“You can count on my co-operation, Sergeant,” Waid said with cold formality. “After all, you know, I’m not a criminal. I’m trying to co-operate with you.”
“I understand that,” Holcomb said, “but whenever Perry Mason...”
“What do you have to show us, Mason?” Sheriff Barnes interrupted.
Mason said, “This way, please.”
He led the way down the road to where the wire had been tapped under the telephone line. Sergeant Holcomb and the sheriff followed along a few steps behind. “See that?” he asked, pointing upward.
“What?” the sheriff asked.
“That wire.”
“It’s a telephone wire,” Sergeant Holcomb snorted. “What the devil did you think it was, Mason?”
“I’m not talking about that wire,” Mason said. “I’m talking about the one which leads off from it. See where it goes through that pine tree where the needles come over and...”
“By George, you’re right!” the sheriff said. “There is a wire!”