erlestanleygardner.the.caseofthesulkygirl-µÚ6ÕÂ
°´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£¡
ding¡¡to¡¡the¡¡police£»¡¡Norton¡¡telephoned¡¡in¡¡that¡¡the¡¡sedan¡¡had¡¡been¡¡stolen¡¡and¡¡wanted¡¡the¡¡police¡¡to¡¡pick¡¡up¡¡the¡¡car¡¡and¡¡put¡¡the¡¡driver¡¡in¡¡jail¡£¡¡He¡¡said¡¡it¡¡didn't¡¡make¡¡any¡¡difference¡¡who¡¡was¡¡driving¡¡it¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡that¡¡must¡¡have¡¡been¡¡after¡¡I¡¡left¡¡here£»¡¡and¡¡before¡¡Norton's¡¡death£»¡¨¡¡Mason¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Crinston¡¡shrugged¡¡his¡¡shoulders¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨According¡¡to¡¡the¡¡police£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨it¡¡was¡¡at¡¡eleven¡¡fifteen¡£¡¡Personally¡¡I¡¡think¡¡it's¡¡all¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡of¡¡hooey¡£¡¡The¡¡police¡¡must¡¡have¡¡made¡¡a¡¡mistake¡£¡¡Norton¡¡had¡¡his¡¡faults£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡were¡¡plenty¡¡of¡¡them£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡loved¡¡his¡¡niece¡¡in¡¡his¡¡own¡¡peculiar¡¡fashion¡£¡¡I¡¡can't¡¡believe¡¡he¡¡wanted¡¡her¡¡arrested¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mason£»¡¡¡¨forget¡¡that¡£¡¡How¡¡about¡¡the¡¡murder£¿¡¡Do¡¡they¡¡know¡¡who¡¡did¡¡it£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Apparently£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Crinston£»¡¡¡¨that's¡¡all¡¡taken¡¡care¡¡of¡£¡¡Pete¡¡Devoe£»¡¡the¡¡chauffeur£»¡¡got¡¡drunk¡¡and¡¡killed¡¡him¡¡in¡¡order¡¡to¡¡get¡¡some¡¡money¡£¡¡He¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡make¡¡it¡¡appear¡¡that¡¡burglars¡¡had¡¡broken¡¡in¡¡from¡¡the¡¡outside£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡bungled¡¡the¡¡job¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨How¡¡was¡¡Norton¡¡killed£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Devoe¡¡beat¡¡his¡¡head¡¡in¡¡with¡¡a¡¡club¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡a¡¡messy¡¡job¡£¡¡He¡¡hit¡¡him¡¡a¡¡frightful¡¡lick¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Did¡¡they¡¡find¡¡the¡¡club£¿¡¨¡¡the¡¡lawyer¡¡asked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Crinston£»¡¡¡¨that's¡¡where¡¡Devoe¡¡slipped¡¡up¡£¡¡He¡¡took¡¡the¡¡club¡¡and¡¡hid¡¡it¡¡in¡¡a¡¡closet¡¡in¡¡his¡¡room¡£¡¡He¡¡didn't¡¡think¡¡the¡¡police¡¡would¡¡search¡¡the¡¡place£»¡¡because¡¡he¡¡tried¡¡to¡¡make¡¡it¡¡appear¡¡burglars¡¡had¡¡broken¡¡in¡¡from¡¡the¡¡outside¡£¡¡You¡¡see£»¡¡the¡¡police¡¡discovered¡¡the¡¡crime¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡sooner¡¡than¡¡anyone¡¡thought¡¡they¡¡would¡£¡¡It's¡¡quite¡¡a¡¡story£»¡¡and¡¡I'll¡¡have¡¡to¡¡tell¡¡it¡¡to¡¡you¡¡when¡¡we've¡¡got¡¡more¡¡time¡£¡¡Don¡¡Graves¡¡actually¡¡saw¡¡the¡¡crime¡¡being¡¡mitted¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Give¡¡me¡¡a¡¡quick¡¡outline£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mason¡£¡¡¡¨Spill¡¡it¡¡fast¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Crinston¡¡took¡¡a¡¡deep¡¡breath£»¡¡then¡¡hurried¡¡into¡¡speech¡¡¡¨You¡¡know¡¡Norton¡¡is¡¡a¡¡night¡¡owl¡£¡¡He¡¡frequently¡¡keeps¡¡his¡¡office¡¡open¡¡until¡¡midnight¡£¡¡To¡night¡¡he¡¡had¡¡an¡¡appointment¡¡with¡¡me£»¡¡and¡¡I¡¡had¡¡an¡¡appointment¡¡with¡¡Municipal¡¡Judge¡¡Purley¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡late¡¡getting¡¡things¡¡cleaned¡¡up¡¡with¡¡Purley£»¡¡so¡¡I¡¡persuaded¡¡Purley¡¡to¡¡drive¡¡me¡¡out¡¡here¡¡in¡¡his¡¡car£»¡¡and¡¡wait¡¡for¡¡me¡£¡¡I¡¡only¡¡had¡¡to¡¡see¡¡Norton¡¡for¡¡a¡¡few¡¡minutes¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡ran¡¡in¡¡and¡¡had¡¡my¡¡conference¡¡with¡¡Norton¡¡and¡¡then¡¡came¡¡out¡¡and¡¡started¡¡away¡¡with¡¡Judge¡¡Purley¡£¡¡Just¡¡as¡¡we¡¡started¡¡to¡¡drive¡¡away£»¡¡Norton¡¡opened¡¡the¡¡window¡¡on¡¡the¡¡upper¡¡floor¡¡and¡¡called¡¡down¡¡to¡¡ask¡¡me¡¡if¡¡I¡¡would¡¡mind¡¡taking¡¡Don¡¡Graves¡¡with¡¡me¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡sending¡¡Graves¡¡after¡¡some¡¡important¡¡papers£»¡¡and¡¡wanted¡¡him¡¡to¡¡go¡¡with¡¡us¡¡to¡¡save¡¡time¡£¡¡You¡¡see£»¡¡they¡¡were¡¡papers¡¡that¡¡I¡¡had¡¡agreed¡¡to¡¡get¡¡for¡¡Graves¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡documents¡¡relating¡¡to¡¡some¡¡of¡¡our¡¡partnership¡¡business¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡asked¡¡Judge¡¡Purley¡¡if¡¡he¡¡had¡¡any¡¡objections£»¡¡and¡¡Purley¡¡said¡¡it¡¡would¡¡be¡¡all¡¡right¡£¡¡So¡¡I¡¡called¡¡up¡¡to¡¡Norton¡¡to¡¡send¡¡Graves¡¡down£»¡¡but¡¡Graves£»¡¡anticipating¡¡it¡¡would¡¡be¡¡all¡¡right£»¡¡by¡¡that¡¡time¡¡was¡¡at¡¡the¡¡door£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡ran¡¡right¡¡out¡¡and¡¡into¡¡the¡¡automobile¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡started¡¡up¡¡the¡¡road¡¡toward¡¡the¡¡boulevard¡£¡¡You¡¡know¡¡how¡¡it¡¡curves¡¡and¡¡twists¡¡around¡£¡¡There's¡¡one¡¡place¡¡where¡¡you¡¡can¡¡look¡¡back¡¡and¡¡see¡¡into¡¡Norton's¡¡study¡£¡¡Graves¡¡happened¡¡to¡¡be¡¡looking¡¡back¡£¡¡He¡¡let¡¡out¡¡a¡¡yell¡£¡¡He¡¡said¡¡he¡¡had¡¡seen¡¡the¡¡figure¡¡of¡¡a¡¡man¡¡standing¡¡in¡¡Norton's¡¡study£»¡¡that¡¡this¡¡man¡¡had¡¡a¡¡club£»¡¡and¡¡had¡¡swung¡¡it¡¡down¡¡on¡¡Norton's¡¡head¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Judge¡¡Purley¡¡ran¡¡the¡¡car¡¡to¡¡a¡¡place¡¡where¡¡he¡¡could¡¡turn¡¡around¡£¡¡He¡¡thought¡¡Graves¡¡might¡¡have¡¡been¡¡mistaken£»¡¡but¡¡Graves¡¡insisted¡¡he¡¡couldn't¡¡have¡¡been¡¡mistaken¡£¡¡It¡¡was¡¡something¡¡he'd¡¡seen¡¡plainly¡£¡¡He¡¡insisted¡¡he¡¡was¡¡right¡£¡¡So¡¡Judge¡¡Purley¡¡drove¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡house£»¡¡going¡¡pretty¡¡rapidly¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨When¡¡we¡¡got¡¡there£»¡¡the¡¡three¡¡of¡¡us¡¡rushed¡¡into¡¡the¡¡house¡¡and¡¡up¡¡the¡¡stairs¡¡to¡¡the¡¡study¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Norton¡¡was¡¡lying¡¡across¡¡his¡¡desk¡¡with¡¡the¡¡top¡¡of¡¡his¡¡head¡¡smashed¡¡in¡£¡¡His¡¡pockets¡¡were¡¡turned¡¡inside¡¡out¡£¡¡His¡¡wallet¡¡lay¡¡empty¡¡on¡¡the¡¡floor¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡notified¡¡the¡¡police¡¡right¡¡away¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨There¡¡was¡¡a¡¡window¡¡in¡¡the¡¡dining¡¡room¡¡which¡¡had¡¡been¡¡jimmied¡¡open£»¡¡and¡¡there¡¡were¡¡footprints¡¡outside¡¡in¡¡the¡¡loam¡£¡¡The¡¡prints¡¡were¡¡of¡¡very¡¡large¡¡feet£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡police¡¡think¡¡now¡¡that¡¡Devoe¡¡probably¡¡put¡¡a¡¡large¡¡pair¡¡of¡¡shoes¡¡on¡¡over¡¡his¡¡other¡¡shoes£»¡¡in¡¡order¡¡to¡¡leave¡¡those¡¡prints¡¡and¡¡fool¡¡the¡¡police¡£¡¡You'll¡¡get¡¡the¡¡facts¡¡of¡¡the¡¡case¡¡when¡¡you¡¡go¡¡in¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡stared¡¡thoughtfully¡¡into¡¡the¡¡half¡darkness¡¡of¡¡the¡¡shadowed¡¡hedge¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked£»¡¡¡¨should¡¡Norton¡¡have¡¡accused¡¡his¡¡niece¡¡of¡¡stealing¡¡an¡¡automobile£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Probably¡¡a¡¡misunderstanding£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Crinston£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡think¡¡Norton¡¡had¡¡any¡¡idea¡¡his¡¡niece¡¡was¡¡the¡¡one¡¡who¡¡had¡¡the¡¡car¡£¡¡He¡¡just¡¡knew¡¡the¡¡car¡¡was¡¡missing£»¡¡and¡¡telephoned¡¡the¡¡police¡£¡¡They¡¡were¡¡working¡¡on¡¡that¡¡when¡¡they¡¡were¡¡advised¡¡of¡¡the¡¡murder¡£¡¡So¡¡they're¡¡making¡¡inquiries£»¡¡figuring¡¡the¡¡car¡¡business¡¡may¡¡have¡¡had¡¡something¡¡to¡¡do¡¡with¡¡it¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Do¡¡they¡¡know¡¡that¡¡his¡¡niece¡¡had¡¡the¡¡car£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Yes¡£¡¡She's¡¡admitted¡¡having¡¡taken¡¡it¡¡out£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Crinston¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It¡¡seems¡¡strange¡¡Norton¡¡would¡¡have¡¡wanted¡¡her¡¡arrested£»¡¨¡¡persisted¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¡he¡¡did£»¡¨¡¡Crinston¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨unless¡¡the¡¡police¡¡got¡¡the¡¡wrong¡¡name£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡isn't¡¡likely£»¡¡because¡¡they¡¡got¡¡the¡¡right¡¡car¡¡numbers¡£¡¡But¡¡Fran¡¡is¡¡a¡¡peculiar¡¡girl¡£¡¡You¡¡can't¡¡tell¡¡what¡¡she¡¡will¡¡do¡£¡¡For¡¡heaven's¡¡sake£»¡¡talk¡¡with¡¡her£»¡¡and¡¡don't¡¡let¡¡her¡¡get¡¡mixed¡¡up¡¡in¡¡this¡¡thing¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡certainly¡¡don't¡¡think¡¡that¡¡she¡¡has¡¡anything¡¡to¡¡do¡¡with¡¡the¡¡murder£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡know£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Crinston£»¡¡then¡¡hastily¡¡added£º¡¡¡¨No£»¡¡no£»¡¡of¡¡course¡¡not£»¡¡she¡¡couldn't¡¡have¡£¡¡She's¡¡got¡¡a¡¡temper¡¡and¡¡they¡¡had¡¡quite¡¡a¡¡fight¡¡after¡¡you¡¡left¡£¡¡But¡¡she¡¡wouldn't¡¡have¡¡had¡¡the¡¡physical¡¡strength¡¡to¡¡strike¡¡such¡¡a¡¡blow¡¡anyway¡£¡¡And¡¡if¡¡she¡¡had¡¡had¡¡an¡¡acplice¡£¡£¡£¡¡Oh¡¡well£»¡¡there's¡¡no¡¡use¡¡speculating¡¡about¡¡that¡¡anyway£»¡¡because¡¡it's¡¡all¡¡foolishness¡£¡¡Devoe¡¡is¡¡the¡¡one¡¡that's¡¡guilty¡¡all¡¡right¡£¡¡But¡¡you¡¡know¡¡how¡¡a¡¡murder¡¡is¡£¡¡It's¡¡going¡¡to¡¡bring¡¡out¡¡a¡¡lot¡¡of¡¡plications¡£¡¡I¡¡want¡¡you¡¡to¡¡get¡¡in¡¡touch¡¡with¡¡Fran¡¡and¡¡keep¡¡her¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡plications¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Very¡¡well£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mason£»¡¡starting¡¡once¡¡more¡¡for¡¡the¡¡house¡£¡¡¡¨But¡¡either¡¡you¡¡think¡¡she's¡¡mixed¡¡up¡¡in¡¡it£»¡¡or¡¡else¡¡you're¡¡keeping¡¡something¡¡from¡¡me¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Crinston¡¡grabbed¡¡Mason's¡¡arm¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨As¡¡far¡¡as¡¡pensation¡¡is¡¡concerned£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨there's¡¡going¡¡to¡¡be¡¡a¡¡big¡¡difference¡¡now¡¡that¡¡Norton¡¡is¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡way¡£¡¡The¡¡partnership¡¡that¡¡Norton¡¡and¡¡I¡¡had¡¡has¡¡some¡¡assets£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡there's¡¡quite¡¡a¡¡bit¡¡of¡¡money¡¡in¡¡the¡¡trust¡¡fund¡¡which¡¡will¡¡go¡¡to¡¡the¡¡girl¡¡without¡¡any¡¡question£»¡¡as¡¡I¡¡understand¡¡it¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I've¡¡got¡¡confidence¡¡in¡¡you¡¡and¡¡I¡¡want¡¡you¡¡to¡¡step¡¡right¡¡in¡¡the¡¡saddle¡¡as¡¡attorney¡¡for¡¡everything¡£¡¡Act¡¡as¡¡attorney¡¡for¡¡the¡¡estate£»¡¡as¡¡well¡¡as¡¡for¡¡the¡¡girl£»¡¡and¡¡stand¡¡between¡¡her¡¡and¡¡too¡¡much¡¡police¡¡questioning¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mason¡¡stopped¡¡still¡¡and¡¡turned¡¡to¡¡face¡¡Crinston¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡might¡¡just¡¡as¡¡well¡¡be¡¡frank¡¡with¡¡me£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨You¡¡seem¡¡to¡¡think¡¡that¡¡the¡¡girl¡¡can't¡¡stand¡¡too¡¡much¡¡questioning¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Crinston's¡¡jaw¡¡snapped¡¡forward¡¡and¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡met¡¡those¡¡of¡¡the¡¡attorney¡¡in¡¡a¡¡gaze¡¡that¡¡was¡¡every¡¡bit¡¡as¡¡steady¡¡as¡¡the¡¡gaze¡¡of¡¡the¡¡steely¡¡eyes¡¡which¡¡stared¡¡into¡¡his¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course£»¡¡she¡¡won't¡¡stand¡¡too¡¡much¡¡questioning£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡snapped¡£¡¡¡¨Have¡¡I¡¡been¡¡talking¡¡to¡¡you¡¡all¡¡this¡¡time¡¡without¡¡giving¡¡you¡¡any¡¡idea¡¡at¡¡all¡¡of¡¡what¡¡I'm¡¡driving¡¡at£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Why£»¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Mason¡¡insistently£»¡¡¡¨won't¡¡she¡¡stand¡¡too¡¡much¡¡questioning£¿¡¡Do¡¡you¡¡think¡¡she's¡¡mixed¡¡up¡¡in¡¡the¡¡murder£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡just¡¡telling¡¡you£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Crinston¡¡obstinately£»¡¡¡¨that¡¡she¡¡won't¡¡stand¡¡too¡¡much¡¡questioning¡£¡¡She¡¡hasn't¡¡got¡¡the¡¡temperament¡¡for¡¡it£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡first¡¡place£»¡¡and¡¡she's¡¡a¡¡spitfire¡¡when¡¡she¡¡loses¡¡her¡¡temper¡£¡¡It¡¡isn't¡¡the¡¡murder£»¡¡it's¡¡the¡¡incidental¡¡things¡¡that¡¡may¡¡e¡¡out¡¡in¡¡connection¡¡with¡¡the¡¡investigation¡£¡¡Now¡¡you¡¡get¡¡to¡¡her¡¡and¡¡keep¡¡the¡¡police¡¡from¡¡asking¡¡her¡¡questions¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mason¡¡said£º¡¡¡¨All¡¡right£»¡¡I¡¡just¡¡didn't¡¡want¡¡to¡¡misunderstand¡¡you£»¡¡that's¡¡all¡£¡¡I¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡know¡¡if¡¡you¡¡felt¡¡there¡¡was¡¡danger¡¡of¡¡her¡¡getting¡¡into¡¡trouble¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course¡¡there¡¡is£¡¡¨¡¡Crinston¡¡snapped¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡mean¡¡about¡¡her¡¡private¡¡affairs£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡mean¡¡about¡¡everything£»¡¨¡¡Crinston¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¨e¡¡on¡£¡¡Let's¡¡get¡¡in¡¡the¡¡house¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡An¡¡officer¡¡stood¡¡at¡¡the¡¡front¡¡porch¡¡and¡¡questioned¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He's¡¡all¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Crinston¡£¡¡¡¨He's¡¡my¡¡attorney£»¡¡the¡¡attorney¡¡for¡¡the¡¡estate£»¡¡and¡¡also¡¡the¡¡personal¡¡attorney¡¡for¡¡Frances¡¡Celane¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡the¡¡officer£»¡¡¡¨you¡¡folks¡¡that¡¡live¡¡here¡¡can¡¡go¡¡in¡¡and¡¡out£»¡¡but¡¡you¡¡understand¡¡that¡¡you're¡¡not¡¡to¡¡touch¡¡anything£»¡¡or¡¡interfere¡¡with¡¡the¡¡evidence¡¡at¡¡all¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Crinston£»¡¡and¡¡pushed¡¡on¡¡ahead¡¡of¡¡him¡¡into¡¡the¡¡house¡£
¡¡
¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡SIX
¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡FRANCES¡¡CELANE¡¡wore¡¡a¡¡short¡¡sport¡¡outfit£»¡¡with¡¡a¡¡blue¡¡and¡¡gold¡¡sweater¡¡which¡¡set¡¡off¡¡to¡¡advantage¡¡the¡¡spun¡gold¡¡effect¡¡of¡¡her¡¡silken¡¡hair¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡sat¡¡in¡¡her¡¡bedroom¡¡on¡¡an¡¡overstuffed¡¡chair£»¡¡with¡¡her¡¡knees¡¡crossed£»¡¡her¡¡dark¡¡eyes¡¡staring¡¡at¡¡the¡¡face¡¡of¡¡her¡¡lawyer¡£¡¡There¡¡was¡¡that¡¡about¡¡her¡¡which¡¡indicated¡¡she¡¡was¡¡warily¡¡watchful¡£¡¡She¡¡seemed¡¡to¡¡be¡¡listening£»¡¡waiting¡¡for¡¡something¡¡to¡¡happen¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡about¡¡them¡¡the¡¡big¡¡house¡¡echoed¡¡with¡¡sounds£»¡¡creaked¡¡with¡¡a¡¡suggestion¡¡of¡¡packed¡¡occupancy¡£¡¡Feet¡¡were¡¡constantly¡¡pounding¡¡the¡¡boards¡¡of¡¡floors£»¡¡hallways¡¡and¡¡stairs¡¡in¡¡an¡¡endless¡¡procession¡£¡¡Doors¡¡made¡¡noise¡¡as¡¡they¡¡opened¡¡and¡¡shut¡£¡¡The¡¡drone¡¡of¡¡voices¡¡sounded¡¡as¡¡a¡¡distant¡¡rumble¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡stared¡¡down¡¡at¡¡Fran¡¡Celane¡£¡¡¡¨Go¡¡ahead£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨and¡¡tell¡¡me¡¡exactly¡¡what¡¡happened¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡spoke¡¡in¡¡a¡¡voice¡¡that¡¡was¡¡a¡¡low¡¡monotone£»¡¡expressionless¡¡and¡¡thoughtful£»¡¡as¡¡though¡¡she¡¡might¡¡be¡¡reciting¡¡a¡¡part¡¡that¡¡had¡¡been¡¡learned¡¡by¡¡rote¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡don't¡¡know¡¡very¡¡much¡¡about¡¡it¡£¡¡I¡¡had¡¡a¡¡fight¡¡with¡¡Uncle¡¡Edward¡¡after¡¡you¡¡left¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡impossible¡£¡¡He¡¡was¡¡trying¡¡to¡¡make¡¡a¡¡chattel¡¡of¡¡me¡¡and¡¡break¡¡my¡¡spirit¡£¡¡I¡¡told¡¡him¡¡that¡¡that¡¡wasn't¡¡what¡¡father¡¡wanted£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡he¡¡was¡¡being¡¡false¡¡to¡¡his¡¡trust¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡did¡¡you¡¡mean¡¡by¡¡being¡¡false¡¡to¡¡his¡¡trust£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡meant¡¡that¡¡father¡¡had¡¡created¡¡that¡¡trust¡¡only¡¡because¡¡he¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡see¡¡that¡¡the¡¡money¡¡didn't¡¡go¡¡to¡¡my¡¡head¡¡too¡¡much£»¡¡and¡¡make¡¡me¡¡too¡¡wild¡£¡¡He¡¡didn't¡¡intend¡¡that¡¡Uncle¡¡Edward¡¡should¡¡grind¡¡me¡¡down¡¡so¡¡I¡¡became¡¡just¡¡an¡¡automaton¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Mason¡£¡¡¡¨Did¡¡anyone¡¡know¡¡of¡¡the¡¡quarrel£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡guess¡¡so£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡¡dispiritedly¡£¡¡¡¨Don¡¡Graves¡¡knew¡¡about¡¡it¡£¡¡And¡¡I¡¡think¡¡some¡¡of¡¡the¡¡other¡¡servants¡¡heard¡¡it¡£¡¡I¡¡got¡¡mad¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨What¡¡do¡¡you¡¡do¡¡when¡¡you¡¡get¡¡mad£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡asked¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Everything£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Did¡¡you¡¡raise¡¡your¡¡voice£¿¡¨¡¡he¡¡inquired¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨As¡¡high¡¡as¡¡I¡¡could¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Did¡¡you¡¡do¡¡anything¡¡unladylike£¿¡¡That¡¡is£»¡¡did¡¡you¡¡curse£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡said£»¡¡still¡¡in¡¡the¡¡same¡¡toneless¡¡voice£º¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course¡¡I¡¡cursed¡£¡¡I¡¡was¡¡angry£»¡¡I¡¡tell¡¡you¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨then¡¡what¡¡happened£¿¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨I¡¡came¡¡downstairs¡¡and¡¡decided¡¡that¡¡I¡¡would¡¡run¡¡away¡¡and¡¡leave¡¡Edward¡¡Norton¡¡and¡¡his¡¡money¡¡and¡¡everything¡£¡¡I¡¡just¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡get¡¡away¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That¡¡was¡¡when¡¡you¡¡took¡¡the¡¡car£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Mason¡£
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨No£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨I'm¡¡ing¡¡to¡¡that¡£¡¡I¡¡got¡¡things¡¡packed¡¡up¡¡as¡¡though¡¡I¡¡was¡¡going¡¡away£»¡¡and¡¡then¡¡decided¡¡not¡¡to¡¡do¡¡it¡£¡¡I¡¡menced¡¡to¡¡cool¡¡off¡¡a¡¡little¡¡bit¡£¡¡I've¡¡got¡¡a¡¡bad¡¡temper£»¡¡but¡¡after¡¡I¡¡get¡¡over¡¡it£»¡¡I¡¡can¡¡realize¡¡when¡¡I've¡¡made¡¡a¡¡mistake¡£¡¡So¡¡I¡¡knew¡¡that¡¡I'd¡¡make¡¡a¡¡mistake¡¡if¡¡I¡¡ran¡¡away¡£¡¡But¡¡I¡¡did¡¡want¡¡to¡¡get¡¡some¡¡air¡£¡¡I¡¡didn't¡¡want¡¡to¡¡go¡¡out¡¡and¡¡walk¡£¡¡I¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡drive¡¡a¡¡car¡£¡¡I¡¡wanted¡¡to¡¡drive¡¡a¡¡car¡¡fast¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Perry¡¡Mason¡¡made¡¡a¡¡dry¡¡ment£º¡¡¡¨Yes£»¡¡I¡¡can¡¡understand¡¡how¡¡you¡¡could¡¡keep¡¡your¡¡mind¡¡off¡¡your¡¡troubles¡¡by¡¡driving¡¡fast¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Well£»¡¨¡¡she¡¡said£»¡¡¡¨you¡¡have¡¡to¡¡do¡¡something¡¡to¡¡get¡¡your mind¡¡off¡¡your¡¡troubles¡£¡¨
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨All¡¡right£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡told¡¡her