The Case of the Caretakers Cat   ::   Гарднер Эрл Стенли

They've just advised me that the police in Santa Fe, New Mexico, have recovered my car. A man was driving it who claims he is Watson Clammert, but can offer no proof of his identity other than some receipts which the police think are forged, because the receipts show that he purchased and paid for the car, as Watson Clammert. But the peculiar thing is that they think he's a bank robber, as well, because in a suitcase in the car there was over a million dollars in currency."

Mason sighed with satisfaction.

"Now," he said, "we're getting somewhere."

"We'll call Winifred Laxter to the stand," Truslow said, "as our next witness."

He lowered his voice slightly and said to Judge Pennymaker, "The Court will undoubtedly bear with us that this is a hostile witness, and permit the use of leading questions."

"You may examine the witness," Judge Pennymaker said, "and rulings will be made when the necessity for leading questions becomes apparent."

"Very well. Take the stand, Miss Laxter."

Winifred Laxter walked forward, as a princess might approach the sword of a headsman.

She held up her right hand, took the oath and then walked to the witness chair and sat down.

"Your name is Winifred Laxter and you are engaged to the defendant?"

"I am."

"You were acquainted with Charles Ashton?"

"I was."

"You are familiar with the cat now in court, with a tag around its neck upon which the word 'Clinker' appears?"

Winifred Laxter bit her lip and said, "I knew the caretaker's cat."

"Is this the caretaker's cat that you have mentioned?"

Winifred Laxter looked pleadingly at Perry Mason, but Perry Mason remained silent. She took a deep breath, hesitated, seemed about to shake her head, but the cat, with a throaty "meow," jumped from the table, crossed the courtroom, leapt into her lap and curled up contentedly. Some of the spectators tittered. The Judge pounded with his gavel. The girl glanced once more at Perry Mason.

"Answer the question, Winifred," Perry Mason said, "and tell the truth."

"Yes," she said, "this is Clinker."

"Did you have Clinker in your possession on the night the night the caretaker was murdered?"

"Answer the question," Mason told her, as she looked helplessly at him.

"I'm not going to answer."

"Answer the question, Winifred," Mason repeated.

She stared steadily at him, then said slowly, "Yes, I did."

"Who gave you the cat?"

Her manner was vengeful now.