The Amazing Adventures of Lester Leith by Erle Stanley Gardner
Author:Erle Stanley Gardner [Gardner, Erle Stanley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0803716532
Publisher: Davis Publications
Published: 1981-02-28T22:00:00+00:00
Charles Betcher returned to his suite to find a telephone call from Frank Boyen, President of the Click-Fast Shutter Company.
The conversation which took place over the telephone was not particularly conducive to peace of mind on the part of the detective. Frank Boyen, approached by a man who claimed to have the ear of Judge Mandeville, and who was asking twenty-five thousand dollars for a favorable verdict in the patent litigation, had approached Betcher for advice. Betcher had suggested setting a trap. In the event Mandeville took the money, Boyen, having proof of the bribery, would be in a position to write his own ticket. In the event it was a swindle, Alcott could be placed behind bars.
The net result of Betcherâs activities had been to cost the Click-Fast Shutter Company twenty-five thousand dollars which had disappeared into thin air, to antagonize Judge Mandeville, and to make the management of the corporation the laughing-stock of its competitors and the focal point of a white-hot indignation on the part of its stockholders.
Betcher terminated the conversation as quickly as possible. He assured Boyen that he was âworking on the caseâ and âmaking progress,â that he expected a âsatisfactory termination within a very short timeâpossibly a matter of hours.â
He hung up the telephone and mopped his forehead. The afternoon was not particularly auspicious for Charles Betcher.
He was just about to pour himself a good stiff drink when the telephone rang again. He answered it, and heard Mrs. Randermanâs voice on the line. She said, âMy husband has insisted on seeing you privately. Iâm going to bring him down the corridor as far as the door. Draw the curtains and make the room as dark as possible.â
âBut, my dear Mrs. Randerman,â Betcher said, âI have nothing whatever to discuss with your husband.â
âHeâs coming down,â she said, âbringing you a check. Goodbye.â
Betcher considered that last remark. A check for one thousand dollars involving no outlay of time or energy on his part was well worthwhile. If Mrs. Randerman wanted to pay him a thousand dollars merely to ease the strain on her husbandâs nerves, it was quite all right with Charles Betcher.
He moved swiftly about the room, pulling drapes into position, lowering shades, switching out lights, making the room as dark as possible.
He heard the hobbledy-bang, hobbledy-bang of Leithâs crutch and cane in the corridor, and then there was a tap on the door.
Betcher put on his most affable smile. He opened the door, bowed suavely to Mrs. Randerman, and stood deferentially to one side as she piloted the bent figure into the room.
Mrs. Randerman said, âWeâve decided to accept your propââ
âNot so fast! Not so fast!â Leith stormed in his high-pitched, cracked voice. âThere are some questions I want to ask first.â
Mrs. Randerman said, âCanât you understand, dear? Mr. Betcher is a busy man. All you need to do is give him the check, and heâll give us the protection. You wonât be bothered any more seeing thieves who shadow us. Instead youâll see Mr.
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