esg.thecaseofthevelvetclaws-第22章

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　　Perry　Mason　walked　out；　whistling。
　　
　　
　　　14。
　　
　　Frank　Locke　sat　in　the　editorial　office　and　shred　at　Perry　Mason。
　　〃I　understood　that　they　were　looking　for　you；〃　he　said。
　　〃Who　was？〃　asked　Perry　Mason　carelessly。
　　〃Reporters；　police；　detectives。　Lots　of　people；〃　said　Locke。
　　〃I　saw　them　all。〃
　　〃This　afternoon？〃
　　〃No；　last　night。　Why？〃
　　〃Nothing；〃　Locke　replied；　〃except　that　they　may　be　looking　for　you　in　a　different　way　now。　What　is　it　you　want？〃
　　〃I　just　dropped　in　to　tell　you　that　Eva　Belter　had　filed　a　petition　for　letters　of　administration　on　her　husband's　estate。〃
　　〃What's　that　to　me？〃　asked　Locke；　his　milk…chocolate　eyes　on　Perry　Mason。
　　〃It　means　that　Eva　Belter　is　running　things　from　now　on。　You're　going　to　take　your　orders　from　her；〃　said　Mason。　〃And　it　means　that；　inasmuch　as　I'm　representing　Eva　Belter；　you're　going　to　take　some　orders　from　me。　One　of　the　first　things　you're　going　to　do　is　to　kill　anything　about　that　Beechwood　Inn　affair。〃
　　〃Is　that　so？〃　said　Locke；　sarcastically。
　　〃That；〃　said　Mason；　with　emphasis；　〃is　so。〃
　　〃You're　what　they　call　an　optimist。〃
　　〃Maybe　I　am。　Again；　maybe　I'm　not。　Just　take　down　the　telephone　and　ring　up　Eva　Belter。〃
　　〃I　don't　have　to　ring　up　Eva　Belter；　or　anybody　else。　I'm　running　this　newspaper。〃
　　〃You're　going　to　be　like　that；　are　you？〃
　　〃Just　like　that；〃　Locke　snapped。
　　〃I　might　talk　with　you　again　if　we　went　some　place　where　I　was　certain　that　I　could　talk　without　too　many　people　listening；〃　Mason　remarked。
　　〃You'd　have　to　make　better　talk　than　you　did　the　last　time；〃　said　Locke；　〃or　I　wouldn't　be　interested　in　leaving。〃
　　〃Well；　we　might　take　a　stroll；　Locke；　and　see　if　we　could　e　to　some　terms。〃
　　〃Why　not　talk　here？〃
　　〃You　know　the　way　I　feel　about　this　place；〃　Mason　told　him。　〃It　makes　me　uneasy；　and　I　don't　talk　well　when　I'm　uneasy。〃
　　Locke　hesitated　for　a　minute；　finally　said；　〃Well；　I　won't　give　you　over　fifteen　minutes。　You've　got　to　talk　turkey　this　time。〃
　　〃I　can　talk　turkey；〃　Mason　remarked。
　　〃Well；　I'm　always　willing　to　take　a　chance；〃　Locke　said。
　　He　got　his　hat　and　went　down　to　the　street　with　Mason。
　　〃Suppose　we　get　a　cab　and　ride　around　until　we　find　some　place　that　looks　good；　where　we　can　talk；〃　said　Locke。
　　〃Well；　let's　walk　down　the　block　here；　and　around　the　corner。　I　want　to　be　sure　that　we　get　a　taxi　that　isn't　planted；〃　Mason　said。
　　Locke　made　a　grimace。　〃Oh；　cut　out　that　kid　stuff；　Mason！　Be　your　age！　I've　got　the　office　wired　so　that　I　can　tune　a　witness　in　on　the　conversation　when　I　want　to；　but　don't　think　that　I've　gone　to　all　the　trouble　of　arranging　a　bunch　of　stuff　on　the　outside；　so　I　can　hear　what　you　say。　You　could　have　yelled　anything　you　said　before　from　the　tops　of　the　skyscrapers；　and　it　wouldn't　have　made　a　damned　bit　of　difference。〃
　　Mason　shook　his　head。
　　〃No；〃　he　said；　〃when　I　do　business；　I　do　it　in　just　one　way。〃
　　Locke　scowled。　〃I　don't　like　that　way。〃
　　〃Lots　of　people　don't；〃　Mason　admitted。
　　Locke　stood　still。　〃That's　not　getting　you　anywhere；　Mason。　I　might　as　well　go　back　to　the　office。〃
　　〃You'll　regret　it　if　you　do；〃　Mason　warned　him。
　　Locke　hesitated；　and　then　finally　shrugged　his　shoulders。
　　〃All　right；〃　he　said；　〃let's　go。　I've　e　this　far。　I　may　as　well　see　it　through。〃
　　Mason　walked　him　down　the　street　until　they　came　to　Sol　Steinburg's　place。
　　〃We'll　go　in　here；〃　said　Mason。
　　Locke　flashed　him　a　glance　of　instant　suspicion。　〃I　won't　talk　in　there；〃　he　said。
　　〃You　don't　have　to；〃　Mason　told　him；　〃we're　just　going　in　here；　and　you　can　e　right　out。〃
　　〃What　kind　of　a　frame…up　is　this？〃　Locke　demanded。
　　〃Oh；　e　on　in；〃　Mason　said；　impatiently。　〃Who's　getting　suspicious　now？〃
　　Locke　walked　on　in；　looking　cautiously　about　him。
　　Sol　Steinburg　came　out　from　the　back　room　with　his　face　wreathed　in　smiles；　rubbing　his　hands。　He　looked　at　Mason；　and　said；　〃Hello；　hello；　hello。　What　do　you　want？　You　back　again？〃　Then　his　eyes　rested　on　Frank　Locke。
　　Seldom　is　there　a　Hebrew　who　hasn't　an　instinct　of　the　dramatic　and　an　ability　to　portray　emotions。
　　Sol　Steinburg's　face　ran　through　a　gamut　of　expressions。　The　smile　gave　place　to　an　expression　of　startled　recognition。　The　expression　of　startled　recognition　gave　way　to　one　of　fierce　determination。　He　raised　a　quivering　forefinger；　pointed　it　directly　at　Locke；　and　said；　〃That's　the　man。〃
　　Mason's　voice　was　incisive。　〃Now；　wait　a　minute；　Sol。　We've　got　to　be　sure　about　this。〃
　　The　pawnbroker　became　voluble。　〃Ain't　I　sure？　Can't　I　tell　a　man　when　I　see　him？　You　asked　me　if　I　could　tell　him　when　I　saw　him；　and　I　told　you；　'yes。'　Now　I　see　him；　and　I　tell　you　yes　again。　That's　him！　That's　the　man！　What　do　you　want　to　be　sure　about　more　than　that？　That's　him。　That's　the　man。　You　can't　be　mistaken　about　that。　I　know　that　face　anywhere。　I　know　that　nose；　and　I　know　those　colored　eyes！〃
　　Frank　Locke　swung　back　toward　the　door。　His　lips　were　snarling。　〃Say；〃　he　said；　〃what　kind　of　a　double…cross　am　I　getting　here；　anyway？　What　sort　of　a　frame…up　is　this？　This　won't　buy　you　anything。　You'll　get　the　works　for　this！〃
　　〃Keep　your　shirt　on；〃　Mason　told　him；　then　turned　to　the　pawnbroker。
　　〃Sol；〃　he　said；　〃you've　got　to　be　so　absolutely　certain　about　this　that　you　can　go　on　the　witness　stand　and　no　amount　of　cross…examination　can　shake　your　testimony。〃
　　Sol　waved　expressive　palms　under　his　chin。　〃How　could　I　be　more　certain？〃　he　said。　〃Put　me　on　the　witness　stand。　Bring　me　on　a　dozen　lawyers。　Bring　me　on　a　hundred　lawyers！　I'll　tell　the　same　story。〃
　　Frank　Locke　said；　〃I　never　saw　this　man　in　my　life。〃
　　Sol　Steinburg's　laugh　was　a　masterpiece　of　sarcastic　merriment。
　　Little　beads　of　perspiration　were　showing　on　Locke's　forehead。　He　turned　to　Mason。
　　〃What's　the　idea？〃　he　said。　〃What　sort　of　a　flim…flam　is　this？〃
　　Mason　shook　his　head　gravely。
　　〃It's　just　a　part　of　my　case；〃　he　said。　〃It　checks　up；　that's　all。〃
　　〃What　checks　up？〃
　　〃The　fact　that　you　bought　the　gun；〃　Mason　said；　in　a　low　voice。
　　〃You're　crazy　as　hell！〃　Locke　yelled。　〃I　never　bought　a　gun　here　in　my　life。　I　never　was　inside　the　place。　I　never　saw　the　store。　I　don't　carry　a　gun！〃
　　Mason　said　to　Steinburg；　〃Give　me　your　gun　register；　will　you；　Sol？　Then　beat　it。　I　want　to　talk。〃
　　Steinburg　passed　over　the　booklet；　waddled　to　the　back　of　the　store。
　　Mason　opened　the　book　to　the　place　where　the　32…automatic　Colt　had　been　noted。　He　held　the　palm　of　his　hand　casually；　so　that　the　number　of　the　gun　was　partially　covered。　With　his　forefinger；　he　indicated　the　words　〃32…Colt　automatic。〃　Then　he　moved　over　toward　the　name　which　was　on　the　margin。
　　〃I　presume　you'll　deny　that　you　wrote　that？〃　he　asked。
　　Locke　seemed　trying　to　tear　himself　away；　yet　to　be　held　by　some　impelling　curiosity。　He　leaned　forward。　〃Certainly　I　deny　that　I　wrote　it。　I　never　was　in　the　joint。　I　never　saw　this　man。　I　never　bought　a　gun　here；　and　that　isn't　my　signature。〃
　　Mason　said；　patiently；　〃I　know　it　isn't　your　signature；　Locke。　But　are　you　going　to　say　that　you　didn't　write　it？　You'd　better　be　careful；　because　it　may　make　quite　a　difference。〃
　　〃Of　course　I　didn't　write　it。　What　the　hell's　eating　you？〃
　　〃The　police　don't　know　it　yet；〃　said　Mason；　〃but　that　gun　is　the　one　that　killed　George　Belter　last　night。〃
　　Locke　recoiled　as　though　he　had　been　struck　a　blow。　His　milk…chocolate　eyes　were　wide　and　wild。　The　glint　of　the　perspiration　on　his　forehead　was　quite　evident　now。
　　〃So　that's　the　kind　of　a　dirty　damn　frame…up　this　is；　is　it？〃
　　〃Now；　wait　a　minute；　Locke；〃　Mason　cautioned。　〃Don't　fly　off　the　handle。　I　could　have　gone　to　the　police　with　this　thing；　but　I　didn't。　I'm　just　working　it　my　own　way。　I'm　going　to　give　you　the　breaks。〃
　　〃It'll　take　more　than　you　and　a　Jew　pawnbroker；　to　frame　anything　like　that　on　me；〃　Locke　snarled。　〃Just　for　this　I'm　going　to　blow　the　lid　off！〃
　　Mason's　voice　remained　calm　and　patient。　〃Well；　let's　go　out　where　we　can　talk　a　bit。　I　want　to　talk　where　we　won't　have　any　witnesses。〃
　　〃You　just　steered　me　in　here　on　a　frame…up。　That's　what　I　get　for　going　with　you。　Now　you　can　go　to　hell！〃
　　〃I　steered　you　in　here　so　Sol　could　take　a　good　look　at　you；〃　Mason　told　him。　〃That's　all。　He　told　me　that　he'd　know　the　man　if　he　ever　saw　him　again。　I　had　to　be　sure。〃
　　Locke　backed　toward　the　door。
　　〃What　a　sweet　frame…up　this　is；〃　he　said。　〃If　you'd　gone　to　the　cops　with　a　story　like　that；　they'd　have　made　you　put　me　in　a　line　of　men；　and　seen　whether　or　not　this　kike　could　have　picked　me　out　of　the　line。　But　you　didn't　do　that。　You　brought　me　in　here。　How　do　I　know　that　you　haven't　slipped　this　fellow　some　money　to　pull　this　stunt？〃
　　Mason　laughed。
　　〃If　you　want　to　go　down　to　police　headquarters　and　get　in　a　line　of　men；　I'll　take　you　down　there。　And　I　guess　Sol　can　pick　you　out；〃　he　said。
　　〃Of　course　he　can；　now　that　you've　put　the　finger　on　me。〃
　　〃Well；〃　Mason　said；　〃we're　not　getting　anywhere　with　this。　e　on；　let's　go　outside。〃
　　He　took　Locke's　arm　and　piloted　him　through　the　door。
　　In　the　street；　Locke　turned　to　him　savagely；　and　said；　〃I'm　finished　with　you。　I'm　not　saying　a　damned　word。　I'm　going　back　to　the　office；　and　you　can　go　to　hell！〃
　　〃That　wouldn't　be　a　very　wise　course　of　procedure；　Locke；〃　Mason　said；　holding　Locke's　arm。　〃You　see；　I've　got　a　motive　for　the　crime；　opportunity；　and　everything。〃
　　〃Yes？〃　sneered　Locke。　〃What's　your　motive？　I'm　interested　in　that。〃
　　〃You　have　been　embezzling　funds　from　the　Extraordinary　Expense　Account；〃　said　Mason；　〃and　you　were　afraid　of　discovery。　You　didn't　dare　to　cross　Belter　because　he　knew　too　much　about　that　Savannah　affair。　He　could　have　sent　you　back　on　a　murder　rap。　So　you　went　out　there　and　had　an　argument　with　him；　and　killed　him。〃
　　Locke　was　staring　at　Mason。　He　had　ceased　walking；　and　stood　stock…still；　his　face　white；　his　lips　quivering。　A　blow　in　the　stomach　would　not　have　jarred　him　more。　He　tried　to　speak　and　could　not。
　　Mason　was　elaborately　casual。　〃Now　I　want　to　be　fair　Locke；〃　he　went　on。　〃And　I　think　the　Jew　is　on　the　square。　If　it　is　a　frame…up　they　won't　convict　you。　You've　got　to　prove　that　a　man's　guilty　beyond　a　reasonable　doubt；　you　know。　And　if　you　can　raise　even　a　reasonable　doubt；　a　jury　is　duty　bound　to　return　a　verdict　of　not　guilty。〃
　　Locke　found　his　voice。　〃Where　do　you　e　in　on　this？〃　he　asked。
　　Mason　shrugged　his　shoulders。　〃I'm　counsel　for　Eva　Belter；〃　he　said。　〃That's　all。〃
　　Locke　tried　to　sneer　but　it　didn't　get　across　very　well。　〃So　she's　in　on　this　too！　You've　teamed　up　with　that　two…timing　broad！〃
　　〃She's　my　client；　if　that's　what　you　mean。〃
　　〃That　isn't　what　I　mean；〃　Locke　said。
　　Mason's　voice　became　hard。　〃It　might　be　a　good　plan　for　you　to　keep　your　mouth　shut　then；　Locke。　You're　attracting　attention。　People　are　looking　at　you。〃
　　Locke　controlled　himself　with　an　effort。
　　〃Listen；〃　he　said；　〃I　don't　know　what　your　game　is；　but　I'm　going　to　spike　it　right　now。　I've　got　an　absolute　ironclad　alibi　for　last　night　at　the　time　when　that　murder　was　mitted；　and　just　to　show　you　where