erlestanleygardner.the.caseofthesulkygirl-第8章

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nston　promised　Judge　Purley　that　if　the　judge　would　drive　Mr。　Crinston　out　here；　he　would　be　detained　less　than　half　an　hour　in　all。　Mr。　Crinston　had　an　appointment　with　my　uncle　for　eleven　o'clock；　and　he　was　seven　minutes　late。
　　　　　　〃I　guess　you　saw　enough　of　my　uncle　to　know　how　he　would　feel　about　that　seven　minutes。　Mr。　Crinston　kept　urging　Judge　Purley　to　'step　on　it；'　all　the　way　out　here。〃
　　　　　　〃I　still　don't　see；〃　said　Mason；　〃how　that　fixes　the　exact　time　of　the　murder。〃
　　　　　　〃Well；　you　see；〃　she　explained；　〃Don　Graves　saw　the　murder　mitted。　Now；　if　the　car　started　from　the　house　at　eleven　thirty；　it　would　have　taken　about　three　minutes　to　get　to　the　point　in　the　driveway　where　Graves　could　look　back　and　see　the　persons　clubbing　my　uncle。〃
　　　　　　〃Persons？〃　he　asked。
　　　　　　〃Person；〃　she　amended　quickly。
　　　　　　〃I　see；〃　said　the　lawyer　dryly。
　
　
　　　　　　CHAPTER　SEVEN
　
　　　　　　PERRY　MASON　encountered　Don　Graves　just　after　that　individual　had　been　released　from　police　questioning。
　　　　　　Graves　mopped　his　forehead　and　smiled　at　the　attorney。
　　　　　　〃Never　had　such　an　ordeal　in　my　life；〃　he　said。　〃I　certainly　am　glad　that　I　wasn't　here。〃
　　　　　　〃What　do　you　mean　by　that？〃　asked　Mason。
　　　　　　〃They　might　have　tried　to　pin　it　on　me；〃　he　said。　〃They　tear　you　to　pieces　and　doubt　everything　you　say。〃
　　　　　　〃I　wonder；〃　said　Mason；　〃if　you'd　mind　giving　me　an　outline　of　just　what　you　told　them？〃
　　　　　　Graves　sighed　wearily。
　　　　　　〃I've　told　the　facts　so　often　now；〃　he　said；　〃that　I'm　hoarse。〃
　　　　　　Mason　took　the　young　man's　arm　and　piloted　him　unsmilingly　through　the　dining　room　to　a　solarium；　where　there　were　some　chairs　grouped　around　a　wicker　table。
　　　　　　〃Smoke？〃　he　asked；　extending　a　package　of　cigarettes。
　　　　　　Graves　nodded　eagerly。
　　　　　　Perry　Mason　held　a　match　to　the　cigarette。　〃Get　started；〃　he　said。
　　　　　　〃Well；〃　said　Graves；　〃there　isn't　very　much　that　I　can　tell。　That's　the　trouble　with　it。　The　police　want　me　to　tell　too　much。　At　first；　when　I　saw　the　murder　being　mitted；　Judge　Purley　thought　that　I　was　crazy　because　he　claimed　I　couldn't　have　seen　all　that　I　said　I　saw　through　the　window；　and　now　the　police　are　jumping　on　me　because　I　don't　tell　them　more；　and　seem　to　think　I'm　holding　something　back。〃
　　　　　　〃You　saw　the　murder？〃　asked　Mason。
　　　　　　〃I　guess　so；〃　said　Graves　wearily。　〃I've　been　hammered　around　so　much　now　that　I　don't　know　what　I　saw。〃
　　　　　　Perry　Mason　made　no　ment。
　　　　　　〃Well；〃　said　Graves；　exhaling　twin　streams　of　smoke　from　his　nostrils；　〃Mr。　Crinston　had　an　appointment　for　eleven　o'clock；　and　was　seven　minutes　late。　Mr。　Norton　was　very　much　exasperated　over　several　things　that　had　happened　one　of　which　was　your　visit；　and　then　he　had　some　trouble　with　his　niece　afterwards。　But　Mr。　Crinston　says　that　I'm　not　to　mention　that　trouble　with　Fran　Celane　unless　somebody　specifically　questions　me　about　it。
　　　　　　〃Well；　Crinston　was　late　for　his　appointment；　and　you　know　how　that　would　affect　Norton。　He　was　in　one　of　those　cold　rages。　He　showed　it　by　being　cold…blooded；　efficient；　and　exceedingly　disagreeable。
　　　　　　〃I　don't　know　what　Crinston　talked　about　with　him。　They　were　having　some　violent　difference　of　opinion。　Frankly；　I　think　Crinston　was　pretty　much　exasperated　when　he　decided　to　leave。　He　had　promised　Judge　Purley　that　he　would　leave　not　later　than　eleven　thirty；　and　at　just　about　eleven　thirty　Crinston　came　out　of　the　inner　office。
　　　　　　〃Mr。　Norton　wanted　him　to　stay。　Crinston　refused。　He　said　he'd　promised　Judge　Purley　to　leave　at　eleven　thirty。　Then　Mr。　Norton　made　some　sarcastic　remark　that　Crinston　would　keep　him　waiting　seven　minutes；　and　think　nothing　of　it；　but　wouldn't　think　of　detaining　a　municipal　judge　for　as　much　as　ten　seconds。　He　was　mad；　all　right　…　good　and　mad。
　　　　　　〃Crinston　had　only　been　gone　a　minute　or　two　when　Mr。　Norton　came　out　and　told　me　that　he　wanted　me　to　rush　out　to　Crinston's　house　and　get　some　papers。　They　were　some　agreements　that　he　and　Crinston　had　been　discussing；　and　Crinston　had　promised　to　send　them　to　Norton。　Norton　suddenly　decided　that　he　didn't　want　to　wait；　but　wanted　them　right　away。　He　told　me　to　wake　up　Devoe；　that's　the　chauffeur；　and　get　him　to　drive　me　out　to　Crinston's　house　and　pick　up　the　agreements。
　　　　　　〃At　that　time；　Crinston　and　Purley　were　just　about　to　drive　away。　They　had；　I　believe；　started　their　car。
　　　　　　〃Then　Mr。　Norton　suddenly　got　the　idea　that　if　I　should　drive　out　with　Mr。　Crinston；　I　could　save　a　little　time。　He　intended　to　have　Devoe；　the　chauffeur；　e　in　and　pick　me　up。　But　it　was　going　to　take　Mr。　Crinston　a　few　minutes　to　get　the　documents；　after　I　got　there；　and　the　chauffeur　would　take　a　little　time　dressing　and　getting　the　car　out；　so　Norton　thought　he　could　save　time　by　having　me　go　in　with　Mr。　Crinston。　There　wasn't　any　sense　to　it。　Devoe　could　have　driven　me　there　just　as　well；　but　I　mention　it　to　show　how　excited　Norton　was。　He　was　simply　furious。
　　　　　　〃So　Mr。　Norton　raised　up　the　window　in　his　office　and　called　down　to　Mr。　Crinston　to　wait　a　minute。　I'm　not　certain；　but　I　think　Mr。　Crinston　got　out　of　the　machine　and　walked　back　so　that　he　stood　under　the　window　to　hear　what　Mr。　Norton　said。　I　heard　Norton　ask　if　it　would　be　all　right　for　me　to　ride　in　with　them；　and　I　heard　Crinston　say　that　he'd　go　over　and　ask　Judge　Purley　if　there　were　any　objections。
　　　　　　〃I　knew　right　away　there　wouldn't　be　any　objections；　so　I　started　hot…footing　down　the　stairs。　The　way　Norton　felt；　I　didn't　want　to　waste　a　second。
　　　　　　〃Crinston　had　asked　Judge　Purley；　and　was　standing　beneath　the　window；　talking　with　Mr。　Norton；　when　I　got　down。　Mr。　Crinston　said　to　me：　'Hurry　up；　Graves；　I've　promised　Judge　Purley　that　he　would　leave　here　promptly　at　eleven　thirty；　and　he's　in　a　rush　to　get　home。'　So　I　ran　right　across　and　jumped　into　the　machine。　I　think　that　I　got　into　the　machine　before　Mr。　Crinston　did；　or　maybe　we　got　in　together；　at　any　rate；　Mr。　Crinston　got　into　the　machine　at　just　about　the　same　time。
　　　　　　〃Judge　Purley　had　the　engine　running；　and　just　as　soon　as　the　door　slammed；　he　started　the　car。　I　was　in　the　back　seat；　and　Mr。　Crinston　was　sitting　up　in　front　with　Judge　Purley。
　　　　　　〃You　know　the　way　the　road　winds　around　up　the　side　of　the　hill。　Well；　I　don't　know　what　prompted　me　to　look　back　through　the　window　at　the　house。　Maybe　it　was　just　curiosity；　maybe　it　was　some　sense　of　what　was　happening。
　　　　　　〃Anyway；　I　was　looking　back　through　the　rear　window　of　the　car；　and　just　as　it　rounded　the　curve　where　I　could　see　into　the　study；　I　saw　people　in　the　study；　and　a　man　swinging　a　club。〃
　　　　　　〃How　many　people？〃　asked　Perry　Mason。
　　　　　　Don　Graves　did　not　answer　for　a　moment。　Then　he　took　a　deep　breath　and　said　slowly：　〃Only　one　that　I　was　sure　of。　That　is；　I　saw　one　person　raise　his　arm　and　strike　another　person。〃
　　　　　　〃That　you　were　sure　of？〃　said　Mason。
　　　　　　〃Yes　sir；〃　said　Graves；　〃that　I　was　sure　of。〃
　　　　　　〃There　might　have　been　another　person　present？〃　asked　Perry　Mason。
　　　　　　Don　Graves　said　in　a　very　low　voice：　〃I　don't　think；　if　I　were　you；　sir；　that　I'd　go　into　that。〃
　　　　　　〃Why　not？〃　asked　Perry　Mason　explosively。
　　　　　　〃I'd　rather　not　state；〃　said　Graves；　squirming　unfortably。　〃But　you　might　find；　if　you　pressed　that　line　of　inquiry　too　far；　that　it　wasn't　of　any　particular　advantage；　either　to　you　or　your　client。〃
　　　　　　〃I　think　I　see；〃　said　Perry　Mason　softly。
　　　　　　Graves　sighed　his　relief。
　　　　　　〃You　were；　of　course；　some　distance　away？〃　asked　Mason。
　　　　　　〃Yes；〃　said　Graves；　〃I　was　some　distance　away。〃
　　　　　　Mason　looked　at　the　young　man　searchingly；　but　Don　Graves　kept　his　eyes　averted。
　　　　　　〃How　clearly　could　you　see？〃　Mason　pressed。
　　　　　　Graves　took　a　deep　breath。　〃I　could　see　quite　clearly　that　somebody　was　standing　over　somebody　else；　and　striking　a　blow；〃　he　blurted。
　　　　　　〃And　did　you　see　that　other　person　fall？〃
　　　　　　〃I　don't　think　so。　You　know；　it　was　quite　a　distance　away；　and　I　only　had　a　flash　as　the　car　was　swinging　around　the　curve　in　the　road。〃
　　　　　　〃Could　you　say　that　there　were　only　two　people　in　the　room？〃　asked　Mason。
　　　　　　〃No；　of　course　not；　because　I　couldn't　see　the　entire　room。〃
　　　　　　〃Could　you　say　that　you　only　saw　two　people　in　the　room？〃　Mason　inquired。
　　　　　　〃I　did　say　that；〃　said　Graves；　and　added　after　a　moment；　〃to　the　police。〃
　　　　　　Perry　Mason's　voice　was　low。　〃Let's　not　misunderstand　each　other；　Graves。　In　the　event　that　you　saw　anything　which　indicated　that　there　was　another　person　in　the　room；　did　you　see　anything　that　would　identify　that　person？〃
　　　　　　Graves　spoke　very　softly　and；　with　obvious　reluctance。　〃Confidentially；　Mr。　Mason；　one　can't　trust　one's　impressions　in　a　momentary　glimpse　like　that。　It　isn't　as　though　you　had　a　photograph　of　it。　And　yet　there's　something　that's　etched　on　my　brain　that　I　haven't　mentioned　…　to　the　police。　I　might　tell　you；　in　strict　confidence；　that；　if　there　was　another　person　in　that　room；　and　if　I　saw　such　a　person；　that　person　was　a　woman。〃
　　　　　　Perry　Mason　stared　steadily　at　Graves；　then　asked：
　　　　　　〃Could　you　identify　that　woman？〃
　　　　　　〃I　have　not　mentioned　to　anyone　that　I　saw　that　woman；〃　said　Graves　slowly；　〃and　I　would　not　care　to　make　any　identification。〃
　　　　　　〃But；〃　said　Mason；　〃have　you　been　absolutely　positive　and　emphatic　in　saying　that　you　did　not　see　such　a　person？〃
　　　　　　Graves　met　his　eyes。　〃I　have　tried　to　tell　the　truth；　Mr。　Mason。　So　far；　whenever　the　question　has　been　asked　me；　I　have　answered　in　such　a　way　that　the　inquiry　has　taken　another　turn。　You　understand　that　I　am　going　to　answer　questions　truthfully　when　I　get　on　the　witness　stand；　if　I　get　on　the　witness　stand。　But　you　will　also　understand　that　every　one　of　us　is　exceedingly　loyal　to　your　client。〃
　　　　　　〃Meaning？〃　asked　Mason。
　　　　　　〃Meaning　Miss　Celane。〃
　　　　　　〃Do　I　understand；〃　said　Mason　very　softly　and　almost　ominously；　〃that　such　a　loyalty　would　lead　you　to　protect　her　against　a　murder　charge？〃
　　　　　　〃No；〃　said　Graves　frankly；　〃it　would　not。　But　it　certainly　would　be　sufficient　to　lead　us　to　keep　her　name　out　of　an　investigation　which　could　only　be　abortive　at　any　rate。〃
　　　　　　〃And　what　do　you　mean　by　that？〃　pressed　the　attorney。
　　　　　　〃I　mean　by　that；　that　inasmuch　as　Miss　Celane　was　not　in　the　house　at　the　time；　it　would　naturally　have　been　impossible　for　her　to　have　been　in　that　room。〃
　　　　　　〃Then　you　did　not　see　a　woman　in　the　room？〃　Mason　asked。
　　　　　　〃I　didn't　say　that　either；〃　said　Graves。　〃I　said　that　if　there　had　been　another　person　in　the　room　that　I　had　seen；　that　person　would　probably　have　been　a　woman。〃
　　　　　　〃Why；〃　asked　the　lawyer；　〃do　you　say　that？〃
　　　　　　〃Well；〃　said　Graves；　〃there　is　in　my　mind　a　more　or　less　confused　impression　of　a　woman's　head　and　shoulders　showing　momentarily　in　one　corner　of　the　window。　But　of　course　I　couldn't　be　sure　of　it；　because　my　glance　was　riveted　on　the　man　with　his　arm　upraised。〃
　　　　　　〃One　more　question；〃　said　Mason。　〃Did　the　police　take　down；　in　shorthand；　the　answers　which　you　gave　to　the　questions　they　asked　you；　when　they　inquired　about　what　you　had　seen？〃
　　　　　　〃Yes；〃　said　Graves。
　　　　　　〃And　you　didn't　mention　anything　about　a　woman　a