“How did you know?”
“Putting two and two together,” Mason said.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to bother you with details or worry you. Look here, Miss Leeds. I have some information of the greatest value to your Uncle Alden. If he gets in touch with you, tell him that. Tell him to talk with me before he does a single thing or makes any statement to anyone. Do you understand?”
She nodded.
“All right,” Mason said. “Go on home, sit tight, and don’t worry. I’m not going to burden you with a lot of details. I’m doing everything I can do — but I’m working in the dark.”
She rose obediently. “My head’s spinning like a top,” she said. “Why should Uncle Alden have given John Milicant twenty thousand dollars? Why should he have gone to see him? Why should...”
“Forget it,” Mason interrupted. “Things will move fast from now on. Answers will be uncovered faster than you can think up questions. Go home, sit tight, and see that your Uncle Alden gets in touch with me. And if the police question you, make Ned Barkler’s departure seem as casual as possible.”
She walked slowly toward the door, then turned to flash him a quick smile. “With you on the job, I feel that I don’t have to worry.”
“That’s the spirit,” Mason told her. “I’ll be on the job pretty much from now on.”