The train started to fill, station after station, with the young gladiators in their suits and skirts, their laptops and clouds fired up and gestating future wealth for those with already too much of it. Later, the train climbed the little knoll, slowed, and then stopped, like a thirsty animal does at creekside for a drink. In what way? The trees thinned out fifteen or twenty feet from where the Plymouth was parked. I peered through the branches and saw the man with the bushy caterpillar eyebrows as he crouched by the cars rear fender, trying to look around it at the house. I couldnt see Murfin. These would be, as shed told me when I suggested admitting that the assassination attempt had been, in fact, contrived, the most difficult words to speak. Wouldnt admitting that the incident had been a fraud simply sound like a confession? I watched the way the raindrops sparkled off the metal hoods of the old streetlamps. They were having a much better time than I was. Now, then, Mason said, when you returned to this city you saw an ad in the paper inserted by George S. Alder, did you not? No argument from me, Conrad. I got the gun here if you try anything. Claud Gloster, a careful, logical, dangerous courtroom antagonist, was careful to ask just the right questions to bring out the points he wanted and then stop. It sure as shit didnt look like much then, did it, Harvey? And, of course, youre going to tell me who called you. Yes, she was murdered by a former lover. Do you have any murderous former lovers lurking in your background? Mr. Mason, look, she said, indicating the door of the glove compartment. Not that theyre sharing with me. Thats what I thought as soon as I saw you — youre a chicken-shit, said WASP. But if you want to pussy out, feel free. Whered the money come from? Hancock said,Theres no one down there. Im having the whole block monitored. You came here because you thought you could roll Cowl over. Well, you were wrong. Her first name is Frances, Stone said. She may be staying, with Larkin, at the Edison Hotel, in the theater district, but dont count on it..