The Case of the Lazy Lover Read Online Free PDF Page B

not?"
    "I believe so. Yes."
    "And only the signature in her handwriting?"
    Pawling nodded.
    Mason said, "I gather from certain things that I learned, that her account here is not too active. Of course, if a bank pays a forged check, the liability is that of the bank. But, I feel certain that my client would wish to take immediate steps to see that no further forgeries are perpetrated."
    Pawling pressed a button on his desk.
    A secretary appeared from an adjoining office, became instantly attentive.
    Pawling said, "Will you please get me a statement of the account of Lola Faxon Allred and cover all of the windows. I want any checks that have been presented today on the account "
    The secretary withdrew.
    Mason said, "Am I correct in assuming the account is not very active?"
    "I believe Mrs. Allred likes to have large amounts of cash on hand. She likes to keep her affairs in a rather liquid condition. I am assuming that as Mrs. Allred's lawyer, you will not ask for information which she would not care to have given to you."
    "I feel certain that I will make no such request."
    Pawling nodded.
    The secretary returned carrying a letter and a canceled check.
    "The cashier intended to call this matter to your attention at the bank meeting tomorrow. He thought perhaps you should know about it, although it seems to be entirely regular in form. You will notice that the letter is addressed to him."
    Pawling took the letter and the canceled check, held both documents guardedly so that Mason could not see them. He studied the letter and the check for a few seconds, then drummed silently with the tips of his fingers on the edge of the desk.
    At length he looked up and nodded to his secretary, said, "That's all."
    The girl withdrew. Paroling turned to Mason. His eyes were no longer smiling. They were hard and steady in their appraisal.
    "You have some reason for presenting this matter to me, Mr. Mason?"
    "Well, yes."
    "May I ask what it is?"
    Mason said, "My client retained me to look after certain interests. Then she became unavailable. The circumstances surrounding her departure are not entirely routine. It occurred to me that perhaps someone, knowing of her intended departure, had taken deliberate advantage of it to start making withdrawals from her account."
    "The forgery was done cleverly?"
    "I believe so. Carbon paper and tracing, but it was detected by my bank, after I myself requested the officials of the bank to give the check the closest scrutiny."
    "In other words, you had some reason to think that the check had been forged?"
    "I had reason to believe it might be to the interests of my client to have the check given very close scrutiny."
    "But, as I understand it, Mr. Mason, this check was purportedly for the purpose of retaining you to represent Mrs. Allred."
    "The other check was for that purpose."
    "But why should someone forge any check in your favor, Mr. Mason?"
    The lawyer smiled. "That is one of the things I would like to determine."
    Pawling studied the letter and check for a few moments, and then abruptly reached a decision and passed them both to Mason.
    The lawyer read the letter which was addressed to the cashier of the First National Bank at Las Olitas. It was entirely in typewriting, except for the signature, and read:
    This will introduce to you Maurine Milford, whose signature appears immediately above mine, on the left-hand edge of this letter.
    I am today giving Maurine Milford my check for five thousand dollars and I wish this check to be paid upon presentation without asking Maurine Milford for any identification, other than that contained in this letter.
    You will notice that the check is payable to Miss Milford, that she has endorsed the check and that I, in turn, have signed the check under her endorsement, guaranteeing her signature.
    I am also giving you this letter, so that there can be no doubt of Miss Milford's identity. Please cooperate by seeing that this check is promptly cashed.
    Very truly yours,