The Case of the Velvet Claws   ::   Гарднер Эрл Стенли

Hoffman stepped inside the door, and looked searchingly at the hall stand in which the umbrella had stood the night of the murder. His eyes were very thoughtful.

Drumm was whistling nervously in a low, almost inaudible note.

They climbed up the stairs, and went into the suite where Belter’s body had been found. Mason switched on the lights and began a minute search of the walls.

“I wish you folks would take a look,” he said.

“What are you looking for?” asked Drumm.

“A bullet hole,” said Mason.

Sergeant Hoffman grunted and said, “You can save your time on that. We’ve gone over every inch of these rooms, and had them photographed, and mapped. A bullet couldn’t have gone through here without leaving a hole we’d have seen, and there’d have been plaster chipped loose.”

“I know,” said Mason. “I made a search before you got here looking for the same thing, and couldn’t find it. But I want to make one more search. I know what must have happened, but I can’t prove it, yet.”

Sergeant Hoffman, suddenly suspicious, said, “Look here, Mason! Are you trying to clear that woman?”

Mason turned and faced him.

“I’m trying to show what actually happened,” he said.

Hoffman frowned. “That doesn’t answer my question. Are you trying to free the woman?”

“Yes.”

“That lets me out,” said Hoffman.

“No, it doesn’t,” said Mason. “I’m going to give you an opportunity to get your pictures all over the front pages of the papers.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” said Hoffman. “You’re clever, Mason. I’ve looked you up.”

“All right, if you’ve looked me up, you know I never go back on my friends. Sidney Drumm is a friend of mine. I got him in on this. If it had been any kind of a frameup, I’d have got somebody I didn’t know.”

Sergeant Hoffman admitted grudgingly, “Well, I’m going to stick around a little while, but don’t try any funny stuff. I want to know what you’re getting at.”

Mason stood staring at the bathroom. There were chalklines on the floor, marking the position in which the body of George Belter had been found.

Suddenly Mason laughed aloud.

“I’ll be damned!”

“What’s the joke?” asked Drumm.

Mason turned to Sergeant Hoffman.

“Okay, Sergeant,” he said, “I’m ready to go ahead and show you something. Will you send for Mrs. Veitch and her daughter?”

Sergeant Hoffman looked dubious. “What do you want with them?”

Mason said, “I want to ask them some questions.”

Hoffman shook his head.