esg.thecaseofthevelvetclaws-第3章

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　　〃Why　not？〃
　　〃I　don't　know；〃　she　said；　〃the　woman's　dangerous。　She　is　just　the　kind　of　a　little　minx　who　would　get　you　into　some　sort　of　a　jam　and　leave　you　to　take　it；　right　on　the　button。〃
　　His　face　didn't　change　expression；　but　his　eyes　glinted。　〃That's　one　of　the　chances　I　have　to　take；〃　he　told　her。　〃I　can't　expect　my　clients　to　be　loyal　to　me。　They　pay　me　money。　That's　all。〃
　　She　stared　at　him　with　a　speculative　look　that　held　something　of　a　wistful　tenderness。　〃But　you　insist　on　being　loyal　to　your　clients；　no　matter　how　rotten　they　are。〃
　　〃Of　course；〃　he　told　her。　〃That's　my　duty。〃
　　〃To　your　profession？〃
　　〃No；〃　he　said　slowly；　〃to　myself。　I'm　a　paid　gladiator。　I　fight　for　my　clients。　Most　clients　aren't　square　shooters。　That's　why　they're　clients。　They've　got　themselves　into　trouble。　It's　up　to　me　to　get　them　out。　I　have　to　shoot　square　with　them。　I　can't　always　expect　them　to　shoot　square　with　me。〃
　　〃It　isn't　fair！〃　she　blazed。
　　〃Of　course　not；〃　he　smiled。　〃It's　business。〃
　　She　shrugged　her　shoulders。　〃I　told　the　detective　that　you　wanted　her　shadowed　as　soon　as　she　left　the　office；〃　she　said；　abruptly　getting　back　to　her　duties。　〃He　said　he'd　be　there　to　pick　her　up。〃
　　〃You　talked　with　Paul　Drake　himself？〃
　　〃Of　course；　otherwise　I　wouldn't　have　told　you　everything　was　all　right。〃
　　〃Okay；〃　he　said；　〃you　can　bank　three　hundred　out　of　that　retainer；　and　give　me　two　hundred　to　put　in　my　pocket。　We'll　find　out　who　she　really　is；　and　then　we'll　have　an　ace　in　the　hole。〃
　　Della　Street　went　back　to　the　outer　office；　returned　with　two　hundred　dollars　in　currency；　which　she　handed　to　Perry　Mason。
　　He　smiled　at　her。
　　〃You're　a　good　girl；　Della；〃　he　said。　〃Even　if　you　do　get　funny　ideas　about　women。〃
　　She　whirled　on　him。　〃I　hate　her！〃　she　said；　〃I　hate　the　very　ground　she　walks　on！　But　it　isn't　that。　It's　something　more　than　the　hate。　It's　sort　of　a　hunch　I've　got。〃
　　He　planted　his　feet　wide　apart；　thrust　his　hands　in　his　pockets；　and　stared　at　her。
　　〃Why　do　you　hate　her？〃　he　asked；　with　tolerant　amusement。
　　〃I　hate　everything　she　stands　for！〃　said　Della　Street。　〃I've　had　to　work　for　everything　I　got。　I　never　got　a　thing　in　life　that　I　didn't　work　for。　And　lots　of　times　I've　worked　for　things　and　have　had　nothing　in　return。　That　woman　is　the　type　that　has　never　worked　for　anything　in　her　life！　She　doesn't　give　a　damned　thing　in　return　for　what　she　gets。　Not　even　herself。〃
　　Perry　Mason　pursed　his　lips　thoughtfully。　〃And　all　of　this　outburst　is　occasioned　just　because　you　gave　her　the　once…over　and　didn't　like　the　way　she　was　dressed？〃　he　asked。
　　〃I　liked　the　way　she　was　dressed。　She's　dressed　like　a　million　dollars。　Those　clothes　she　had　on　cost　somebody　a　lot　of　money。　And　you　can　bet　that　she　wasn't　the　one　that　paid　for　them。　She's　too　well…kept；　too　well…groomed；　too　baby　faced。　Did　you　notice　that　trick　she　has　of　making　her　eyes　wide　when　she　wants　to　impress　you？　She's　practiced　that　baby　stare　in　front　of　a　mirror。〃
　　He　watched　her　with　eyes　that　were　suddenly　deep　and　enigmatical。　〃If　all　clients　had　your　loyalty；　Della；　there　wouldn't　be　any　law　business。　Don't　forget　that。　You've　got　to　take　clients　as　they　e。　You're　different。　Your　family　was　rich。　Then　they　lost　their　money。　You　went　to　work。　Lots　of　women　wouldn't　have　done　that。〃
　　Her　eyes　were　wistful　once　more。
　　〃What　would　they　have　done？〃　she　asked。　〃What　could　they　have　done？〃
　　〃They　could；〃　he　remarked　slowly；　〃have　married　a　man；　and　then　gone　out　to　the　Beechwood　Inn　with　some　other　man；　got　caught；　and　had　to　get　a　lawyer　to　get　them　out　of　the　jam。〃
　　She　turned　toward　the　outer　office；　keeping　her　eyes　averted　from　him。　Those　eyes　were　glowing。　〃I　started　to　talk　about　clients；〃　she　observed；　〃and　you　begin　to　talk　about　me。〃　And　she　pushed　her　way　through　the　door　and　into　the　outer　office。
　　Perry　Mason　walked　to　the　doorway　and　stood　there　while　Della　Street　went　over　to　her　desk；　sat　down　at　it；　and　slid　a　sheet　of　paper　into　her　typewriter。　Mason　was　still　standing　there　when　the　door　of　the　outer　office　opened　and　a　tall　man；　with　drooping　shoulders　and　a　head　that　was　thrust　forward　on　a　long　neck；　came　into　the　outer　office。　He　regarded　Della　Street　with　protruding　glassy　eyes　that　held　a　perpetual　expression　of　droll　humor；　smiled　at　her；　turned　to　Mason　and　said：　〃Hello；　Perry。〃
　　Mason　said：　〃e　on　in；　Paul。　Did　you　get　anything？〃
　　Drake　said：　〃I　got　back。〃
　　Mason　held　the　door　open；　and　closed　it　after　the　detective　had　gone　into　the　private　office。
　　〃What　happened？〃　he　asked。
　　Paul　Drake　sat　down　in　the　chair　which　the　woman　had　occupied　a　few　minutes　earlier；　raised　his　foot　to　the　other　chair　and　lit　a　cigarette。
　　〃She's　a　wise　baby；〃　he　said。
　　〃What　makes　you　think　so？〃　asked　Perry　Mason。　〃Did　she　know　you　were　tailing　her？〃
　　〃I　don't　think　so；〃　said　Drake。　〃I　stood　by　the　elevator　shaft；　where　I　could　see　her　when　she　came　out　of　the　office。　When　she　came　out；　I　got　in　the　elevator　first。　She　kept　watching　your　office　to　see　if　anybody　came　out　of　it。　I　think　she　thought　perhaps　you'd　send　your　girl　to　try　and　spot　her。　She　seemed　relieved　when　the　elevator　got　down。
　　〃She　walked　to　the　corner；　and　I　tagged　along　behind；　keeping　a　few　people　between　her　and　me。　She　ducked　into　the　department　store　across　the　street；　walked　right　along　as　though　she　knew　exactly　what　she　wanted　to　do；　and　went　into　the　Women's　Rest　Room。
　　〃She　looked　sort　of　funny　when　she　went　in　there；　and　I　had　an　idea　maybe　it　was　a　dodge；　so　I　hunted　up　an　attendant；　and　asked　him　if　there　was　any　other　way　out　of　the　Women's　Rest　Room。　It　seems　there　are　three　ways　out。　There's　a　way　that　goes　into　the　beauty　parlor。　There's　a　way　into　the　manicuring　room；　and　a　way　into　the　cafe。〃
　　〃Which　way　did　she　take？〃　asked　Mason。
　　〃She　took　the　beauty　parlor　just　about　fifteen　seconds　before　I　covered　it。　I　figured　she'd　simply　used　the　dressing　room　stuff　as　a　blind。　She　knew　that　a　man　couldn't　follow　her　in　there；　and　she'd　evidently　figured　it　all　out　in　advance。　I　found　out　this　much；　she　had　a　car　parked　in　front　of　the　beauty　parlor　street　exit；　with　a　chauffeur　sitting　at　the　wheel。　The　car　was　a　big　Lincoln；　if　that'll　help　you　any。〃
　　〃It　won't；〃　said　Mason。
　　〃I　didn't　think　it　would；〃　grinned　Drake。
　　
　　
　　　2。
　　
　　Frank　Locke　had　coarse；　mahogany　skin；　and　wore　a　tweed　suit。
　　His　skin　didn't　have　the　tanned　appearance　which　es　from　outdoor　sports；　but　looked　rather　as　though　it　had　absorbed　so　much　nicotine　that　it　had　bee　stained。　His　eyes　were　a　mild　brown；　the　color　of　milk　chocolate；　and　absolutely　without　sheen。　They　seemed　dead　and　lifeless。　His　nose　was　big；　and　his　mouth　weak。　To　a　casual　observer；　he　seemed　utterly　mild　and　innocuous。
　　〃Well；〃　he　said；　〃you　can　talk　here。〃
　　Perry　Mason　shook　his　head。　〃No；　you've　got　this　place　rigged　up　with　all　sorts　of　dictographs。　I'll　talk　where　I　know　that　you're　the　only　one　that'll　hear　what　I'm　going　to　say。〃
　　〃Where？〃　asked　Frank　Locke。
　　〃You　can　e　to　my　office；〃　said　Mason；　without　hope　or　enthusiasm　in　his　tone。
　　Frank　Locke　laughed；　and　his　laugh　was　gratingly　mirthless。　〃Now　I'll　tell　one；〃　he　said。
　　〃Okay；〃　said　Mason。　〃Put　on　your　hat；　and　start　out　with　me。　We'll　agree　on　some　place。〃
　　〃How　do　you　mean？〃　asked　Locke；　his　eyes　suddenly　suspicious。
　　〃We'll　pick　a　hotel；〃　said　Mason。
　　〃One　that　you've　picked　out　already？〃　asked　Locke。
　　〃No；〃　said　Mason；　〃we'll　get　a　cab　and　tell　him　to　drive　us　around。　If　you're　that　suspicious；　you　can　pick　the　hotel　yourself。〃
　　Frank　Locke　hesitated　a　minute；　then　said：　〃Excuse　me　a　moment。　I'll　have　to　see　if　it's　all　right　for　me　to　leave　the　office。　I've　got　some　things　that　I've　been　working　on。〃
　　〃Okay；〃　said　Mason；　and　sat　down。
　　Frank　Locke　jumped　up　from　behind　the　desk　and　left　the　room。　He　left　the　door　open　as　he　went　out。　From　the　outer　offices　came　the　clack　of　busy　typewriters；　the　hum　of　voices。　Perry　Mason　sat　and　smoked　placidly。　His　face　held　that　expression　of　absorbed　concentration　which　was　so　typical　of　him。
　　He　waited　almost　ten　minutes。　Then　Frank　Locke　came　in；　wearing　his　hat。
　　〃All　right；〃　he　said；　〃I　can　leave　now。〃
　　The　two　men　left　the　building　together；　hailed　a　cruising　cab。
　　〃Drive　around　the　business　section；〃　said　Perry　Mason。
　　Locke　regarded　the　attorney　with　those　chocolate　brown　eyes　of　his；　which　seemed　to　contain　no　expression　whatever。
　　〃Maybe　we　could　talk　here；〃　he　said。
　　Mason　shook　his　head。　〃I　want　to　talk　where　I　don't　have　to　yell。〃
　　Locke　grinned　and　said：　〃I'm　used　to　being　yelled　at。〃
　　Mason　said；　grimly：　〃When　I　yell；　I　mean　business。〃
　　Locke　lit　a　cigarette；　with　a　bored　air。
　　〃Yeah？〃　he　said　casually。
　　The　cab　turned　to　the　left。　〃There's　a　hotel；〃　said　Mason。
　　Locke　grinned。　〃I　see　it；〃　he　said。　〃I　don't　like　it　because　you　picked　it　out；　and　because　it's　too　near。　I'm　going　to　pick　the　hotel。〃
　　Perry　Mason　said：　〃Okay。　Go　ahead　and　pick　one。　Just　don't　tell　the　driver　where　to　go。　Let　him　drive　around　and　you　can　pick　any　hotel　that　he　drives　by。〃
　　Locke　laughed。　〃Getting　cautious；　ain't　we？〃
　　Perry　Mason　nodded。
　　Locke　tapped　on　the　glass。　〃We'll　get　out　here；〃　he　said；　〃at　the　hotel。〃
　　The　cab　driver　looked　at　him　with　mild　surprise　but　braked　the　car　to　a　stop。　Mason　flipped　him　a　fifty　cent　piece；　and　the　two　men　walked　into　the　lobby　of　the　cheap　hotel。
　　〃How　about　the　parlor？〃　asked　Locke。
　　〃Suits　me；〃　said　Mason。
　　They　walked　across　the　lobby；　took　the　elevator　to　the　mezzanine　floor；　walked　past　the　manicurist's　room；　and　sat　down　in　chairs　that　faced　each　other；　with　a　smoking　stand　in　between。
　　〃All　right；〃　said　Locke；　〃you're　Perry　Mason；　an　attorney。　You're　representing　somebody；　and　you　want　something。　Shoot！〃
　　Mason　said：　〃I　want　something　kept　out　of　your　paper。〃
　　〃Lots　of　people　do；〃　said　Locke。　〃What　do　you　want　out？〃
　　Mason　said：　〃Well；　let's　discuss　procedure　first。　Are　you　willing　to　talk　a　straight　money　proposition？〃
　　Locke　shook　his　head　emphatically。
　　〃We're　not　a　blackmailing　sheet；〃　he　said。　〃We　sometimes　extend　favors　to　our　advertisers。〃
　　〃Oh；　that's　it；　is　it？〃　said　Mason。
　　〃That's　it；〃　said　Locke。
　　〃What　would　I　advertise？〃　asked　Mason。
　　Locke　shrugged　his　shoulders。　〃We　don't　care；〃　he　said；　〃you　don't　need　to　advertise　anything；　if　you　don't　want　to。　We　sell　you　the　space。　That's　all。〃
　　〃I　see；〃　said　Mason。
　　〃Okay。　What　is　it　you　want？〃
　　〃There　was　a　murder　at　the　Beechwood　Inn　last　night。　That　is；　there　was　a　shooting。　I　don't　know　whether　it　was　a　murder　or　not。　I　understand　that　the　man　who　was　shot　was　trying　to　hold　up　the　joint。〃
　　Frank　Locke　turned　his　dispassionate　milk…chocolate　eyes　upon　the　attorney。
　　〃Well？〃　he　asked。
　　Mason　continued：　〃I　understand　there's　some　mystery　about　the　thing。　That　is；　the　District　Attorney　is　going　to　make　quite　an　investigation。〃
　　Locke　said：　〃You　still　haven't　told　me　anything。〃
　　〃I'm　telling　you；〃　said　Mason。
　　〃Okay。　Go　ahead。〃
　　〃Somebody　told　me；〃　continued　Mason；　〃that　the