Mason turned to the two women. He said, “I told you that I couldn’t be of any particular assistance… I think now that I can.”
“What do you mean, Mr. Mason?” Mrs. Tump asked.
Mason said, “I want to know more about that deal covering the Western Prospecting Company stock. We may be able to set that sale aside — if we want to.”
“But I don’t see how,” Mrs. Tump said.
Mason said, “Neither do I as yet, but Sergeant Holcomb is in a fix. The autopsy surgeon is going to say Tidings was killed within ten or fifteen minutes of the time he left his office Tuesday morning.”
“Well?” Mrs. Tump asked.
Mason said, “A dead man can’t buy stock.”
Mrs. Tump and Byrl Gailord exchanged glances. Then Mrs. Tump said, “But suppose it should turn out the stock really is a good buy?”
“Then,” Mason said, “we’ll simply sit tight… Now then, you run along and let me get busy.”
The women arose. Byrl Gailord gave him her hand, and said, “I have implicit confidence in you, Mr. Mason. Thanks very much.”