The Case of the Lucky Legs   ::   Гарднер Эрл Стенли

Drake took two of the cigars and Bradbury took two, and clinked a couple of silver dollars on the glass showcase.

"I'd like to talk with you about this case, Perry," said the detective, as Mamie rang up the sale in the cash register, and pulled change from the compartment of the cash drawer.

"When?" asked Mason.

"Right now, if you can spare the time."

Mamie handed Bradbury the change. Bradbury's gray eyes stared directly at her. His face was twisted into a friendly grin.

"Nice day," he said.

She nodded brightly.

Perry Mason looked at his watch.

"Okay," he said, "I can run up to the office, I guess."

Bradbury turned away from the blonde.

"You folks will want me there?" he asked.

"No," Paul Drake said, "it won't be necessary. I just want to talk over some of the legal points with Mr. Mason and find out just where we stand."

"In other words," Bradbury said, "you'd prefer not to have me there?"

"You don't need to be there," Paul Drake told him. "And you can't do any good by being present. I've got all the information that you have, I think."

"You should have," Bradbury told him, and laughed lightly. "You've asked enough questions."

He reached up with his left hand and took the lapel of Perry Mason's coat, pulling him gently away from the cigar counter and lowering his voice confidentially. "There's one thing," he said, "that I want to make certain about."

"What is it?" Mason asked.

"I've learned," said Bradbury, "that Bob Doray is in the city. I want you to understand that the employment you have taken from me precludes you from accepting any employment from him, except with my consent."

"Who's Bob Doray?" asked Perry Mason.

"He's from Cloverdale. He's a young dentist—rather impecunious. I don't like him."

"And what's he doing in the city?"

"He's here because Margy is here."

"A friend of hers?" asked Mason.

"He would like to be."

"And you think he'll offer me employment?"

"Hardly," said Bradbury. "I happen to know that he borrowed two hundred and fifty dollars at his bank just before he came to the city. He had some trouble getting the money."

"But you said," Mason pointed out, "that you didn't want me to accept any employment from him."

"I mean," Bradbury said, "that I want you to under stand the situation. That if he should approach you, I want you to remember that you are employed by me. He might offer you a note, or something."

"I see," Perry Mason said.