They left the suite, went down to the registration desk, and the house detective explained the situation to the registration clerk.
The man at the desk spoke guardedly. I wasnt on duty this morning. I understand that when this party came in she was in a wheelchair and was accompanied by a young woman who signed the register at the request of Miss Corning. The suite had been reserved for her, although it was reserved for Monday morning instead of this morning. I have talked with the clerk who was on duty this morning. I understand he asked her how long she was going to be here and she said probably two or three weeks. The young woman who was with her was the one who signed the register.
That was I, Susan Fisher said. She asked me to sign for her because she was in her wheelchair.
Wasnt that highly irregular? Campbell asked the clerk.
It was unusual, the clerk conceded. It wasnt irregular in view of Miss Cornings prominence and the fact that she intended to be here for a while... Of course, as I say, I wasnt on duty at the time. I understand quite a few people were checking in, baggage was piled up in the lobby and a woman in a wheelchair is certainly entitled to some consideration.
She seems to have received plenty, Campbell said dryly.
What were interested in, Mason said, is what happened afterwards. Do you know about that?
Ill have to refer you to the cashier. I was on duty when she checked out. I saw her going out and I wondered if she might be checking out but then dismissed it because our reservation list showed she was going to be here some little time.
She did have suitcases with her? Mason asked.
She had baggage with her, yes.
The clerk called the assistant manager who in turn got in touch with the cashier. It appeared that Miss Corning had checked out shortly after five oclock that afternoon.
Mason led the way from the cashiers desk to the doorman, who regarded the folded bill which Mason pressed into his hand with respectful attention.
A woman with dark glasses, in a wheelchair, Mason said, checked out somewhere around five oclock and...
Oh, yes, yes, I remember her. I remember her very well.
Did she leave in a private car, or in a taxicab?
A taxicab.
Do you know which one?
No, I dont. I dont remember the man... Now, wait a minute, I do, too. I remember his face. I dont remember the cab but I remember the driver. Hes here quite frequently and... Now, wait a minute. I saw him back here in line a little while ago. Hes... Lets take a look down the line here. I think hes the fourth or fifth cab in line.
They walked rapidly down the sidewalk in a compact group. The doorman stopped in front of a cab, said, Yes, this is the one.
The cab driver seemed somewhat apprehensive. What is it? he asked, lowering the window of the cab.
Mason said, Were trying to locate a woman who left here in a wheelchair about five oclock. She went in your cab and...
Oh, yes, the driver said. I took her down to the Union Station.
And then what?
I dont know. She paid me off and got a redcap.
She was taking a train somewhere?
I think so, yes.
Well, Mason said, that seems to be all we can do at this end. He thanked the cab driver, turned back towards the entrance to the hotel.
Endicott Campbell waited a second or so, then forged rapidly ahead to come abreast of the attorney. Look here, Mason, he said. Has it ever occurred to you that this woman was carrying away with her records of the corporation; records which are confidential and which are exceedingly important; records which the corporation must have; records which should never have been taken from the office of the corporation?
How much of the corporations stock does Miss Corning own? Mason asked.
About ninety per cent, Campbell said.
Mason smiled at him, Thats your answer.
Now, wait a minute, Campbell told him belligerently. Thats not the answer. You cant dismiss something like that with a wisecrack.
Why not?
Because Im responsible for the records.
Then Ill put it another way, Mason said. To whom are you responsible?
The stockholders.
Now then, Mason said, Ill ask you again. How much stock does Amelia Corning own?
Oh, the devil! Campbell said, and turning on his heel walked quickly away.
Mason grinned at the house detective, shook hands, said,I think we can handle this thing all right so therell be no publicity.
You do the best you can, the house detective said. You know things of that sort dont look good in the papers. Were running a very conservative hotel here and
I understand, Mason said. Well do all we can to cooperate with you and
Mason let his voice cease abruptly.
The house detective grinned. Sure, sure. Well cooperate with you, too, Mr. Mason. Anything you want, you just call on me. The names Bailey. Colton, C-o-l-t-o-n C. Bailey. You just ask for me and Ill do anything I can.
Thanks a lot, Mason told him, and turned to the two young women. Lets go finish our dinner, he said, and led the way back towards the Candelabra Café.
Oh, I beg a thousand pardons, Susan Fisher said. I thought you had finished your dinner.