Norris would know.
My butler."
"Your daughters have money in their own right, General?"
"Vivian has, but not a great deal.
Carmen is still a minor under her mother's will.
I give them both generous allowances."
I said: "I can take this Geiger off your back, General, if that's what you want. Whoever he is and whatever he has.
It may cost you a little money, besides what you pay me.
And of course it won't get you anything.
Sugaring them never does.
You're already listed on their book of nice names."
"I see." He shrugged his wide sharp shoulders in the faded red bathrobe. "A moment ago you said pay him.
Now you say it won't get me anything."
"I mean it might be cheaper and easier to stand for a certain amount of squeeze. That's all."
"I'm afraid I'm rather an impatient man, Mr. Marlowe.
What are your charges?"
"I get twenty-five a day and expenses — when I'm lucky."
"I see.
It seems reasonable enough for removing morbid growths from people's backs.
Quite a delicate operation.
You realize that, I hope.
You'll make your operation as little of a shock to the patient as possible?
There might be several of them, Mr. Marlowe."
I finished my second drink and wiped my lips and my face.
The heat didn't get any less hot with the brandy in me.
The General blinked at me and plucked at the edge of his rug.
"Can I make a deal with this guy, if I think he's within hooting distance of being on the level?"
"Yes.
The matter is now in your hands.
I never do things by halves."
"I'll take him out," I said. "He'll think a bridge fell on him."
"I'm sure you will.
And now I must excuse myself.
I am tired." He reached out and touched the bell on the arm of his chair.
The cord was plugged into a black cable that wound along the side of the deep dark green boxes in which the orchids grew and festered.
He closed his eyes, opened them again in a brief bright stare, and settled back among his cushions.
The lids dropped again and he didn't pay any more attention to me.
I stood up and lifted my coat off the back of the damp wicker chair and went off with it among the orchids, opened the two doors and stood outside in the brisk October air getting myself some oxygen.
The chauffeur over by the garage had gone away.
The butler came along the red path with smooth light steps and his back as straight as an ironing board.
I shrugged into my coat and watched him come.
He stopped about two feet from me and said gravely: "Mrs. Regan would like to see you before you leave, sir.
And in the matter of money the General has instructed me to give you a check for whatever seems desirable."
"Instructed you how?"
He looked puzzled, then he smiled.
"Ah, I see, sir.
You are, of course, a detective.
By the way he rang his bell."
"You write his checks?"
"I have that privilege."