erlestanleygardner.the.caseofthesulkygirl-µÚ19ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡smiled¡¡wisely¡¡and¡¡said£º¡¡¡¨Let¡¡them¡¡wait¡£¡¡It¡¡will¡¡teach¡¡them¡¡patience¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Did¡¡you¡¡read¡¡the¡¡papers£¿¡¨¡¡she¡¡asked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Not¡¡the¡¡morning¡¡papers£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡told¡¡her¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡late¡¡editions¡¡say¡¡that¡¡they've¡¡identified¡¡the¡¡club¡¡that¡¡killed¡¡Norton£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡told¡¡him¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡heavy¡¡walking¡¡stick£»¡¡and¡¡they've¡¡found¡¡out¡¡that¡¡it¡¡belonged¡¡to¡¡Rob¡¡Gleason£»¡¡the¡¡husband¡¡of¡¡our¡¡client¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That'll¡¡mean£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Perry¡¡Mason£»¡¡¡¨that¡¡they'll¡¡charge¡¡him¡¡with¡¡first¡¡degree¡¡murder£»¡¡and¡¡let¡¡the¡¡charge¡¡against¡¡Devoe¡¡go¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨They're¡¡also¡¡going¡¡to¡¡charge¡¡the¡¡woman£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨unless¡¡they¡¡have¡¡already¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨So£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes¡£¡¡This¡¡secretary£»¡¡Don¡¡Graves£»¡¡has¡¡given¡¡some¡¡additional¡¡information¡¡which¡¡has¡¡changed¡¡the¡¡entire¡¡plexion¡¡of¡¡the¡¡case£»¡¡according¡¡to¡¡the¡¡STAR¡£¡¡Graves¡¡was¡¡shielding¡¡some¡¡one¡£¡¡The¡¡police¡¡broke¡¡him¡¡down¡¡and¡¡he¡¡gave¡¡additional¡¡evidence¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨that¡¡makes¡¡it¡¡interesting¡£¡¡If¡¡anybody¡¡es¡¡in£»¡¡give¡¡them¡¡a¡¡stall¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡nodded¡¡her¡¡head£»¡¡staring¡¡at¡¡him¡¡apprehensively¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You're¡¡not¡¡going¡¡to¡¡get¡¡mixed¡¡into¡¡this¡¡thing£»¡¡are¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡she¡¡asked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why¡¡should¡¡I¡¡get¡¡mixed¡¡into¡¡it£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡inquired¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡know¡¡what¡¡I¡¡mean£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡do¡¡too¡¡much¡¡for¡¡your¡¡clients¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡do¡¡you¡¡mean¡¡by¡¡that£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡know¡¡what¡¡I¡¡mean¡£¡¡You¡¡had¡¡Miss¡¡Celane¡¡have¡¡a¡¡nervous¡¡breakdown£»¡¡and¡¡leave¡¡here¡¡in¡¡an¡¡ambulance¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡smiled¡¡at¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¨Well£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Isn't¡¡it¡¡a¡¡crime£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨to¡¡conceal¡¡someone¡¡who¡¡is¡¡wanted¡¡by¡¡the¡¡police£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Was¡¡she¡¡wanted¡¡by¡¡the¡¡police¡¡then£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡inquired¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡dubiously£»¡¡¡¨not¡¡then£»¡¡I¡¡guess¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Furthermore£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mason£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡am¡¡not¡¡a¡¡physician¡£¡¡I¡¡might¡¡make¡¡an¡¡incorrect¡¡diagnosis¡£¡¡I¡¡thought¡¡she¡¡was¡¡having¡¡a¡¡nervous¡¡breakdown£»¡¡but¡¡I¡¡called¡¡a¡¡physician¡¡to¡¡verify¡¡my¡¡impression¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡frowned¡¡at¡¡him¡¡and¡¡shook¡¡her¡¡head¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡like¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡like¡¡what£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡like¡¡the¡¡way¡¡you¡¡mix¡¡into¡¡these¡¡cases¡£¡¡Why¡¡can't¡¡you¡¡sit¡¡back¡¡and¡¡just¡¡do¡¡your¡¡stuff¡¡in¡¡a¡¡court¡¡room£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡know£»¡¡I'm¡¡sure£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡told¡¡her£»¡¡smiling¡£¡¡¡¨Maybe¡¡it's¡¡a¡¡disease¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Don't¡¡be¡¡silly£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡told¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¨Other¡¡lawyers¡¡walk¡¡into¡¡court¡¡and¡¡examine¡¡the¡¡witnesses¡¡and¡¡then¡¡put¡¡the¡¡case¡¡up¡¡before¡¡a¡¡jury¡£¡¡You¡¡go¡¡out¡¡and¡¡mix¡¡yourself¡¡into¡¡the¡¡cases¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Other¡¡lawyers£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡told¡¡her£»¡¡¡¨have¡¡clients¡¡who¡¡get¡¡hung¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Sometimes¡¡they¡¡deserve¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡pointed¡¡out¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Perhaps¡£¡¡I¡¡haven't¡¡had¡¡one¡¡hung¡¡so¡¡far£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡haven't¡¡had¡¡one¡¡who¡¡deserved¡¡it¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡stood¡¡staring¡¡at¡¡him¡¡for¡¡a¡¡moment£»¡¡then¡¡smiled£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡was¡¡something¡¡almost¡¡maternal¡¡in¡¡her¡¡smile¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Are¡¡all¡¡your¡¡clients¡¡innocent£¿¡¨¡¡she¡¡asked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡what¡¡the¡¡juries¡¡say£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡told¡¡her¡£¡¡¡¨And¡¡after¡¡all£»¡¡they're¡¡the¡¡ones¡¡to¡¡judge¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡sighed¡¡and¡¡shrugged¡¡her¡¡shoulders¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡win£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡and¡¡went¡¡back¡¡into¡¡the¡¡outer¡¡office¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡the¡¡catch¡¡clicked£»¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡sat¡¡down¡¡at¡¡his¡¡desk¡¡and¡¡spread¡¡out¡¡the¡¡newspapers¡£¡¡He¡¡read¡¡for¡¡fifteen¡¡minutes¡¡without¡¡interruption£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡the¡¡door¡¡opened¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨There's¡¡a¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield¡¡out¡¡here£»¡¨¡¡Della¡¡Street¡¡told¡¡him£»¡¡¡¨and¡¡I¡¡have¡¡an¡¡idea¡¡you'd¡¡better¡¡see¡¡her¡¡while¡¡the¡¡seeing¡¡is¡¡good¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡nodded¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Send¡¡her¡¡in£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨and¡¡make¡¡it¡¡snappy¡£¡¡There'll¡¡probably¡¡be¡¡a¡¡police¡¡detective¡¡following¡¡on¡¡her¡¡trail¡£¡¡Stall¡¡him¡¡off¡¡just¡¡as¡¡long¡¡as¡¡you¡¡can¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡girl¡¡nodded£»¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡and¡¡beckoned¡¡to¡¡the¡¡woman¡¡who¡¡sat¡¡in¡¡the¡¡outer¡¡office¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡As¡¡the¡¡broad¡¡form¡¡of¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield¡¡hulked¡¡in¡¡the¡¡doorway£»¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡saw¡¡his¡¡secretary¡¡blocking¡¡as¡¡much¡¡of¡¡the¡¡passage¡¡as¡¡possible¡£¡¡Then£»¡¡as¡¡the¡¡door¡¡was¡¡closing¡¡behind¡¡the¡¡housekeeper£»¡¡he¡¡heard¡¡Della¡¡Street's¡¡voice¡¡saying£º¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡very¡¡sorry£»¡¡but¡¡Mr¡£¡¡Mason¡¡is¡¡in¡¡an¡¡important¡¡conference¡¡right¡¡now¡¡and¡¡can't¡¡be¡¡disturbed¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡nodded¡¡to¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield£»¡¡got¡¡up£»¡¡crossed¡¡the¡¡office¡¡and¡¡turned¡¡the¡¡lock¡¡on¡¡the¡¡door¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Good¡¡morning£»¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡stared¡¡at¡¡him¡¡in¡¡black¡eyed¡¡belligerency¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Good¡¡morning£¡¡¨¡¡she¡¡snapped¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡indicated¡¡the¡¡black¡¡leather¡¡chair£»¡¡and¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield¡¡sat¡¡down¡¡in¡¡it£»¡¡her¡¡back¡¡very¡¡stiff¡¡and¡¡her¡¡chin¡¡thrust¡¡forward¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What's¡¡this¡¡about¡¡the¡¡speedometer¡¡being¡¡set¡¡back¡¡on¡¡the¡¡Buick¡¡automobile£¿¡¨¡¡she¡¡asked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡was¡¡the¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡scuffling¡¡motion¡¡from¡¡the¡¡outer¡¡office£»¡¡then¡¡the¡¡noise¡¡of¡¡bodies¡¡pushing¡¡against¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡knob¡¡of¡¡the¡¡door¡¡twisted¡£¡¡The¡¡lock¡¡held¡¡it¡¡shut£»¡¡and¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡kept¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡fastened¡¡on¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield£»¡¡holding¡¡her¡¡attention¡¡away¡¡from¡¡the¡¡noise¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Mr¡£¡¡Norton£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡lawyer£»¡¡¡¨reported¡¡the¡¡Buick¡¡automobile¡¡as¡¡having¡¡been¡¡stolen¡£¡¡At¡¡the¡¡time£»¡¡we¡¡thought¡¡that¡¡Miss¡¡Celane¡¡was¡¡driving¡¡it¡£¡¡Now¡¡it¡¡appears¡¡that¡¡she¡¡was¡¡not¡£¡¡Therefore£»¡¡the¡¡Buick¡¡must¡¡have¡¡been¡¡gone¡¡at¡¡the¡¡time¡¡Norton¡¡reported¡¡its¡¡theft¡¡to¡¡the¡¡police¡£¡¡However£»¡¡we¡¡have¡¡the¡¡mileage¡¡record¡¡of¡¡the¡¡car£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡shows¡¡that¡¡he¡¡returned¡¡it¡¡to¡¡his¡¡house¡¡at¡¡15£»304¡£7¡¡miles¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡means¡¡the¡¡person¡¡who¡¡was¡¡using¡¡it¡¡the¡¡night¡¡of¡¡the¡¡murder¡¡must¡¡have¡¡either¡¡set¡¡the¡¡speedometer¡¡back¡¡or¡¡disconnected¡¡the¡¡speedometer¡¡when¡¡he¡¡took¡¡it¡¡out¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield¡¡shook¡¡her¡¡head¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡car¡¡wasn't¡¡out£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Are¡¡you¡¡certain£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Purkett£»¡¡the¡¡butler£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨sleeps¡¡right¡¡over¡¡the¡¡garage¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡lying¡¡awake¡¡in¡¡bed£»¡¡reading£»¡¡and¡¡he'd¡¡have¡¡heard¡¡anyone¡¡take¡¡a¡¡car¡¡out¡£¡¡He¡¡says¡¡that¡¡the¡¡garage¡¡doors¡¡were¡¡closed£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡no¡¡car¡¡went¡¡out¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Could¡¡he¡¡have¡¡been¡¡mistaken£¿¡¨¡¡pressed¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡snapped¡£¡¡¡¨The¡¡doors¡¡make¡¡a¡¡noise¡¡when¡¡they're¡¡opened¡£¡¡It¡¡sounds¡¡very¡¡loud¡¡up¡¡in¡¡the¡¡room¡¡over¡¡the¡¡garage¡£¡¡Purkett¡¡would¡¡have¡¡heard¡¡it£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡want¡¡an¡¡explanation¡¡of¡¡this¡¡crack¡¡that¡¡you¡¡made¡¡to¡¡my¡¡husband¡¡about¡¡me¡¡being¡¡in¡¡the¡¡room¡¡when¡¡the¡¡murder¡£¡£¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Forget¡¡that¡¡for¡¡a¡¡minute£»¡¨¡¡Mason¡¡interrupted¡£¡¡¡¨We're¡¡talking¡¡about¡¡the¡¡car£»¡¡and¡¡our¡¡time's¡¡short¡£¡¡I¡¡can't¡¡do¡¡any¡¡business¡¡with¡¡you¡¡unless¡¡I¡¡can¡¡prove¡¡that¡¡speedometer¡¡was¡¡set¡¡back¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡shook¡¡her¡¡head¡¡emphatically¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡can't¡¡do¡¡any¡¡business¡¡with¡¡me¡¡anyway£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨You've¡¡got¡¡things¡¡in¡¡a¡¡fine¡¡mess¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨How¡¡do¡¡you¡¡mean£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You've¡¡handled¡¡things¡¡in¡¡such¡¡a¡¡way¡¡that¡¡the¡¡police¡¡have¡¡dragged¡¡Frances¡¡Celane¡¡into¡¡it¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡black¡¡eyes¡¡snapped¡¡at¡¡him¡¡in¡¡beady¡¡indignation£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡suddenly¡¡filmed¡¡with¡¡moisture¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡mean¡¡you're¡¡the¡¡one¡¡that¡¡got¡¡Frances¡¡Celane¡¡into¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mason£»¡¡getting¡¡to¡¡his¡¡feet¡¡and¡¡facing¡¡her¡¡accusingly¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡started¡¡it¡¡by¡¡blackmailing¡¡her¡¡about¡¡her¡¡marriage£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡you¡¡wanted¡¡more¡¡blackmail¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡her¡¡out¡¡of¡¡this¡¡murder¡¡business¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡glittering¡¡black¡¡eyes¡¡now¡¡showed¡¡globules¡¡of¡¡moisture¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡wanted¡¡money£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield£»¡¡losing¡¡her¡¡air¡¡of¡¡belligerency¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡knew¡¡it¡¡was¡¡an¡¡easy¡¡way¡¡to¡¡get¡¡it¡£¡¡I¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡Frances¡¡Celane¡¡was¡¡going¡¡to¡¡have¡¡plenty¡£¡¡I¡¡didn't¡¡see¡¡any¡¡reason¡¡why¡¡I¡¡shouldn't¡¡have¡¡some¡¡of¡¡it¡£¡¡When¡¡she¡¡hired¡¡you£»¡¡I¡¡knew¡¡you¡¡were¡¡going¡¡to¡¡get¡¡plenty¡¡of¡¡money£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡didn't¡¡see¡¡any¡¡reason¡¡why¡¡I¡¡shouldn't¡¡have¡¡some¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡my¡¡life¡¡I've¡¡been¡¡a¡¡working¡¡woman¡£¡¡I've¡¡married¡¡a¡¡husband¡¡who¡¡is¡¡a¡¡clod£»¡¡and¡¡hasn't¡¡ambition¡¡or¡¡sense¡¡enough¡¡to¡¡e¡¡in¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡rain¡£¡¡All¡¡my¡¡life¡¡I've¡¡had¡¡to¡¡take¡¡responsibilities¡£¡¡When¡¡I¡¡was¡¡a¡¡girl¡¡I¡¡had¡¡to¡¡support¡¡my¡¡family¡£¡¡After¡¡I¡¡was¡¡married£»¡¡I¡¡had¡¡to¡¡furnish¡¡all¡¡the¡¡ambition¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡the¡¡family¡¡going¡£¡¡For¡¡years¡¡I've¡¡waited¡¡on¡¡Frances¡¡Celane¡£¡¡I've¡¡seen¡¡her¡¡live¡¡the¡¡life¡¡of¡¡a¡¡spoiled¡¡lady¡¡of¡¡leisure¡£¡¡I've¡¡had¡¡to¡¡slave¡¡my¡¡fingers¡¡to¡¡the¡¡bone¡¡doing¡¡housework¡¡and¡¡seeing¡¡that¡¡she¡¡had¡¡her¡¡breakfast¡¡in¡¡bed£»¡¡and¡¡I'm¡¡tired¡¡of¡¡it¡£¡¡I¡¡didn't¡¡see¡¡any¡¡reason¡¡why¡¡I¡¡shouldn't¡¡have¡¡some¡¡money¡¡too¡£¡¡I¡¡wanted¡¡lots¡¡of¡¡money¡£¡¡I¡¡wanted¡¡people¡¡to¡¡wait¡¡on¡¡me¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡willing¡¡to¡¡do¡¡anything¡¡to¡¡get¡¡the¡¡money£»¡¡except¡¡to¡¡get¡¡Frances¡¡into¡¡real¡¡trouble¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Now¡¡I¡¡can't¡¡do¡¡anything¡¡about¡¡it¡£¡¡The¡¡police¡¡cornered¡¡me¡¡and¡¡made¡¡me¡¡talk£»¡¡and¡¡they're¡¡going¡¡to¡¡arrest¡¡Frances¡¡Celane¡¡for¡¡murder¡£¡¡For¡¡murder£¡¡¡Do¡¡you¡¡understand£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡voice¡¡rose¡¡almost¡¡to¡¡a¡¡shriek¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡was¡¡an¡¡imperative¡¡pounding¡¡on¡¡the¡¡door¡¡of¡¡the¡¡office¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Open¡¡up¡¡in¡¡there£¡¡¨¡¡gruffed¡¡a¡¡voice¡¡from¡¡the¡¡outside¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡paid¡¡no¡¡attention¡¡to¡¡the¡¡motion¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡but¡¡kept¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡fixed¡¡upon¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡it¡¡would¡¡help¡¡clear¡¡up¡¡this¡¡mystery£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨do¡¡you¡¡think¡¡you¡¡could¡¡find¡¡someone¡¡who¡¡would¡¡testify¡¡that¡¡the¡¡car¡¡was¡¡taken¡¡out¡¡and¡¡that¡¡the¡¡speedometer¡¡was¡¡either¡¡disconnected¡¡or¡¡set¡¡back£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨that¡¡car¡¡didn't¡¡go¡¡out¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mason¡¡started¡¡pacing¡¡the¡¡floor¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡knocking¡¡at¡¡the¡¡outer¡¡door¡¡was¡¡redoubled¡¡in¡¡intensity¡£¡¡Someone¡¡shouted£º¡¡¡¨This¡¡is¡¡a¡¡police¡¡detective¡£¡¡Open¡¡up¡¡that¡¡door£¡¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Suddenly¡¡Mason¡¡laughed¡¡aloud¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡a¡¡fool¡¡I've¡¡been£¡¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡housekeeper¡¡blinked¡¡back¡¡the¡¡tears¡¡and¡¡stared¡¡at¡¡him¡¡with¡¡wide¡¡eyes¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mason£»¡¡¡¨that¡¡car¡¡didn't¡¡leave¡¡the¡¡garage¡£¡¡No¡¡car¡¡left¡¡the¡¡garage¡£¡¨¡¡And¡¡he¡¡smacked¡¡his¡¡fist¡¡down¡¡upon¡¡his¡¡palm¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡whirled¡¡to¡¡the¡¡housekeeper¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨If¡¡you¡¡want¡¡to¡¡do¡¡something¡¡for¡¡Frances¡¡Celane£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨talk¡¡with¡¡Purkett¡¡again£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡detail¡£¡¡Go¡¡over¡¡the¡¡case¡¡with¡¡him¡¡and¡¡strengthen¡¡his¡¡recollection¡¡so¡¡that£»¡¡no¡¡matter¡¡what¡¡happens£»¡¡he¡¡can't¡¡be¡¡shaken¡¡in¡¡his¡¡testimony¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡want¡¡him¡¡to¡¡say¡¡that¡¡the¡¡car¡¡didn't¡¡leave¡¡the¡¡garage£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡the¡¡housekeeper¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡want¡¡him¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡the¡¡truth£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡£¡¡¡¨But¡¡I¡¡want¡¡him¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡it¡¡with¡¡sufficient¡¡firmness¡¡so¡¡that¡¡he¡¡won't¡¡be¡¡rattled¡¡on¡¡the¡¡witness¡¡stand¡¡by¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡of¡¡lawyers¡£¡¡That's¡¡all¡¡I¡¡want¡¡him¡¡to¡¡testify¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡the¡¡fact¡¡that¡¡the¡¡car¡¡did¡¡not¡¡leave¡¡the¡¡garage¡¡at¡¡any¡¡time¡¡on¡¡that¡¡night£»¡¡that¡¡the¡¡garage¡¡doors¡¡were¡¡closed£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡they¡¡remained¡¡closed£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡no¡¡person¡¡could¡¡have¡¡taken¡¡a¡¡car¡¡from¡¡the¡¡garage¡¡without¡¡his¡¡hearing¡¡it¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨that's¡¡the¡¡truth¡£¡¡That's¡¡what¡¡he¡¡says¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡told¡¡her£»¡¡¡¨if¡¡you¡¡want¡¡to¡¡do¡¡Frances¡¡Celane¡¡a¡¡favor£»¡¡you¡¡get¡¡to¡¡him¡¡and¡¡see¡¡that¡¡no¡¡pressure¡¡on¡¡earth¡¡can¡¡change¡¡that¡¡testimony¡¡of¡¡his¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'll¡¡do¡¡it£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡asked¡¡hastily£º¡¡¡¨What¡¡did¡¡you¡¡tell¡¡the¡¡police¡¡about¡¡getting¡¡money¡¡from¡¡Frances¡¡Celane£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Nothing£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨I¡¡told¡¡them¡¡that¡¡she¡¡gave¡¡you¡¡money¡¡but¡¡I¡¡didn't¡¡know¡¡how¡¡much£»¡¡or¡¡whether¡¡it¡¡was¡¡in¡¡large¡¡bills¡¡or¡¡small¡¡bills¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡door¡¡creaked¡¡under¡¡the¡¡weight¡¡of¡¡a¡¡body¡¡which¡¡had¡¡been¡¡thrown¡¡against¡¡it¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡walked¡¡to¡¡it£»¡¡snapped¡¡back¡¡the¡¡lock£»¡¡and¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡door¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡the¡¡hell¡¡do¡¡you¡¡mean£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡demanded£»¡¡¡¨by¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡bust¡¡into¡¡my¡¡private¡¡office£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡burly¡¡man¡¡with¡¡square¡¡shoulders£»¡¡thick¡¡neck¡¡and¡¡scowling¡¡forehead£»¡¡pushed¡¡his¡¡way¡¡into¡¡the¡¡room¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡told¡¡you¡¡who¡¡I¡¡was£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡a¡¡police¡¡detective¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡care¡¡if¡¡you're¡¡Mussolini£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡can't¡¡break¡¡into¡¡my¡¡office¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡hell¡¡I¡¡can't£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡detective¡£¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡taking¡¡this¡¡woman¡¡into¡¡custody¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield¡¡gave¡¡a¡¡little¡¡scream¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨On¡¡what¡¡charge£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨As¡¡a¡¡material¡¡witness¡¡in¡¡a¡¡murder¡¡case£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡detective¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mason¡¡remarked£º¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡you¡¡didn't¡¡get¡¡the¡¡urge¡¡to¡¡take¡¡her¡¡into¡¡custody¡¡as¡¡a¡¡material¡¡witness¡¡until¡¡after¡¡she¡¡came¡¡to¡¡this¡¡office¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡do¡¡you¡¡mean£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡the¡¡detective¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Exactly¡¡what¡¡I¡¡say£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mason¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡sat¡¡outside¡¡and¡¡watched¡¡this¡¡office¡¡until¡¡you¡¡saw¡¡Mrs¡£¡¡Mayfield¡¡