esg.thecaseofthevelvetclaws-第8章

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　　〃She'll　give　you　a　receipt；〃　said　Perry　Mason；　〃as　you　go　out。　How　about　getting　in　touch　with　you？〃
　　She　said；　quickly　enough：　〃That's　all　right。　Ring　the　house。　Ask　for　my　maid　and　tell　her　that　you're　the　cleaner。　Tell　her　you　can't　find　the　dress　I　inquired　about。　I'll　explain　to　her；　and　she'll　pass　the　message　on　to　me。　Then　I'll　call　you。〃
　　Mason　laughed。
　　〃You've　got　that　down　pat；〃　he　said。　〃You　must　have　used　it　often。〃
　　She　looked　up　at　him；　and　her　blue　eyes　set　in　a　wide　stare　of　tearful　innocence。
　　〃I'm　sure；〃　she　said；　〃I　don't　know　what　you　mean。〃
　　Mason　pushed　back　his　swivel　chair；　got　to　his　feet；　and　walked　around　the　desk。
　　〃In　the　future；〃　he　told　her；　〃you　can　save　yourself　the　trouble　of　putting　on　that　baby　stare　with　me　if　you　want　to。　I　think　we　understand　each　other　pretty　well。　You're　in　a　jam　and　I'm　trying　to　get　you　out。〃
　　She　got　to　her　feet　slowly；　looked　into　his　eyes；　and　suddenly　put　her　hands　on　his　shoulders。
　　〃Somehow；〃　she　said；　〃you　inspire　me　with　confidence。　You're　the　only　man　I　ever　knew　who　could　stand　up　to　my　husband。　I　feel　as　though　I　could　cling　to　you　and　you'd　protect　me。〃
　　She　tilted　back　her　face　so　that　her　lips　were　close　to　his；　and　her　eyes　were　staring　into　his。　Her　body　was　quite　close　to　his。
　　He　took　her　elbow　in　his　long；　strong　fingers　and　turned　her　away　from　him。
　　〃I'll　protect　you；〃　he　said；　〃just　as　long　as　you　pay　cash。〃
　　She　squirmed　around　so　that　she　was　facing　him　again。
　　〃Don't　you　ever　think　of　anything　except　money？〃　she　asked。
　　〃Not　in　this　game。〃
　　〃You're　all　I've　got　to　depend　on；〃　she　wailed。　〃Everything　in　the　world。　You're　all　that　stands　between　me　and　utter　ruin。〃
　　〃That；〃　he　said　coolly；　〃is　my　business。　It's　what　I'm　here　for。〃
　　As　he　talked；　he　had　been　walking　with　her　toward　the　door　of　the　outer　office。　As　he　put　his　right　hand　on　the　knob；　she　twisted　around　so　that　she　was　free　of　his　grip。
　　〃Very　well；〃　she　said；　〃and　thank　you。〃
　　Her　tone　was　formal；　almost　frigid。　She　walked　through　the　office　door　and　into　the　outer　office。
　　Perry　Mason　closed　the　door　behind　her。　He　went　to　his　desk；　picked　up　the　telephone　and　when　he　heard　Della　Street's　voice；　said；　〃Give　me　an　outside　line；　Della。〃
　　He　gave　the　number　of　Drake's　Detective　Bureau；　asked　for　Paul　Drake；　and　got　him　on　the　line。
　　〃Listen；　Paul；〃　he　said；　〃this　is　Perry。　I've　got　a　job　for　you。　You've　got　to　handle　it　quickly。　Frank　Locke；　down　at　Spicy　Bits；　is　a　devil　with　the　women。　He's　got　a　jane　over　at　the　Wheelright　Hotel　that　he's　running　around　with。　She　lives　there。　He　drops　into　the　barber　shop　once　in　a　while　and　gets　himself　all　prettied　up　before　he　takes　her　out　on　a　date。　He　came　from　the　South　some　place。　I　don't　know　just　where。　And　he　was　mixed　up　in　something　when　he　left　there。　Frank　Locke　probably　isn't　his　real　name。　I　want　you　to　put　enough　men　on　him　to　find　out　what　it's　all　about；　and　do　it　quick。　How　much　is　it　going　to　set　me　back？〃
　　〃Two　hundred　dollars；〃　said　Paul　Drake's　voice。　〃And　another　two　hundred　dollars　at　the　end　of　the　week；　if　I　work　on　it　that　long。〃
　　〃I　don't　think　I　can　pass　this　on　to　my　client；〃　said　Mason。
　　〃Make　it　three　twenty…five　in　all；　then；　and　use　me　right　if　you　find　you　can　put　it　in　on　the　expense　account　later。〃
　　〃Okay；〃　said　Mason。　〃Get　started。〃
　　〃Wait　a　minute。　I　was　just　going　to　call　you　anyway。　I　see　a　big　Lincoln　is　parked　down　here　in　front　of　the　building；　with　a　chauffeur　sitting　at　the　wheel。　I　have　a　hunch　that　it's　the　same　car　that　your　mysterious　lady　friend　used　for　a　get…away　the　other　day。　Do　you　want　me　to　chase　it　down？　I　took　the　license　number　as　I　came　up。〃
　　〃No；〃　said　Mason。　〃That's　okay。　I've　got　her　tagged。　Forget　about　her　and　start　in　on　this　Locke　business。〃
　　〃All　right；〃　said　Drake；　and　hung　up。
　　Perry　Mason　dropped　the　receiver　into　place。
　　Della　Street　stood　in　the　doorway。
　　〃She　gone？〃　asked　Mason。
　　Della　Street　nodded。
　　〃That　woman's　going　to　make　you　trouble；〃　she　said。
　　〃You　told　me　that　before；〃　said　Mason。
　　〃All　right；　I'm　telling　it　to　you　again。〃
　　〃Why？〃　said　Mason。
　　〃I　don't　like　the　way　she　looks；〃　said　Della　Street。　〃And　I　don't　like　the　way　she　acts　toward　a　working　girl。　She's　got　that　snobby　plex。〃
　　〃Lots　of　people　are　like　that；　Della。〃
　　〃I　know；　but　she's　different。　She　doesn't　know　what　honesty　means。　She　loves　trickery。　She'd　turn　on　you　in　a　second　if　it　would　be　to　her　advantage。〃
　　Perry　Mason's　face　was　thoughtful。
　　〃It　wouldn't　be　to　her　advantage；〃　he　remarked；　his　voice　preoccupied。
　　Della　Street　stared　at　him　for　a　moment；　then　softly　closed　the　door　and　left　him　alone。
　　
　　
　　　6。
　　
　　Harrison　Burke　was　a　tall　man　who　cultivated　an　air　of　distinction。　His　record　in　Congress　had　been　mediocre；　but　he　had　identified　himself　as　〃The　Friend　of　the　People〃　by　sponsoring　legislation　which　a　clique　of　politicians　pushed　through　the　house；　knowing　that　it　would　never　pass　the　upper　body；　or；　if　it　did；　that　it　would　be　promptly　vetoed　by　the　President。
　　He　was　planning　his　campaign　for　the　Senate　by　adroitly　seeking　to　interest　the　more　substantial　class　of　citizens　and　impress　them　with　the　fact　that　he　was；　at　heart；　conservative。　He　was　trying　to　do　this　without　in　any　way　sacrificing　his　following　among　the　mon　people；　or　his　reputation　as　being　a　friend　of　the　people。
　　He　looked　at　Perry　Mason；　his　eyes　shrewd；　and　appraising；　and　remarked：　〃But　I　don't　understand　what　you're　driving　at。〃
　　〃All　right；〃　Mason　said；　〃if　I've　got　to　hand　it　to　you　straight　from　the　shoulder；　I'm　talking　about　the　night　of　the　Beechwood　stick…up；　and　your　presence　in　the　Inn　with　a　married　woman。〃
　　Harrison　Burke　winced　as　though　he　had　been　struck　a　blow。　He　took　a　deep　breath　that　was　a　gasp；　then　deliberately　set　his　face　in　lines　that　he　doubtless　thought　were　wooden。
　　〃I　think；〃　he　said　in　his　deep；　booming　voice；　〃that　you　have　been　misinformed。　And　inasmuch　as　I　am　exceedingly　busy　this　afternoon；　I　will　have　to　ask　you　to　excuse　me。〃
　　Perry　Mason's　expression　was　a　mixture　of　disgust　and　resentment。　Then　he　took　a　step　toward　the　politician's　desk　and　stared　down　at　the　man's　face。
　　〃You're　in　a　jam；〃　he　said；　slowly；　〃and　the　quicker　you　get　done　pulling　that　line　of　hooey；　the　quicker　we　can　talk　about　getting　out　of　it。〃
　　〃But；〃　protested　Burke；　〃I　don't　know　anything　about　you。　You　haven't　any　credentials；　or　anything。〃
　　〃This　is　a　case；〃　Mason　answered；　〃where　you　don't　need　any　credentials　except　knowledge。　I've　got　the　knowledge。　I'm　representing　the　woman　who　was　with　you　on　that　occasion。　Spicy　Bits　is　going　to　publish　the　whole　thing　and　demand　that　you　be　taken　before　the　Coroner's　Jury　and　the　Grand　Jury　and　made　to　tell　what　you　know；　and　who　was　with　you。〃
　　Harrison　Burke's　face　turned　a　sickly　gray。　He　leaned　forward　on　his　desk　as　though　he　wanted　support　for　his　arms　and　shoulders。
　　〃What？〃　he　asked。
　　〃You　heard　what　I　said。〃
　　〃But；〃　said　Burke；　〃I　never　knew。　She　never　told　me。　That　is；　this　is　the　first　I　knew　about　it。　I'm　sure　there　must　be　some　mistake。〃
　　〃All　right；〃　said　Mason。　〃Guess　again。　There　isn't　any　mistake。〃
　　〃How　does　it　happen　that　I　hear　of　this　through　you？〃
　　〃Because；〃　said　Mason；　〃the　lady　probably　doesn't　want　to　go　near　you。　She's　got　herself　to　think　about；　and　she's　trying　to　work　her　way　out　of　it。　I'm　doing　the　best　I　can；　and　it　takes　money。　She's　probably　not　the　kind　that　would　call　on　you　for　a　campaign　contribution。　I　am。〃
　　〃You　want　money？〃　asked　Burke。
　　〃What　the　hell　did　you　think　I　wanted？〃
　　Harrison　Burke　seemed　to　be　getting　the　full　significance　of　his　predicament　in　a　series　of　waves　which　penetrated　his　consciousness；　one　at　a　time。
　　〃My　God！〃　he　said。　〃It　would　ruin　me！〃
　　Perry　Mason　said　nothing。
　　〃Spicy　Bits　can　be　bought　off；〃　continued　the　politician。　〃I　don't　know　just　how　they　work　it。　It's　some　kind　of　a　deal　by　which　you　buy　advertising　space　and　then　don't　live　up　to　the　contract。　They　have　a　clause　in　there　for　liquidated　damages；　I　understand。　You're　a　lawyer。　You　should　know　about　that。　And　you　should　know　how　to　handle　it。〃
　　〃Spicy　Bits　can't　be　bought　off　now；〃　said　Mason。　〃In　the　first　place　they　wanted　too　much　money。　And　in　the　second　place；　they're　out　for　blood　now。　It's　a　question　of　no　quarter　given；　and　no　quarter　asked。〃
　　Harrison　Burke　drew　himself　up。　〃My　dear　man；〃　he　said；　〃I　think　you　are　entirely　mistaken。　I　see　no　reason　why　the　paper　should　adopt　that　attitude。〃
　　Mason　grinned　at　him；　〃You　don't？〃
　　〃Certainly　not；〃　said　Burke。
　　〃Well；　it　happens　that　the　power　behind　the　throne　in　that　paper；　the　man　who　really　owns　it；　is　George　C。　Belter。　And　the　woman　you　were　out　with　is　his　wife；　who　was　contemplating　suing　him　for　divorce。　Think　that　over。〃
　　Burke's　face　was　the　color　of　putty。
　　〃That's　impossible；〃　he　said。　〃Belter　wouldn't　be　mixed　up　in　anything　like　that。　He's　a　gentleman。〃
　　〃He　may　be　a　gentleman；　but　he　owns　the　sheet；〃　said　Mason。
　　〃Oh；　but　he　couldn't！〃　protested　Burke。
　　〃Well；　he　does；〃　Mason　repeated。　〃I'm　giving　you　the　information。　Take　it　or　leave　it。　It's　not　my　funeral。　It's　yours。　If　you　get　out　of　this；　it'll　be　because　you　play　your　cards　right　and　have　some　good　advice。　I'm　ready　to　give　you　the　advice。〃
　　Harrison　Burke　twisted　his　fingers　together。　〃Exactly　what　is　it　that　you　want？〃　he　asked。
　　Mason　said；　〃There's　only　one　way　I　know　of　to　break　that　gang；　and　that's　to　fight　it　with　fire。　They're　blackmailers；　and　I'm　going　to　do　some　blackmailing　myself。　I've　got　some　information　that　I'm　trying　to　chase　down。　It's　costing　money。　The　woman　is　out　of　money；　and　I　don't　intend　to　finance　it　myself。
　　〃Every　time　the　hour　hand　on　that　clock　makes　a　circle；　it　means　that　I've　put　in　more　of　my　time；　and　that　other　people　have　put　in　more　of　their　time。　Expenses　keep　running　up。　As　I　see　it；　there's　no　reason　why　you　shouldn't　be　called　on　to　do　your　share。〃
　　Harrison　Burke　blinked。　〃How　much　do　you　think　it　will　cost？〃　he　inquired；　cautiously。
　　〃I　want　fifteen　hundred　dollars　now；　and　if　I　get　you　out　of　it；　it's　going　to　cost　you　more。〃
　　Burke　wet　his　lips　with　the　tip　of　his　tongue。　〃I'll　have　to　think　it　over；〃　he　said。　〃If　I'm　going　to　raise　any　money；　I'll　have　to　make　some　arrangements　to　get　it。　You　e　back　tomorrow　morning；　and　I'll　let　you　know。〃
　　〃This　thing　is　moving　fast；〃　Mason　told　him。　〃There'll　be　a　lot　of　water　go　under　the　bridge　between　now　and　tomorrow　morning。〃
　　〃e　back　in　two　hours；　then；〃　said　Burke。
　　Mason　looked　at　the　man　and　said；　〃All　right。　Listen；　here's　what　you're　planning　to　do。　You're　going　to　look　me　up。　I'll　tell　you　in　advance　what　you'll　find。　You'll　find　that　I'm　a　lawyer　that　has　specialized　in　trial　work；　and　in　a　lot　of　criminal　work。　Every　fellow　in　this　practice　cultivates　some　sort　of　a　specialty。　I'm　a　specialist　on　getting　people　out　of　trouble。　They　e　to　me　when　they're　in　all　sorts　of　trouble；　and　I　work　them　out。　Most　of　my　cases　never　e　to　court。
　　〃If　you　look　me　up　through　some　fa