CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Gamadge TalkingSheriff Enos James, who was a leathery man in late middle life, with a kindly but disillusioned eye, said: “This office has reason to be obliged to Mr. Gamadge.”
“And so have we, so have we. I speak for myself as well as for my clients.” Mr. Ormville, surveying the rather haggard-looking young man in the well-cut grey clothes who shook hands with him unsmilingly, decided that far from being a self-assertive nuisance, the fellow was diffident, and needed encouraging. He continued: “I believe I had the pleasure of knowing your father, Mr. Gamadge. A charming person. Charming.”
“Wasn’t he?” Gamadge did smile at that, waited until Mr. Ormville had reseated himself, and then took up an easy position on his window ledge.
“This poor child, Alma Cowden, apparentl
