Exactly, Mason said. You assume that the box is intact but suppose someone should claim theres two thousand or five thousand dollars missing?
Yes, she said. I see your point.
Particularly in case that someone should want to discredit you, Mason said.
And why would anyone want to do that?
Because, Mason told her, apparently you have information about irregularities in the company. Under those circumstances some guilty party might very well try to involve you first.
Mason abruptly signaled the waiter. I think well get over to the Arthenium Hotel as early as possible, Mason told Susan. Even if Campbell should show up only five minutes early, that would give us an extra five minutes and we may need it.
Then youll... youll represent me?
Mason nodded. At least to the extent of looking into it.
She let her fingers close gratefully on his wrist. Oh, Mr. Mason, I cant tell you what it means to me. Im beginning to realize... Well, this could have quite a blow-up and I... Gosh, I am in rather a vulnerable position as far as that money is concerned.
Carleton is too young to have counted it?
Heavens, yes.
How much money would you say was in the box?
I dont know. It was a shoe box just crammed full of hundred-dollar bills. That could be quite a large amount, I take it.
Mason nodded. The waiter brought the check. Mason signed it and nodded to Della Street.
Its only a block, Mason said. Theres no use getting the car out, then trying to find a parking place at the Arthenium. Well walk.
They left the café and as they walked over to the lobby of the hotel Mason said, Now, when we walk in, introduce me to Campbell as your lawyer if hes there. If he isnt, introduce me to him as soon as he walks in and then let me do the talking.
Hell resent that, Susan Fisher warned.
I know he will, Mason said. But hes going to resent me anyway and I think you need someone to represent you right from the start.
But after all, Mr. Mason, Miss Corning is the real boss. Shes over Mr. Campbell. Shes over everyone. Shes the one who pays my salary. I thought I should explain that to him and then perhaps we should wait to see if he makes some accusation of
Thats not what Im thinking of at all, Mason said.
But thats the only reason I wanted you to be there to tell him that under the law I was not only entitled to do what I did, but obligated to.
Mason said, Im thinking of that shoe box full of money.
Well, its there in the safe and
And, Mason interrupted, if Endicott Campbell simply decided to go to the office, open the safe, take out the shoe box full of money and place it where it would never be seen again, you havent any way on earth of proving that the shoe box was ever there.
Do you think hed do that? she asked.
I dont know, Mason said, but when a man has a shoe box full of hundred-dollar bills in his closet I take rather a dim view of his integrity and the Department of Internal Revenue shares my doubts... Well, here we are. Lets go in.
Susan Fisher, speechless with apprehension, walked through the door as Mason held it open for her.
Della Street squeezed Susans arm with her fingers. Its all right, Miss Fisher, she said. Just have confidence in Mr. Mason. He was simply trying to tell you the reason he wanted to conduct the conversation.
But heavens, Susan Fisher said, he... Of course, Mr. Campbell wouldnt do a thing like that, but if he did...
Exactly, Della Street said. If he did, then what?
I dont know, Susan Fisher conceded.
See him here? Mason asked, as they looked around the lobby.
She shook her head.
Mason regarded his watch and frowned. Its a situation where we need every minute we can get... How is he generally on keeping appointments?
Quite prompt.
Well, Mason said, lets hope he gets here a little early.
Mason glanced at his watch, then began to pace the floor.
One things certain, Susan Fisher said. Hes going to have to be here right on the dot at eight forty-five. Thats the time Miss Corning said for him to be here and she explained she didnt want him even as much as a minute late.
They waited until eight thirty-five.
Mason said impatiently, I want to talk with him before he goes up to see her. I want to see what
Here he comes now, Susan Fisher interrupted, nodding her head towards the entrance to the lobby.
Mason studied the man who came striding towards the elevators: a figure in the late thirties with broad shoulders, a fairly slim waist, a powerful neck, a heavy jaw, thick eyebrows, and eyes that seemed strangely intent.
The man came walking towards them and apparently was so preoccupied that it wasnt until he was within a few feet of Susan Fisher that he noticed her.
Susan, he said, what in the world is the meaning of all this? I
I want you to know Mr. Perry Mason, the lawyer, Susan said, and his secretary, Della Street. Mr. Mason is going to be my lawyer.
If she had pulled out a gun and fired a shot point-blank at Endicott Campbell he couldnt have come to a more abrupt stop or seemed more dismayed.
An attorney! he exclaimed.
Exactly, Mason said, stepping forward and extending his hand. How are you, Mr. Campbell? Im representing Susan Fisher.
But what in the world does she need an attorney for? Endicott Campbell asked.
That remains to be seen, Mason said. Did you wish to discuss certain matters with her?
I asked her here to discuss certain private business problems and theyre problems which affect the company. Some of them are confidential. I dont care to have an audience.
Mason, seeing advantage in Campbells surprise, took the initiative, said, There was the matter of a shoe box containing some hundred-dollar bills, Mr. Campbell. You seemed to question my clients word about that and thats one of the things I want to have settled.
Thats one of the things I want to have settled, Campbell said, turning savagely to face Susan Fisher. Now then, Susan, what the devil did you mean by trying to hide behind a seven-year-old boy and drag him into your peculations?
What in the world are you talking about? Susan asked.
You know very well what I mean. This cock-and-bull story you dreamed up about Carleton having a shoe box full of money.
But he had it.
Bosh! Campbell said. He didnt have any such thing.
Have you asked him? Mason inquired.
Campbell whirled to Mason and said, I dont need to ask him. And as far as Im concerned you have no official status in this party at all.
Mason said, You have just accused my client of peculations. The accusation was made in the presence of witnesses. Now, just what do you mean by peculations?
She knows what I mean, Campbell said, and I dont think I need to elaborate on it in view of the fact that you quite obviously are simply tagging along here hoping that you can find some grounds for a damage suit... Well, Ill tell you something, Mr. Perry Mason, youre going to have something a lot more serious to occupy your attention if youre going to represent this young woman.
Campbell turned again to Susan Fisher. Now then, since you apparently would like to trap me into making accusations Ill simply content myself with asking questions. What about that box of money that you told me about over the telephone?
What do you want to know about it?
Where did you put it?
In the safe.
And then what did you do with it?
Nothing. I left it in the safe.
Well, it isnt there now, Endicott Campbell said.
What! she exclaimed.
Whats more, you know it... All right, I wont make any accusations in view of the fact that youre represented by competent counsel. However, Ill just state this, Susan Fisher, that you told me about having a box of hundred-dollar bills in your possession in the office. Now Im calling on you to produce that box of hundred-dollar bills.
I take it, Mason said dryly, you have already been to the office.
Campbell turned to face him, studied him with hostile eyes and said, I see no reason to answer that question. On the other hand, I see no reason not to answer the question. I have been to the office. I have opened the safe. I have looked for the box where she said it was and it wasnt there.
Campbell turned to face him, studied him with hostile eyes and said, I see no reason to answer that question. On the other hand, I see no reason not to answer the question. I have been to the office. I have opened the safe. I have looked for the box where she said it was and it wasnt there.
And, Mason said, what does that prove?
It proves shes lying.
In what way?
All right, Campbell said, Ill put it this way. Let her prove she isnt lying. She didnt have any witnesses as to the amount of money in that box. She didnt even have any witnesses as to the existence of the box.
And you think she should have? Mason said.
It would have been a commendable precaution as far as her veracity is concerned.
So you went to the office and there wasnt any box in the safe.
Thats right.
No money, no box?
No money, no box.
And who were your witnesses?
My witnesses? What do you mean?
It would have been a commendable precaution, Mason said.
Why, you... you! Campbell sputtered.
At some stage of the inquiry, Mason said, you might be interrogated as to how anyone knows you didnt find the box there.
Well, I didnt, and I think my word is good enough to stand up in any court of law.
That will depend on several things, Mason said.
Such as what? Campbell sneered.
On the manner in which youre cross-examined, Mason said, and how you comport yourself on cross-examination... Now, I believe you have an appointment with Amelia Corning?
I do.
And I want to see Amelia Corning, Mason said. He turned to Sue Fisher. Whats her suite, Miss Fisher?
The Presidential Suite on the twenty-first floor.
Then we all may as well go up, Mason said. Id like to ask Miss Corning a few questions and Id also like to make certain that Mr. Campbell doesnt make any insinuations or plant any prejudices in Miss Cornings mind before we have a chance to get a showdown on this.
You cant come up, Campbell said. This is a private appointment. This is a matter of business and you have no right to horn in on it.
And who, Mason asked, is going to stop me?
Campbell squared his shoulders, then regarded the rugged features and broad shoulders of the lawyer. Before you go too far with this thing, he said, it might interest you to know that I am considered a very good boxer.