erlestanleygardner.thecaseofthehorrifiedheirs-第24章

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　〃If　that's　the　case；〃　Drake　said；　〃I　can　probably　find　out　who　he　is　with　the　description　we　have。〃
　Mason　gestured　toward　the　telephones。　〃Get　busy；　Paul。　We're　going　down　to　my　office。〃
　〃How　strong　can　I　go？〃　Drake　asked。
　〃Go　just　as　strong　as　you　have　to　to　get　results；〃　Mason　told　him。　〃This　is　a　matter　of　life　and　death。　I　want　the　information　and　I　want　it　just　as　fast　as　I　can　get　it。　Put　out　a　dozen　men　if　you　have　to；　get　calls　through　to　everybody　you　know；　tell　them　it's　a　matter　of　law　enforcement　and　offer　a　reward　if　you　have　to。〃
　〃Okay；〃　Drake　said；　wearily；　pushing　the　paper　coffee　container　to　one　side；　picking　up　the　telephone　with　his　left　hand；　opening　a　drawer　in　the　desk　with　his　right；　and　taking　out　a　bottle　of　digestive　tablets。
　〃I'll　call　you　as　soon　as　I　get　anything　or；　better　yet；　e　down　to　the　office　and　report。〃
　Mason　nodded。　〃e　on；　Della；〃　he　said；　〃we'll　wait　it　out。〃
　
　CHAPTER　TWENTY…TWO
　Mason　and　Della　Street　were　in　the　lawyer's　private　office。
　Della　had　the　big　electric　percolator　filled　with　coffee；　waiting　for　Paul　Drake。
　Mason　paced　the　floor　restlessly；　back　and　forth；　his　thumbs　hooked　in　his　belt；　his　head　thrust　slightly　forward。
　At　length　he　stopped　from　sheer　weariness；　dropped　into　a　chair　and　gestured　toward　the　coffee。
　Della　filled　his　cup。
　〃Why　did　you　make　all　this　to…do　about　the　handbag？〃　she　asked。　〃Do　you　have　any　information　I　don't？〃
　Mason　shook　his　head。　〃You　know　I　don't。〃
　〃But　I　haven't　heard　anything　about　fifty　thousand　dollars　in　cash。〃
　Mason　said；　〃There's　something　mighty　peculiar　about　this　case；　Della。　Why　wasn't　the　handbag　found　in　the　car？〃
　〃Well；〃　Della　Street　said；　〃with　a　wild　surf；　a　stormy　night；　a　car　toppled　into　the　ocean…〃
　〃The　handbag；〃　Mason　said；　〃would　be　on　the　floor　of　the　car。　Or；　if　it　fell　out；　it　wouldn't　drift　far。　I　didn't　say　the　handbag　had　fifty　thousand　dollars　in　cash；　I　asked　Eagan　if　he　didn't　know　it　had　fifty　thousand　dollars　in　cash。　I　wanted　to　inspire　a　host　of　amateur　divers　to　search　for　that　bag。　I…〃
　Drake's　code　knock　sounded　on　the　door　of　Mason's　office。
　Della　Street　jumped　to　her　feet；　but　Mason　beat　her　to　the　door　and　jerked　it　open。
　Drake；　his　face　showing　lines　of　fatigue；　said；　〃I　think　I've　got　your　man；　Perry。〃
　〃Who　is　it？〃
　〃A　character　by　the　name　of　Hallinan　Fisk。　He　has　been　a　long…time　stoolie　for　the　police　in　one　of　the　suburbs　but　there　was　one　case　where　the　police　had　to　disclose　his　name　and　one　case　where　Fisk　had　to　testify。　Now　he's　a　known　informer。　He　thinks　his　very　life　is　in　danger。　He's　trying　to　get　sufficient　money　from　the　police　undercover　fund　to　leave　the　country。〃
　〃Any　hope　of　success？〃　Mason　asked。
　〃Probably　some；〃　Drake　said；　〃but　the　police　don't　have　that　kind　of　money。　This　is　a　dog…eat…dog　world。　It's　not　generally　known；　but　the　police　in　this　outlying　town　sometimes　pay　off　their　informers　by　letting　them　cut　corners。
　〃Fisk　has　been　giving　the　police　information　on　big…time　stuff　and　also　on　dope。　He's　been　making　his　money　out　of　being　a　runner　for　a　bookmaker。　The　police　closed　their　eyes　to　this　in　return　for　tips　on　dope。　Now　that　his　occupation　as　a　stoolie　is　out　in　the　open；　the　bookmaker　is　afraid　to　have　him　around　even　though　Fisk　told　the　bookmaker　he　can　virtually　guarantee　him　freedom　from　arrest。
　〃The　bookmaker　is　afraid　that　hijackers　are　going　to　lift　his　cash　and　that　he　may　get　himself　bumped　off。　He's　had　a　couple　of　anonymous　telephone　calls　telling　him　to　get　rid　of　Fisk；　or　else；　and　in　that　business；　that's　all　that　is　needed　to　make　Fisk　as　desirable　as　a　guy　with　smallpox。〃
　〃You　get　his　address？〃　Mason　asked。
　〃I　think　I　know　where　he　can　be　found；〃　Drake　said。
　〃Let's　go；〃　Mason　said。
　Della　got　up　from　her　chair；　but　Drake　motioned　her　down　with　his　hand；　〃Nix；〃　he　said。　〃This　is　no　place　for　ladies。〃
　〃Phooey；〃　she　said。　〃I　know　about　the　birds；　the　bees；　the　flowers　and　the　underworld。〃
　〃This　is　going　to　be　tough；〃　Drake　said。
　Della　Street　looked　appealingly　to　Perry　Mason。
　Mason　deliberated　a　moment；　then　said；　〃Okay；　e　on；　Della；　but　you're　on　your　own。　。　。　。　How　are　you　fixed　for　protection；　Paul？〃
　Drake　pulled　back　his　coat　to　show　a　gun　in　a　shoulder　holster。
　〃If　the　going　gets　tough；〃　he　said；　〃we　can　flash　my　credentials　and；　if　it　es　to　a　real　showdown；　we　can　use　this。〃
　〃We're　dealing　with　murder；〃　Mason　said。
　They　carefully　switched　out　the　lights　in　the　lawyer's　private　office；　locked　the　door；　and　went　down　to　Drake's　car。
　Drake　drove　down　to　skid　row；　which　at　this　hour　was　a　blaze　of　nighttime　activity。
　From　time　to　time　he　looked　dubiously　at　Della　Street。
　Drake　finally　found　a　parking　place　near　the　rooming　house　which　was　their　destination。
　Della；　tucked　in　between　the　broad　shoulders　of　Perry　Mason　and　Paul　Drake；　was　guided　across　the　street　along　some　thirty　feet　of　sidewalk；　then　up　a　flight　of　stairs　to　a　dimly　lit　little　alcove　where　a　counter　held　a　plaque　with　the　word　OFFICE　on　it；　and　a　bell。
　Back　of　the　counter　were　hooks　containing　various　keys。
　〃Number　five；〃　Drake　said。　〃The　key　isn't　on　the　hook；　so　we'll　take　a　look。〃
　〃He's　not　apt　to　be　in；　is　he？〃　Della　asked。　〃This　is　the　period　of　high　activity　for　skid　row。〃
　〃I　think　he　is；〃　Drake　said。　〃I　think　he's　afraid　to　leave　his　room。〃
　They　walked　down　a　corridor；　dark；　smelly　and　sinister。
　Drake　located　No。　5；　pointed　toward　the　underside　of　the　door。
　〃There's　a　light；〃　he　said。
　Mason's　knuckles　tapped　a　peremptory　message　on　the　panels　of　the　door。
　For　a　moment　there　was　no　answer；　then　the　voice　of　a　man　standing　close　to　the　door　said；　〃Who　is　it？〃
　〃Detective　Drake；〃　Drake　said。
　〃I　don't　know　any　dicks　by　the　name　of　Drake。〃
　〃I　have　something　for　you；〃　Drake　said。
　〃That's　what　I'm　afraid　of。〃
　〃You　want　me　to　stand　here　in　the　hall　and　tell　it　so　everybody　can　hear　it？〃
　〃No；　no。〃
　〃Well　then；　let　us　in。〃
　〃Who's　the　'us'？〃
　〃I　have　a　girl　with　me；〃　Drake　said；　〃and　a　friend。〃
　〃Who's　the　girl？〃
　Della　Street　said；　〃My　name　is　Street。〃
　〃Well；　go　find　yourself　another　alley；　sister。〃
　Mason　said；　〃All　right；　if　that's　the　way　you　want　it；　that's　the　way　it'll　be。　You'll　pay　the　price。　You　wanted　to　get　lost　and　the　deal　I　have　gives　you　a　chance。〃
　〃_You_　can　do　the　getting　lost；〃　the　man's　voice　said。　〃I'm　not　opening　the　door　for　any　crummy　gag　like　this。　If　you　want　me　to　open　up；　get　someone　I　know。〃
　Mason　motioned　to　Paul　Drake；　said；　〃You　and　Della　wait　here　in　the　corridor；　Paul。　If　he　es　out；　nab　him。〃
　〃What　do　I　do　with　him？〃
　〃Hold　him；　one　way　or　another。　Push　him　back　in　the　room。　Put　him　under　citizen's　arrest　if　you　have　to。〃
　〃For　what？〃　Drake　asked。
　〃Hit…and…run；〃　Mason　said。　〃But　I　don't　think　he'll　be　out。〃
　Mason　walked　down　the　long；　smelly　corridor　to　a　telephone　booth　which　smelled　of　stale　cigar　smoke。
　Mason　dialed　police　headquarters。　〃Give　me　Homicide；〃　he　said；　when　he　had　an　answer。
　A　moment　later　when　a　voice　said；　〃Hello；　this　is　Homicide；〃　Mason　said；　〃I　have　to　get　Lieutenant　Tragg　on　a　matter　of　the　greatest　importance。　How　long　would　it　take　to　get　a　message　through　to　him？　This　is　Perry　Mason　talking。〃
　The　voice　at　the　other　end　of　the　line　said；　〃Just　a　minute。〃
　A　second　and　a　half　later　Lieutenant　Tragg's　dry　voice　came　over　the　wire。　〃What's　the　matter；　Perry；　you　found　another　body？〃
　〃Thank　heavens　you're　there；〃　Mason　said。　〃I'm　really　in　luck。〃
　〃You　are；　for　a　fact；〃　Tragg　told　him。　〃I　just　dropped　in　to　see　if　there　were　any　new　developments　on　a　case　I　am　working　on。　What's　the　trouble？〃
　Mason　said；　〃I　want　you　to　join　me。　I've　got　something　big。〃
　〃A　corpse？〃
　〃No　corpse；　not　yet。　There　may　be　one　later　on。〃
　〃Where　are　you？〃　Tragg　asked。
　Mason　told　him。
　〃Shucks；〃　Tragg　said；　〃that's　only　a　short　distance　from　headquarters。〃
　〃Will　you　join　me？〃　Mason　asked。
　Tragg　said；　〃Okay。〃
　〃Bring　a　man　with　you；〃　Mason　told　him。
　〃Okay；〃　Tragg　said；　〃I'll　grab　a　police　car　and　be　there　within　a　matter　of　minutes。〃
　〃I'm　waiting　for　you　at　the　office　at　the　head　of　the　stairs；〃　Mason　told　him。　〃This　is　a　walk…up　rooming　house；　second　floor　only…over　a　bunch　of　hock　shops　and　honkytonks。〃
　〃I　thought　I　knew　the　dump；〃　Tragg　said。　〃We'll　be　there。〃
　Mason　stood　waiting　by　the　phone　booth。
　Two　men　came　up　the　stairs；　paused　at　the　office；　looked　furtively　around　them；　saw　Mason　standing　there；　started　toward　him。
　The　lawyer　moved　a　step　or　two　forward。
　The　men　looked　at　his　height；　at　his　shoulders；　looked　at　each　other；　then　wordlessly　turned；　walked　back　to　the　head　of　the　stairs　and　went　down　to　the　street。
　A　few　moments　later；　Tragg；　acpanied　by　a　uniformed　officer；　came　to　the　head　of　the　stairs；　paused　and　looked　up　and　down　the　corridor。
　Mason　came　striding　forward。
　Tragg　paused　by　the　counter；　waiting　for　him；　looking　at　the　lawyer　with　kindly；　quizzical　eyes。
　〃All　right；　Perry；〃　he　said；　〃what　is　it　this　time？　Here's　your　cat's…paw。　Where's　the　chestnut　you　want　pulled　out　of　the　fire？〃
　Mason　said；　〃Room　five。〃
　〃How　hot　is　the　chestnut？〃
　〃I　don't　know；〃　Mason　said；　〃but　once　we　get　in　and　shake　him　down；　I　think　we'll　find　the　solution　of　the　Lauretta　Trent　murder　case。〃
　〃You　don't　think　we　have　it　already？〃
　〃I　know　you　don't　have　it　already；〃　Mason　said。
　Tragg　sighed。　〃I　could　have　saved　myself　a　trip　if　I'd　only　been　properly　skeptical；〃　he　said。　〃What's　more；　the　office　takes　a　dim　view　of　our　running　around　on　the　hunches　of　defense　attorneys　trying　to　undermine　cases　the　district　attorney　is　prosecuting　in　court。
　〃Played　up　in　newspapers；　it　wouldn't　make　a　very　nice　story；　now；　would　it？〃
　〃Have　I　ever　left　you　in　the　middle　of　a　story　in　the　newspapers　that　didn't　look　good？〃　Mason　asked。
　〃Not　yet；〃　Tragg　said。　〃I　don't　want　you　to　start。〃
　〃All　right；〃　Mason　told　him；　〃you've　e　this　far；　e　on　down　to　room　five。〃
　Tragg　sighed；　said　to　the　officer；　〃Okay；　we'll　take　a　look。　That's　all　we're　doing；　taking　a　look。〃
　Mason　led　the　way　down　to　where　Paul　Drake　and　Della　Street　were　waiting。
　〃Well；　well；〃　Tragg　said；　〃we　seem　to　have　a　quorum。〃
　Mason　banged　on　the　door　again。
　〃Go　away；〃　the　voice　inside　said。
　Mason　said；　〃Lieutenant　Tragg　of　Homicide　and　an　officer。〃
　〃You　got　a　warrant？〃
　〃We　don't　need　a　warrant；〃　Mason　said。　〃We…〃
　〃Now；　just　a　minute；〃　Tragg　interrupted；　〃I'll　do　my　own　talking。　What's　this　all　about？〃
　Mason　said；　〃This　man　registered　under　the　name　of　Canton　Jasper　at　the　Saint's　Rest　Motel。　He's　also　the　stoolie　who　gave　the　police　the　bum　steer　on　the　dope　in　Virginia　Baxter's　suitcase。　He's　waiting　for　police　funds　to　get　out　of　town。
　〃He's　been　a　professional　informer　for　the　dope　squad　and…You　want　me　to　stay　here　and　yell　the　whole　business　out　in　the　corridors；　Fisk？〃
　There　was　a　sound　of　a　bolt　on　the　door；　then　a　chair　being　moved。　The　door　opened　to　the　limit　of　a　safety　chain。　Obsidian　black　eyes　peered　out　anxiously；　came　to　rest　on　the　police　officer's　uniform；　then　looked　at　Tragg。
　〃Let　me　see　your　credentials；〃　he　demanded。
　Tragg　slipped　a　leather　container　from　his　pocket；　held　it　where　the　man　could　see　it。
　The　man　said；　〃Look　up　and　down　the　corridor。　Anybody　there？〃
　〃Not　now；〃　Mason　said；　〃but　a　c