Chapter 34

“Yes, that’s the way I understood it. And a boy came in with a message—that Mr. Gutman would be delighted to talk to you before five-thirty.” Spade turned off the water, squeezed the handkerchief, and came away from the cabinet holding the handkerchief to his temple. “I got that,” he said. “I met the boy downstairs, and talking to Mr. Gutman got me this.” “Is that the G. who phoned, Sam?” “Yes.” “And what—?” Spade stared through the girl and spoke as if using speech to arrange his thoughts: “He wants something he t…