Read Online The Case of the Horrified Heirs by Erle Stanley Gardner - Free Book Online Page B

reaction.
    "In the meantime, I would suggest that you try not to alarm your patient, but take steps to see that she is put upon a restricted diet which is enforced by special roundthe-clock nurses-in other words, a rigid dietary supervision.
    "I take it the patient is in such a financial position that the expense can be justified?"
    "Of course," Dr. Alton said. "… My Lord, she has a heart condition which can't stand too many of these upsets. I warned her, the last one. I thought it was dietary indiscretion. She has a weakness for highly spiced Mexican food with considerable garlic-That would be almost a perfect disguise for a dose of arsenic-Mason, how long are you going to be in your office?"
    "I'll be here all afternoon," Mason said, "and if you need me after office hours, you can get me through the Drake Detective Agency. Ask for Paul Drake. The offices are in the same building where I have my offices and are on the same floor."
    "You'll be hearing from me," Dr. Alton said. "In the meantime, I'm going to make arrangements right away to insure that nothing else questionable will happen."
    "Please bear in mind that we must try to keep from making any accusations or any statements which will alarm your patient until we're certain," Mason said.
    "I understand, I understand," Alton said sharply. "Damn it, Mason, I've been practicing medicine for thirtyfive years-My God, man, you've given me a jolt… Classic symptoms of arsenic poisoning and I never suspected a thing-you'll be hearing from me. Goodbye."
    The connection was sharply terminated.
    Mason said to Virginia, "I don't like to restrict your liberties, Virginia, but I want you to be where I can reach you. Go to your apartment and stay there. Report every single thing out of the ordinary. I'll have my phone so you can get to me at any time."
    Drake frowned and said, "But they couldn't prove a will by using a copy, could they, Perry?"
    "Under certain limited circumstances, yes," Mason said. "If a will is missing, the general presumption is that it was destroyed by the testator, which is equivalent to a revocation. But if, for instance, a house should catch on fire and the testator should perish in the flames, it would be generally presumed that the will was burned up at the same time and, if there could be proof that it was still in effect at the time of the fire and the testator's death, then the contents could be established by secondary evidence.
    "However, that's not what I'm thinking of."
    "What are you thinking of?" Drake asked.
    Mason glanced at Virginia and shook his head. "I'm not prepared to say at the moment.
    "Virginia, I want you to go on home. You may receive a call from this man you now know is George Eagan, Lauretta Trent's chauffeur.
    "You'll remember this man told you he was George Menard.
    "Now, if he calls on you, be very careful not to let on that you know who he really is. Be naпve, gullible and perhaps a little greedy. If he acts as if he wanted to make you any sort of a proposition, let him feel you are willing to listen. Then stall for time.
    "Call me--or if I'm not available, Paul Drake-as soon as you can get to a phone. Let us know what the man wants."
    "I'm to let him think I'm willing to play along?"
    "That's right. And if you are asked to do any typing, use new carbons with each sheet of paper."
    "It won't be dangerous?"
    "I don't think so at the moment. Not if you don't let on you know who lie really is, and if you manage to stall him long enough to get to a phone. Later on we may have to take precautions."
    "All right," she promised, "I'll try."
    "Good girl," Mason said. "Go on home now and phone me if anything happens."
    Her laugh was nervous. "Don't worry," she said, "the very first thing that occurs out of the ordinary, I'm going to dash to a telephone."
    "That's right," Mason told her. "Get Paul Drake on the line if you can't get me. His office is open twenty-four hours a day."
    Della Street held the exit door open for her.
    "Just be