Mason said, “He looks absolutely impregnable.”
Drake chuckled, “Remember the story about the banker’s glass eye, Perry. Come on, let’s go.”
They approached a breast-high marble railing on which appeared a brass plaque bearing the name, MR. MARQUAD. The white-haired man was listening with cold impassiveness to a man who sat on the opposite side of his desk. The visitor was leaning forward, sitting on the very edge of the chair, giving the impression of wanting to crawl up on the desk in order to get nearer to the banker. Finally, Mr. Marquad shook his head. The man engaged in a barrage of conversation. Again the banker shook his head and, with a gesture of finality, picked up some correspondence on his desk. Mason heard him say, “I’m sorry, but it’s absolutely impossible.”
As the man still lingered, Marquad said, “That, of course, is my judgment. I’ll take it up with our advisory board if you desire... Very well, I’ll make a note and submit it to them. You can drop in at ten-thirty tomorrow morning for your answer.”
He made a note on a pad, smiled a cold farewell at the departing visitor, and then got up to come to the partition and regard Mason and the detective with an expression of neutral greeting. Mason felt that the face could change instantly into patronizing courtesy or cold negation without seeming in the least inconsistent with that initial expression. Drake flashed a questioning glance at Mason. Mason nodded and said, “I’ll handle it, Paul.”
Mr. Marquad turned to Mason. Mason said, “I wonder if you read the morning paper, Mr. Marquad?”
“Just what did you have in mind?” Marquad asked. Mason slid his card over the counter. Marquad looked at it, and his face showed a flicker of expression. “Yes, Mr. Mason,” he said, “I’ve heard of you. What did you have reference to particularly?”
“The murder of Austin Cullens,” he said.
“Indeed!” Marquad remarked.
“I’m trying to check up on Cullens’ activities immediately preceding the murder,” Mason said. “There was a photograph and, in addition to the photograph, an excellent description. In case you haven’t read about it, Mr. Marquad, I’ll call your attention to the clipping.” Mason took a newspaper clipping from his pocket, unfolded it and handed it to the banker. Marquad glanced at it and nodded. “Please read the description,” Mason insisted.