The Wrong Way Down Read Online Free PDF Page B

seen.”
    â€œThat’s very nice of you, Henry; but I feel responsible. I shall make it up to James, of course, but—oh, I do so wish we could prove all this, and let that girl know we’d proved it, and get the picture back. Is it really gone? Do you mean we couldn’t trace it?”
    â€œShe wouldn’t sell it in this neighborhood now; and even if she did, it would cost us more than seventy dollars to run it down. Nothing in that. As for your making up the money, isn’t there burglary insurance?”
    â€œBut the insurance people would never pay any attention to such a story. They’d never pay. They’d say I was mistaken about everything.”
    â€œI was thinking that people of Miss Vance’s profession don’t like even the threat of court proceedings.”
    â€œCourt proceedings?”
    â€œIf we had a case we could take it into court. We have the makings of one.”
    â€œThat’s what you said before. But—”
    â€œOne loophole for Miss Vance to crawl out of—somebody might have come into the house on Saturday or Sunday with a key.”
    â€œBut there were only two keys—mine and the one I gave Mrs. Keate.”
    â€œAnd she’s not a connoisseur?”
    â€œI should hardly think so.”
    â€œAll things considered, Miss Vance seems the likelier proposition. We have a good enough case to scare her with.”
    â€œScare her into returning the picture?” Miss Paxton’s eyes were brightening.
    â€œThere’s a chance. People like Miss Vance hate the very thought of legal inquiries. They’re bad for business, and judges and juries are not apt to be sympathetic with persons who make that kind of living.”
    Miss Paxton said after a pause: “I should never really take it into court, Henry; she’s a member of the family, after all—Cousin Lawson’s niece’s only child; and she’s young.”
    â€œI see the point; but we needn’t tell Miss Vance so.”
    â€œIf you really could frighten her into giving the picture back—”
    Gamadge smiled. “The approach would have to be discreet, even devious. Would you mind that?”
    â€œNot a bit!”
    â€œShe mustn’t be put on her guard. Of course she’ll always be on her guard, but perhaps I can work it so that she’ll have to see me or practically admit she’s afraid to. I may have to use your name.”
    â€œDo!”
    â€œLet’s go and telephone her now. You can hear exactly what I say, and what she says, and keep abreast of the whole thing.”
    â€œHenry Gamadge,” said Miss Paxton, getting up, “you are the most satisfactory person I ever had dealings with.”
    â€œThank you. Have you her address?”
    â€œIt’s in the book; didn’t I say?”
    They went out into the hall again and back to the stair landing. Gamadge found the address in the book.
    â€œPretty far downtown,” he said, “but on the east side.” He dialed, and then held the receiver so that Miss Paxton could listen too.
    After only a couple of rings a calm, rather high soprano voice said: “Yes?”
    â€œI should like to speak to Miss Iris Vance, if you please. This is Henry Gamadge speaking, a friend of Miss Vance’s relative Miss Julia Paxton.”
    There was a pause. Then the voice said: “This is Iris Vance.”
    â€œOh—glad to find you at home, Miss Vance. I was calling on Miss Paxton today, and we were talking about the Ashbury family, and she mentioned the fact that you are a sensitive.”
    Another pause. Then Miss Vance said: “I did tell her so. I don’t need or seek publicity.”
    â€œMiss Paxton mentioned the fact because I said I wanted to get into touch with someone who had extra-sensory gifts. A matter of clairvoyance, I think.”
    â€œMiss Paxton isn’t sympathetic with that kind of thing; I am surprised that she should