Mason took the letter and check. “I see,” he said, “that you are a methodical man.”
“I try to be,” Sabin told him. “The check will be in the nature of a retainer. Do you consider it adequate?”
“It’s more than adequate,” Mason said, smiling. “It’s generous.”
Sabin inclined his head. “I’ve followed your career with a great deal of interest, Mr. Mason. I think you have exceptional legal ability and an uncanny deductive skill. I want to avail myself of both.”
“Thanks,” the lawyer said. “If I’m going to be of any value to you, Mr. Sabin, I’ll want an absolutely free hand.”
“In what respect?” Sabin asked.
“I want to be free to do just as I please in the matter. If the police should charge someone with the crime, I want the privilege of representing that person. In other words, I want to clear up the crime in my own way.”
“Why do you ask that?” Sabin said. “Surely I’m paying you enough...”
“It isn’t that,” Mason told him, “but if you’ve followed my cases, you’ll note that most of them have been cleared up in the courtroom. I can suspect the guilty, but about the only way I can really prove my point is by cross-examining witnesses.”
“I see your point,” Sabin conceded. “I think it’s entirely reasonable.”