esg.thecaseofthevelvetclaws-第6章

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　I　got　the　dope。　So　I've　been　up　and　got　it　for　you。〃
　　〃What　is　it？〃
　　〃George　C。　Belter；〃　Drumm　told　him。　〃And　the　address　is　556　Elmwood。　You　were　right　about　its　being　an　unlisted　number。　It's　supposed　to　be　airtight。　Information　can't　even　give　out　the　number；　let　alone　any　information　about　it。　So　forget　where　you　got　it。〃
　　〃Sure；〃　agreed　Mason；　pulling　two　tens　and　a　five　from　his　pocket。
　　Drumm's　fingers　closed　over　the　money。
　　〃Baby；〃　he　said；　〃these　look　good　after　that　poker　game　I　was　in　last　night。　e　around　again　some　time　when　you've　got　another　client　like　this　one。〃
　　〃I　may　have　this　client　for　some　time；〃　Mason　observed。
　　〃That'll　be　fine；〃　Drumm　said。
　　Mason　got　in　his　car。　His　face　was　grim　as　he　stepped　on　the　starter　and　sent　the　machine　speeding　out　toward　Elmwood　Drive。
　　Elmwood　Drive　was　in　the　more　exclusive　residential　district　of　the　city。　Houses；　set　well　back　from　the　street；　were　fronted　with　bits　of　lawn；　and　the　grounds　were　ornamented　with　well…kept　hedges　and　trees。　Mason　slid　his　car　to　a　stop　before　five　hundred　and　fifty…six。　It　was　a　pretentious　house；　occupying　the　top　of　a　small　knoll。　There　were　no　other　houses　within　some　two　hundred　feet　on　either　side；　and　the　knoll　had　been　landscaped　to　set　off　the　magnificence　of　the　house。
　　Mason　didn't　drive　his　car　into　the　driveway；　but　parked　it　in　the　street；　and　went　on　foot　to　the　front　door。　A　light　was　burning　on　the　porch。　The　evening　was　hot；　and　myriad　insects　clustered　about　the　light；　beating　their　wings　against　the　big　globe　of　frosted　glass　which　surrounded　the　incandescent。
　　When　he　had　rung　the　second　time；　the　door　was　opened　by　a　butler　in　livery。　Perry　Mason　took　one　of　his　cards　from　his　pocket；　and　handed　it　to　the　butler。
　　〃Mr。　Belter；〃　he　said；　〃wasn't　expecting　me；　but　he'll　see　me。〃
　　The　butler　glanced　at　the　card；　and　stood　to　one　side。
　　〃Very　good；　sir。　Will　you　e　in；　sir？〃
　　Perry　Mason　walked　into　a　reception　room；　and　the　butler　indicated　a　chair。　Mason　could　hear　him　climbing　stairs。　Then　he　heard　voices　from　an　upper　floor；　and　the　sound　of　the　butler's　feet　ing　down　the　stairs　again。
　　The　butler　stepped　into　the　room；　and　said：　〃I　beg　your　pardon；　but　Mr。　Belter　doesn't　seem　to　know　you。　Could　you　tell　me　what　it　was　you　wanted　to　see　him　about？〃
　　Mason　looked　at　the　man's　eyes；　and　said；　shortly；　〃No。〃
　　The　butler　waited　a　moment；　thinking　that　Mason　might　add　to　the　ment；　then；　as　nothing　was　said；　turned　and　went　back　up　the　stairs。　This　time　he　was　gone　three　or　four　minutes。　When　he　returned；　his　face　was　wooden。
　　〃Please　step　this　way；〃　he　said。　〃Mr。　Belter　will　see　you。〃
　　Mason　followed　the　man　up　the　stairs　and　into　a　sitting　room　which　was　evidently　one　of　a　suite　which　opened　from　the　hallway；　taking　up　an　entire　wing　of　the　house。　The　room　was　furnished　with　an　eye　to　fort　and　none　for　style。　The　chairs　were　massive　and　fortable。　No　attempt　had　been　made　to　follow　any　particular　scheme　of　decoration；　and　the　room　radiated　a　masculinity　which　was　untempered　by　feminine　taste。
　　A　door　to　an　inner　room　swung　open；　and　a　big　man　stood　on　the　threshold。
　　Perry　Mason　had　a　chance　to　look　past　this　man；　into　the　room　from　which　he　had　emerged。　It　was　a　room　fitted　up　as　a　study　with　book　cases　lining　the　walls；　a　massive　desk　and　swivel　chair　in　one　corner；　and；　beyond　that；　a　glimpse　of　a　tiled　bathroom。
　　The　man　stepped　into　the　room　and　pulled　the　door　closed　behind　him。
　　He　was　a　huge　bulk　of　a　man　with　a　face　that　was　fat　and　pasty。　There　were　puffs　under　his　eyes。　His　chest　was　deep　and　his　shoulders　very　broad。　His　hips　were　narrow；　and　Mason　had　the　impression　that　the　legs　were　probably　thin。　It　was　the　eyes　that　manded　attention。　They　were　hard　as　diamonds　and　utterly　cold。
　　For　a　second　or　two　the　man　stood　near　the　door；　staring　at　Mason。　Then　he　walked　forward；　and　his　gait　strengthened　the　impression　that　his　legs　were　taxed　to　capacity　to　carry　about　the　great　weight　of　his　torso。
　　Mason　surmised　that　the　man　was　somewhere　in　the　late　forties；　and　there　was　that　in　his　manner　which　indicated　he　was　pletely　cruel　and　ruthless　in　his　dealings。
　　Standing；　Mason　was　a　good　four　inches　shorter　than　this　man；　although　his　shoulders　were　as　broad。
　　〃Mr。　Belter？〃　he　asked。
　　The　man　nodded；　planted　his　feet　wide　apart；　and　stared　at　Mason。
　　〃What　do　you　want？〃　he　snapped。
　　Mason　said；　〃I'm　sorry　to　e　to　your　house；　but　I　wanted　to　talk　over　a　matter　of　business。〃
　　〃What　about？〃
　　〃About　a　certain　story　that　Spicy　Bits　threatens　to　publish。　I　don't　want　it　published。〃
　　The　diamond…hard　eyes　never　so　much　as　changed　expression。　They　stared　fixedly　at　Perry　Mason。
　　〃Why　e　here　about　it？〃　asked　Belter。
　　〃Because　I　think　you're　the　one　that　I　want　to　see。〃
　　〃Well；　I'm　not。〃
　　〃I　think　you　are。〃
　　〃I'm　not。　Don't　know　anything　at　all　about　Spicy　Bits。　I've　read　the　sheet　once　in　a　while。　It's　a　dirty；　blackmailing　rag；　if　you　ask　me。〃
　　Mason's　eyes　became　hard。　His　body　seemed　to　lean　forward　slightly　from　the　hips。
　　〃All　right；〃　he　said。　〃I'm　not　asking　you；　I'm　telling　you。〃
　　〃Telling　me　what？〃　Belter　asked。
　　〃Telling　you　that　I'm　an　attorney；　and　I'm　representing　a　client　that　Spicy　Bits　is　trying　to　blackmail；　and　I　don't　like　the　set…up。　I'm　telling　you　that　I　don't　intend　to　pay　the　price　that's　demanded；　and　I'm　telling　you　further　that　I　don't　intend　to　pay　a　damned　cent。　I'm　not　going　to　buy　any　advertising　in　your　sheet；　and　your　sheet　isn't　going　to　publish　the　story　about　my　client。　Get　that；　and　get　it　straight！〃
　　Belter　sneered。　〃It　serves　me　right；〃　he　said；　〃for　seeing　the　first　shyster　ambulance　chaser　that　es　pounding　at　the　door。　I　should　have　had　the　butler　kick　you　out。　You're　either　drunk　or　crazy。　Or　both。　Personally；　I　have　an　idea　it's　both。　Now　are　you　going　to　get　out；　or　shall　I　call　the　police？〃
　　〃I'll　get　out；〃　Mason　said；　〃when　I　finish　what　I　was　saying。　You've　kept　in　the　background　in　this　thing；　and　had　Locke　for　your　goat　to　stand　out　in　front　and　take　it。　You've　sat　back　and　raked　in　the　cash。　You've　received　dividends　out　of　blackmail。　All　right。　Here's　where　you　get　an　assessment。〃
　　Belter　stood　staring　at　Mason；　saying　nothing。
　　〃I　don't　know　whether　you　know　who　I　am；　or　whether　you　know　what　I　want；〃　Mason　went　on；　〃but　you　can　find　out　pretty　quick　by　getting　in　touch　with　Locke。　I'm　telling　you　that　if　Spicy　Bits　publishes　anything　about　my　client；　I'll　rip　off　the　mask　of　the　man　who　owns　the　damned　rag！　Do　you　get　that？〃
　　〃All　right；〃　Belter　remarked。　〃You've　made　your　threat。　Now　I'll　make　mine。　I　don't　know　who　you　are；　and　I　don't　give　a　damn。　Maybe　your　reputation　is　sufficiently　spotless　so　that　you　can　afford　to　go　around　and　make　threats。　Then　again；　maybe　it　isn't。　Perhaps　you'd　better　watch　some　of　your　own　fences　before　you　start　throwing　mud　over　other　people's。〃
　　Mason　nodded　curtly。　〃Of　course；　I　expected　that；〃　he　said。
　　〃Well；〃　Belter　said；　〃you　won't　be　disappointed　then。　But　don't　think　that's　an　admission　that　I'm　mixed　up　with　Spicy　Bits。　I　don't　know　a　damned　thing　about　it。　And　I　don't　want　to。　Now　get　out！〃
　　Mason　turned　and　walked　through　the　door。
　　The　butler　was　on　the　threshold。　He　spoke　to　Belter。
　　〃I　beg　your　pardon；　sir；　but　your　wife　wants　very　much　to　see　you　before　she　goes　out；　and　she's　just　leaving。〃
　　Belter　walked　toward　the　door。　〃All　right；〃　he　said。　〃Take　a　good　look　at　this　man；　Digley。　If　you　ever　see　him　on　the　place　again；　throw　him　off。　Call　a　cop　if　you　have　to。〃
　　Mason　turned　and　stared　at　the　butler。
　　〃Better　call　two　cops；　Digley；〃　he　observed。　〃You　might　need　'em。〃
　　He　walked　down　the　stairs；　conscious　of　the　fact　that　the　other　two　men　were　descending　immediately　behind　him。　As　he　reached　the　lower　hallway；　a　woman　glided　out　from　a　corner　near　the　door。
　　〃I　hope　I　didn't　interrupt　you；　George；〃　she　said；　〃but。。。〃
　　Her　eyes　met　those　of　Perry　Mason。
　　She　was　the　woman　who　had　called　on　Mason　at　his　office；　and　given　the　name　of　Eva　Griffin。
　　Her　face　drained　of　color。　The　blue　eyes　became　dark　with　sudden　panic。　Then；　by　an　effort；　she　controlled　the　expression　of　her　face；　and　the　blue　eyes　enlarged　to　that　wide…eyed　stare　of　baby　innocence　which　she　had　practiced　when　she　had　been　in　the　office　with　Mason。
　　Mason's　face　showed　nothing　whatever。　He　stared　at　the　woman　with　eyes　that　were　perfectly　calm　and　serene。
　　〃Well？〃　asked　Belter。　〃What's　the　matter？〃
　　〃Nothing；〃　she　said；　and　her　voice　sounded　thin　and　frightened。　〃I　just　didn't　know　you　were　busy。　I'm　sorry　I　disturbed　you。〃
　　Belter　said；　〃Don't　mind　him。　He's　just　a　shyster　who　got　in　under　false　pretenses…and　is　leaving　in　a　hurry。〃
　　Mason　whirled　on　his　heel。
　　〃Listen；　you；〃　he　said；　〃I'm　going　to　tell　you。。。〃
　　The　butler　grabbed　his　arm。　〃This　way；　sir；〃　he　said。
　　Mason's　powerful　shoulders　swung　in　a　pivot　that　was　like　the　swing　of　a　golf　professional。　The　butler　was　hurled　across　the　hallway　and　slammed　against　the　wall　with　force　that　jarred　the　pictures　on　their　hangings。　Perry　Mason　strode　directly　to　the　massive　form　of　George　Belter。
　　〃I　decided　to　give　you　a　break；〃　he　said；　〃and　now　I've　changed　my　mind。　You　publish　a　word　about　my　client；　or　about　me　in　your　sheet；　and　you'll　go　to　jail　for　the　next　twenty　years。　D'you　hear？〃
　　The　diamond…hard　eyes　stared　at　him　with　the　uncordial　glitter　of　a　snake's　eyes　staring　into　the　face　of　a　man　armed　with　a　club。　George　Belter's　right　hand　was　in　his　coat　pocket。
　　〃It's　a　good　thing；〃　he　said；　〃that　you　stopped　right　when　you　did。　Make　a　move　to　lay　a　hand　on　me；　and　I'll　blow　your　heart　out！　I've　got　witnesses　to　show　it's　self…defense；　and　I　don't　know　but　what　it　would　be　a　good　thing　to　do　anyway。〃
　　〃Don't　bother；〃　Mason　said；　evenly；　〃you　can't　stop　me　that　way。　There　are　others　who　know　what　I　know；　and　know　where　I　am　and　why。〃
　　Belter's　lip　curled。
　　〃The　trouble　with　you　is；〃　he　said；　〃that　you　keep　singing　the　same　tune。　You've　already　played　that　game　for　all　that　it's　worth。　If　you　think　that　I'm　afraid　of　anything　that　a　cheap；　blackmailing　ambulance　chaser　can　try　to　pin　on　me；　you're　mistaken。　I'm　telling　you　to　get　out；　for　the　last　time！〃
　　Mason　turned　on　his　heel。　〃All　right。　I'm　getting　out。　I've　said　all　I've　got　to　say。〃
　　George　Belter's　sarcastic　ment　reached　his　ears　as　he　gained　the　door。
　　〃At　least　twice；〃　said　Belter。　〃Some　of　it　you've　said　three　times。〃
　　
　　
　　　5。
　　
　　Eva　Belter　sat　in　Perry　Mason's　private　office；　and　sobbed　quietly　into　a　handkerchief。
　　Perry　Mason　sat　behind　the　desk　with　his　coat　off；　and　watched　her　with　wary　eyes　and　an　entire　absence　of　sympathy。
　　〃You　shouldn't　have　done　it；〃　she　said；　between　sniffs。
　　〃How　was　I　supposed　to　know　that？〃　asked　Perry　Mason。
　　〃He's　utterly　ruthless；〃　she　said。
　　Mason　nodded　his　head。
　　〃I'm　pretty　ruthless　myself；〃　he　observed。
　　〃Why　didn't　you　put　the　ad　in　the　Examiner？〃
　　〃They　wanted　too　much　money。　They　seemed　to　think　I　was　going　to　play　Santy　Claus。〃
　　〃They　knew　it　was　important；〃