Hester said, “Oh.”
But Tragg didn’t rub off any of the fingerprints. He did, however, check them off one at a time, after comparing them, with the aid of a magnifying glass, with the prints Hester’s fingers had left on the paper. During the time he was doing this, he was exceedingly careful not to get any of his own fingerprints on the surface of the can.
“Where was that tin?” Rebecca asked.
Lieutenant Tragg seemed to feel it was unnecessary to answer the question. Rebecca turned to Hester. “Where did you find it, Hester?” she demanded.
Hester mutely pointed toward the shelf.
“Humph,” Rebecca said. “The exact place where that other can was!”
Mrs. Gentrie nodded.
Rebecca said, “There was something written on the top of that other tin on the inside. Mr. Mason discovered that.”
“I overlooked a bet there,” Tragg said, laughing. “Don’t ever underestimate the ability of Mr. Perry Mason. He’s a very shrewd, very adroit attorney. And is there a can opener here I can use, Mrs. Gentrie?”
“Yes. How about fingerprints?”