Thats right, Della said.
Would you mind corning in the bedroom with me and helping me unpack? My eyes are just no good at all and its difficult to unpack by feeling... Oh, I can see outlines and get a vague impression of faces, but bright light bothers me and I cant see anything in a half-light. Im getting worse all the time. I have to rely more and more on a sense of touch.
Ill be glad to do anything I can to help, Della Street said.
You have loyalty and efficiency, Miss Corning announced, and unless Im very much mistaken, you have a great deal of ability. Come along now.
The women retired to the bedroom. Mason settled back in one of the comfortable chairs, tried to relax but couldnt, then got up and started thoughtfully pacing the floor.
The lawyer was still pacing when knuckles tapped gently on the outer door. Mason opened it and a frightened Susan Fisher stood in the hallway.
Come in, Mason said.
She entered the room, looking around apprehensively.
Theyre in the bedroom unpacking and Miss Corning is freshening up, Mason said.
How bad is it? Sue Fisher asked.
Not bad at all at least not so far. Miss Corning is a very well-balanced, unemotional woman who gives the impression of being most considerate.
Has Mr. Campbell got hold of her yet?
No, Mason said. As far as I know, Campbell has no idea that she is in the city. Hes expecting her tomorrow.
How did you know she was here?
Mason grinned and said, I anticipated it.
What do you mean?
Well, Mason said, I knew she was due to arrive tomorrow and I thought she might arrive a day ahead of time. So Paul Drake had men at the airport waiting for her to arrive. When she showed up, Drakes man stepped forward and met her and told her hed take charge of her baggage and promptly proceeded to notify Paul Drake, who, in turn, notified me. And here we are.
You mean you thought all that out in advance?
There wasnt anything much to think out in advance, Mason said. We knew that Miss Corning was going to show up at the airport and I wanted to have an opportunity to tell her your side of the story before Endicott Campbell told her his side of the story. Thats all there was to it.
Susan Fisher impulsively took Masons hand in both of hers. I think youre absolutely wonderful, she said. Why didnt you tell me what you were doing?
I was afraid you might worry, Mason said. I wanted you to get a good nights sleep. Did you?
I slept off and on, she said, but it wasnt what youd call a good nights sleep. Do I look a wreck?
You look wonderful, Mason told her. But Miss Corning doesnt depend too much on her eyes. She depends a great deal on her ears. She likes to listen to persons voices when they talk and makes an appraisal of character from those voices. She
The bedroom door opened and Della Street pushed Miss Cornings wheelchair out into the room.
Hello, Susan, Della Street said. This is Miss Corning. Miss Corning, Susan Fisher is here.
Where are you, child? Miss Corning asked.
Right here, Sue said, corning forward to the chair. Oh, Miss Corning, I feel so terrible about what happened yesterday. Mr. Mason says hes told you the facts.
Sit down here close to me, Miss Corning said, and tell me what happened.
Della Street said, Ill wheel Miss Corning over here by this chair, Susan, then you can talk with her on one side and Mr. Mason will be on the other.
Miss Corning said, I suppose this isnt very ethical, Mr. Mason, but I would like to steal your secretary. I dont know what Mr. Mason is paying you, Miss Street, but Ill double it.
Now just a minute, Mason interposed. This is criminal conspiracy, grand larceny, and treason.
No such thing, Miss Corning said. Its a business proposition and theres no treason involved because I dont owe you any loyalty and she wouldnt even consider such a proposition. Would you, Della?
Im afraid not, Della Street said, laughing.
Well, lets get down to business. Now then, young lady... whats your name Fisher?
Thats right, Susan Fisher.
How old are you, Susan?
Twenty-four.
Good figure?
Susan laughed in an embarrassed manner and Della Street said, Very good, Miss Corning.
In love? Miss Corning asked.
Not at the moment.
How long have you been working in the office there?
More than a year.
Did you start in as Mr. Campbells secretary?
No. I started in as a stenographer.
He picked you out to become his secretary?
Yes.
How good are you at typing?
Im quite good.
Shorthand?
I think Im rather good.
Did Mr. Campbell pick you out because of your ability or because of your figure?
Susan Fisher laughed in an embarrassed manner.
Go ahead, Miss Corning said, answer the question.
Frankly, Miss Corning, I think he picked me out because of my figure. But after he had tried out my shorthand and typing, I think he kept me because of my ability.
Ever make passes at you?
Susan hesitated, then said, quietly, Yes.
Ever get anywhere?
No.
What kind of passes?
Just the ordinary kind, just sort of exploring to see where the No Trespassing signs were.
Cant blame him for that, Miss Corning said. Any normal man will do that with a good-looking girl whos working with him. All right now, is Mr. Campbell crooked or not?