“I don’t think Mrs. Tump uses any,” Mason said with a smile.
Sergeant Holcomb frowned and started to say something, but paused as the door leading to the reception office opened, and Gertie said, “I’m sorry to interrupt. There’s someone on the line who says he must speak with Sergeant Holcomb right away.”
Sergeant Holcomb looked around the room. “Can I take the call on this phone?” he asked, indicating an extension phone on a small table near the window.
Gertie said, “I’ll connect you,” and stepped back into the reception room, closing the door to the law library.
Sergeant Holcomb picked up the telephone, said, “Hello,” then after several seconds said again, “All right… hello. Who is it?… All right. Go ahead.”
Carl Mattern said in a low voice to Mason, “This has upset me frightfully. I’m so nervous I can hardly think straight.”
Mason looked down at the wide, greenish-blue eyes which stared steadily up from behind the horn-rimmed glasses. “I presume it was quite a shock,” he said. “It must…”
He broke off as Sergeant Holcomb, muttering an oath, slammed the receiver back into place, and, with no word of explanation, took two quick strides toward the door which led to Mason’s private office.
“Don’t go in there,” Mason said.
Sergeant Holcomb ignored Mason. He jerked open the door, strode into the private office.