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<A CHANDLER> <W THE BIG SLEEP>
<C 1>
<P 13>
IT WAS ABOUT ELEVEN O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, MID OCTOBER, WITH THE SUN NOT
SHINING AND A LOOK OF HARD WET RAIN IN THE CLEARNESS OF THE FOOTHILLS. I WAS
WEARING MY POWDER-BLUE SUIT, WITH DARK BLUE SHIRT, TIE AND DISPLAY
HANDKERCHIEF, BLACK BROGUES, BLACK WOOL SOCKS WITH DARK BLUE CLOCKS ON THEM.
I WAS NEAT, CLEAN, SHAVED AND SOBER, AND I DIDN'T CARE WHO KNEW IT. I WAS
EVERYTHING THE WELL-DRESSED PRIVATE DETECTIVE OUGHT TO BE. I WAS CALLING ON
FOUR MILLION DOLLARS.
THE MAIN HALLWAY OF THE STERNWOOD PLACE WAS TWO STORIES HIGH. OVER THE
ENTRANCE DOORS, WHICH WOULD HAVE LET IN A TROOP OF INDIAN ELEPHANTS, THERE
WAS A BROAD STAINED-GLASS PANEL SHOWING A KNIGHT IN DARK ARMOUR RESCUING A
LADY WHO WAS TIED TO A TREE AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY CLOTHES ON BUT SOME VERY
LONG AND CONVENIENT HAIR. THE KNIGHT HAD PUSHED THE VISOR OF HIS HELMET BACK
TO BE SOCIABLE, AND HE WAS FIDDLING WITH THE KNOTS ON THE ROPES THAT TIED
THE LADY TO THE TREE AND NOT GETTING ANYWHER . . .
