*t ha(e done it& 9immy did it+ and 3ossy*s 'a!)in$ him #p& 0
"anted to as) her a'o#t it "hen 9immy "asn*t there to ma)e her lie&.
.1here*s yo#r pearl-$ray o#tfit no"2. Mason as)ed&
*The poli!e too) it& They made me !han$e to other !lothes&.
.-o" a'o#t the shoes yo# "ere "earin$2.
.They ha(e them&.
.id yo# loo) them o(er for 'loodstains2.
.No+ 0 didn*t - $ood hea(ens+ Mr& Mason+ yo# don*t thin) &&& .
.0 thin)+. he told her+ .that yo# (ery pro'a'ly had 'loodstains on yo#r shoes& Yo#
may ha(e had some on yo#r #nder$arments& 0 thin) that yo# left yo#r fin$erprints
on the "allet in 1alter Pres!ott*s po!)et+ and if yo# didn*t 'rea) #p the ashes in the
firepla!e+ 0 thin) they*ll find eno#$h of the letter to photo$raph&.
.o yo# mean to say they !an photo$raph a letter after it*s 'een '#rnt2.
.Yes+. Mason said& .1ith the #se of modem photo$raphy and #ltra-(iolet and
infra-red li$ht+ they !an photo$raph "ritin$ on !harred paper "ith the $reatest
a!!#ra!y& 0 tho#$ht /(ermeyer "as a!tin$ a little too d#m' at the in,#est& -e had
so m#!h a$ainst yo# that he didn*t "ant to tip his hand in ad(an!e& -e*s perfe!tly
"illin$ to let the !oroner*s (erdi!t 'e indefinite& -e "ants yo# to thin) he hasn*t
(ery m#!h e(iden!e+ and then $et yo# lyin$& id yo# ma)e any statements2.
.No+. she said+ .0 remem'ered "hat yo#*d told me and didn*t say anythin$&.
.id yo# ma)e any denials2.
./h+ yes+. she said& .They a!!#sed me of )illin$ 1alter+ and 0 denied 0*d done
that&.
Mason fro"ned and said irrita'ly+ .0 told yo# not to say anythin$&.
.1ell+ 0 tho#$ht 0 sho#ld deny that&.
.id yo#+. he as)ed+ .$o one step farther and deny )no"in$ that he "as dead2.
.No& 0 simply sat ti$ht after that one denial&.
.id they as) yo# "hen yo#*d seen him last2.
.Yes+. she Said+ .they did+ and 0 told them 0 hadn*t seen him for a "ee)& That "as
ri$ht+ 'e!a#se 0 hadn*t& 0t really doesn*t !o#nt seein$ a man after he*s dead+ and - .
.And+. Mason interr#pted+ ."hen the fin$erprint e%pert han$s an enlar$ed
photo$raph of yo#r fin$erprints fo#nd on 1alter*s "allet #p in front of the 8#ry+
yo#r ha(e plenty of time to thin) o(er ho" m#!h 'etter it "o#ld ha(e 'een to ha(e
follo"ed yo#r la"yer*s ad(i!e&.
-er eyes "ere "ide and fri$htened+ as the f#ll meanin$ of his remar) penetrated her
!ons!io#sness& Then her !hin !ame #p and she said+ .All ri$ht+ yo# don*t need to r#'
it in& 0t*s no s)in off yo#r nose&.
.id yo# )ill him2.
.No&.
.o yo# )no" "ho did2.
.0-No &&& #nless 3ossy did&.
.0f yo#*re lyin$ to me+. Mason said 'r#tally+ .they*re $oin$ to p#t a !oarse hemp
rope aro#nd that pretty ne!) of yo#rs and drop yo# thro#$h a trap-and they may do
it any"ay&.
.0*m not lyin$& And+ after all+ Mr& Perry Mason+ it*s my ne!)&.
Mason*s eyes sho"ed appro(al& .1ell+. he said+ .yo# !an ta)e it+ anyho"& That*s a
lot 'etter than ha(in$ a "oman on my hands "ho*ll $et hysteri!al and $o to pie!es
on the "itness stand& No"+ $et this+ and $et it strai$ht& The distri!t attorney "ill
start sprin$in$ st#ff on yo#& Birst+ he*il pretend that he hasn*t any !ase a$ainst yo#+
is holdin$ yo# more or less on s#spi!ion+ and that if yo#*d only deny the !har$es
a$ainst yo# he*d pro'a'ly t#rn yo# loose+ '#t he !an*t do it in the fa!e of p#'li!
opinion "hile yo#*re ref#sin$ to ma)e any !omments& Then+ after he l#res yo# into
ma)in$ a fe" more statements+ denyin$ this+ that and the other+ he*ll start sprin$in$
e(iden!e on yo# and as) yo# to e%plain that& -e*ll do it all in a fatherly sort of
manner and pretend that yo#r release is 8#st aro#nd the !orner& Then+ as yo# )eep
$ettin$ in deeper and deeper+ he*ll start ti$htenin$ the s!re"s a little at a time+ #ntil
yo# finally find yo#rself in a 'lind pani!& Then+ "hen yo# ,#it tal)in$ to him+ he*ll
t#rn the ne"spaper people loose on yo# and they*ll #se all the "iles of the profession
in order to $et yo# tal)in$& They*ll tell yo# "hat a po"erf#l fa!tor p#'li! opinion is&
They*ll tell yo# ho" m#!h $ood it*ll do yo#r side of the !ase if their so' sisters dress
#p a s"ell story of ho" yo# tried to prote!t yo#r sister and inad(ertently $ot
in(ol(ed in a m#rder !har$e& They*ll tell yo# ho" ni!e it*ll 'e for yo# if yo#r name is
)ept 'efore the p#'li!+ ho" they*ll $i(e a prominent position to yo#r inter(ie"+ a
sympatheti! treatment to yo#r story ho" they*ll pay yo# to p#'lish yo#r memoirs or
yo#r diary& And they*ll #se a h#ndred other different ar$#ments to $et yo# to tal)&
o yo# #nderstand2.
She nodded&
.No"+. Mason said+ .yo#*re $oin$ to )eep ,#iet all the "ay alon$ the line& 1ith the
e(iden!e the distri!t attorney has a$ainst yo#+ he*ll ne(er release yo#& The only "ay
yo#*ll e(er $et o#t of 8ail is 'y ha(in$ a 8#ry say *Not $#ilty+* or ha(in$ three 8#ries in
a ro" fail to a$ree on a (erdi!t& o yo# #nderstand that2.
A$ain she nodded&
.All ri$ht+. Mason said& .1hene(er anyone as)s yo# to say anythin$+ "hether it*s
distri!t attorney or ne"spaper man+ or some (ery sympatheti! fello"-prisoner "ho
8#st *happens* to 'e p#t in the same !ell "ith yo#+ yo#*ll say that yo# "ant to tal)
that 0*(e ordered yo# not tal) that as lon$ as 0*m yo#r attorney+ yo#*re $oin$ to o'ey
orders+ that yo# thin) it*s all foolishness that yo# "ant to tell yo#r story in a simple+
strai$htfor"ard manner+ '#t that for some reason 0*m orderin$ yo# to )eep ,#iet& 0n
other "ords+ yo# pass the '#!)+ and pass it 'i$& o yo# $et that2.
.0 $et it+. she said&
.o yo# ha(e ner(e eno#$h to do it2.
.0 thin) so&.
.0t*s $oin$ to ta)e a lot of "ill po"er&.
She said+ .0 )no" all a'o#t that+ too& After all+ Mr& Mason+ 0*m t"enty-se(en years
old& A $irl de(elops "ill po"er in t"enty-se(en years&.
.Bosh=. he told her& .Yo#*(e 'een o#t "ith some yo#n$ spro#t "ho*s tried to do a
little ne!)in$ in an amate#rish "ay and yo# thin) yo#*(e '#ilt #p a mental
dis!ipline and an a'ility to ta)e !are of yo#rself& Yo#*re $oin$ #p a$ainst men no"+
men "ho ha(e handled so many h#ndred similar !ases that it*s a matter of ro#tine
"ith them& They )no" all the tri!)s that "or)+ and those that don*t "or)& Yo#*re a
'a'e in the "oods+ $oin$ #p a$ainst it for the first time& Aeep yo#r mo#th sh#t+
e%!ept for that one statement a'o#t "antin$ to tal) '#t not 'ein$ allo"ed to& o yo#
#nderstand2.
.Yes+. she said+ her eyes indi$nant+ .0 #nderstand& And don*t thin) yo#n$ men are
as amate#rish as yo#r little spee!h "o#ld imply&.
Mason $ot to his feet+ started to t#rn a"ay from the s!reen+ then s"#n$ 'a!) to sit
do"n on!e more& .-o" far !an 0 $o "ith this thin$2. he as)ed&
.1hat do yo# mean2.
.Yo# )no" "hat 0 mean&.
.on*t in(ol(e 3ossy+. she said&
.S#ppose 0 ha(e to dra$ 3ossy in to $et yo# o#t2. he in,#ired+ "at!hin$ her
narro"ly&
.Then don*t $et me o#t&.
.o yo# )no" "hat yo#*re sayin$2.
./f !o#rse 0 do&.
.Yo#*re in 'ad+. Mason said+ .Plenty 'ad& Anythin$ may happen& 1ith yo#r loo)s+
yo#r 'rain and yo#r fi$#re+ a 8#ry isn*t apt to han$ yo#& Yo# may $et life
imprisonment& Yo# may $et a first-de$ree m#rder (erdi!t "itho#t any
re!ommendation+ "hi!h "ill a#tomati!ally mean the death penalty& 0t*s all ri$ht no"
for yo# to sti!) yo#r !hin #p and tell me to )eep 3ossy o#t of it+ '#t "hat*ll happen
"hen the ;ero ho#r !omes2 1ill yo# reproa!h me for lettin$ yo# tie my hands2.
She $ot to her feet then+ stood fa!in$ him a!ross the s!reened ta'le& .Mr& Mason+.
she said+ ."hen 0 do anythin$+ 0 do it "holeheartedly+ and 0*m not in!lined to re$ret
it after"ards+ no matter "hat the !ir!#mstan!es are& That*s my !ode of life& Lots of
people li(e nam'y-pam'y littles li(es+ in "hi!h they try to 'lame their mista)es on
someone else& 0 don*t& Yo#*(e as)ed me if 0 !an ta)e it& No" 0*m as)in$ yo# if yo#
!an ta)e it&.
Mason $rinned+ said+ ./)ay+ 3ita+ 0*m $oin$ pla!es&.
3ita S"aine "at!hed the 8ail matron mo(in$ to"ard her+ smiled $amely and said+
.0*m not&.
Chapter 1@
3/SAL0N P3ESC/TT sat in Perry Mason*s offi!e+ !len!hed her little $lo(ed
hands #ntil the soft leather $re" ti$ht a!ross the )n#!)les+ and said fier!ely+ .No+ 0
didn*t )ill him= 0 tell yo# 0 didn*t& 0 didn*t= 0 didn*t= 0 didn*t=.
.1ho did2.
.0 don*t )no"& 0 "ish 0 did&.
.S#ppose yo# did )no"+ then "hat2.
-er eyes "ere hard+ as they met Mason*s& .0*d tell the poli!e&.
.S#ppose 3ita did it2.
.1hat ma)es yo# thin) 3ita did it2.
.That isn*t "hat 0 said& 0 as)ed yo# "hat yo#r attit#de "o#ld 'e if 3ita had )illed
him&.
.0f 3ita )illed him+. she said+ .she isn*t entitled to any !onsideration from 9immy or
from me& She p#t #s 'oth in an a"f#l spot&.
.S#ppose 9immy )illed him2.
.0f 9immy )illed him he isn*t entitled to any more !onsideration - "ell+ hardly any
more - "ell - .
Mason nodded and said+ .So it*s different if 9immy )illed him+ is it2.
.1ell+. she said hotly+ .0f 9immy )illed him+ he had some reason& -e had plenty of
reason&.
.id 3ita ha(e any reason2.
.0 don*t )no"& 0f she did it+ it "as pro'a'ly in self- defense&.
.0sn*t that a $ood reason2. Mason as)ed&
.Yes& The reason*s all ri$ht+ '#t it*s the "ay she handled it+ snea)in$ o#t and lea(in$
the 'ody in s#!h a "ay that 9immy "o#ld 'e 'lamed for it&.
.And if ris!oll did it+ then "hat2.
.9immy did it to prote!t me-'#t he didn*t do it - that is+ 0 don*t thin) he did it&.
.id Mrs& Anderson ha(e any $r#d$e a$ainst 1alter Pres!ott2.
-er eyes opened "ide "ith s#rprise& .1hy+ Mr& Mason= 1hat ma)es yo# as) that2.
.0*m 8#st tryin$ to !o(er e(ery an$le of the !ase+. he said& .Also+ 0*m tryin$ to !o(er
e(ery possi'le defense "hi!h "e mi$ht raise& id she ha(e anythin$ a$ainst him2.
.0 don*t thin) so& /f !o#rse+ 1alter had o'8e!ted to her snoopin$ aro#nd& -e*d told
her a !o#ple of times to mind her o"n '#siness and ,#it peerin$ into o#r "indo"s+
and she told him he !o#ld )eep the shades dra"n if he didn*t "ant her to see him&
She said she "asn*t $oin$ aro#nd her ho#se and p#ll do"n all the shades at ni$ht&.
.1as it m#!h of a 'attle2. Mason as)ed&
.Not parti!#larly& She*s snippy+ and 1alter "as (ery sar!asti!&.
.And that*s all she had a$ainst him2.
.All that 0 )no" of+ yes&.
.No"+ yo#r h#s'and had threatened to )ill yo#2.
.Yes&.
.Many times2.
.T"i!e& The first time "as a !o#ple of months a$o o(er somethin$ "hi!h needn*t
ma)e any differen!e here& The last time "as the mornin$ "hen 0 ran a"ay&.
.1hy did yo# $o to 3eno2.
.0 had an idea of esta'lishin$ a residen!e there and $ettin$ a di(or!e& 0 tho#$ht if 0
"ere o#t of the state 1alter "o#ldn*t do anythin$ ri$ht a"ay+ and after he*d had a
!han!e to !ool off+ 0 mi$ht 'e a'le to fi% thin$s #p "ith him so there "o#ldn*t 'e a
s!andal&.
.Yo# "ent "ith ris!oll2.
.Yes&.
.Yo# )ne" he "as 8ealo#s of ris!oll2.
.-e "asn*t 8ealo#s of anyone& -e "as 8#st a !old-'looded+ selfish+ !al!#latin$ - .
.1ait a min#te+. Mason interr#pted& .That isn*t $oin$ to 'e the attit#de yo#*ll ta)e
on the "itness stand& C#t o#t that (i!io#s hatred "hen yo# spea) of 1alter Pres!ott&
3emem'er+ he*s dead&.
.0 don*t !are "hether he*s dead or ali(e& -e "as - .
.-e "as yo#r h#s'and+. Mason interr#pted& .Yo# had differen!es of opinion "ith
him& 0t had o!!#rred to yo# for some time that yo# no lon$er !ared for him+ that
yo#*d 'een tri!)ed into marryin$ him+ '#t yo# felt sorry for him& Understand that&
Yo#r attit#de "as one of sympathy and !ompassion& Yo# reali;ed that+ "hile at times
he "as intensely disa$reea'le+ it "as 'e!a#se of his pe!#liar ner(o#s temperament&.
.0t "as 'e!a#se he had a !old heart and a selfish+ !al!#latin$ disposition+. she said&
.And+. Mason "ent on+ heedless of her !omment+ .it "as a $reat sho!) to yo# "hen
yo# learned he "as dead+ 8#st as it "o#ld 'e a sho!) to hear that anyone "ho had
'een !lose to yo# had passed a"ay& Yo# "eren*t o(er!ome 'y $rief 'e!a#se yo#
reali;ed yo# didn*t lo(e him+ '#t yo# "ere sho!)ed+ and deeply $rie(ed& -#ndreds
of tho#sands of marria$es $o on the ro!)s e(ery year+ '#t that doesn*t mean that
either or 'oth parties to the di(or!e a!tion are not ordinary li)ea'le h#man 'ein$s&
0t simply means that emotions don*t remain stati! that lo(e+ li)e any other fire+ "ill
'#rn itself o#t #nless fresh f#el is added+ and many people don*t #nderstand the art
of addin$ fresh f#el to roman!e+ on!e the roman!e has !#lminated in marria$e&.
She said+ .Yo# "ant me to say that2.
.1ords to that effe!t+. he told her&
./n the "itness stand2.
.Yo# pro'a'ly "on*t 'e as)ed on the "itness stand& B#t lon$ 'efore yo# $et into
!o#rt yo#*ll 'e inter(ie"ed 'y ne"spaper men and - .
.0*(e already 'een inter(ie"ed+. she said& .Plenty=.
.1hat did yo# tell them2.
.Nothin$& Yo# told me to say nothin$+ and that*s e%a!tly "hat 0 did&.
.All ri$ht+. he told her& .1e*re $oin$ to !han$e that no"& Yo#*re $oin$ to tal)+ and
yo#*re $oin$ to tal) freely& Yo# 8#st !an*t 'elie(e that 3ita !o#ld possi'ly ha(e done
any s#!h thin$+ altho#$h yo# didn*t ha(e an opport#nity to dis!#ss "ith 3ita e%a!tly
"hat had happened after yo# left the ho#se&
3emem'er+ yo#*re to tell all the ne"spaper people that yo# and 3ita didn*t dis!#ss
"hat o!!#rred "hile she "as there in the ho#se&.
3osalind Pres!ott nodded&
.Yo#*ll admit fran)ly that yo# lo(e 9immy ris!oll& 0n fa!t+ yo#*U spread that on
rather thi!)& 3emem'er+ all the "orld lo(es a lo(er& B#t 'e s#re that it*s roman!e
and not the marital trans$ression of a restless "oman& Yo# had lo(ed 9immy then
yo# had ,#arreled& Yo# had resol#tely p#t 9immy o#t of yo#r life and endea(ored
'y e(ery means to ma)e yo#r marria$e a s#!!ess& Grad#ally the (eneer had "orn
off& Yo# !ame to see that yo# and 1alter "eren*t s#ited for ea!h other& No matter
ho" m#!h he mi$ht ha(e meant to others+ he !o#ldn*t fill yo#r life& And he didn*t
try& Yo#r married life 'e!ame sort of a !at- and-do$ e%isten!e& Yo# "ere desperately
#nhappy& #rin$ all of this time the tho#$ht of 9immy ris!oll hadn*t !ome to yo#r
mind e%!ept as a friend& Then he "rote to yo#+ not as a lo(er+ '#t as a friend+ a
friend "ho had handled all yo#r finan!ial matters& -e told yo# that it "o#ld 'e
'etter to ma)e the 'rea) and $et it o(er "ith and not try to prolon$ a hopeless
sit#ation& Then+ "hen 9immy !ame to the ho#se and yo# loo)ed in his eyes+ yo#
s#ddenly reali;ed that yo# lo(ed him and al"ays had lo(ed him& B#t that "as after
yo# had reali;ed that yo# !o#ld ne(er !ontin#e li(in$ "ith 1alter Pres!ott after yo#
had 'oth a$reed to split #p and o'tain a di(or!e& o yo# #nderstand that2.
.1hat do 0 say a'o#t the t"el(e tho#sand dollars2.
.A'sol#tely nothin$+. Mason said+ .other than that yo# $a(e 1alter some money to
in(est& -is #ntimely death pre(ented yo# t"o from ha(in$ a finan!ial a!!o#ntin$&.
.That*s "hat 0 say+ '#t "hat a'o#t the t"el(e tho#sand dollars2. she demanded&
.0t doesn*t ma)e any differen!e no"+. Mason told her& .Yo# inherit "hate(er
property there is& No" that the a#thorities ha(e de!ided not to prose!#te yo# on a
m#rder !har$e+ 0*m filin$ appli!ation for letters of administration& Are there any
relati(es2.
.No& /ther"ise he*d ha(e "illed e(erythin$ to them& 0n any e(ent+ he - .
.Bor$et it+. Mason interr#pted& .3emem'er that 1alter "as ner(o#s& 1alter "as
"or)in$ too hard& 1alter "as a man "ho !ared nothin$ for so!iety or
!ompanionship+ '#t only 'e!a#se he "as too self-s#ffi!ient& The fa!t that yo# didn*t
$et alon$ "ith him doesn*t mean there "as anythin$ "ron$ "ith his !hara!ter&.
She said (enomo#sly+ .0 hate to lie& -e em'e;;led my money& -e "as a - .
.Ne(er mind "hat he "as+. Mason said& .-e*s dead& Yo# remem'er "hat 0 told yo#
a'o#t him& Aeep that attit#de "hene(er yo# spea) of him& -e left no relati(es+ and
yo# as his "ife inherit all of his property+ "hether it*s separate or !omm#nity& Yo#*ll
$et yo#r t"el(e tho#sand 'a!) that "ay&.
The pri(ate telephone on his des) 8an$led into noise& /nly three people had the
n#m'er of that telephone& 0t "as #sed only in the e(ent of ma8or emer$en!ies&
Mason s!ooped the re!ei(er to his ear and heard ra)e*s (oi!e sayin$+ .Sorry to !all
yo# on this line& Perry+ '#t this is important as hell& 0 thin) "e*(e fo#nd 9ason
Bra#n+ or Carl Pa!)ard+ "hi!he(er yo# "ant to !all him&.
.1here2. Mason as)ed&
./#t in the !o#ntry& 0*m ha(in$ a man 'rin$ #p a !ar&.
.1here are yo# no"2.
.9#st lea(in$ the offi!e& 0*ll meet yo# at the ele(ator&.
Mason said+ ./)ay+. 'an$ed #p the re!ei(er+ p#shed 'a!) his !hair+ !alled o(er his
sho#lder to 3osalind Pres!ott+ .Be 'a!) in an ho#r& 0n the meantime+ remem'er
"hat 0 told yo#& Chan$e yo#r attit#de to the ne"spaper 'oys& Tal) plenty+ '#t don*t
tell them anythin$&.
ella Street s!ooped her note'oo) and pen!ils into a hand'a$+ said+ .o yo# "ant
me+ Chief2.
-e shoo) his head and said+ .Go o(er Mrs& Pres!ott*s story "ith her a little& Pretend
yo#*re a ne"spaper "oman& As) her ,#estions and $et her ans"ers& 0*ll either 'e
'a!) in an ho#r or telephone yo#&.
-e $ra''ed his hat+ 8er)ed open the !orridor door+ and strode do"n the fla$$ed
floor& ra)e "as "aitin$ for him at the ele(ator&
.1hat is it2. Mason as)ed&
.it*s reported as an a#tomo'ile a!!ident+. ra)e said& .0t "ent in thro#$h the
traffi! department& 0 don*t thin) the poli!e ha(e ta)en a t#m'le yet&.
.1hat sort of an a!!ident2.
.Car rolled o(er a $rade o#t in the mo#ntains 'et"een Santa Moni!a and Tri#mfo&
0t*s 'een do"n at the 'ottom of the Canyon for a !o#ple of days&.
.The man that dro(e it2. Mason as)ed&
.Under the !ar& Smashed flatter than a pan!a)e&.
The ele(ator slid to a stop& ra)e started to say somethin$ as they stepped into the
!a$e+ '#t Mason said+ .Sa(e it+ Pa#l+. and $lan!ed si$nifi!antly at the ele(ator
operator&
Not #ntil they "ere speedin$ o#t 1ilshire Bo#le(ard in a !ar dri(en 'y one of
ra)e*s men did the dete!ti(e $i(e any details to the attorney& .This report !ame in
to the -i$h"ay epartment& 0 "on*t 'other yo# "ith details+ Perry+ '#t one of the
possi'ilities 0*d fi$#red on "as that this !hap+ Pa!)ard+ had disappeared 'e!a#se
somethin$ had happened to him& So 0*d assi$ned men to loo) into e(ery m#rder and
a!!ident !ase+ as "ell as e(ery a#tomo'ile a!!ident& As soon as a report !ame in+ my
man !hased o#t to the s!ene of the a!!ident& -e fo#nd o#t this fello"*s hat had the
imprint of a ha'erdashery store in Alta(ille in the 'and+ and that the initials *C&P&*
had 'een stamped in the 'and& There seemed to ha(e 'een no papers of
identifi!ation in the po!)ets& Brom all 0 !an #nderstand+ the !orpse is pretty m#!h of
a mess& -o"e(er+ "e !an ma)e an identifi!ation from fin$erprints& The Board of
Bire Under"riters had all of their men fin$erprinted+ and 0 mana$ed to se!#re a
!opy of 9ason Bra#n*s prints&.
Mason said+ ./f !o#rse+ Pa#l+ if the man*s dead+ it isn*t $oin$ to do #s any $ood to
dis!o(er him in ad(an!e of the poli!e+ #nless there are some !ir!#mstan!es in
!onne!tion "ith his death "hi!h "o#ld $i(e #s a !l#e& After all+ the thin$ 0 "ant is to
find o#t "hat this man sa" in the "indo" of the Pres!ott ho#se "hi!h distra!ted his
attention and sent him !rashin$ into that (an&.
.1ell+. ra)e said+ .0 fi$#red "e*d $et on the 8o'+ find o#t
all "e !o#ld+ and perhaps ta)e some photo$raphs& 0 'ro#$ht a !amera alon$&.
.1here*s the pla!e2.
.Up in the mo#ntains& 1e $o o#t to Santa Moni!a+ start #p the !oast 'o#le(ard
to"ard /%nard+ and then t#rn off on one of the side roads& My man "ill 'e "aitin$
at the interse!tion to fla$ #s do"n&.
Mason lit a !i$arette+ smo)ed tho#$htf#lly for a moment "hile the dri(er+ s"in$in$
to the o#tside lane of traffi!+ sent the speedometer needle ,#i(erin$ #p"ard&
.0n!identally+. ra)e said+ .0*(e fo#nd o#t "hy the poli!e too) s#!h prompt steps
"hen the report !ame in a'o#t Stella Anderson ha(in$ seen the man hidin$ the
$#n&.
.Shoot&.
.Pres!ott had telephoned the poli!e that he had reason to 'elie(e someone "as $oin$
to try to )ill him+ '#t !o#ldn*t+ or "o#ldn*t+ say "ho that someone "as& The poli!e
as)ed him a fe" ,#estions+ and+ amon$ other thin$s+ "anted to )no" if he "anted a
permit to !arry a $#n& -e said he didn*t+ '#t said there*d 'een a pro"ler aro#nd the
ho#se for a !o#ple of ni$hts+ and if he sho#ld telephone the poli!e+ he "anted ,#i!)
a!tion& -e said he )ept a do#'le-'arreled shot$#n in the ho#se and said he "asn*t
$oin$ to ta)e any !han!es that if anyone tried to 'rea) in he "as $oin$ to !#t loose
"ith his shot$#n&.
.That so#nds phony+. Mason said& .0t doesn*t rin$ tr#e&.
.0 )no" it doesn*t+. ra)e told him+ .'#t that*s "hy the poli!e paid attention to the
report that !ame in a'o#t ris!oll $i(in$ a $#n to the $irl to hide&.
Mason said tho#$htf#lly+ .0 "onder if he tho#$ht 9immy ris!oll "as $oin$ to 'e
han$in$ aro#nd the ho#se+ and he !o#ld lay a fo#ndation "ith a !omplaint to the
poli!e+ and then spray ris!oll f#ll of lead&.
.0f "e*re $#essin$+. ra)e said+ .it so#nds li)e a $ood $#ess&
Mason smo)ed in silen!e for half a do;en 'lo!)s+ then said meditati(ely+ .1ell+
"e*re $#essin$&&&& Pa#l+ there*s somethin$ phony a'o#t 1alter Pres!ott& 0 !an*t p#t
my fin$er on 8#st "hat it is+ '#t someho" he doesn*t rin$ tr#e& This '#siness of
ta)in$ money from his "ife to in(est in the '#siness+ and saltin$ it a"ay-the lar$e
deposits "hi!h he apparently made in the 'an)+ not "ithstandin$ the relati(ely
small amo#nts he too) o#t of his '#siness- By the "ay+ Trader mentioned he "as
deli(erin$ some st#ff to Pres!ott*s $ara$e& 0 "onder 8#st "hat that st#ff "as&
S#ppose yo# !he!) into that an$le2.
.B#t he had the a!!ident and "ent ri$ht on to the hospital+. ra)e said& . - No+
yo#*re ri$ht+ at that+ Perry+ he did ma)e the deli(ery later& 0 remem'er no"& -e said
he left the hospital to !ome 'a!) to the $ara$e&.
.Pres!ott+ yo#*ll remem'er+. Mason told him+ .had $i(en Trader his )eys&.
.That*s ri$ht&.
.So Trader had a )ey to the $ara$e door&.
.0 "onder "hat happened to those )eys+. ra)e remar)ed& .Trader*s ne(er
a!!o#nted for them+ as far as 0 !an find&.
.Mi$ht 'e a $ood plan to $i(e him a little more sha)edo"n&.
.Gettin$ information o#t of Trader+. ra)e said+ .is li)e $ettin$ 'lood o#t of a
t#rnip&.
Mason nodded& .-e left the hospital 'efore Pa!)ard "as dis!har$ed& Pa!)ard "as
there a'o#t thirty-fi(e min#tes& -e arri(ed there a'o#t ten min#tes past t"el(e&
That means Trader m#st ha(e deli(ered the mer!handise some time aro#nd ,#arter
to one or one o*!lo!)&.
.That "o#ld ha(e 'een 'efore 3ita S"aine arri(ed2. ra)e as)ed&
Mason nodded and said+ .The more 0 thin) of it+ Pa#l+ the more 0 thin) 0*m
interested in )no"in$ 8#st "hat that mer!handise !onsisted of& Trader didn*t "ant to
$i(e #s any information "hen "e tal)ed "ith him+ '#t no" there*s 'een a m#rder+
the sit#ation "ill 'e different&.
ra)e p#lled o#t his note'oo)+ 'ra!ed himself a$ainst the s"ayin$ of the
a#tomo'ile+ tried in (ain to "rite le$i'ly& -e loo)ed at the s!ra"led letters+ $rinned
and said+ .1hen 0 see somethin$ 0 !an*t read+ 0*ll )no" that means *loo) #p
mer!handise in the $ara$e&*.
Mason settled 'a!) a$ainst the !#shions& .1hat did yo# find o#t a'o#t Pres!ott2.
he as)ed the dete!ti(e&
.Plenty+. ra)e said& .0 !an tell yo# all a'o#t him from the time he left
)inder$arten #ntil he "as fo#nd dead& 0 !o#ld e(en $i(e yo# some of his $rades in
s!hool&.
.-o" "as he+ 'ri$ht2.
.Not parti!#larly d#rin$ $rammar s!hool& -e too) a sp#rt in hi$h s!hool+ and made
a pretty $ood re!ord in !olle$e& -e "as a !hemi!al en$ineer& Then he drifted into
ins#ran!e ad8#stin$&.
.-o" a'o#t his personality2.
.3otten+. ra)e said& .-e made (ery fe" friends+ either in !olle$e or o#tside&
Geor$e 1ray "as the '#siness prod#!er in the firm& Pres!ott "as a "al)in$
en!y!lopedia of mis!ellaneo#s information& -e had a $reat mind for detail& -e "as
(al#a'le "hen it !ame to ta)in$ !are of the '#siness 1ray 'ro#$ht in&.
.1hat a'o#t ris!oll2. the la"yer as)ed&
.9#st a ni!e ri!h play-'oy& -is mother died "hen he "as fifteen& She left an estate of
aro#nd a !o#ple of million+ mostly in the form of !ash& 0t*s all tied #p in a
!ompli!ated tr#st+ administered 'y the 'an)& ris!oll !an*t to#!h the prin!ipal #ntil
he*s thirty-fi(e& The in!ome $oes to him in a!!ordan!e "ith the terms of the tr#st+
one of "hi!h is that he !an*t ha(e more than three h#ndred dollars a month #nless
he earns more than three h#ndred dollars a month in some $ainf#l and le$itimate
o!!#pation& Then he !an $et more-'#t that*s at the dis!retion of the tr#stees a$ain&.
.So#nds as tho#$h the 'oy had some defe!t of !hara!ter+. Mason said& .Brom the
time he*s fifteen #ntil the time he*s thirty-fi(e is a lon$ time&.
.0 )no"+. ra)e said+ .'#t apparently it "as his mother*s idea that he "as $oin$ to
ha(e to "or) and learn somethin$ of the (al#e of money 'efore he started playin$
aro#nd "ith the estate& Yo# see+ she p#t it ri$ht #p to him& -e !o#ldn*t 'e m#!h of a
man-a'o#t-to"n on three h#ndred a month& B#t if he earned three h#ndred dollars
a month+ then the tr#stees !o#ld t#rn o(er as m#!h or as little of the in!ome as they
tho#$ht ad(isa'le& 0 thin) it "as drin) she "as afraid of+ 0 don*t )no"& Any"ay+ she
s#re p#t a fen!e aro#nd the )id&.
.-o" did she happen to pi!) on immi!)+ Gray < Pea'ody2.
.They*d 'een her la"yers for years& They dre" #p the tr#st& And+ in!identally+
pi!)ed off a s"eet thin$ for the 'an)& That*s the "ay they do& The 'an) t#rns them
an estate e(ery on!e in a "hile+ and they t#rn the 'an) a ni!e pie!e of tr#st
'#siness&.
.Mrs& ris!oll e(idently had a lot of !onfiden!e in A'ner immi!)&.
.She did& -e "as the one "ho had the !onta!t "ith her& 0t "as partnership '#siness+
'#t immi!) "as the one she al"ays as)ed for& 0n!identally+. ra)e said+ .that
yo#n$ !hap+ C#ff+ did a pretty $ood 8o' of representin$ ris!oll+ didn*t he2.
Mason fro"ned tho#$htf#lly and said+ .0 "ish 0 )ne"& -e "as either pra!ti!in$ la"
'y ear and happened to ma)e a $ood $#ess+ or else he*s one of those nat#ral
!o#rtroom la"yers "e hear a'o#t '#t seldom see& -e rather for!i'ly impressed on
me that the a#thorities !o#ldn*t e%tradite 3osalind Pres!ott and that it mi$ht 'e a
$ood mo(e on my part to )eep her o#tside of the state&.
.B#t+. ra)e said+ .that "o#ld s"in$ p#'li! opinion (ery stron$ly a$ainst her&.
.0*m not !ertain '#t "hat that*s "hat he "as tryin$ to do+. Mason said& .Yo# see+
his manner !ontrasts (ery m#!h "ith my o"n& 0 sit in !o#rt "ith an armf#l of le$al
mon)ey- "ren!hes and toss them into the ma!hinery "hene(er 0 see a !o#ple of
"heels $ettin$ ready to mo(e aro#nd& C#ff is one of those !haps "ho apparently
"ants to !ooperate all the time& -e "as so ni!e do"n there at the in,#est that '#tter
"o#ldn*t melt in his mo#th& Yet he mana$ed to s,#ee;e o#t from #nder and lea(e
3ita S"aine holdin$ the sa!)&.
They rode for a "hile in silen!e& Then ra)e as)ed+ .1hat "as yo#r h#n!h on the
redhead in Pres!ott*s offi!e+ Perry2.
.0 8#st tho#$ht she*d 'ear in(esti$ation+ that*s all& 1hy+ did yo# find o#t anythin$2.
.She*s leadin$ a do#'le life+. ra)e said+ $rinnin$& .0 )no" that m#!h&.
.1hat*s the do#'le life2.
.aytimes she*s 3osa -endri%& She "or)s at the offi!e #nder that name+ $oes home
to a thirty-fo#r-dollar-a month apartment at 17@D Al(ord A(en#e& She stays there
for half an ho#r or so+ then !alls a ta%i and $oes to apartment D-C in the
Bellefontaine+ one of the s"an)iest apartment ho#ses in the !ity&.
.And "hat does she do there2.
.Spends the ni$ht+ apparently+ then $oes to the Al(ord A(en#e address and then to
"or)&.
.B#t "hat*s the idea2. Mason as)ed&
.arned if 0 )no"+. ra)e told him& .0 ha(en*t 'een on the 8o' lon$ eno#$h to
)no"&.
.Some man payin$ for the apartment in the Bellefontaine2.
.Apparently not& She )eeps it #nder the name of iana Mor$an+ has a fe"
'oyfriends "ho drop in to see her+ '#t no more than !o#ld 'e e%pe!ted "ith a
respe!ta'le yo#n$ "oman& E(erythin$*s handled (ery dis!reetly and a'o(e'oard&
B#t o!!asionally she anno#n!es she*s $oin$ to ta)e a trip do"n to Me%i!o+ #p to San
Bran!is!o+ or o(er to 3eno& She sends a transfer man #p+ has her tr#n)s ta)en do"n
to the depot+ and doesn*t sho" #p for a "ee) or so& Then she !omes 'a!) "ith her
pro!ession of tr#n)s+ and settles do"n to ro#tine life&.
.1hat does she do "hile she*s $one2. Mason as)ed&
.Apparently 8#st )eeps on "or)in$ at Pres!ott < 1ray*s offi!e for a salary of a
h#ndred and t"enty-fi(e dollars a month& 0n!identally+ the apartment in the
Bellefontaine !osts her three h#ndred and ninety-fi(e&.
Mason p#!)ered his forehead into tho#$ht&
.oes that add #p and ma)e sense2. ra)e as)ed& .Yo# )no"+ she !o#ld 'e a
phony+ '#t still not ha(e anythin$ to do "ith this !ase&.
Mason nodded tho#$htf#lly& .She !o#ld+. he said+ .'#t all the "ay thro#$h this !ase
there*s 'een somethin$ s!re"y&
somethin$ "hi!h 8#st didn*t ma)e sense& So+ #nder the !ir!#mstan!es+ "e*re $oin$ to
di$ into e(erythin$ that loo)s the least 'i$ irre$#lar& 0 hate to pry into 3osa
-endri%*s pri(ate lo(e- life+ Pa#l+ '#t 0 "ant a !omplete report on e(erythin$ she
does&.
.0*m "at!hin$ her li)e a ha")+. ra)e told him& .0t happens that the mana$er of
the Bellefontaine is a !lient of mine& 0 did some "or) for him on!e+ and he*s let me
p#t one of my men on the ele(ator&.
The !ar $ained the open road and roared into hi$h speed& Mason sat fro"nin$
tho#$htf#lly #ntil he had finished his !i$arette& Then he pin!hed o#t the st#'+
dropped it in the ashtray+ shoo) his head and said& .Some"here alon$ the line+ Pa#l+
0*(e o(erloo)ed the 'i$ 'et in this !ase& 0t*s 8#st r#nnin$ aro#nd in !ir!les&.
.An inside tip from head,#arters+. ra)e said+ .is that they ha(e eno#$h on 3ita
S"aine to han$ her& 0 don*t "ant to dis!o#ra$e yo# on yo#r !ase+ Perry+ '#t 0
tho#$ht yo#*d li)e to )no"&.
Mason said "itho#t ta)in$ his eyes from the road+ his profile $rim and $ranite-hard+
.on*t e(er )id yo#rself+ Pa#l+ !ir!#mstantial e(iden!e is sometimes a liar& 0 thin)
this is one of the times&.
.Yo# don*t thin) she did it2.
.No&.
.1ho did+ then2.
.0*m damned if 0 )no"& 0*m hopin$ there*ll 'e somethin$ on the 'ody of 9ason
Bra#n "hi!h "ill $i(e #s a !l#e as to "hom he*d 'een tal)in$ "ith+ "here he*s 'een
hidin$ d#rin$ the last day or t"o& -e sa" somethin$ in one of the "indo"s& -e m#st
ha(e told someone "hat he sa"&.
.1ell+ "e*ll )no" in a fe" min#tes& 1e*re eatin$ #p the miles no"&.
A$ain Mason sat 'a!) and "as silent& Not #ntil the !ar sl#ed off to the side of the
road "here a li$ht roadster "as par)ed+ "ith a man standin$ 'eside it franti!ally
"a(in$ his arms+ did the la"yer appear to 'e !ons!io#s of his s#rro#ndin$s& .That
yo#r man+ Pa#l2. he as)ed then&
The dete!ti(e nodded& .-e*ll lead the "ay+. he said&
Mason sat for"ard on the ed$e of the seat+ "at!hin$ e(ery !#r(e in the road as it
sna)ed its "ay #p a pre!ipito#s !anyon&
.1hat the de(il "as 9ason Bra#n doin$ #p here2. the la"yer as)ed&
.0 !an*t fi$#re it myself+. ra)e said+ .#nless he !ame #p here to meet someone&
3emem'er+ he "as an in(esti$ator "or)in$ on a !ase+ and - .
.And if he*d "anted !omplete pri(a!y+ he !o#ld ha(e se!#red it 8#st as "ell a'o#t
t"enty-fi(e miles nearer the !ity+. Mason interr#pted&
ra)e said+ .1e*ll see&.
The pilot !ar la'ored #p the hea(y $rade+ ro#nded a t#rn+ and the stop li$ht flashed
an an$ry red of "arnin$& Ahead of the !ar+ a motor!y!le offi!er+ attired in "hip!ord+
p#ttees and a leather !oat+ 3a$$ed the !ar to a stop& A to" !ar "as par)ed !ross"ays
a h#ndred feet 'eyond him+ a ta#t "ire rope stret!hed do"n into the depths of the
!anyon& The motor of the !ar "as t#rnin$ slo"ly and the "ire rope $rad#ally reelin$
in o(er the re(ol(in$ dr#ms&
Mason and ra)e 8#mped to the $ro#nd& ra)e sho"ed his !ard to the traffi!
offi!er& .0*m ma)in$ an in(esti$ation of this+. he said&
.1hat*s the idea2. the offi!er "anted to )no"&
.0*m representin$ an ins#ran!e !ompany+. ra)e said& .The 'i$-shot thin)s the
man*s a poli!y holder&.
.1hat ma)es him thin) that2. the traffi! offi!er "anted to )no"&
ra)e shr#$$ed his sho#lders and said+ .Pro'a'ly 8#st a poor h#n!h+ '#t one of his
poli!y holders has 'een missin$ for t"o or three days+ and he*s 8#st playin$ it safe&
Any"ay+ there*s ten dollars a day and e%penses in it for me+ ei$ht and e%penses for
the photo$rapher+ and this $#y+ here+ so 0 sho#ld "orry&.
The traffi! offi!er nodded& .0*d li)e prints of any pi!t#res yo# ta)e+. he said&
.S#re+. ra)e told him&
.And don*t mess #p anythin$& The !oroner hasn*t arri(ed yet&.
.Thin) he*ll !ome2.
.-e*ll pro'a'ly tell #s to 'rin$ the 'ody in+ '#t "e*re a"aitin$ definite instr#!tions
to ma)e s#re&.
.1here*s the 'ody2. Mason as)ed&
./(er there #nder that tree+ !o(ered "ith a !an(as& B#t yo# !an*t tell anythin$ 'y
that&.
.1hy not2.
.Ta)e a loo) at the head and yo#*ll see "hy& Lyin$ o#t in the s#n for a !o#ple of
days hasn*t impro(ed thin$s any+ either&.
ra)e said+ ./)ay+ than)s+ "e*ll ta)e a loo)& Come on+ 'oys+ let*s $o&.
They "al)ed #p the road to "here the to" !ar+ "ith its 'a!) "heels 'lo!)ed+ "as
strainin$ at the "ei$ht on the other end of the steel line&
The s#n 'eat do"n from a !lo#dless s)y& The air in the !anyon "as dry+ hot and still&
A $ro"th of s!r#' oa) !o(ered the slope "hi!h stret!hed do"n for a h#ndred feet
'elo" the road-'ed to terminate a'r#ptly in a fifty-foot drop& The to" !ar had
raised the "re!) a'o(e this drop and "as no" in!hin$ it #p the slope& Brom time to
time+ 'ran!hes of the s!r#' oa) !ra!)ed e%plosi(ely& Little sp#rts of po"dery d#st
p#ffed #p"ard from the trees&
Mason said to the man in !har$e of operations+ .1e*re in(esti$ators+. and mo(ed
o(er to the "hite !an(as "hi!h had 'een spread 'eneath the shade of a 'i$ oa) tree&
Pi!)in$ #p a !orner of the !an(as+ he mo(ed it 'a!)& Blies '#;;ed in an$ry !ir!les&
Mason dropped the !an(as 'a!) into pla!e and said+ .Not m#!h help there&.
ra)e dropped to his )nees+ 'ro#$ht o#t a small in)ed pad from his po!)et and
said+ .0 !an $et somethin$ from the fin$erItips+ Perry&.
Mason on!e more t#rned a !orner of the Can(as 'a!)& The traffi! offi!er !ontin#ed
to stand "here he !o#ld "arn traffi! !omin$ aro#nd the 'lind !#r(e from 'elo"&
The men in !har$e of raisin$ the "re!) from the !anyon "ere !ompletely o!!#pied
"ith the pro'lems "hi!h !onfronted them& Someone sho#ted from do"n 'elo"& The
"in!hes !eased to t#rn and the so#nds of an a%+ !hoppin$ a"ay at a '#sh+ !o#ld 'e
heard from the thi!)et&
ra)e transferred prints of the dead mass fin$ers to a "hite pie!e of paper+
prod#!ed a ma$nifyin$ $lass and another set of prints rom his po!)et& Sittin$ on his
heels 'eside the man$led form of the dead man+ ra)e made his !omparison&
.on*t try to red#!e it to a mathemati!al !ertainty+. Mason said& .All 0 "ant is a
"or)in$ hypothesis&.
.1ell+ yo#*(e $ot it+. ra)e told him& .This is the $#y&.
.9ason Bra#n2.
.Yes& Alias Pa!)ard&.
There "ere sho#ts from the 'r#sh-!o(ered slope& /ne of the men leaned o(er the
ed$e of the road+ steadyin$ himself 'y holdin$ to the "ire !a'le& Mason said+ ./)ay+
Pa#l+ $o thro#$h his po!)ets& 0*ll )eep "at!h&.
.0t*s hi$hly irre$#lar+. ra)e pointed o#t& .The !oroner is the one "ho*s s#pposed -
.
.Bor$et it+. Mason told him& .Go thro#$h his po!)ets& There*s a !ar !omin$ #p the
road no"&.
Bor a moment there "as !omparati(e silen!e in the !anyon& The $rindin$ "in!hes of
the 'i$ to" !ar had stopped& There "ere no more sho#ts from do"n 'elo"& The a%
'lo"s "ere s#spended& 0n the hot silen!e !o#ld 'e heard the faint $rind of a !ar
!omin$ #p the "indin$ road&
ra)e nodded to his assistant& T#rnin$ 'a!) the !an(as+ they e%plored the stained+
stiff !lothes of the !orpse&
ra)e said+ .A )nife+ some )eys+ a hand)er!hief+ half- smo)ed pa!)a$e of !i$arettes+
!ard of mat!hes from the Lo$ Ca'in Cafe in Pasadena+ a pen!il+ fo#ntain pen+ forty-
ei$ht dollars in 'ills+ t"o dollars and se(en !ents in small !han$e& And that*s all& No
rin$s+ sti!) pins+ "rist "at!h - in fa!t+ nothin$ else&.
Mason said+ .That !ar*s a'o#t ready to !ome aro#nd the !#r(e& Pro'a'ly it*s the
!oroner& Get that st#ff 'a!) in his po!)ets& Ma)e an in(entory if yo# !an&.
The men p#shed the thin$s 'a!) in the po!)ets& ra)e said+ .Gosh+ Perry+ this is
$ettin$ me "here 0 li(e& 0*m $oin$ to 'e si!)&.
.Sh#t #p+. Mason ordered& .Get '#sy and )eep '#sy& 0*ll tell yo# "hen that !ar
ro#nds the !orner& Then $et #p and $et a"ay - -ere it !omes& Beat it=.
ra)e*s assistant 8#mped to his feet+ p#lled a !i$arette from his po!)et+ inserted it in
his lips and held the flame of a mat!h !#pped in trem'lin$ hands& ra)e 8er)ed the
!an(as 'a!) into position+ too) t"o #n!ertain steps to"ard Mason+ (eered a'r#ptly+
and leaned a$ainst the tr#n) of a tree& -is fa!e "as a $reenish-"hite&
The !ar slo"ed to a stop in front of the traffi! offi!er*s #praised palm& T"o men $ot
o#t& They tal)ed for a fe" moments& Then the offi!er nodded and stood to one side&
Mason "at!hed the t"o men&
.0s it the !oroner2. ra)e as)ed+ "itho#t mo(in$ his position&
Mason said+ .Mo(e do"n to"ard that to" !ar+ Pa#l+ 0*m 8oinin$ yo#& Let*s )eep o#t
of si$ht&.
.0s it the !oroner2. ra)e repeated+ still standin$ a$ainst the tree&
.0t*s 9immy ris!oll and 3odney C#ff+ his la"yer+. Mason said& .Get $oin$&.
The three "al)ed o(er to the to" !ar& The pair !omin$ #p the road "al)ed "ith
,#i!)+ 8er)y steps& Mason said+ .Sort of !ir!le aro#nd the hood+ 'oys& Try to ma)e
e(erythin$ yo# do seem !as#al& on*t loo) o(er to"ard them& Aeep yo#r eyes on the
!a'le& A!t as tho#$h "e*re part of the sal(a$e !re"&.
Someone sho#ted from 'elo"& The man standin$ 'y the dr#ms p#shed on a le(er+
and the "in!hes started slo"ly re(ol(in$&
C#ff and ris!oll "al)ed to the ed$e of the road+ peered do"n the ta#t line of the
"ire rope+ then stepped 'a!) and "al)ed dire!tly to the !an(as-!o(ered fi$#re&
Mason said+ .Lea(e this to me+ Pa#l& Yo# fello"s stay here&.
-e "aited some thirty se!onds+ #ntil C#ff had inserted his fin$ers in the po!)ets of
the dead man*s !oat+ then he !as#ally "al)ed for"ard and said+ .0 thin) the !oroner
li)es to 'e the one to do that+ C#ff&.
3odney C#ff 8#mped to his feet& ris!oll stared at Mason "ith the a$oni;ed
e%pression of the landl#''er "ho is a'o#t to 'e seasi!)&
C#ff*s fa!e "as !ompletely "itho#t e%pression+ '#t+ for a moment+ there "as a
"idenin$ of the 'l#e eyes& Then he $rinned+ stret!hed o#t his hand+ .1ell+ "ell+. he
said+ .fan!y meetin$ yo# here=.
Mason too) the o#tstret!hed hand+ said+ .Yo#*re interested in this !ase&
Co#nselor2.
C#ff met his stare steadily& .All ri$ht+. he said+ .let*s ,#it 'eatin$ aro#nd the '#sh&
1as this man Carl Pa!)ard+ or "asn*t he2.
.0 ne(er sa" Carl Pa!)ard+. Mason told him&
.There*s in) on the fin$ers of his left hand+. C#ff o'ser(ed&
.1hat 'ro#$ht yo# o#t here2. Mason !o#ntered&
.0 fan!y+. C#ff said+ .that o#r mental pro!esses "ere some"hat identi!al& Tell me+ is
it Pa!)ard2.
Mason met the yo#n$er man*s eyes and said+ .Yes+ C#ff+ it*s Pa!)ard&.
C#ff $lan!ed o(er to"ard 9immy ris!oll+ then shifted his eyes ,#i!)ly 'a!) to
Mason& .Then+. he said slo"ly+ ."e*ll ne(er )no" 8#st "hat it "as Pa!)ard sa" in
the "indo"&.
Mason t#rned to fa!e ris!oll& .on*t 'e too s#re a'o#t that& C#ff&.
So that as he !o#ld as!ertain+ ris!oll*s fa!e didn*t !han$e e%pression 'y so m#!h as
the faintest fli!)er&
Chapter 14
MAS/N $a(e his !ard to a sallo"-fa!ed "oman in the late forties+ "ho said+ "itho#t
e(en attemptin$ a smile+ .0f yo# ha(en*t an appointment "ith Mr& immi!) 0 do#'t
if he*ll see yo#& B#t 'e seated and 0*ll in,#ire&.
Mason said+ .Than)s+. and remained standin$&
She (anished thro#$h a door mar)ed+ .ABNE3 0MM0CA+ Pri(ate+. and "as $one
for some thirty se!onds& 1hen she ret#rned+ she stood on the threshold+ an an$#lar
fi$#re+ attired in a hea(y "oolen s#it+ deep-set+ 'la!) eyes starin$ in la!)l#ster
s!r#tiny from 'ehind horn-rimmed spe!ta!les&
.Mr& immi!) "ill see yo#+. she said+ and stood to one side for Mason to pass&
Mason !losed the door 'ehind him& immi!)+ seated 'a!) of a des) piled hi$h "ith
leather-'a!)ed la" 'oo)s+ said+ .-o" d*ye do& Co#nselor& E%!#se me for not $ettin$
#p& My rhe#matism+ yo# )no"& Sit do"n& 1hat !an 0 do for yo# - no+ "ait a
min#te&.
-e flipped #p a le(er on an inter-offi!e lo#d-spea)er and said to some person "hose
identity "as not dis!losed+ .Tell 3odney C#ff to !ome in here ri$ht a"ay&.
1itho#t "aitin$ for any !omment+ he snapped the le(er 'a!) into position+ t#rned
to Mason and said+ .0 "ant yo#n$ C#ff to 'e here "hen "e tal)& -e*s handlin$ this
!ase&.
Mason nodded+ dropped into a !hair+ !rossed his lon$ le$s in front of him and lit a
!i$arette& immi!) re$arded him thro#$h the ha;e of 'l#e smo)e and said+ .-o"*s
yo#r !ase !omin$2.
.So-so&.
.0 #nderstand the poli!e are holdin$ 'a!) some e(iden!e&.
.That so2. Mason as)ed+ raisin$ his eye'ro"s&
immi!) raised his '#shy eye'ro"s+ then lo"ered them into le(el lines of shre"d
s!r#tiny+ as he stared at Mason& .amnedest thin$ 0 e(er heard of+. he said+
.immi!)+ Gray < Pea'ody $ettin$ mi%ed #p in a m#rder !ase= Can*t seem to $et
a!!#stomed to it& 1a)e #p in the mornin$s "ith a start+ feelin$ a sense of impendin$
disaster+ then reali;e it*s 8#st that damn m#rder !ase& 0 s#ppose yo# $et a!!#stomed
to them&.
.0 do+. Mason said&
.Goin$ to ha(e a fi$ht on yo#r hands to sa(e 3ita S"aine+. immi!) said&
.Personally+ 0 thin) it*s a shame& 1alter Pres!ott needed )illin$&.
A door '#rst e%plosi(ely open& 3odney C#ff+ h#rryin$ into the room+ sa" Mason+
nodded+ smiled+ slo"ly !losed the door 'ehind him+ and then+ "ith e(ery appearan!e
of !as#al indifferen!e+ !rossed o(er to the des) and said to A'ner immi!)+ .Yo#
"anted me+ Mr& immi!)2.
.Yes& Sit do"n& Mr& Mason "ants to say somethin$& 0 tho#$ht he*d 'etter tal) "ith
yo#+ sin!e yo#*re handlin$ the !ase&.
.1hat 0 ha(e to say+ Mason said+ ta)in$ the !i$arette from his mo#th and starin$ at
the smo)e "hi!h spiraled #p"ard+ .has to do "ith the Se!ond Bidelity Sa(in$s
Loan&
.0ndeed=. immi!) said+ raisin$ his '#shy eye'ro"s&
.Yo#*re attorneys for that instit#tion+. Mason said&* .1alter Pres!ott )ept an
a!!o#nt there& 0 !an*t find o#t "hat*s in that a!!o#nt+ "hen the deposits "ere made+
nor in "hat form they "ere made& 0n fa!t+ 0 !an*t $et a damn 'it of information o#t
of the 'an)&.
immi!) made !l#!)in$ noises "ith his ton$#e a$ainst the roof of his mo#th& .0
as)ed yo# if yo# "anted to !ooperate+. he said at len$th& .Yo# told me yo# didn*t&.
C#ff said+ .Most em'arrassin$&.
.0t*s $oin$ to 'e em'arrassin$ for someone+. Mason "arned&
.Let*s see+. C#ff in,#ired+ .has Mrs& Pres!ott 'een appointed administratri%2.
.She*s filed a petition&.
.E(idently she "on*t 'e !har$ed "ith 'ein$ an a!!essory+. C#ff o'ser(ed&
Mason said+ .Yo#*re ad(isin$ the 'an)& 0 "ant to )no" the fa!ts a'o#t that a!!o#nt&
0*m satisfied they*re 'ein$ "ithheld from me on the ad(i!e of !o#nsel&.
immi!) started to $et to his feet+ fell 'a!) in his !hair "ith a $roan+ said+ .No"+
3odney+ remem'er "hat the do!tor said a'o#t my $ettin$ e%!ited& on*t let me $et
e%!ited=.
C#ff said+ .Aren*t yo# 8#mpin$ to !on!l#sions+ Mr& Mason2.
.0 thin) not+. Mason told him+ "itho#t ta)in$ his eyes from immi!)&
.1ell+ after all+. immi!) said+ .0 ha(en*t ta)en the time to loo) it #p+ '#t as 0
remem'er the la"+ #ntil some person is a!t#ally appointed as e%e!#tor or
administrator+ the 'an) doesn*t ha(e to ans"er ,#estions&.
.0*m not tal)in$ a'o#t "hat the la" says ri$ht no"+. Mason said+ .0*m tellin$ yo#
"hat 0 "ant&.
./f !o#rse+. immi!) pointed o#t+ ."e ha(e to ta)e the la" into !onsideration in
ad(isin$ the 'an)&.
Mason $ot to his feet& .Yo# )no" my position+. he said& .0*ll e%pe!t to hear from the
'an) "ithin an ho#r+.
immi!) po#nded the floor "ith his !ane& .Yo# !an*t $et anythin$ from #s #ntil Mr&
Pres!ott has 'een (indi!ated or #ntil she*s 'een appointed 'y the !o#rt as
administratri% - .
Mason !rossed the room to stand 'y the !omer of the older man*s des)+ loo)in$
do"n at him& .immi!)&. he said slo"ly+ .yo# li(e in an a!ademi! atmosphere of
le$al a'stra!tion& Yo#r idea of ri$hts and lia'ilities !ome from readin$ the stat#tes&
No" then+ yo#*(e 'een dealt !ards *in another sort of $ame entirely& Yo#*re not
playin$ a#!tion 'rid$e no"+ yo#*re playin$ no-limit po)er& No"+ yo# !an !ooperate
"ith me+ or not+ 8#st as yo# damn please& 0f yo# don*t !ooperate "ith me on this
matter+ 0*m $oin$ to raise hell& 0*ll e%pe!t to hear from yo# "ithin an ho#r&.
immi!) str#$$led to his feet& .Yo# loo) here+. he sho#ted+ .yo# !an*t '#lldo;e #s=
Yo#*re not doin$ '#siness "ith some !heap firm of shysters= immi!)+ Gray <
Pea'ody represent the - .
Mason said+ on*t for$et "hat the do!tor told yo#+ Mr& immi!)& Yo# m#stn*t $et
e%!ited&.
-e strode to"ard the e%it door+ opened it+ t#rned to C#ff and said+ .-o" a'o#t the
"allet yo# too) from Pa!)ard*s !oat po!)et+ C#ff2.
.The "allet=. C#ff said+ his eyes "idenin$&
Mason nodded&
.There "asn*t any "allet&.
.There isn*t any+. Mason said& .That*s no si$n there "asn*t any&.
.B#t 0 don*t #nderstand yo#+. C#ff said& .Yo# - .
.0 #nderstand him+. immi!) said& .-e*s $oin$ to !laim that yo# "ron$f#lly
remo(ed a "allet from Pa!)ard*s po!)et&.
Mason said+ .0*m not $oin$ to !laim anythin$ of the sort+ $entlemen& 0 am $oin$ to
point o#t to the press that it*s most #n#s#al for a man to 'e dri(in$ a !ar "itho#t a
dri(in$ li!ense& 1hen r& 1alla!e treated Pa!)ard at the hospital+ Pa!)ard had a
dri(in$ li!ense sho"in$ his name and his Alta(ille residen!e& That dri(in$ li!ense
"as in a "allet& The "allet and the dri(in$ li!ense "ere ret#rned to him& 1hat
'e!ame of them2.
.-o" sho#ld 0 )no"2. C#ff as)ed&
.1hat "ere yo# doin$+ $oin$ thro#$h the man*s po!)ets2.
.0 "as tryin$ to identify him&.
Mason nodded and said+ .That*s "hat yo# say& Yo#*re representin$ 9ames ris!oll&
on*t for$et Pres!ott "as )illed "ith ris!oll*s $#n& on*t for$et Carl Pa!)ard sa"
somethin$ in the "indo" of Pres!ott*s ho#se 8#st a'o#t the time Pres!ott "as 'ein$
)illed& on*t for$et that Pa!)ard "as m#rdered to )eep him from tal)in$+ and don*t
for$et that 9ames ris!oll )ne" that the 'ody "as that of Pa!)ard 8#st as soon as
the "re!) "as fo#nd& Perhaps the #ltra-respe!ta'le firm of immi!)+ Gray <
Pea'ody "ill ha(e some em'arrassin$ ,#estions to ans"er 'efore 0 $et finished&.
C#ff !ame stridin$ to"ard Mason+ his fa!e indi$nant&
.Yo# !an*t p#ll that st#ff+. he said& .That*s - .
.Good afternoon+ $entlemen+. Mason said+ steppin$ into the !orridor& .Yo# ha(e
half an ho#r&. -e slammed the door sh#t 'ehind him&
Chapter 16
PE33Y MAS/N+ his th#m's p#shed thro#$h the armholes of his (est+ head
dropped for"ard in tho#$ht+ pa!ed the floor of his offi!e "ith rhythmi! re$#larity&
Brom time to time he fl#n$ remar)s o(er his sho#lder to ella Street& -is eyes+
ho"e(er+ )ept starin$ strai$ht ahead in fi%ed fo!#s&
. - Can*t #nderstand the thin$-li)e rea!hin$ in the dar) for a li$ht $lo'e that*s
dan$lin$ from a strin$& 0t hits yo#r fin$ers+ 'o#n!es a"ay& Yo# $rope for it+ !an*t
find it+ then '#mp into it a$ain&&&& 1hat the de(il !o#ld Pa!)ard ha(e seen in that
"indo"2 &&& And Pa!)ard "as m#rdered+ don*t for$et that& Personally+ 0*m in!lined
to thin) he "as #n!ons!io#s "hen some'ody ran the !ar o(er the 'an)& 0n the first
pla!e+ it "as a stolen !ar& No"+ "hy the de(il sho#ld Pa!)ard steal a !ar2 0n the
se!ond pla!e+ there "asn*t a sin$le fin$erprint on the steerin$ "heel+ '#t Pa!)ard
"asn*t "earin$ $lo(es& Someone stole that !ar+ "iped all prints from the steerin$
"heel& Pa!)ard "as #n!ons!io#s& They ran the !ar #p the mo#ntain road+ then
someone "ho "ore $lo(es stood on the r#nnin$'oard+ p#shed do"n the hand
throttle+ )i!)ed in the !l#t!h+ ran it to the ed$e of the !liff+ and let *er $o&.
ella Street tapped "ith her pen!il on the polished s#rfa!e of her des)& .No" listen&
Chief+. she said& .on*t for$et o#r ship sails tomorro"& And+ "hile 0 thin) of it+
here*s the ti!)et for yo# to si$n&.
She #nfolded a sheet of paper filled "ith fine printin$& Mason pa#sed in his stride+
"hipped a fo#ntain pen from his po!)et+ 'ent o(er the des)+ and affi%ed his
si$nat#re "ith a flo#rish&
.0f a !lient did that yo#*d 8#mp all o(er him+. she said&
.id "hat2.
.Si$n a printed form "itho#t readin$ it&.
-e $rinned& .After they $et in tro#'le+. he said+ .and 'rin$ a printed do!#ment in
to me+ 'earin$ their si$nat#re+ 0 al"ays tell them they sho#ldn*t ha(e si$ned it
"itho#t readin$ it& And they sho#ldn*t& Not that one& B#t if a '#sinessman stopped
to read o(er the nine h#ndred and ninety-nine tho#sand fine print re$#lations they
p#t on the 'a!)s of ti!)ets+ 'ills of ladin$+ tele$raph 'lan)s+ and thin$s of that sort+
he*d 'e 'lind 'efore he "as fifty&.
.Perry Mason+ yo#*re a(oidin$ the ,#estion& Are yo# or are yo# not $oin$ to start
$ettin$ yo#r tr#n)s pa!)ed2.
-e fro"ned and said+ .Yo# )no" as "ell as 0 do+ ella+ "e !an*t lea(e on that ship
#ntil "e ha(e 3ita S"aine o#t of her diffi!#lties&.
.S#ppose she*s $#ilty2.
.o yo# thin) she*s $#ilty2.
.To tell yo# the tr#th& Chief+ 0 don*t )no"& 0 don*t thin) 1 pay as m#!h attention to
the so'-sister stories "omen hand o#t as yo# do& B#t+ 8#st the same+ it*s hard to
fi$#re ho" she !o#ld ha(e $one in the ho#se+ )illed 1alter Pres!ott+ and then tried
to plan thin$s so it "o#ld loo) as tho#$h her sister had done the 8o'&.
.-o" a'o#t 3osalind Pres!ott2.
.0*m not so s#re a'o#t her& 3osalind*s in lo(e& A "oman "ill do anythin$ to prote!t
the man she lo(es&. .E(en to the e%tent of $ettin$ her sister !on(i!ted of m#rder=.
.-er sister isn*t !on(i!ted of m#rder yet+. ella Street pointed o#t& .And if she is+
it*ll 'e the first !lient yo#*(e defended "ho has 'een !on(i!ted& 3osalind may ha(e
passed the '#!) to yo#&.
Mason res#med his pa!in$ of the floor and said+ .Yes+ that*s so&.
.Chief+ "ill yo# please ta)e the time o#t toni$ht to pa!) yo#r tr#n)s2.
.0 don*t )no"+. he said& .0 !an*t promise& 0f 0 !an*t !lear this !ase #p+ there*s no #se
pa!)in$ any tr#n)s& Yo# )no" as "ell as 0 do 0 "on*t sail #nless it*s finished&.
.That isn*t "hat*s 'otherin$ me+. she said& .0 don*t do#'t yo#r a'ility to "or) o#t a
sol#tion of this !ase 'efore tomorro" afternoon at t"o o*!lo!)& B#t+ "hat 0*m afraid
of is+ yo#*ll $et interested in some other !ase and stay o(er to handle that&.
.No+. he told her+ ."hen "e $et this thin$ !leaned #p "e*re $oin$ aro#nd the
"orld&.
.1ill yo# promise yo# "on*t ta)e on any other !ase2.
Mason said+ "ith a $rin+ .1ell+ no"+ a promise is definite and final&.
.So yo# really don*t mean it&.
.1ell+. he offered+ .0*ll ma)e yo# a !onditional promise&.
.1hat do yo# mean 'y a !onditional promise2.
.0 "on*t ta)e any ordinary !ase+. he said& ./f !o#rse+ if somethin$ sho#ld !ome in
"hi!h fairly ree)ed of mystery - 1ell+ yo# "o#ldn*t "ant me to $o aro#nd the "orld
p#ttin$ in e(ery "a)in$ min#te "onderin$ "hat 0*d left 'ehind me+ "o#ld yo#2.
.Yes+. she said+ .0 "o#ld&.
.0 "o#ldn*t en8oy the trip&.
.Yo# thin) yo# "o#ldn*t& 0f yo# on!e $ot started yo#*d $et a )i!) o#t of it& Yo#*d see
so m#!h 'eneath the s#rfa!e that yo#*d $et a lot of f#n si;in$ #p yo#r fello"
tra(elers+ $oin$ ashore in the different ports+ and - .
She 'ro)e off+ to lift the re!ei(er from the telephone on her des) as the 'ell shrilled
into noise& Listenin$ a moment+ she loo)ed #p and said+ .Brederi!) Carpenter+ the
Ci!e-President of the Se!ond Bidelity Sa(in$s < Loan&.
Mason $rinned and said+ .That may 'e $ood& Better listen in&.
-e strode to his des)+ 8er)ed #p his telephone+ said+ .-ello& Mason spea)in$&.
.Good afternoon+ Mr& Mason& This is Mr& Brederi!) Carpenter of the Se!ond
Bidelity Sa(in$s Loan& Yo#*ll remem'er tal)in$ "ith me a'o#t the a!!o#nt of
1alter Pres!ott+ de!eased&.
.0 remem'er it perfe!tly+. Mason said+ "in)in$ a!ross at ella Street
.At the time yo# tal)ed "ith me+* Carpenter "ent on+ in the slo"+ deli'erate (oi!e of
one "ho has trained himself not to do thin$s in a h#rry+ .0 felt that it "o#ld 'e far
'etter to "ait #ntil yo#r !lient had 'een appointed 'y the !o#rt 'efore ma)in$ any
a!!o#ntin$& -o"e(er+ after ta)in$ the matter #p "ith o#r le$al department+ "e ha(e
!on!l#ded that perhaps it mi$ht 'e 'etter to !ooperate "ith yo# and not for!e yo# to
ta)e steps to as!ertain the e%a!t amo#nt "hi!h - .
Mason impatiently interr#pted the smooth !aden!es of the 'an)er*s (oi!e& .Ne(er
mind e%plainin$+. he said& .-o" m#!h is his 'alan!e2.
Carpenter !leared his throat& .Si%ty-nine tho#sand+ se(en h#ndred and si%ty-fi(e
dollars and thirty !ents+. he said&
.Can yo# tell me ho" that*s 'een deposited2.
.The deposits+. Carpenter said+ ."ere rather #n#s#al& Bor the most part+ they
represented s#ms ran$in$ from fi(e to fifteen tho#sand dollars+ deposited in !ash&.
.By 1alter Pres!ott personally2.
.As far as 0 am a'le to as!ertain from o#r re!ords and the re!olle!tion of the
persons "ho handled the a!!o#nt+ 'y 1alter Pres!ott personally&.
.Than)s+. Mason said&
.And if "e !an 'e of any assistan!e to yo# in the f#t#re+. Carpenter said+ .please
as) for me personally+ Mr& Mason&.
Mason said+ ./)ay+. dropped the re!ei(er into pla!e+ and stared a!ross at ella
Street& .That+. he said+ .doesn*t loo) (ery m#!h as tho#$h "e "ere sailin$
tomorro"&.
.1hy not& Chief2.
.0t means there*s another !ompli!atin$ !ir!#mstan!e "hi!h "e ha(en*t !onsidered+
somethin$ "hi!h has to 'e ironed o#t 'efore "e !an rea!h a sol#tion&.
.1hy does it ha(e to 'e ironed o#t2.
.Be!a#se+. he told her+ .a sol#tion of any !rime "hi!h doesn*t a!!o#nt for all of the
(ario#s fa!tors in(ol(ed is no sol#tion at all& No"+ 0*(e paid too m#!h attention to
the people the distri!t attorney*s offi!e s#spe!t+ and not eno#$h to the (i!tim& 0n the
lon$ r#n+ ella+ the essen!e of all s#!!essf#l dete!ti(e "or) lies in re!onstr#!tin$ the
life of the (i!tim& That $i(es moti(ation+ and moti(ation ma)es m#rders&
.Cirt#ally e(ery man has enemies& Sometimes they*re '#siness enemies& More often
they*re personal enemies+ people "ho hate him+ people "ho "ill loo) do"n their
noses and say it*s too 'ad "hen they hear he*s '#mped off+ '#t "ho "ill 'e ti!)led to
death 8#st the same+ '#t it ta)es a pe!#liar psy!holo$i!al '#ild-#p to perpetrate a
m#rder& A man m#st ha(e a !ertain innate fero!ity+ a !ertain la!) of !onsideration+
and+ #s#ally+ a la!) of ima$ination&.
.1hy a la!) of ima$ination2.
.0 don*t )no"+. he said+ .e%!ept that it*s nearly al"ays tr#e& 0 thin) ima$inati(e
people sympathi;e "ith the s#fferin$s of others 'e!a#se they*re a'le to (is#ali;e
those s#fferin$s more
)eenly in their o"n minds& An #nima$inati(e person+ on the other hand+ !an*t
(is#ali;e himself in the shoes of another& Therefore+ he sees life only from his o"n
selfish an$le& Aillers are fre,#ently !#nnin$+ '#t they*re rarely ori$inal& They*re
selfish+ and #s#ally determined& /f !o#rse+ 0*m not tal)in$ no" a'o#t a m#rder
"hi!h is the res#lt of some s#dden o(erpo"erin$ emotion&.
.1hy !o#ldn*t this m#rder 'e one of that type2. she as)ed&
.0t !o#ld+. he admitted readily eno#$h& .0n that e(ent+ 0*d say that 3ita S"aine
p#ffed the tri$$er& B#t "hether she "as 8#stified+ is another ,#estion&.
.1o#ld yo# represent her if she*s $#ilty2.
.0t depends on "hat yo# mean 'y 'ein$ $#ilty& 0 don*t ne!essarily define m#rder the
same "ay the distri!t attorney defines it& 0f there "ere !ir!#mstan!es of moral
pro(o!ation+ they mi$ht 'e 8#st as !ompellin$ as !ir!#mstan!es of physi!al
pro(o!ation& 0n other "ords+ the la" says that if a man is in a position to do yo#
$reat 'odily harm+ or to )ill yo#+ and he !omes at yo#+ apparently for the p#rpose of
p#ttin$ a m#rdero#s intent into e%e!#tion+ yo# ha(e the ri$ht to )ill him& 0n other
"ords+ that*s a physi!al pro(o!ation& 0t*s all the la"+ in its 'l#nderin$ $enerality+ !an
ta)e into !omprehension& B#t+ ho" a'o#t the person "ho 'rin$s a !r#shin$ mental
or moral press#re #pon a more or less helpless (i!tim2 0 admit !ir!#mstan!es li)e
that aren*t !ommon& B#t+ "ith !ertain temperaments+ they mi$ht 'e possi'le&.
.Chief+. she said+ ."ill yo# please #nfo!#s yo#r mind lon$ eno#$h to $et yo#r
!lothes pa!)ed2.
.Not no"+. he told her+ fro"nin$+ and startin$ on!e more to pa!e the floor& .0*m
$oin$ 'a!) to first prin!iples and '#ildin$ #p from there& No" then+ let*s loo) at the
(i!tim-1alter Pres!ott - an #nso!ial indi(id#al-selfish+ !r#el+ !old+ r#thless- 0n short+
8#st the type of person "ho !o#ld !ommit a m#rder&.
.B#t he didn*t !ommit a m#rder+ Chief& -e "as m#rdered&.
Mason said+ .That*s the p#;;lin$ part of it+ ella& -e sho#ld ha(e 'een the
m#rderer instead of the !orpse&.
.This+. ella Street pointed o#t+ .isn*t $ettin$ #s any nearer China&.
.0 thin) it is+. Mason said tho#$htf#lly& .0t so#nds foolish+ and yet 0 thin) it*s
$ettin$ me some pla!e& 0t*s parado%i!al& The man "ho "as m#rdered isn*t the man
"ho "as m#rdered+ '#t the man "ho !ommitted the m#rder& No"+ if "e !an follo"
that !ontradi!tory premise thro#$h to a lo$i!al !on!l#sion+ ella+ "e*re !ertainly
$oin$ to 'e one 8#mp ahead of the poli!e+ 'e!a#se that*s a startin$ point of ded#!ti(e
reasonin$ "hi!h "o#ld ne(er s#$$est itself to them&.
.No+. she admitted "ith a smile+ .yo# "in on that&.
.No" then+. Mason said+ .let*s s#ppose that 1alter Pres!ott is a m#rderer& Let*s
s#ppose that "hat 9ason Bra#n+ alias Carl Pa!)ard+ sa" in the "indo" of that
ho#se didn*t ha(e to do "ith the m#rder of 1alter Pres!ott+ '#t did ha(e to do "ith
the m#rder of someone else - someone 1alter Pres!ott "as )illin$&.
ella Street said+ .Yo# also "in on that& Chief& 0 !an*t !on!ei(e of the poli!e 'ein$
a'le to follo" yo# into that line of reasonin$&.
.0t*s $oofy+. he admitted+ .and yet+ someho" or other+ 0 feel that 0*m $ettin$ on the
tra!) of "hat really happened& Someho"+ p#ttin$ all these possi'ilities in "ords
ta)es a"ay that feelin$ of f#m'lin$ aro#nd in the dar)& No" then+ "ith that as a
startin$ point+ and !onsiderin$ that Pa!)ard sa" somethin$ !onne!ted "ith a
m#rder+ "ho "as the (i!tim2 0f 1alter Pres!ott had )illed someone+ "ho "o#ld he
ha(e )illed2 0f he*d tried to )ill someone+ "ho "as that someone+ and "hat !o#ld
Pa!)ard ha(e seen - 1ait a min#te+ ella - $ood Lord=.
Mason pa#sed in his pa!in$+ to stand in the middle of the floor+ his le$s spread apart&
.ella+. he said slo"ly+ .if "hat 0 thin) happened is a!t#ally the real sol#tion+ then -
.
A series of )no!)s so#nded on the door "hi!h led to the !orridor& Mason said+
.That*s Pa#l ra)e& Let him in+ ella+ and see "hat he "ants&.
ella Street !rossed the room and opened the door&
.-ello+ fol)s+. ra)e said& .1hat*re yo# doin$2.
.1e*re en$a$in$ in a ne" form of lo$i!+. ella ans"ered "ith a $rin& .0t*s s"ell& 0t
sol(es m#rders and e(erythin$&.
.Gimme+. ra)e said+ enterin$ the room&
.1ell+ it $oes li)e this+. ella said& .Be!a#se yo#*(e !ome in the room+ yo# m#st
ha(e 'een the person $oin$ o#t of the room& Therefore+ ha(in$ $one o#t of the room
"hile yo# "ere !omin$ into the room+ someone "ho sa" yo# in the !orridor !omin$
into the room+ "o#ld ha(e )no"n yo# "ere $oin$ o#t of the room+ and - .
./h+ 0 see+. ra)e said+ .li)e a p#ppy !hasin$ his tail+ h#h2.
.E%a!tly+. ella a$reed+ .only the p#ppy !at!hes his tail& Then+ ha(in$ s"allo"ed
himself+ he 'e!omes+ so to spea)+ !ompletely self-!ontained&.
Mason !h#!)led and said+ .on*t mind her+ Pa#l& She*s filled "ith tra(el '#$s& She*s
'een do"n pi!)in$ o#t li$ht "hatnots to "ear in tropi!al !o#ntries&.
.Not only in the !o#ntries+. ella Street said+ .'#t on ship'oard+ #nder the stars+
and in the moonli$ht& Thin)+ Chief+ of sailin$ do"n 'elo" the e,#ator+ "ith the
So#thern Cross 'la;in$ o(erhead+ the "ind a "arm !aress on the s)in+ the "a)e of
the 'oat streamin$ o#t 'ehind in a "hite path& The s!ent of spi!es in the air+ the hiss
of "ater past the 'o"& /(er on the ri$ht - .
.Star'oard+. ra)e interr#pted& .By the time yo#*(e $one 'elo" the e,#ator+ yo#*ll
)no" the na#ti!al terms&.
./)ay+. she said+ "ith a s"eep of her arm+ .o(er on the star'oard is an island+ the
!rests of the (ol!ani! mo#ntains silho#etted a$ainst the stars& o"n lo"er a$ainst
the "ater+ "here the palm trees frin$e the la$oon 'ehind the 'arrier reef+ is a nati(e
(illa$e& And+ from the de!) of the ship yo# !an hear the rhythmi! thro' of the nati(e
dr#ms+ the pe!#liar "ail of primiti(e m#si! - .
.No+. Mason interr#pted+ .yo#*re "ay off a$ain& The !aptain "o#ldn*t 'e standin$
in that !lose to an island after dar)& -e*d 'e o#t "here there "as plenty of sea room
and - .
ella Street shoo) her head sadly& .Pardon me= My mista)e= 1hat "e sho#ld tal)
a'o#t is m#rder-!orpses "ith 'attered heads - !l#es+ !ir!#mstantial e(iden!e+
'loodstained '#llets+ per8#red testimony+ and the 'ea#tif#l thin$s in lite& M#rderers
"ho are !orpses+ !orpses "ho are m#rderers& No" yo#+ Pa#l ra)e+ $et a load of
this& Tomorro"+ the Chief and 0 are $oin$ to sail on the President Monroe on a
ro#nd-the-"orld !r#ise& 1e ha(e o#r staterooms all en$a$ed+ o#r ti!)ets 'o#$ht and
paid for& There*s only one thin$ standin$ 'et"een #s and the $an$plan) and that*s
this 3ita S"aine+ "ho drifted in here "ith a lame !anary and a hard l#!) story and
$ot the Chief all tan$led #p in a mess& No"+ yo# t"o $et '#sy and strai$hten it o#t&
B#t 8#st remem'er that tomorro" - .
ra)e+ "ho had slid into his fa(orite position in the 'i$ leather !hair+ shoo) his head
mo#rnf#lly and said+ .That*s "hat 0 !ame to tell yo# a'o#t& Perry& 0t*s all o(er
e%!ept the sho#tin$& Yo# !an sail any time yo# $et ready&.
.1hat*s happened2. Mason as)ed&
.Yo#r !lient*s !onfessed&.
.Yo# mean 3ita2.
.Yes&.
.1hat did she !onfess to2.
./h+ a lot of thin$s - $oin$ #pstairs to !han$e her !lothes+ steppin$ into the
'edroom+ findin$ 1alter*s 'ody+ $oin$ thro#$h his po!)ets+ ta)in$ a letter o#t of his
"allet+ and all that sort of st#ff& After the !ontradi!tory stories she*s told+ pl#s the
fa!t that she forth"ith s)ipped o#t of the state and fo#$ht e%tradition+ a 8#ry "ill
'rin$ in a first-de$ree m#rder (erdi!t "itho#t lea(in$ the 'o%& Yo# !an pro'a'ly $et
her life imprisonment if yo# !han$e her plea from not $#ilty to $#ilty+ and ri$ht no"
that*s the 'est thin$ yo# !an do for yo#r !lient& Then yo# !an !at!h yo#r ship and $o
'ye-'ye&.
Mason stood starin$ do"n at the dete!ti(e& .-o" did yo# hear a'o#t this+ Pa#l2.
./ne of the ne"spaper 'oys tipped me off& The distri!t attorney released a
statement& The thin$ "ill 'e on the street in half an ho#r& -ell+ Perry+ they had the
$oods on her+ any"ay& They had her fin$erprints on the "allet+ and they*(e fo#nd
'loodstains on her shoes and had re!onstr#!ted eno#$h of the !harred fra$ments in
the firepla!e to )no" "hat letter had 'een ta)en from Pres!ott*s po!)et and '#rned&
The &A& "as
holdin$ all that st#ff 'a!)+ $ettin$ ready to slap yo# in the fa!e "ith it "hen yo#
"al)ed into !o#rt&.
.id she+. Mason as)ed+ .admit that she )illed him2.
.0 don*t )no"& 0 thin) she*s still holdin$ o#t on that&.
.Anythin$ else2. Mason as)ed& .1hat ha(e yo# fo#nd o#t a'o#t that 3osa
-endri%2.
ra)e said+ .-ell+ Perry+ yo# )no" the ans"er to that "itho#t me ha(in$ to tell yo#&
0f yo# "ant to 'e mean a'o#t it+ yo#*ll ha(e a !han!e to do it toni$ht&.
.-o" so2.
.She*s lea(in$ for 3eno toni$ht&.
.Yo# mean 3osa -endri%2.
.No+ not 3osa -endri%+ '#t iana Mor$an+ the ri!h yo#n$ di(or!ee "ho has the
s"ell apartment in the Bellefontaine&.
.Certain a'o#t that2. Mason as)ed&
.Yes&.
./)ay& 1hat else2.
.Somethin$*s happened to "hate(er it "as Trader deli(ered to the $ara$e& -e says
he !an*t remem'er e%a!tly+ a !o#ple of 'o%es+ and he thin)s a 'arrel& At any rate+ the
st#ff disappeared& Trader says he set it 8#st inside the door+ as Pres!ott had
instr#!ted him to&.
.Perhaps the &A& too) it for e(iden!e+. Mason said&
.No& /ne of the ne"spaper 'oys did a little snoopin$ for me and finds o#t that the
distri!t attorney o(erloo)ed that an$le of the !ase entirely&.
.0 "onder+. Mason said tho#$htf#lly+ .if the "hole thin$ may not ha(e 'een a stall&
0*m "onderin$ if Trader a!t#ally did ret#rn to Pres!ott*s ho#se and deli(er st#ff to
the $ara$e&.
.Yes& Mrs& 1eyman sa" him 'a!) the (an #p to the $ara$e&.
.-o" a'o#t 1eyman2 1as he home at the time2.
.-e "as home+ '#t indisposed+. ra)e $rinned&
Mason loo)ed at his "rist "at!h& .1hat else do yo# ha(e on 3osa -endri%+
anythin$2.
.Not a thin$+. ra)e said !heerf#lly& .3osa -endri% is a ni!e $irl+ '#t 0 ha(e my
s#spi!ions a'o#t iana Mor$an& That $irl seems to )no" hei "ay aro#nd and she
has an independent in!ome from some pla!e+.
.-o" a'o#t 1ray2. Mason as)ed& .oes he play aro#nd "ith the redhead after
offi!e ho#rs2.
.Apparently not& 1ray is ,#ite a mi%er+ fond of !l#'s+ lod$es+ smo)ers and all that
sort of st#ff& -is $re$ario#s instin!t seems to ha(e for its #ltimate $oal - the ma)in$
of !ontra!ts and the landin$ of '#siness for the firm of Pres!ott < 1ray&.
.Any idea "ho*s p#ttin$ #p the money2. Mason as)ed&
.Not for iana Mor$an+. ra)e said+ .'#t 0 ha(e a line on 3osa -endri%&.
.1hat sort of a line2.
.0n !ase yo#*re interested+. ra)e said+ .she has a l#n!heon en$a$ement tomorro"
"ith 9immy ris!oll&.
Mason stared at him "ith tho#$ht-slitted eyes&
.Listen+ Pa#l+. he said+ ."hat sort of 'a$$a$e does that "oman ha(e2.
.3osa -endri%+. ra)e said+ .has a !heap+ split-leather s#it!ase "ith a paste'oard
'a!)in$+ a steamer tr#n)+ and - .
.No+ 0*m not tal)in$ a'o#t her& 0*m tal)in$ a'o#t her other identity - iana
Mor$an&.
.The sort of 'a$$a$e that "o#ld $o "ell "ith a three- h#ndred-and-ninety-fi(e
dollar apartment+. ra)e said& .-at 'o%es+ s#it!ases+ tr#n)s+ finest of leather - .
.-o" are they mar)ed2.
.Simply "ith the initialsG *&M&* Yo#*ll ha(e a !han!e to see the st#ff toni$ht+ Perry&
She*ll 'e mo(in$ o#t on that trip to 3eno&.
.o yo# thin) she a!t#ally intends to $o to 3eno2.
.iana Mor$an does+. ra)e said+ $rinnin$+ .'#t 3osa -endri% "ill 'e on the 8o'
tomorro" - don*t for$et 3osa*s l#n!heon en$a$ement "ith 9immy ris!oll&.
.0 "on*t+. Mason promised him& .o yo# happen to )no" "hat time toni$ht she
intends to mo(e the 'a$$a$e& Pa#l2.
.*-appen* is not the "ord to des!ri'e the manner in "hi!h 0 attain my )no"led$e+.
ra)e said+ t"istin$ his fish-mo#th into a droll $rin+ .it ta)es el'o"-$rease+
!on!entration+ perspi!a!ity+ and perspiration+ a rare !om'ination of int#iti(e - .
.Yes+ 0 )no"+. Mason interr#pted+ mat!hin$ his $rin& .0*ll find all that in the
e%pense a!!o#nt "hen 0 $et it& B#t+ please tell me+ Mr& 1orldly-1ise Man+ "hat time
she intends to mo(e the 'a$$a$e&.
.She told the porter to 'e #p at her apartment at ten- thirty+ that a transfer man
"o#ld 'e "aitin$ o#tside the apartment ho#se at that time&.
Mason said+ .And do yo# happen to )no"+ Mr& -#man 1onder+ "hether the
transfer man "ho "ill mo(e the 'a$$a$e of Miss iana Mor$an is Mr& -arry Trader
of the Trader*s Transfer Company2.
The $rin left Pa#l ra)e*s fa!e& -is ro#nd+ sli$htly protr#din$ eyes sho"ed a flash
of s#rprise 'a!) of the $lassy film "hi!h !o(ered them& -e slid aro#nd in the !hair+
$ot to his feet and said+ .By God+ Perry+ 0 don*t& And 0*m $oin$ to find o#t& Yo# hit
the nail on the fin$er "ith that !ra!)&.
.Let me )no" as soon as yo# $et the dope+. Mason !alled o#t as ra)e 8er)ed open
the e%it door and po#nded do"n the !orridor to"ard the offi!e&
Mason t#rned to ella Street& .ella+ ho" a'o#t yo#r 'a$$a$e2.
.0 ha(e my thin$s nearly all pa!)ed&.
.0*m not tal)in$ a'o#t yo#r thin$s+. he told her& .-o" a'o#t yo#r 'a$$a$e2.
.Yo# mean my s#it!ases+ tr#n)s and thin$s2.
.Yes&.
./h+. she said+ .0*ll $et 'y& 0*(e 'orro"ed a !o#ple of tr#n)s and - .
.0 ha(e an idea "hi!h 'eats that all to pie!es+. Mason interr#pted& .1hy not let
3ita S"aine pay for yo#r 'a$$a$e2 0 ha(e a s!heme 'y "hi!h - .
.No" listen+ Chief+. she interr#pted& .0*m $oin$ to !at!h that 'oat= 0f yo#*re
thin)in$ #p any st#nt "hi!h*ll land me in 8ail yo# !an for$et it ri$ht no"&.
.No+. he told her+ .this*ll 'e perfe!tly le$al&.
.Ne(er mind if it*s le$al+. she said& .1ill it loo) le$al2.
.1ell+. Mason admitted+ hesitatin$+ .0*ll !onfess that it may loo) 8#st the sli$htest
'it - .
She interr#pted and said+ .That*s eno#$h& The ans"er+ in "ords of one sylla'le is
*No&*.
.No" don*t 'e li)e that+ ella+. he pleaded& .This is a !in!h& Yo# $o do"n to the
'est l#$$a$e store in the !ity+ '#y yo#rself a "hole flo!) of s#it!ases+ hat 'o%es+
tr#n)s and "hat ha(e yo#+ and ha(e them lettered "ith the initials *&M&* Yo# p#t in
some 'ri!)s+ ne"spapers+ 'oards and old shoes+ to $i(e the l#$$a$e a reasona'le
amo#nt of "ei$ht& Then yo# ha(e a transfer man ta)e the l#$$a$e #p to 3ita
S"aine*s apartment at 1455 Chestn#t Street& Tell him the n#m'er of the apartment
is 675+ and if yo#*re not there he*s to $et a pass)ey from the attendant and p#t the
'a$$a$e ri$ht in the apartment&.
ella Street ya"ned and said+ .Sorry+ Chief+ 0*m not interested& 1hen the ship p#lls
o#t tomorro"+ 0 "ant to 'e standin$ on de!)+ "a(in$ 'ye-'ye to a fe" of my en(io#s
friends "ho*ll ha(e !ome do"n to see me off& 0 "o#ldn*t !are to 'e 'ehind 'ars in
the !o#nty 8ail+ than) yo#&.
.Yo# don*t ha(e to 'e+. Mason told her& .This is perfe!tly le$al&.
.1ill 0 $et arrested2.
.They !an*t hold yo# in 8ail - .
.Ne(er mind "hether they !an hold me& 1ill they arrest me2.
.1ell+. Mason !on!eded+ .'efore "e $et done+ Ser$eant -ol!om' may 'e a little 'it
p#t o#t a'o#t it&.
.Eno#$h so he*d ta)e me to the hoose$o"+ Chief2.
Mason said+ .Ser$eant -ol!om'*s imp#lsi(e+ '#t 0*ll tell yo# "hat "e*ll do& 1e*ll
steal a mar!h on him+ ella& Get yo#r 'oo) and 0*ll $i(e yo# some di!tation&.
She said+ ./h+ "ell+ yo#*(e ne(er yet $one so far 0 "o#ldn*t 'a!) yo#r play& Let*s
$o&.
She mo(ed o(er to her se!retarial des)+ opened her shorthand note'oo) and held
her pen poised a'o(e the paper& ./)ay+ Chief+. she said+ ."hat is it2.
.0n the Matter of the Appli!ation of ella Street+. Mason di!tated+ .for a 1rit of
-a'eas Corp#s&.
Chapter 1D
L/1-BLUNG+ CL/US+ home alon$ in solemn pro!ession 'y a 'ris) so#th "ind+
slid smoothly o(er the !ity streets+ sendin$ do"n an o!!asional patter of raindrops&
The mornin$ "as depressin$+ $loomy+ a fore-r#nner of disaster&
The transfer man "ho stood a")"ardly ill at ease in front of the apartment ho#se
des)+ said+ .1ell+ all 0 )no" a'o#t it is she said she "as mo(in$ in& She had a
s#'lease or somethin$& She said all the 'a$$a$e initialed *&M&* "as to $o in& -ere+
she said to $i(e yo# this letter if 0 had any tro#'le&.
The !ler) said+ .1ell+ yo#*re ha(in$ tro#'le+. and slit open the en(elope& -e read
the do!#ment+ s!rat!hed his head and said+ .1ell+ it seems to 'e in order& 3ita
S"aine has her rent paid and she*s in 8ail& She says to let a Miss ella Street mo(e
her thin$s into the apartment+ and these are ella Street*s thin$s& 0 $#ess she has the
ri$ht to do it if she "ants& 0*ll send the 'oy #p to #nlo!) the door&.
The transfer man nodded+ "al)ed 'a!) to the li$ht transfer "a$on at the !#r'+ and
started #npilin$ 'a$s+ s#it!ases and steamer tr#n)s&
.-o" yo# $oin$ to $et all that st#ff into the one apartment2. the !ler) as)ed&
.0 d* )no"+. the transfer man admitted& .0*ll do it some "ay& Pile *em in the !enter
of the floor if 0 !an*t do nothin$ else& She said to $et *em in+ and 0*ll $et *em in&.
The !olored ele(ator 'oy approa!hed the des)& .Boss+ yo*- all remem'ah that the
poli!e offi!er man said yo# "as to telephone him if any'ody tried to $ei m that
apartment&.
.No one*s tryin$ to $et in+. the !ler) said& .The man*s simply deli(erin$ some
'a$$a$e& -o"e(er+ 0*ll notify Ser$eant -ol!om'&.
-e pl#$$ed in a line+ !alled poli!e head,#arters and as)ed for Ser$eant -ol!om' of
the homi!ide s,#ad& 1hile he "aited+ the transfer man and the ele(ator 'oy mo(ed
'a$$a$e #p to 3ita S"aine*s apartment&
After a fe" moments Ser$eant -ol!om'*s (oi!e said+ .-ello& 1hat is it2.
.This is the des) !ler) at 1455 Chestn#t Street& Yo#*ll remem'er Miss 3ita S"aine
has an apartment here #nder lease+ and yo# as)ed me to let yo# )no" if anyone
tried to mo(e anythin$ o#t& 1ell+ no one*s tryin$ to ta)e anythin$ o#t+ '#t some
'a$$a$e is 'ein$ deli(ered-that is& Miss S"aine has $i(en orders to pla!e Miss
Street*s 'a$$a$e in her apartment& The transfer man*s 'ro#$ht ,#ite a fe" s#it!ases+
tr#n)s and - 9#st a min#te+ 0*ll loo) - Yes+ that*s ri$ht+ it*s ella Street - 1hat2 -
1ell+ 0*ll 'e damned=.
The !ler) p#lled o#t the pl#$ and set his fa!e in stern lines of offi!io#s
determination&
ella Street+ tailored to the min#te+ as serenely !onfident as a po)er player p#shin$
a sta!) of 'l#e !hips into the !enter of the pile+ !ame 'ree;in$ in from the street door
"al)ed #p to the des) and said+ .0*m Miss Street& 0*(e made a terri'le mista)e&.
.Yo#*re the one "ho sent the 'a$$a$e for Miss S"aine*s apartment2. the !ler)
as)ed&
.That*s ri$ht& B#t this 'a$$a$e sho#ldn*t ha(e $one #p there at all& This is the
*&M&* 'a$$a$e& 0t sho#ld ha(e 'een deli(ered to the Trader*s Transfer Company for
stora$e& 1here*s the transfer man+ please2.
.-e*s #pstairs no"&.
.Yes& 0 sa" the tr#!) o#t in front+. ella Street said+ as she da;;led the !ler) "ith a
smile+ "al)ed o(er to the ele(ator and 8a''ed the ele(ator '#tton&
The ele(ator too) her to the fo#rth floor& The des) !ler)+ hesitatin$ for a moment+
on!e more pl#$$ed in the line and said+ .Poli!e -ead,#arters&. A$ain he as)ed to
tal) "ith Ser$eant -ol!om'+ and+ after a t"o min#te delay+ "as ad(ised that
-ol!om' had 8#st left&
The !ler) "as p#llin$ o#t the pl#$ "hen the ele(ator door on!e more opened+ and a
perspirin$ transfer man started pit!hin$ o#t s#it!ases+ hat 'o%es+ tr#n)s+ and hand
'a$s& The ele(ator made t"o trips of it& ella Street !ame do"n "ith the se!ond
load+ trim+ alert+ and smilin$& She said to the des) !ler)+ .Than) yo# (ery m#!h
indeed+. and "al)ed to the door of the apartment ho#se& The eyes of the des) !ler)
follo"ed her "ith ardent mas!#line appre!iation&
Less than fi(e min#tes later+ Ser$eant -ol!om' !ame+ stridin$ into the lo''y&
.1here is she2. he as)ed&
The !ler) "a(ed a depre!atin$ hand& .0t*s all ri$ht+ Ser$eant& 0*m sorry 0 'othered
yo#& 0 tried to $et yo# a$ain& 0t "as all a mista)e+ '#t it*s all ri$ht no"&.
.1hat the hell do yo# mean+ it*s all ri$ht no"2.
.She*s left&.
.1ho*s left2.
.ella Street&.
.She "as here2.
.Yes&.
.-o" a'o#t the 'a$$a$e2 id yo# p#t that in the room2.
.No& She !han$ed her mind+ said that there*d 'een a mista)e& So there*s nothin$ to
'other a'o#t& She too) it "ith her&
.She "hat=.
.Too) it "ith her&.
.Yo# opened #p the room "ith a pass)ey2.
.0 didn*t personally& The ele(ator operator did&.
.And p#t that 'a$$a$e in2.
.No+. the !ler) said+ .that*s "hat 0*(e 'een tryin$ to tell yo# * Ser$eant& The
'a$$a$e didn*t $o in& 0t "as a mista)e& As soon as 0 sa" Miss Street+ 0 reali;ed it
m#st ha(e 'een - .
.Ne(er mind that+. Ser$eant -ol!om' interr#pted+ p#shin$ his fa!e a!ross the
!o#nter& .id that 'a$$a$e $o in that room- e(en for a se!ond2.
./h+ "ell+ if yo# "ant to p#t it that "ay& 0 don*t )no"& 0 s#ppose some of it may
ha(e a!t#ally entered the room for a se!ond or t"o& 0 "asn*t there&
.1as ella Street alone in the room "ith any of that 'a$$a$e2.
.1hy+ 0 "o#ldn*t )no" - "ait a min#te+ let me see - Yes+ she m#st ha(e 'een+
'e!a#se the first load of 'a$$a$e !ame do"n "ith the operator and the transfer man
in the !a$e& They #nloaded that '#n!h of 'a$$a$e and "ent 'a!) for another '#n!h&
Miss Street m#st ha(e 'een in the room "ith - .
.Yo# fool=. -ol!om' yelled& .She*s Perry Mason*s se!retary& Perry Mason*s
defendin$ 3ita S"aine& They "anted somethin$ o#t of that room and didn*t )no"
ho" else to $et it+ so she too) that 'a$$a$e in+ manip#lated thin$s so she "as left
alone in the room+ opened one of the empty s#it!ases+ pit!hed "hate(er it "as she
"anted in there+ and too) it o#t&.
The !ler) stared at Ser$eant -ol!om' "ith sho!)ed+ in!red#lo#s eyes& At len$th he
said+ .1hy+ Ser$eant+ she*s a perfe!t little lady+ trim+ "ell-tailored+ refined - .
.Bah=. Ser$eant -ol!om' Said& .Yo# ma)e me si!)& 1hy the hell didn*t yo# hold
her2.
.-old her2 -o" !o#ld 02.
.Tell her she "as #nder arrest& -old her #ntil 0 $ot there&.
.B#t yo# told me parti!#larly+ Ser$eant+ not to tell anyone yo# "ere !omin$&.
Ser$eant -ol!om'*s fa!e dar)ened+ as he $roped for "ords& S#ddenly the !ler) had
a 'ri$ht idea&
.B#t "ait a min#te+ Ser$eant& 0 !an tell yo# "here she*s ta)in$ the 'a$$a$e& 0f yo#
h#rry+ yo# !an !at!h it there&.
.1here2.
.The Trader*s Transfer Company& They*re $oin$ to store it&.
.1hat does it loo) li)e2.
.1ell+ it*s a (ery $ood $rade of 'a$$a$e+ loo)s rather ne"& Cery fine leather and - .
.1hat does it !onsist of2.
./h+ e(erythin$& -at 'o%es+ hand 'a$s+ Gladstones+ s#it!ases+ steamer tr#n)s - .
.Any identifyin$ mar)s2.
.Yes& They*re all lettered *&M&.
.*M&2*.
.Yes&.
.-er name*s ella Street& 1hy sho#ld she ha(e &M& on her 'a$$a$e2.
.0 don*t )no"+ 0*m s#re& 0*m 8#st des!ri'in$ the 'a$$a$e to yo#& She said somethin$
a'o#t the &M& 'a$$a$e 'ein$ the "ron$ 'a$$a$e& 0f yo# "ant to e%amine it+ yo#
!an pro'a'ly inter!ept it if - .
Ser$eant -ol!om' "hirled and !rossed the lo''y at a r#n& A moment later the !ler)
heard the s!ream of a siren&
JJJ
Emil S!anlon loo)ed a!ross the !oroner*s 8#ry and said+ .Yo# $entlemen ha(e seen
the remains&.
They nodded&
.The o'8e!t of this in,#est is to determine ho" that man met his death+. S!anlon
said& .0t may ha(e 'een an a!!idental death+ or it may ha(e 'een somethin$ else&
There*s e(en a possi'ility of s#i!ide& 0 "ant yo# $entlemen to pay !lose attention to
the e(iden!e& This isn*t li)e a !o#rt of la"& 0 !ond#!t my in,#ests more or less
informally& 1hat 0*m tryin$ to do is to $et at the fa!ts& Some !oroners don*t !are to
ha(e attorneys as)in$ ,#estions& Sometimes 0 don*t& B#t+ in a !ase of this sort+ "here
0 feel attorneys aren*t $ettin$ te!hni!al and ta)in$ #p time+ '#t are a!t#ally assistin$
#s in $ettin$ some"here+ 0*m al"ays $lad to allo" ,#estions& 0 thin) yo# $entlemen
#nderstand yo#r d#ties& 1e*ll !all the first "itness&.
There "as a !ommotion in the !o#rtroom& A man+ "hose fa!e "as so !ompletely
'anda$ed that only a 'it of his nose and one eye "ere (isi'le+ said in m#ffled tones+
.0 "ant to 'e e%!#sed&.
.1ho are yo#2. S!anlon as)ed&
.0*m 9a!)son 1eyman& 0 "as a "itness in that other in,#est+ and no" some'ody*s
s#'poenaed me for this in,#est& 0*m a si!) man&.
.1hat*s the matter "ith yo#2.
.C#ts in my fa!e $ot infe!ted+. 1eyman e%plained& .0 ha(e no '#siness to 'e o#t& 0
sho#ld 'e home in 'ed ri$ht no" and - .
-e "as interr#pted 'y a thin+ a#stere "oman "ho stood #p at the other end of the
!o#rtroom and said+ .The same is tr#e in my !ase+ yo#r -onor& 0*m Mrs& Stella
Anderson& 0 also "as a "itness in that other !ase& 0*(e 'een ordered to appear in this
!ase and testify& 0 )no" a'sol#tely nothin$ a'o#t this yo#n$ man - .
.Perhaps yo# t"o )no" more than yo# thin) yo# do+. S!anlon said& .Sin!e yo#*re
here #nder s#'poena+ 0*ll as) yo# to sit do"n and listen to at least a fe" of the
"itnesses& And+ as far as yo#*re !on!erned+ Mr& 1eyman+ on a!!o#nt of yo#r
physi!al !ondition+ 0*ll !all yo# 8#st as soon as 0 !an& The first "itness+ ho"e(er+ "ill
'e r& 9ames 1alla!e&.
r& 1alla!e arose and "al)ed to"ard the "itness !hair&
.B#t 0 demand that somethin$ 'e done a'o#t lettin$ me $o+. 1eyman Said+ his
"ords some"hat m#ffled 'y his 'anda$es& .0 ha(e an infe!tion "hi!h may 'e
dan$ero#s #nless 0 )eep a'sol#tely ,#iet and - .
.Yo# sho#ld ha(e prod#!ed a physi!ian*s !ertifi!ate+. S!anlon said& .Sin!e yo#*re
here+ simply sit do"n and !ompose yo#rself& 0*ll finish "ith yo# in a (ery fe"
min#tes& 0 ha(e only a fe" ro#tine ,#estions to as) of r& 1alla!e&
.r& 1alla!e+ yo#*re a d#ly ,#alified and pra!ti!in$ physi!ian and s#r$eon in this
state and a resident physi!ian and head of the interns at the Good Samaritan
-ospital in this !ity& 0s that ri$ht2.
.Yes+ sir&.
.And yo# ha(e 'een for more than a year2.
.That*s ri$ht&.
.No"+ yo#*(e seen the remains in the #nderta)in$ parlors2.
.0 ha(e&.
.o yo# )no" that man2.
.Yes+. r& 1alla!e said slo"ly& .0 do& That man is an indi(id#al "hom 0 treated for
sho!)+ for minor a'rasions+ 'r#ises+ and for tra#mati! amnesia on the thirteenth of
this month&.
.1here+ o!tor2.
.At the Good Samaritan -ospital& -e had+ 0 #nderstand+
'een the (i!tim of an a#tomo'ile a!!ident& -e re$ained !ons!io#sness as he "as
'ein$ 'ro#$ht into the hospital& 0 fo#nd that his physi!al in8#ries "ere relati(ely
s#perfi!ial+ treated them+ and+ in the !o#rse of my !on(ersation+ dis!o(ered that the
man "as s#fferin$ from tra#mati! amnesia& -e - .
.9#st "hat do yo# mean 'y tra#mati! amnesia& o!tor2.
.A loss of memory s#per-ind#!ed 'y e%ternal (iolen!e& -e didn*t )no" "ho he "as+
nor "here he li(ed&.
.So "hat did yo# do+ o!tor2.
.Cery adroitly+. r& 1alla!e said+ .0 mane#(ered the !on(ersation aro#nd so that it
in!l#ded the !ity of Alta(ille& 0 had pre(io#sly as!ertained from a dri(in$ li!ense
fo#nd in his po!)et that the man "as a resident of Alta(ille+ and that his name "as
Carl Pa!)ard& By leadin$ the !on(ersation to Alta(ille and its en(ironments in s#!h
a "ay that 0 did not add to his mental sho!)+ 0 soon !leared #p the patient*s mental
!ondition&.
.1hat did yo# do "ith the dri(in$ li!ense2.
.0 ret#rned it to him&.
.And he )ne" "ho he "as at that time2.
./h+ yes+ he remem'ered his identity and "as a'le to dis!#ss matters intelli$ently&.
.No"+ o!tor+ after lea(in$ the hospital+ this man disappeared&.
.So 0 am $i(en to #nderstand&.
.-e "as ne%t fo#nd pinned #nder a "re!)ed a#tomo'ile at the 'ottom of a
pre!ipito#s !anyon in the Santa Moni!a Mo#ntains& The (ery se(ere in8#ries he had
s#stained had e(idently )illed him almost instantly+ as "ill 'e sho"n 'y the
testimony of the a#topsy s#r$eon& .
.Yes+. r& 1alla!e said+ .0 noti!ed in ma)in$ e(en a s#perfi!ial e%amination that
the s)#ll had 'een !ompletely !r#shed&.
.There "ere also n#mero#s other internal in8#ries and 'ro)en 'ones& No"+ o!tor+ 0
"ant to )no" if it*s possi'le that the patient "asn*t !#red of this amnesia that yo#
mentioned+ '#t "as "anderin$ aro#nd in sort of a da;e&.
.A'sol#tely not+. r& 1alla!e said positi(ely+ and some"hat 'elli$erently& .1hen 0
dis!har$e a patient as !#red+ he*s !#red& 0f there had 'een any possi'ility of an
immediate re!#rren!e of this !ondition+ 0 "o#ld not ha(e dis!har$ed him& /f !o#rse+
yo#*ll #nderstand+ ho"e(er+ if there*d 'een some independent sho!)+ some other
in8#ry+ perhaps+ it is possi'le that another and separate tra#mati! amnesia mi$ht
ha(e de(eloped+ '#t it "o#ld ha(e 'een entirely separate and distin!t& /f !o#rse+
there*s nothin$ e%!ept the la" of a(era$es "hi!h pre(ents a man "ho has 'een r#n
o(er 'y an a#tomo'ile and treated 'y me $oin$ o#t and immediately 'e!omin$
in(ol(ed in another a#tomo'ile a!!ident& Yet they are separate and distin!t
a!!idents&.
.1e #nderstand that+. S!anlon said& .No"+ "hat !an yo# tell #s a'o#t the
identifi!ation yo# ha(e made2.
.1ell+ in (ie" of the !ondition of the !ada(er+. r& 1alla!e o'ser(ed+ .my
identifi!ation m#st+ of !o#rse+ 'e predi!ated #pon !ertain matters of !ir!#mstantial
e(iden!e& Bor instan!e+ it has 'een definitely esta'lished that the man "ho $a(e me
the name of Carl Pa!)ard at the hospital+ and "ho apparently li(ed in Alta(ille+ "as+
in reality+ an in(esti$ator for the Board of Bire Under"riters+ named 9ason Bra#n&
-e had apparently ta)en the alias of Carl Pa!)ard for the p#rpose of fa!ilitatin$
some of his in(esti$ations+ and+ ha(in$ re!o(ered his memory as to his alias+ he
nat#rally remem'ered his reason for !on!ealin$ his tr#e identity& 1hi!h is "hy he
ne(er on!e mentioned the name of 9ason Bra#n to me+ '#t a$reed "ith me in the
ass#mption he "as Carl Pa!)ard of Alta(ille&
.No"+ the Board of Bire Under"riters has its in(esti$ators all fin$erprinted and+
despite the partial de!omposition of the !ada(er+ the rid$es and "horls of the fin$ers
!an 'e readily as!ertained& 1hile 0 am not a fin$erprint e%pert+ 0 am an anatomist
and 0 ha(e !aref#lly !ompared the fin$erprints of the !ada(er "ith those of 9ason
Bra#n& -a(in$ first ass#red myself that the man "hom 0 treated "as in reality
9ason Bra#n+ 0 ha(e no hesitan!y in identifyin$ that man as 'ein$ one and the same
person "ith the !ada(er lyin$ at present in the #nderta)in$ parlors ad8oinin$ this
room&.
.0 thin) that*s all& r& 1alla!e+. S!anlon said&
.9#st a moment+. Perry Mason o'ser(ed& .Mi$ht 0 ha(e the ind#l$en!e of the
!oroner in as)in$ one or t"o ,#estions2.
The !oroner nodded&
.At the time this man+ Pa!)ard+ or Bra#n+ "hi!he(er yo# "ish to !all him+
re!o(ered !ons!io#sness at the hospital-that is+ "hen he re!o(ered his )no"led$e of
his identity-did he dis!#ss the a!!ident "ith yo#+ o!tor2.
.-e did&.
.1hat did he say a'o#t it2.
.-e said that he had seen somethin$ in the "indo" of a ho#se on his ri$ht "hi!h
had !a#sed him to fo!#s all of his attention on that "indo" and he ne$le!ted to loo)
"here he "as $oin$+ that s#ddenly he reali;ed some h#$e '#l) "as to"erin$ on his
left& -e s"#n$ his eyes 'a!) to the road in time to see this 'i$ mo(in$ (an 8#st a'o#t
to ma)e a t#rn into Bo#rteenth Street& -e tried to apply his 'ra)es+ '#t 'y that time
it "as too late& The mo(in$ (an hit him and the t"o !ars s"#n$ into the !#r' "here
Pa!)ard lost !ons!io#sness at the moment of impa!t - .
3odney !#ff+ on his feet+ said s#a(ely+ .0f the !oroner please+ 0 o'8e!t to this form of
in,#iry& This man+ Bra#n+ or Pa!)ard+ as the !ase may 'e+ is no" dead& -e !an
ne(er testify in any trial as to "hat he sa"& Any attempt to perpet#ate his testimony
in the re!ords 'y this indire!t method is hi$hly irre$#lar+ and !alls for hearsay and a
!on!l#sion of the "itness&.
.No+ it doesn*t+. S!anlon said& .1e*re tryin$ to determine ho" this man met his
death+ "hether he "as m#rdered+ "hether he !ommitted s#i!ide+ or "hether he "as
dri(in$ a !ar in a sort of da;e and "ent off the side of the mo#ntain&.
.May it 'e #nderstood+ then+ that this is the only p#rpose for "hi!h this e(iden!e is
admitted2. C#ff Said& .That it*s not 'indin$ #pon anyone in any other matter+ and -
.
.0 thin) that*s the la" any"ay+. S!anlon pointed o#t& .-o"e(er+ "e*re only tryin$
to determine "hat !a#sed this man to meet his death& And+ so far as 0 )no"+ at the
present time+ Mr& C#ff+ there*s no !har$e a$ainst yo#r !lient impli!atin$ him in any
"ay "ith this death&.
.0 resent that remar)+. C#ff said ,#i!)ly& .Yo# are intimatin$ that 'efore the
in,#est is !on!l#ded e(iden!e "ill indi!ate that my !lient+ Mr& ris!oll+ had
somethin$ to do "ith the death&.
.0 made no s#!h impli!ation+. the !oroner said+ .and as far as 0*m !on!erned+
yo#*re o#t of order and aren*t helpin$ the ri$hts of yo#r !lient any+ Sit do"n&.
C#ff started to say somethin$+ then !han$ed his mind+ and slo"ly sat do"n&
.Any f#rther ,#estions of the do!tor2. S!anlon as)ed Perry Mason&
.0 thin) that*s all+. Perry Mason said&
.oes the distri!t attorney*s offi!e "ish to interro$ate r& 1alla!e2. S!anlon
in,#ired&
/(ermeyer shoo) his head and said+ .Not at present+ any"ay& 1e "ish to
interro$ate the a#topsy s#r$eon and the traffi! offi!ers "ho dis!o(ered the 'ody -
9#st a moment+ there is one ,#estion& r& 1alla!e+ this man didn*t tell yo# anythin$
at all "hi!h "o#ld indi!ate "hat he had seen in that "indo"+ did he2.
.-e did not+ 'eyond sayin$ that it "as somethin$ (ery startlin$ or !ompellin$+ or
somethin$ of that sort& 0 !an*t re!all his e%a!t "ords& 0 remem'er that he seemed
rather sheepish a'o#t it&.
.That*s all&.
r& 1alla!e "al)ed do"n the aisle of the room "hi!h "as 'ein$ #sed for the in,#est&
Perry Mason said s#ddenly+ .9#st a moment+ o!tor+ 0*d li)e to ha(e yo# remain
here for a fe" min#tes& 0 don*t thin) it "ill 'e o(er fi(e or ten min#tes at the most&
1o#ld yo# mind ta)in$ that seat2.
Mason indi!ated a seat on the aisle "hi!h had 'een o!!#pied '#t a moment 'efore
'y 9a!)son+ his la" !ler)& That seat "as no" (a!ant+ and r& 1alla!e+ fro"nin$+
loo)ed at his "rist "at!h+ said+ .Cery "ell+ '#t 0 ha(e some important !ases at the
hospital and "o#ld li)e to 'e released as soon as possi'le&.
.Yo# "ill 'e+ o!tor+. S!anlon said& .9#st 'e seated for a moment&.
r& 1alla!e dropped into the !hair& 9a!)son 1eyman+ "ho o!!#pied the ad8oinin$
seat+ t#rned the one eye (isi'le thro#$h his 'anda$es to stare !#rio#sly at the do!tor&
.The ne%t "itness+. Coroner S!anlon anno#n!ed+ ."ill 'e Ed"ard Bird+ one of the
traffi! offi!ers "ho !ame on the 'ody at the s!ene of the a!!ident&.
Ed"ard Bird+ ad(an!in$ to 'e s"orn+ apparently en8oyin$ the interest he aro#sed+
stood (ery ere!t as he fa!ed the 8#ry+ and made !ertain that the !oat of his #niform
"as sn#$ly fittin$ and #n"rin)led& -e ad8#sted the $#n "hi!h h#n$ at his hip from
the "ide 'ro"n 'elt+ sat do"n+ t#rned to the !oroner and said+ .Yes+ sir&.
.Yo# are one of the offi!ers "ho dis!o(ered the 'ody of this man "ho is at present
lyin$ in the #nderta)in$ parlors2.
.Yes+ sir+ 0 and my partner+ 9a!) Moore+ "ere !r#isin$ #p this road+ ma)in$ a !#t-
off from the o!ean 'o#le(ard to $et o(er to the Cone8o ro#te+ "hen 0 happened to
noti!e that some 'ran!hes had 'een freshly 'ro)en from one of the s!r#' oa)s 8#st
do"n the hill from the ed$e of the road& 1e stopped the !ar+ in(esti$ated+ and fo#nd
"here some hea(y o'8e!t had !rashed do"n thro#$h the trees& 1e "or)ed o#r "ay
do"n the led$e+ and then !ame to an a'r#pt drop of a'o#t si%ty or se(enty feet& 1e
!o#ld see a !ar lyin$ #pside-do"n in the 'ottom of this !anyon& 0t too) #s almost
half an ho#r to "or) o#r "ay do"n to it& This man "as pinned #nderneath the !ar&
The top had !a(ed in+ and the 'a!) of the front seat had !r#shed his head li)e an
e$$ shell& -e had 'een dead for some time& The 'ody already sho"ed e(iden!es of
de!omposition& 0t had 'een lyin$ for t"o days in the hot s#n&.
.1hat did yo# do2.
.1e notified the !oroner+ o'tained a "re!)in$ o#tfit+ first raised the 'ody to the
road+ and then 'ro#$ht #p the ma!hine&.
.1ere yo# present "hen representati(es of the distri!t attorney*s offi!e tested the
steerin$ "heel of the a#tomo'ile for fin$erprints2.
.0 "as&.
.1hat did they find2.
.There "ere no fin$erprints on the steerin$ "heel&.
.1ere yo# present "hen the po!)ets of the dead man*s !lothes "ere emptied2.
.0 "as&.
.0 sho" yo# an assortment of arti!les and as) yo# if yo# !an identify them+. the
!oroner said& -e too) from his safe a 'la!) leather hand 'a$+ too) from this hand
'a$ a to"el and spread o#t a mis!ellaneo#s assortment& The offi!er !he!)ed them
o(er !aref#lly+ nodded his head+ and said+ .Yes+ these "ere the thin$s "hi!h "ere in
the po!)ets of the dead man*s !lothes& There "as nothin$ else in the !lothes&.
.Yo#*re !ertain of that2.
.Yes&.
.No"+ "hat !an yo# tell #s of the a#tomo'ile "hi!h "as lyin$ there+ "re!)ed+ in the
'ottom of the !anyon2.
.0t "as a stolen a#tomo'ile& 0t had 'een stolen at si%-thirty on the afternoon of the
thirteenth+ "as reported a'o#t an ho#r later+ and "asn*t seen a$ain #ntil it "as
fo#nd in the 'ottom of this !anyon&.
.0 thin) that*s all+. the !oroner said& .Are there any ,#estions2.
Mason slo"ly $ot to his feet&
.Yo# ha(e some ,#estions+ Mr& Mason2.
Mason said+ .0 ha(e some ,#estions to as) of this "itness& B#t+ in the meantime+ 0
am "onderin$ if the !oroner has for$otten his promise to Mr& 1eyman& Mr&
1eyman is e(idently a (ery si!) man and 0 thin) that he sho#ld 'e p#t on the stand
at the present time+ if he is to 'e !alled at all& 0n fa!t+ 0 thin) the e(iden!e in this !ase
is (ery plain+ and it seems to me there is no reason to !all Mr& 1eyman& 0 s#$$est
that Mr& 1eyman 'e e%!#sed&.
.No+. the !oroner said+ .Mr& 1eyman is here+ and there*s no reason "hy he !an*t
testify&.
.B#t he*s a si!) man+. Mason insisted&
.-e hasn*t a physi!ian*s !ertifi!ate to pro(e it+. the !oroner pointed o#t& .0f he "as
too si!) to attend+ he !o#ld ha(e had his physi!ian !ertify to that fa!t&.
.1ell+ it*s (ery e(ident he*s ill+. Mason said& .Loo) at the man*s 'anda$ed
!o#ntenan!e& -e !ertainly "o#ldn*t $o aro#nd "ith his fa!e s"athed li)e that #nless
he "as ill - here+ 0 ha(e a s#$$estion& There*s a do!tor sittin$ ri$ht ne%t to him& Let
r& 1alla!e ma)e an e%amination of the infe!ted area and $i(e a !ertifi!ate& 0 don*t
thin) a man in that !ondition sho#ld 'e a "itness&.
r& 1alla!e loo)ed ,#estionin$ly at the !oroner& The !oroner stared steadily at
Perry Mason& Then S!anlon said+ .Cery "ell& o!tor+ yo# ma)e an e%amination&.
r& 1alla!e rea!hed o(er+ deftly tore off a strip of adhesi(e tape+ too) one end of the
'anda$e in his fin$ers+ and started to #nt"ist it&
1eyman s"#n$ his left fist& The 'lo" !a#$ht r& 1alla!e f#ll on the 8a"+ snappin$
his head 'a!)& B#t the do!tor*s fin$ers still held the end of the 'anda$e&
1eyman started !lim'in$ o(er the 'a!) of the seat& The !oroner yelled+ .Stop that
man=. and someone $ra''ed his le$s& 1eyman )i!)ed o#t desperately& r& 1alla!e+
re!o(erin$ himself some"hat+ $ra''ed at the !ollar of the man*s !oat "ith his left
hand& -is ri$ht p#lled at the 'anda$e& S#ddenly+ the entire 'anda$e slid from
1eyman*s fa!e+ to l#mp aro#nd his ne!)+ and r& 1alla!e+ starin$ at the man*s
feat#res+ 8#mped 'a!) to stare "ith "ide+ startled eyes& .Good God=. he e%!laimed&
.That*s the dead man=.
Pandemoni#m 'ro)e loose in the !ro"ded room&
Perry Mason t#rned to 3odney C#ff+ made a little depre!atory $est#re and said+
.And there+ Co#nselor+ is yo#r m#rder !ase=.
The entire end of the room "here 1eyman "as str#$$lin$ to es!ape 'e!ame a
seethin$ mass of spe!tators& The !oroner a'andoned any attempt to se!#re order&
The 8#rors themsel(es s#r$ed from their seats and 8oined in the melee& Perry Mason
loo)ed at his "rist "at!h+ $rinned at Coroner S!anlon+ and said+ .Than)s+ Coroner+
for the !ooperation& 0 ha(e fifty-se(en min#tes "ithin "hi!h to $o to my offi!e+ pi!)
#p my passport+ and !at!h my 'oat for -onol#l#+ the /rient+ Bali+ Sin$apore+ and
"aypla!es&.
Chapter 1?
PE33Y MAS/N*S po"erf#l roadster roared into p#lsatin$ speed+ as the !ar s"ept
do"n the road from Los An$eles to 1ilmin$ton&
.1ell+. he $rinned+ loo)in$ at his "at!h+ ."e !an 8#st a'o#t ma)e it-"ith l#!)& B#t
"e*ll 'e startin$ o#t "ith 8#st the !lothes "e stand in& 1e "on*t ha(e any 'a$$a$e
a'oard+ its a shame all that ne" 'a$$a$e of yo#rs is $oin$ to 'e "asted&.
./h+ no+ it isn*t+. ella Street said& ./#r 'a$$a$e is all a'oard&.
.0t*s "hat2. Mason as)ed& .Yo# mean - .
.Aeep yo#r eyes on the road+. she "arned&
.1hat*s the !at!h2. Mason as)ed&
.No !at!h at all+. she told him& .Yo# told me to fill that 'a$$a$e "ith 'ri!)s+ old
shoes+ or anythin$ else& 0 sa" no reason "hy 0 sho#ld do that+ so+ instead+ 0 filled it
"ith all my personal 'elon$in$s& 1hen 0 too) it o#t of the apartment ho#se 0 didn*t
tell the transfer man+ to ta)e it to the Trader*s Transfer Company+ '#t told him to
ta)e it dire!tly to the President Monroe& 9#st so Ser$eant -ol!om' tho#$ht it had
$one to Trader*s Transfer Company "as all that "as ne!essary& And as for yo#r
'a$$a$e+ 0 hired a (alet to $o o#t to yo#r flat+ pa!) #p "hat yo# needed and ship it& 0
tho#$ht yo#*d ne$le!t to do it&.
.Good $irl+. Mason said+ .0 sho#ld ha(e )no"n yo#*d thin) of all the thin$s 0
for$ot- And so -ol!om' tho#$ht the 'a$$a$e "as at Trader*s& 0*m a little r#sty
a'o#t "hat happened after that 'e!a#se 0 "as sta!)in$ the !ards to ha(e the in,#est
$o the "ay 0 "anted it& 1hat*s the lo"do"n2.
.1ell+. she reported+ .Ser$eant -ol!om' "ent tearin$ do"n to the Trader*s
Transfer Company+ hot on the trail of some 'a$$a$e "ith the initials *&M&* on it& -e
fo#nd the 'a$$a$e all ri$ht+ and the more Trader tried to tell him it "asn*t mine+ the
more he tho#$ht Trader "as in lea$#e "ith yo#& So he 'e!ame pretty hostile and
smashed open the 'a$$a$e& -e fo#nd a lot of property "hi!h had 'een
s#rreptitio#sly mo(ed from
some of the '#ildin$s "hi!h had 'een fired 'y this $an$ of in!endiaries& /f !o#rse+
he didn*t )no" "hat it "as at the time+ '#t all of the f#r !oats and thin$s made him
s#spi!io#s& So he $ot in to#!h "ith the dete!ti(e di(ision and they identified the
property in short order& So nat#rally+ Ser$eant -ol!om' arrested me+ and 9#d$e
S#mmer"aite si$ned the "rit of ha'eas !orp#s and 0 $ot o#t 8#st a'o#t the time
Trader made some in!riminatin$ admissions&.
.id Trader impli!ate 1eyman2.
.Not 'y the time 0*d left& -e did impli!ate Pres!ott and this iana Mor$an& No"+
s#ppose yo# 'e ni!e to a poor "or)in$ $irl and satisfy my !#riosity as to "hat
happened+ and then $i(e yo#r #ndi(ided attention to yo#r dri(in$& Personally+ 0
"ant to !at!h that ship&.
.1ell+. Mason said+ .it all started "hen 0 $ot to fi$#rin$ the thin$ from the
standpoint of psy!holo$y& 0 fi$#red that 1alter Pres!ott had the psy!holo$y of a
m#rderer rather than that of a (i!tim+ so startin$ my reasonin$ in that $oofy "ay+ 0
$ot to "onderin$ "ho his (i!tim !o#ld possi'ly ha(e 'een& And 0 'e$an to thin) of
Carl Pa!)ard*s disappearan!e& Then+ s#ddenly+ 0 sa" a $reat li$ht& S#ppose 1alter
Pres!ott+ as an ms#ran!e ad8#ster+ had 'een standin$ in+ either "ith or "itho#t
1ray*s )no"led$e+ "ith a $an$ of in!endiaries& 0t "o#ld ma)e a perfe!t set-#p+ and
it "o#ldn*t ha(e 'een the first time s#!h a thin$ had happened& And if Pa!)ard had
s#spe!ted Pres!ott+ and "as $ettin$ hot on the trail+ Pres!ott "o#ld ha(e 'een 8#st
the type to '#mp him off&
.B#t Carl Pa!)ard+ "ho "as a lo$i!al (i!tim+ !o#ldn*t ha(e 'een a (i!tim 'e!a#se
he*d sho"n #p at the hospital and made a (ol#ntary statement that the a!!ident had
'een his fa#lt that he*d 'een loo)in$ at somethin$ he sa" in the "indo"-and then
the "hole thin$ !li!)ed in my mind&
.Pa!)ard "as $ettin$ !lose on the trail of the real fire'#$s& They de!ided to m#rder
him in s#!h a "ay it "o#ld 'e (irt#ally impossi'le to 'rin$ home the m#rder to
them& Yo# !an see "hat happened& 1eyman+ one of the !onspirators+ let the $an$
'eat him #p eno#$h so that he loo)ed as tho#$h he*d s#stained minor in8#ries in an
a#tomo'ile a!!ident& Then+ "hen Pa!)ard started o#t for 1alter Pres!ott*s ho#se+
-arry Trader+ "ith his 'i$ (an+ follo"ed alon$ 'ehind+ and+ at the proper moment+
smashed Pa!)ard into the !#r'& -e promptly #nloaded Pa!)ard+ p#t him in the
!o(ered (an-and note that the !o(ered (an "as an important fa!tor in the
!onspira!y-and h#stled off to"ard a hospital& The ne%t time "e !onta!t the in8#red
man is "hen he appears in the hospital& B#t+ 8#st as a sta$e ma$i!ian fre,#ently
s#'stit#tes "at!hes "hen he*s "al)in$ from the a#dien!e #p to the sta$e+ so the
(i!tims "ere s#'stit#ted d#rin$ that 8o#rney in the !o(ered (an&
.The more 0 tho#$ht of it+ the more 0 reali;ed ho" perfe!tly pla#si'le s#!h a m#rder
"o#ld 'e& 9ason Bra#n+ alias Carl Pa!)ard+ "as p#t into the (an in an #n!ons!io#s
!ondition& -e may ha(e 'een dyin$ then& Bor all "e )no"+ he "as immediately the
(i!tim of the 'r#tal assa#lt "hi!h smashed in his head in s#!h a "ay that
identifi!ation 'e!ame (irt#ally impossi'le&
.1hen the !o(ered (an arri(ed at the hospital+ 1eyman+ fei$nin$ #n!ons!io#sness+
too) 9ason Bra#n*s pla!e and "as !arried o#t on the stret!her&
.No" then !omes the masterly to#!h& 9ason Bra#n "as to disappear permanently&
The !onspirators "anted to ma)e it seem that there "as nothin$ s#spi!io#s a'o#t
his disappearan!e& Therefore+ they p#lled that tra#mati! amnesia '#siness+ and r&
1alla!e fell for it+ hoo)+ line and sin)er& -e pat!hed #p 1eyman*s fa!e+ and
1eyman !ame 'a!) to his ho#se+ ha(in$ po#red a little "his)ey on his $arments+
ta)en a fe" drin)s+ and p#t on the a!t of ha(in$ 'een dr#n) and fi$htin$ a$ain&
.No"+ "hen he arri(ed at the ho#se+ his "ife told him of the latest $ossip of the
nei$h'orhood of "hat Mrs& Snoops had seen in 1alter Pres!ott*s ho#se&
.1eyman immediately reali;ed "hat a "onderf#l opport#nity it "o#ld 'e to
m#rder Pres!ott and $et a"ay "ith it& And Pres!ott "as a thorn in the flesh of the
in!endiaries& Bor the one person "ho "e a'sol#tely )no" 9ason Bra#n s#spe!ted in
!onne!tion "ith this $an$ of fire$#$s "as 1alter Pres!ott& The !onspirators "ere
afraid that if Bra#n )ne" 1alter "as tied #p "ith them+ other people mi$ht )no" it&
And they also )ne" that if 1alter "ere arrested+ he*d impli!ate them&
.As a sheer !oin!iden!e+ and part of the a!t "hi!h the !onspirators had p#t on at
the hospital+ 1eyman+ posin$ as Pa!)ard+ had stated that the a!!ident "as his fa#lt
'e!a#se his attention had 'een distra!ted 'y somethin$ he sa" in the "indo" of the
ho#se&
.So 1eyman dropped o(er to !all on 1alter Pres!ott+ "ho had $one to his ho#se
follo"in$ the a!!ident+ after the depart#re of his "ife+ and prior to the arri(al of
3ita S"aine& 1eyman p#t on $lo(es+ too) the $#n from its hidin$ pla!e+ approa!hed
1alter Pres!ott !as#ally+ #nder the $#ise of friendship+ and fired three shots into
him 'efore Pres!ott )ne" "hat "as happenin$+ then ret#rned the $#n to its hidin$
pla!e+ and left the ho#se&
.Yo# see+ the !rime m#st ha(e 'een !ommitted after 9immy ris!oll $a(e that $#n
to 3osalind Pres!ott& That is+ if "e*re to 'elie(e 1ray*s testimony& And there*s no
reason "hy "e sho#ldn*t& 0n other "ords+ Pres!ott "as ali(e at ele(en fifty-fi(e&
Cirt#ally e(ery min#te of ris!oll*s time is a!!o#nted for after that& /f !o#rse+ he
mi$ht ha(e left the telephone and )illed Pres!ott& B#t 0 !o#ldn*t fi$#re him as
Pres!ott*s m#rderer 'e!a#se of thin$s entirely forei$n to the time element&
.Noti!e the manner in "hi!h Pres!ott "as )illed& -e "as )illed in his 'edroom& -e
"as )illed "itho#t e(iden!e of str#$$le& -e "as )illed 'y someone+ "ho+ #nder the
$#ise of friendship+ "as a'le to "al) ,#ite !lose to him+ prod#!e a $#n and fire three
times 'efore Pres!ott reali;ed he "as in any dan$er&
.Pres!ott had pre(io#sly mentioned to the poli!e that someone had 'een pro"lin$
aro#nd the ho#se+ and+ he tho#$ht+ intended to )ill him& 0t*s ,#ite possi'le that he
had seen Bra#n "hile that indi(id#al "as ma)in$ some preliminary in(esti$ations&
0n any e(ent+ ris!oll+ "ho "as his s"orn enemy+ !o#ld not ha(e approa!hed him in
the limited time "hi!h ris!oll had "ithin "hi!h to a!t+ and fired the fatal shot-not
in the 'edroom of his o"n ho#se& Pres!ott "o#ld ha(e 'een too m#!h on his $#ard+
too hostile& No+ Pres!ott "as )illed 'y a friend+ someone he tr#sted&
.3ita S"aine !o#ld ha(e done it& Stella Anderson mi$ht ha(e done it& Mrs& 1eyman
!o#ld ha(e done it& None of those three really "o#ld ha(e done it& 3ita "o#ldn*t
ha(e ta)en the $#n from its hidin$ pla!e after she had $one to so many pains to let
Mrs& Snoops see her in the solari#m& Mrs& Snoops and Mrs& 1eyman !o#ld ha(e had
no possi'le moti(e for the m#rder& None of the three !o#ld ha(e approa!hed 1alter
in his 'edroom "itho#t aro#sin$ 1alter*s s#spi!ions&
.There "as only one other person "ho )ne" that the $#n "as hidden in that pla!e+
and that "as 1eyman& -is "ife m#st ha(e told him+ and as)ed him "hat to do+
"hether to !all the poli!e+ and so forth& Thin)in$ the thin$ o(er+ it all 'e!ame
perfe!tly !lear&
.-a(in$ reasoned that far+ and ass#min$ that Pres!ott "as in a !onspira!y to $et
pla!es of '#siness hea(ily ins#red+ remo(e the most (al#a'le $oods from the
'#ildin$s+ fire them+ and s#'se,#ently+ as an ad8#ster+ hold #p the ins#ran!e
!ompany for a splendid settlement+ 0 reali;ed that the $an$ m#st ha(e some "ay of
disposin$ of the $oods&
.The redhead in Pres!ott*s offi!e loo)ed li)e a phony to me& 0n other "ords+ she
didn*t loo) the part of a le$itimate steno$rapher+ se!retary and re!eptionist& As soon
as an in(esti$ation dis!losed that she "as leadin$ a do#'le life+ 0 )ne" 0 "as ri$ht&
As iana Mor$an+ a ri!h di(or!ee "ho tra(eled a'o#t the !o#ntry+ she "as in a
position to ha(e 'o%es and 'a$s 'ro#$ht to her apartment+ ta)en o#t 'y Trader+ and
e(ent#ally dispose of the mer!handise& -er apartment in the Bellefontaine made an
e%!ellent pla!e in "hi!h to hide and sort o(er the loot& Later on+ "hen the
!onspirators "ere ready to dispose of it+ they !o#ld mo(e it o#t+ all pa!)ed in tr#n)s+
'a$s and 'o%es&.
.-o" a'o#t 9immy ris!oll2. ella as)ed&
.ris!oll+. he said+ .or 3odney C#ff+ his la"yer+ or 'oth+ e(idently had some in)lin$
of "hat "as $oin$ on& 0 thin) 9immy tried to impli!ate 3ita in order to free himself
and 3osalind+ so the t"o of them !o#ld "or) to 'rin$ a'o#t a sol#tion of the !ase&
Unfort#nately+ 0 "on*t ha(e time to !ond#!t any post-
mortems on the !l#es "ith 3odney C#ff& -o"e(er+ that yo#n$ man apparently has
!onsidera'le on the 'all& -e fi$#red o#t 8#st a'o#t "hat had happened all the "ay
alon$ the line&.
.Then+. ella said+ .1eyman and Trader m#st ha(e stolen a !ar+ ta)en 9ason
Bra#n*s 'ody o#t into the Santa Moni!a Mo#ntains+ "re!)ed the !ar+ and left the
'ody in s#!h a manner that the feat#res "ere pra!ti!ally #nre!o$ni;a'le& 0s that
ri$ht2.
.That*s ri$ht+. he said+ .only 0 thin) "hat happened to Bra#n*s feat#res too) pla!e
in the !o(ered (an on the road to the hospital& 0t isn*t a ni!e thin$ to thin) a'o#t&.
They dro(e in silen!e for a !o#ple of miles& Then ella Street said+ .1hy did yo#
"ant Ser$eant -ol!om' to $et into that 'a$$a$e2.
.Be!a#se+. he said+ .0 fi$#red "e needed proof& 0 didn*t "ant to start e%posin$
1eyman #ntil 0 had somethin$ definite& 1eyman "as so !le(er he a!ted the part of a
s#rly o% and fooled me& 1hen 0 reali;ed the tr#th+ 0 tho#$ht he*d dod$e the
s#'poena and it "o#ld 'e ne!essary for me to ma)e some a!!#sations in open !o#rt&
Yo# see+ 1eyman had a'sol#tely nothin$ to fear from any person in the "orld
e%!ept one man& That man "as r& 9ames 1alla!e& Ano"in$ that r& 1alla!e "o#ld
pro'a'ly 'e a "itness at the in,#est on 9ason Bra#n*s 'ody+ 0 !o#ldn*t 'elie(e that
1eyman "o#ld ha(e the a#da!ity to sho" #p& B#t that*s "here 1eyman "as more
!le(er than 0 $a(e him !redit for& Yo# see+ if he*d ref#sed to o'ey the s#'poena+ that
"o#ld ha(e 'een an in!riminatin$ !ir!#mstan!e in itself& So 1eyman o#tsmarted
e(eryone 'y !laimin$ that his fa!e had 'e!ome infe!ted+ and 'anda$in$ it in s#!h a
"ay that no one !o#ld re!o$ni;e him&
.0 tho#$ht+ of !o#rse+ that after -ol!om' had on!e $ot on the trail+ he*d sha)e do"n
Trader and 3osa -endri% #ntil he $ot all the dope& B#t+ 'y that time+ o#r ship
"o#ld*(e sailed& 0f 1eyman sho"ed #p at the a#topsy+ 0 "anted to ma)e a
spe!ta!#lar+ "hirl"ind finish& 0 e%plained to S!anlon $enerally "hat 0 "as "or)in$
on+ and S!anlon a$reed to $i(e me a free hand+ "ithin reasona'le limits&
.1hy didn*t yo# $o to -ol!om' and tell him2. she as)ed&
Mason !h#!)led and said+ .0n the first pla!e+ -ol!om' "o#ld ha(e tried to $ra' all
the !redit+ and+ in the se!ond pla!e+ he "o#ldn*t ha(e !ooperated& 0 !o#ld ne(er ha(e
$ot him to sear!h the l#$$a$e of iana Mor$an if it hadn*t 'een for ma)in$ him
thin) that 'a$$a$e !ontained st#ff "hi!h "o#ld impli!ate yo# and me&.
.-o" did yo# happen to s#spe!t 1eyman as the $#ilty party+ Chief2.
.To 'e$in "ith+ he and Pres!ott 'oth mo(ed into the nei$h'orhood at the same time
- si% months a$o& Ano"in$ that if a s"it!h of (i!tims had 'een made in that (an+ the
man "ho "ent to the hospital m#st ha(e had medi!al treatment+ and remem'erin$
"hat r& 1alla!e had said a'o#t the in8#ries 'ein$ fa!ial and s#perfi!ial+ the
"onder of it is that 0 didn*t s#spe!t 1eyman 'efore&.
.1as Trader in on Pres!ott*s m#rder2. she as)ed&
.No& -e )ne" nothin$ a'o#t it #ntil later+ 'e!a#se he "ent ri$ht ahead and
deli(ered the st#ff to Pres!ott*s $ara$e& Then+ learnin$ of the m#rder+ and )no"in$
the poli!e "o#ld sear!h the $ara$e+ he snea)ed the st#ff #p to iana Mor$an*s
apartment+ to ta)e it o#t last ni$ht !on!ealed in ine%pensi(e tr#n)s and s#it!ases
"hi!h "o#ld ena'le it to 'e shipped&.
She fro"ned tho#$htf#lly+ then as)ed+ .1hy did 1eyman s#pport ris!oll 'y
s"earin$ he*d seen him at the telephone2.
Mason la#$hed& .Be!a#se he "as !le(er as hell& -e didn*t !are a'o#t ris!oll+ '#t 'y
s"earin$+ apparently #n"illin$ly+ that he*d 'een standin$ "here he !o#ld see
ris!oll+ he $a(e himself an ali'i for the time of the a#to a!!ident+ 8#st in !ase
anyone sho#ld $et to "onderin$& 0t "as a !le(er mo(e& Yo# see+ he told his "ife all
a'o#t it+ )no"in$ she*d tell Mrs& Snoops+ and )no"in$ ris!oll*s la"yer "o#ld
inter(ie" Mrs& Snoops& The "ay he sta$ed it fooled e(eryone& 0 mi$ht ha(e do#'ted
"hether it "as 9immy ris!oll he sa" at the phone+ '#t he planted his '#ild-#p so
smoothly that #ntil 0 "ent 'a!) to first prin!iples 0 ne(er do#'ted that 1eyman "as
there on the street+ instead of in the (an&.
.All ri$ht+. she told him& .0 )no" eno#$h no" to fi$#re it ail o#t& 0f there are any
loose ends 0 !an tie them #p myself& Yo# pay attention to yo#r dri(in$&.
Mason stole a $lan!e at his "rist "at!h+ fro"ned+ and p#shed the a!!elerator do"n
!lose to the floor'oards& .And no"=. he said&
Chapter 1:
T-E President Monroe had 'lo"n its fifteen-min#te "histle& /ne min#te to $o& All
(isitors had 'een ordered ashore& o!)- hands "ere standin$ at the $an$plan)+
ready to ta)e it #p& The 'and "as playin$&
Clo#ds "hi!h had 'lan)eted the 'ay earlier in the mornin$ "ere li$htenin$
some"hat+ "ith pat!hes of 'l#e s)y sho"in$ thro#$h& Streamers of !olored paper
f#rnished ri''ons of !olor "hi!h stret!hed from passen$ers on the #pper de!)s to
friends "ho had $athered on the do!) to say fare"ell& The ed$e of the "harf "as
lined "ith people !allin$ o#t $ood-nat#red 'anter to those "ho "ere standin$ at the
ship*s rail&
The #niformed offi!er "ho "as importantly dire!tin$ the par)in$ of !ars stifled a
ya"n& -alf an ho#r 'efore+ !ars had 'een arri(in$ 'y the s!ore& Bi(e min#tes later+
they "o#ld 'e lea(in$ in dro(es& 3i$ht no" he had nothin$ to do+ sa(e p#sh his !hest
a$ainst his #niform and str#t importantly #p and do"n the pa(ement&
-e loo)ed #p as he heard the so#nd of s!reamin$ tires+ the roar of an a#tomo'ile&
-e raised his "histle to his lips+ then 8#mped to one side to a(oid 'ein$ str#!) as a
!ar s)idded side"ays+ s"#n$ half aro#nd+ and l#r!hed to a stop&
Mason 8#mped o#t+ yelled at him+ .Par) that !ar some"here+. $ra''ed ella Street+
and+ to$ether+ they ra!ed #p the $an$plan) 8#st as the hoarse 'ello" of the ship*s
"histle aro#sed e!hoes alon$ the "aterfront&
The $an$plan) "as p#lled a"ay& Lines "ere !ast off& The la"yer and his se!retary+
'reathless from their mad s!ram'le+ stood 'y the rail+ la#$hin$+ pantin$+ and
loo)in$ do"n a!ross the "idenin$ strip of oily "ater at the sea of #pt#rned fa!es&
S#ddenly Mason said+ .Loo) do"n there+ ella+ o(er a$ainst post n#m'er se(en&.
ella Street follo"ed the dire!tion of his eyes& 3odney C#ff+ 9immy ris!oll+
3osalind Pres!ott+ and Pa#l ra)e "ere $athered to$ether in a !ompa!t $ro#p&
ra)e spotted them 8#st as ella Street loo)ed& -e said somethin$ to his
!ompanions+ then raised his (oi!e and yelled+ .Perry= 1e '#rnt #p the road to $et
here& A !lient of mine has a !ase he "ants yo# to ta)e& This is ri$ht do"n yo#r alley&
-e has plenty of money and - .
.Not interested+. Mason !alled 'a!)&
.Yo# !an !ome 'a!) "ith the pilot+. ra)e sho#ted+ .and - .
.Not interested+. Mason interr#pted+ "a(in$ his hand& .0 ha(e a date in Sin$apore
"ith a lady&.
C#ff sho#ted+ .0 "anted to !on$rat#late yo#& Yo# $ot o#t of the !o#rtroom 'efore 0
)ne" yo# "ere $oin$& 1onderf#l "or)+ Co#nselor&.
.Than)s+. Mason !alled& .-ey+ Pa#l+ tell yo#r man to ta)e his !ase to 3odney C#ff&
Good-'y= 0*ll send yo# a !ard from 1ai)i)i=.
The 'i$ en$ines thro''ed into (i'rations as the ship $athered speed& ra)e yelled
somethin$ "hi!h "as #nintelli$i'le& The do!) "ith its h#man frin$e of "a(in$
fi$#res slipped astern&
Mason t#rned to ella Street& .-o"*s that+. he as)ed+ .for )eepin$ a promise2.
-er fa!e fl#shed+ her eyes starry+ she loo)ed #p at him+ the fresh "ind from the
har'or 'lo"in$ her hair a'o#t her fl#shed !hee)s&
.S"ell+. she admitted&
.No"+. he said+ ."e are !onfronted "ith the pro'lem that all yo#r 'a$$a$e is
initialed *&M&* 1hat are "e $oin$ to do a'o#t that2.
.Can*t "e ha(e the initials erased2. she as)ed&
.Not (ery "ell+. Mason said+ his eyes t"in)lin$& .They*re stamped into the leather&
0*ll tell yo# "hat yo# !o#ld do+ tho#$h&.
.1hat2. she as)ed&
.0f+. he said+ .yo# 'e!ame Mrs& Mason+ the initials "o#ld 'e perfe!tly all ri$ht&
They "o#ld then stand for *ella Mason* instead of *iana Mor$an&.
.Are yo#+. she as)ed+ .proposin$ to me2.
-e nodded&
She loo)ed tho#$htf#lly do"n into the "ater+ then raised her eyes to fa!e him
fran)ly&
.As yo#r "ife+. she as)ed+ ."o#ld 0 !ontin#e to 'e yo#r se!retary2.
.-ardly& 0 !o#ldn*t $i(e yo# orders& 0t "o#ldn*t set "ell "ith the !lients& B#t yo#
"o#ldn*t need to "or)& Yo# !o#ld ha(e a !ar of yo#r o"n and - .
.That*s "hat 0 tho#$ht+. she interr#pted& .1e*re $ettin$ alon$ s"ell the "ay it is&
Yo#*d esta'lish me in a home some"here as yo#r "ife& Then yo#*d $et a se!retary to
help yo# "ith yo#r "or)& The first thin$ yo# )ne"+ yo#*d 'e sharin$ e%!itement and
e%perien!es "ith the se!retary and 0*d 'e entirely o#t of yo#r life& No+ Mr& Perry
Mason+ yo# aren*t the marryin$ )ind& Yo# li(e at too hi$h speed& Yo#*re too
"rapped #p in mysteries& 0*d rather share in yo#r life than in yo#r 'an) roll&.
.B#t thin) of all that 'a$$a$e+. he told her+ slidin$ his arms aro#nd her "aist& .0t
has those perfe!tly $ood initials+ *&M&+* "hi!h "e !an*t let $o to "aste&.
She sn#$$led !lose to him& .No+. she said+ .0 thin) my h#n!h is ri$ht+ Chief& 0 thin)
it "o#ld 'e 'etter for me to remain ella Street and ha(e the 'a$$a$e "ron$ than to
'e!ome ella Mason and ha(e e(erythin$ else "ron$& B#t-"ell+ 0*ll tell yo# "hat 0*ll
do - as) me a$ain in Sin$apore&.
.0t*s a lon$ "ays 'et"een here and Sin$apore+. he told her& .-o" a'o#t 1ai)i)i2.
She la#$hed+ fl#n$ 'a!) her head to !at!h the "ind on her !hee)s and forehead&
.Al"ays impatient+. she said& .Come on& Let*s "al) the de!)& 0 don*t thin) yo#
need a "ife& B#t 0 )no" damn "ell yo# need a se!retary "ho*s "illin$ to $o to 8ail
o!!asionally to 'a!) yo#r play&.
Arm in arm they started "al)in$ the de!)& .-a(e any tro#'le "ith that ha'eas
!orp#s2. he as)ed&
.N#h #h+. she said&
Another half t#rn in silen!e& .-appy2. Mason as)ed&
.Uh h#h+. s,#ee;in$ his arm&
Li)e t"o happy !hildren+ they "al)ed the de!)& .ammit+. Mason said+ fro"nin$+
.0 "onder "hat it "as that Pa#l ra)e had& 0t*s the first time 0*(e e(er )no"n him
to $et e%!ited o(er a !ase& 0t m#st 'e a h#mdin$er - .
She pla!ed her fin$ers a!ross his lips& .Stop it+. she ordered& .H#it tal)in$ a'o#t it+
and ,#it thin)in$ a'o#t it& 0f yo# so m#!h as mention '#siness on this trip+ 0*ll ta)e
a separate ship and lea(e yo# to yo#r o"n de(i!es&.
Mason held #p his hands in $rinnin$ s#rrender and said+ .Aamerad= Yo# "in=.
Thereafter+ passen$ers $ettin$ their last taste of the !old "ind "hi!h !ame tan$in$ in
from the sea+ h#rryin$ to"ard their staterooms to lay o#t li$ht "ei$ht tropi!al
$arments in anti!ipation of the "arm !r#ise ahead+ smiled tolerantly as they sa" the
tall+ distin$#ished man+ a!!ompanied 'y the !apa'le+ $ood-loo)in$ yo#n$ "oman+
paradin$ aro#nd the de!)+ as tho#$h it "as a !eremonial mar!h+ and+ as they
"al)ed+ "histlin$ -a"aiian Paradise&
The End&