Think of what it means to a young, attractive woman to have the prison doors close on her and to realize that as she endures that treadmill existence her beauty is slipping through her fingers.
Lowry said, There hasnt any beauty slipped through your fingers, maam, if you dont mind my saying so.
Della Street gave him her most dazzling smile. I dont mind your saying so, she said, but it seems to me youre a fair man, youre a square shooter, youre the type of individual who scorns subterfuge and deceit. Now its my best guess that youve had to do things that you didnt want to do and that has worried you. In fact, I think youre worried right now. Mr. Mason is a very clever lawyer. Theres just a chance he could help you.
I dont need any help, Lowry said.
Perhaps you think you dont, but there are all sorts of angles to a thing like this, Della Street went on. Remember that Endicott Campbell is very much interested in saving his own skin.
Lowry looked across at Perry Mason and said, Shes a pretty dam good saleswoman.
Convincing you? Mason asked, smiling.
Not yet.
She should have convinced you by this time, Mason told him, because shes telling the truth.
She sure makes it sound convincing.
The truth is always convincing, Della Street said. Theres something unmistakable about the truth. Now Im going to risk getting thrown out of here right on the sidewalk by telling you that youve got yourself to think of. Youre an outdoor man, I can tell that by looking at you. Youre accustomed to the big spaces, youre accustomed to wind on your face, youre accustomed to sunlight, youre accustomed to lots of fresh air. Dont think for a minute that youre completely in the clear in this thing, Mr. Lowry.
Ive told you what it would mean to a young woman to go to prison but do you realize what it means to an outdoor man to go to prison, to be shut up within stone walls, to be deprived of sunlight, of air, of freedom? Do you realize how many people of that sort contract prison tuberculosis?
Lowrys face flushed. Say, he said angrily, what are you doing? Threatening me?
Della Street looked him straight in the eyes and said, Im not threatening you, Mr. Lowry, Im warning you. Youre a pretty good specimen of manhood. I wouldnt like to see you spend the next ten years behind bars. Im also going to tell you something else. My boss, Mr. Mason, is a pretty smart individual. If you tell him your story perhaps he can help you.
Lowry doggedly shook his head.
Della Street whirled to Mason, lowered her right eye in a wink, said, All right, Chief, lets go.
Now wait a minute, Lowry said. Im thinking things over a little bit.
Youd better think fast then, Mason said, following up Della Streets lead.
There was silence for several seconds, then Lowry again shook his head. Nope, he said, Im not talking.
All right, Mason said to Della Street, get your notebook, Della.
Della Street took a notebook out of her purse.
Put down the date and the time, Mason said, and take this statement: This is dictated in the presence of Ken Lowry, Manager of the Mojave Monarch. We called on Mr. Lowry and asked him to tell us something about the operation of the mine. We pointed out to him that a young woman was being charged with a crime, that she was innocent; that circumstances had conspired against her and that she was quite possibly the victim of a frame-up. Mr. Lowry would make absolutely no statement. He wouldnt tell us anything about the operation of the mine, he wouldnt divulge the location of the mine, he wouldnt tell us how long it had been shut down; he refused to discuss anything, thereby indicating his own bias and that he was trying to cover up the true facts.
Now wait a minute, Lowry said. Since youre writing that down you just put in there that I said Im not covering up anything, that Ive simply been instructed not to discuss the matter with anyone and particularly with Perry Mason.
Who gave you those instructions? Mason asked.
Endicott Campbell, if you want to know.
All right, Mason said grimly, before I get done with Endicott Campbell he may not be giving anyone instructions. And if you want to tie in with him, go ahead. But before you plunge along in blind loyalty to Campbell youd better find out something about what Campbell has been doing and find out what the facts are.
Ill probably be cross-examining you in court, Mr. Lowry. Dont say that I didnt give you every opportunity.
Mason opened the door of the car.
Lowry said angrily, All right, youve given me every opportunity. I dont have to talk to you and Im not going to.
Della Street turned to him, put her hand impulsively on his arm. Listen, Mr. Lowry, she said, please lets not misunderstand each other.
Im not misunderstanding anybody.
Perhaps were misunderstanding you. But let me put it to you this way. Youve had an opportunity to see Endicott Campbell. Youve known him for some time and
Yesterday was the first time I ever set eyes on him, Lowry said.
All right, Della Street went on, glancing significantly at Perry Mason. You probably pride yourself on judging character. How do you judge Endicott Campbell? Would you go out on a prospecting trip with him? Would you like to have him as a partner?