The only visible reaction was that the blue eyes widened a little. “That’s an amusing idea,” she said, “raining up instead of down. Would it be raining from the clouds up, or up from the ground to the clouds?”
“Either way would do.”
“I like it better up from the ground.” A pause. “What did you say about lending you some money? I beg your pardon, but my mind got onto the raining up.”
I was ready to admit she was too much for me, but I struggled on. I abandoned the rain. “If you’ll pay me five thousand dollars I’ll tell you what Mrs. Fromm told Mr. Wolfe. Cash in advance.”
Her eyes widened. “Was that what you said? I guess I didn’t understand.”
“I made it fancy by dragging in the rain. Sorry. It’s better that way, plain.”
She shook her pretty head. “It’s not better for me, Mr. Goodwin. It sounds absolutely crazy, unless — oh, I see! You mean she told him something awful about me! That doesn’t surprise me any, but what was it?”
“I didn’t say she said anything about you. I merely—”
“But of course she did! She would! What was it?”
“No.” I was emphatic. “Maybe I didn’t make it plain enough.” I stuck up a finger. “First you give me money.” Another finger. “Second, I give you facts. I’m offering to sell you something, that’s all.”