Holley nodded. “Yes—and what you did dig up was mostly in support of my blackmail theory. Something has happened here, too, that goes to confirm my suspicions.”
“What’s that?”
“Madden’s New York office has arranged to send him another fifty thousand, through the bank here. I was just talking to the president. He doesn’t think he can produce all that in cash before tomorrow, and Madden has agreed to wait.”
Eden considered. “No doubt your theory’s the right one. The old boy’s being blackmailed. Though Chan has made a rather good suggestion—he thinks Madden may be getting this money together—”
“I know—he told me. But that doesn’t explain Shaky Phil and the professor. No, I prefer my version. Though I must admit it’s the most appalling puzzle—”
“I’ll say it is,” Eden replied. “And to my mind we’ve done all that’s humanly possible to solve it. I’m handing over the pearls tonight. I presume Chan told you that?”
Holley nodded. “Yes—you’re breaking his heart. But from your view-point, you’re absolutely right. There’s a limit to everything, and you seem to have reached it. However, I’m praying something happens before tonight.”
“So am I,” said Eden. “If it doesn’t, I don’t see how I can bring myself to—but doggone it! There’s Madame Jordan. It’s nothing to her that Madden’s killed a man.”
“It’s been a difficult position for you, my boy,” Holley replied. “You’ve handled it well. I’ll pray my hardest—and I did hear once of a newspaper man whose prayers were answered. But that was years ago.”
