“All negatives. Burton didn’t phone, and nobody took any gloves.”
“But perhaps the maid saw them?”
“Oh, you knew that too. She did. She saw Mrs. Chapin pick them up and put them down again.”
“Excellent. I am telephoning because I have just made a promise and I wish to redeem it without delay. Take Mr. Chapin’s box from the cabinet, wrap it carefully, and convey it to his apartment and deliver it to Mrs. Chapin. I shall probably be at home by your return.”
“Okay. You got any news?”
“Nothing startling.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything startling. Let’s try a plain straightforward question. Did you get the confession signed or didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“It’s really signed?”
“It is. But I forgot to say: before you wrap Mr. Chapin’s box take out a pair of gloves, gray leather, and keep them. Please get the box to Mrs. Chapin at once.”