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The Case of the Velvet Claws :: Гарднер Эрл Стенли
Страница: 121 из 149However, I may state candidly, that my client has become very much impressed with the rare ability which you have shown in this matter and with the spiritof fairness which has characterized you throughout. It is, of course, a painful and embarrassing combination of circumstances all around. It comes very much as a shock to my client. However, there can now be no question as to what happened, and my client, in carrying on the business of the estate, will require plenty of competent counsel, if you understand what I mean.”
“Exactly what do you mean?” Mason asked.
Atwood sighed.
“Well,” he said, “if I must speak frankly, or I might say, crudely, inasmuch as we are all here together, just the three of us, it is quite possible that my client will find that the operation of the publication, Spicy Bits, is something which will require very specialized attention. I, of course, will be busy representing the balance of the estate, and he has suggested to me that he might like to secure the services of some competent attorney to advise him, particularly with reference to the publication. In fact, to take over the publication during the period that the estate is in probate.”
Atwood ceased speaking, and gazed significantly, with his beady, glittering eyes, at Perry Mason. Then, as Mason said nothing, he went on, “The matter would call for some expenditure of time. You would be well compensated, very well compensated, indeed.”
Mason was blunt. “All right,” he said. “Why mince matters? What you want me to do is to dismiss the contest all the way along the line and leave Griffin in the saddle. He’ll see that I make some money out of it. Is that the proposition?”
Atwood pursed his lips.
“Really, counselor, I would hesitate to commit myself upon so blunt an expression of policy, but, if you will think over the statement that I made, I think you will find that it keeps within the bounds of professional ethics, and yet is sufficiently comprehensive to cover the case.”
“To hell with all that hooey,” Perry Mason said. “I want a plain understanding. I’ll talk plainly even if you won’t. You and I are on opposite sides of this fence. You’re representing Griffin, and trying to get control of the estate, and keep control of it. I’m representing Mrs. Belter, and I’m going to throw that will out of court. It’s a forgery, and you know it.”
Atwood’s lips continued to smile, but his eyes were cold and hard.
“You can’t get away with that,” he said. “It doesn’t make any difference whether the will’s a forgery or not. She destroyed the original will. She admits that in her confession. We can prove the contents of that destroyed will, and take under it.
“Exactly what do you mean?” Mason asked.
Atwood sighed.
“Well,” he said, “if I must speak frankly, or I might say, crudely, inasmuch as we are all here together, just the three of us, it is quite possible that my client will find that the operation of the publication, Spicy Bits, is something which will require very specialized attention. I, of course, will be busy representing the balance of the estate, and he has suggested to me that he might like to secure the services of some competent attorney to advise him, particularly with reference to the publication. In fact, to take over the publication during the period that the estate is in probate.”
Atwood ceased speaking, and gazed significantly, with his beady, glittering eyes, at Perry Mason. Then, as Mason said nothing, he went on, “The matter would call for some expenditure of time. You would be well compensated, very well compensated, indeed.”
Mason was blunt. “All right,” he said. “Why mince matters? What you want me to do is to dismiss the contest all the way along the line and leave Griffin in the saddle. He’ll see that I make some money out of it. Is that the proposition?”
Atwood pursed his lips.
“Really, counselor, I would hesitate to commit myself upon so blunt an expression of policy, but, if you will think over the statement that I made, I think you will find that it keeps within the bounds of professional ethics, and yet is sufficiently comprehensive to cover the case.”
“To hell with all that hooey,” Perry Mason said. “I want a plain understanding. I’ll talk plainly even if you won’t. You and I are on opposite sides of this fence. You’re representing Griffin, and trying to get control of the estate, and keep control of it. I’m representing Mrs. Belter, and I’m going to throw that will out of court. It’s a forgery, and you know it.”
Atwood’s lips continued to smile, but his eyes were cold and hard.
“You can’t get away with that,” he said. “It doesn’t make any difference whether the will’s a forgery or not. She destroyed the original will. She admits that in her confession. We can prove the contents of that destroyed will, and take under it.