The Case of the Singing Skirt Read Online Free PDF Page B

the scenery," Della Street said sweetly.
    "Yes, indeed, the scenery," Mason agreed. "And somehow, Della, I have an idea we'll receive a phone call from Ellen Robb shortly after we get back to our office."
    "Wanting to know about what to settle for?"
    "Something like that," Mason said.
    "What should she settle for?"
    "About anything she can get," Mason said. "I think George Anclitas has learned his lesson. I think Ellen Robb has been fairly well compensated for whatever inconvenience was caused her by being thrown out clad in nothing much but a sweater and stockings."
    "She doesn't mind that," Della Street said. "She's accustomed to appearing in public with nothing much on. She likes it."
    "Tut, tut," Mason said, "don't sell our client short."
    "If it had been a man," Della Street asked, "would you have done as much in the interests of justice?"
    Mason thought for a moment, then met her eyes. "Hell no," he admitted.
    "Leotards," Della said somewhat wistfully, "are hardly suited for office wear, but they certainly can do things for a girl."
    "They certainly can," Mason agreed.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Perry Mason latchkeyed the door of his private office.
    Della Street, who had been sorting the mail, looked up with a smile.
    "Well, Della," the lawyer said, "I wonder what adventures the day holds."
    "Let us hope that it's nothing that will take your mind from the brief in the Rawson case or the stack of mail that I've marked urgent and have been calling to your attention for the last two days."
    Mason settled himself in his swivel chair and sighed. "I presume one can't go through life just skimming the cream off existence," he said. "Sooner or later one has to get down to chores, routine drudgery. But I really did enjoy yesterday, Della. It was in the nature of an adventure.
    "Now I'm somewhat in the position of the housewife who has given a very successful party, has ushered the guests out with cordial good nights and walks out into the kitchen to find a sink full of dirty dishes."
    Mason sighed and picked up the folder Della Street had marked urgent. He opened it, hurriedly read through the letter that was on top, tossed it over to Della and said, "Write him that it will be impossible for me to be in San Francisco and take part in the case, Della."
    Della Street raised her eyebrows slightly.
    "I know," Mason said. "He makes a nice offer, but I don't want to try a case with him. He has the reputation of being a little too zealous on behalf of his clients, particularly in connection with producing witnesses who swear to alibis. What's the next one, Della?"
    Della Street's telephone buzzed discreetly.
    Della picked up the instrument, said, "Yes, Gertie," then looked at Mason and smiled. "A little more cream to be skimmed," she said. "Our friend, Ellen Robb, the singing skirt with the long legs, is in the reception room. She wants to know if it would be possible to see you. She says she'll wait the entire morning if you can give her just a few minutes. Gertie says she seems rather upset."
    "Of course I'll see her," Mason said.
    "Tell her to wait just a few minutes," Della Street told the receptionist, "and Mr. Mason will try to see her."
    Mason pushed the file of urgent correspondence back.
    "I thought we might have time for the other two letters that are on top. They're both urgent," Della Street said. And then added, "Miss Robb is probably conventionally dressed this time."
    Mason grinned. "So the cream won't be as thick."
    "Something like that," Della Street said. "Let us say that the scenic dividends may not be as great."
    "You don't like her, do you, Della?"
    "She has her points," Della Street said. "I should say her curves."
    "And you don't approve?"
    "There's something about her, Chief," Della Street said, "and frankly I don't know what it is."
    "Something phony?"
    "You have the feeling that she's… oh, I don't know. The girl's an exhibitionist. She's been capitalizing on a pair of wonderful legs and a beautiful figure. She uses