Never mind, the waiter replied, then went away. Then he thought about the picture in Valentines room. And the girl. Not at a much later date, pretty soon afterwards. Lets see where youre going, thought Devine. Fascinated, Mason watched through his binoculars, noticing the young womans smooth-hipped walk, her easy assurance as, with the long skirt of her gown draped over her arm, she calmly followed the flagstoned path until she was at length swallowed in the shadow of the house. My father rode me all the time, too. I was never good enough. Not like my brother and sister. Dont you see, Paul? Its the key clue. Doxey told him. Seems a little early for that, doesnt it? WHEN PERRY MASON ENTERED HIS OFFICE AT NINE-THIRTY Tuesday morning Della Street said,Dorley Alder is out there. “Whats new? All right. A pool. I, for one, and all the dogs and cats, especially Honest Tuan whos been disconsolate. I know. Saras office was on that floor. But there was a seminar at the Ritz that morning for the M and A Division. All hands on deck. And the support staff dont show until nine. Sure, Dino said, and sat down with his phone. Ah, yes, the much sought-afterlady vote. I had tried, Abby had tried and Jess herself had tried to convince Ted that in this era voters wanted strong female candidates. They didnt care if the candidate was good in bed or even good in the kitchen. Women were the equal of men in this arena (personally, I would have been happier if the Congress was sixty percent women) and voters wanted women who exemplified strength. Wrong house, wrong time of day, Stone said, then hung up. What dosage? she asked. Maybe, but that still doesnt rule out somebody in Dorseys camp— What time? And the fact that Gloster had considered this witness important enough to be put out of order, yet only to bring out a fact with which Mason was fully familiar, made the lawyer feel that perhaps the district attorney might not hold such high trumps after alL. Thank you, sold!.