Mason turned the pages in the dictionary, then counted down the column.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Coast,” Mason said.
“Coast.” She frowned. “That doesn’t sound right.”
“Well, let’s try the next one. What is it?”
“The eighth word in the left-hand column on page 187.”
Mason turned back a few pages in the dictionary, then announced, “That word’s ‘clear.’ What’s the next one?”
Della Street’s voice showed her excitement. “Gosh, Chief, that makes it ‘Coast clear.’ Let’s see. The next one’s the eleventh word in the A column on page 20.”
Mason made a brief search, then announced, “That’s ‘after.’ What comes next?”
“The thirteenth word in the B column on page 632.”