Description
The Window at the White Cat
CHAPTER I
SENTIMENT AND CLUES
In my criminal work anything that wears skirts is a lady, until the law
proves her otherwise. From the frayed and slovenly petticoats of the
woman who owns a poultry stand in the market and who has grown wealthy
by selling chickens at twelve ounces to the pound, or the silk sweep of
Mamie Tracy, whose diamonds have been stolen down on the avenue, or the
staidly respectable black and middle-aged skirt of the client whose
husband has found an affinity partial to laces and fripperies, and has
run off with her–all the wearers are ladies, and as such announced by
Hawes. In fact, he carries it to excess. He speaks of his wash lady,
with a husband who is an ash merchant, and he announced one day in some
excitement, that the lady who had just gone out had appropriated all the
loose change out of the pocket of his overcoat.
So when Hawes announced a lady, I took my feet off my desk, put down the
brief I had been reading, and rose perfunctorily. With my first glance
at my visitor, however, I threw away my cigar, and I have heard since,
settled my tie. That this client was different was borne in on me at
once by the way she entered the room. She had poise in spite of
embarrassment, and her face when she raised her veil was white, refined,
and young.
"I did not send in my name," she said, when she saw me glancing down for
the card Hawes usually puts on my table. "It was advice I wanted, and
I–I did not think the name would matter."
Product ID: 9781776793648
Sku: 9781776793648
