The Case of the Grinning Gorilla

Mason said, “Hypnotism is something we know comparatively little about. Suppose you were able to hypnotize a gorilla. Then comes the problem of how to reach his mind. He’d do unpredictable things.”

“Chief, you’re spoofing me, trying to keep from frightening me. You don’t, you can’t believe all that stuff Mrs. Kempton said about a hypnotized gorilla killing Benjamin Addicks.”

Mason grinned.

“You don’t, do you?”

Mason said, “Della, I think there’s a key clue which has been overlooked. I think that if you are with me, and are in a position to escape, we may learn what that clue is. On the other hand, if you are too close to me, we may find that we’re both trapped. So please remain near a door and at the first sign of trouble start for the police.”

“Trouble with whom?”

“A hypnotized gorilla.”

“But what will happen to you?”

Mason grinned. “Courage is the best antidote for danger, Della, remember? I think I’m going to be all right.”

She frowned. “I don’t like this at all.”

Mason turned into Olive Street. “Well, here we are, Della. Some change.”

“I’ll say there’s some change,” Della Street said. “The new tenant certainly seems to be far more sociable than his dead brother.”

The iron gates were now standing wide open. The graveled driveway curved invitingly through the green of the grounds. There was no watchman.

Mason gave Della a last warning. “If Herman Barnwell should offer to show me through the house in order to help me look for clues, Della — and I’m almost certain he’s going to prove very co-operative — I want to be sure you aren’t with us. Stay near an exit and pretend that you are interested in paintings, interior decoration, anything except murders.”

“I’ve been cudgeling my brains trying to find out why you want me to do that, but I still don’t...”

“Here we are,” Mason said.

He parked the car in front of the house. The door opened and a chunky, powerfully built man came out to greet them. His teeth flashed in a quick smile. He spoke with a very noticeable Australian accent.

“Ah, Mr. Mason, I believe. I am so pleased to meet you. When you telephoned I could hardly believe my good fortune. I have read accounts of many of your cases. And this is Miss Della Street, your secretary?

“It is indeed an honor to have you come here. Of course, you will understand I only arrived a short time ago. I haven’t had an opportunity to go over the place well. It needs a thorough cleaning. I haven’t been able to engage any servants as yet. In fact, my preliminary conversations with employment agencies indicate that it’s going to be very difficult to do so.”

“What are you doing with the gorillas?” Mason asked.

Herman Barnwell made an inclusive sweep with his arm. “They’re gone. I sold the whole outfit, lock, stock and barrel, to a zoo. When that sale is reported in the press, I may have some success with servants — but do come in, and tell me what, if anything, I can do for you. It is indeed a pleasure to have you here.”

He held the door open and said, “Right across that entrance hallway and into the main living room, if you will. I’ll have to fix the drinks myself, I’m afraid — a little Scotch and soda? Or would you prefer a cocktail?”

“Scotch and soda will be fine,” Mason said, “but we’re in rather a hurry. I assume you’re quite busy and...”

“No, no, not at all, Mr. Mason. I have had a preliminary conference with Mr. Hardwick, the attorney for the executor, and I have been over some of the accounts with Mr. Hershey, trying to get some idea of my brother’s rather complicated business affairs. Of course, those are for the most part in the hands of the bank, but the bank wants to follow my wishes in the matter.

“It may interest you to know, Mr. Mason, that I have instructed the bank that under no circumstances are they to contest in any way the provisions in the will giving Mrs. Josephine Kempton a share of the estate.”

“Of course,” Mason pointed out, “she’s being tried for murder and if she...”

“She didn’t murder him,” Herman Barnwell said calmly. “I know she didn’t.”

“You do?”

“Yes.”

“May I ask how you know that?”

Herman Barnwell said, “I am satisfied, Mr. Mason, that Mrs. Kempton did not kill my brother. My brother was trying to hide from his past. There is no use for me to beat about the bush, Mr. Mason. You are far too wise to be trapped by superficial subterfuge. There was no measure of affection between my brother and me. I am not even going to try to pretend — perhaps to the public, yes; but to you, no.

“Benjamin was intensely self-centered. We spent some time in Australia. We had a mining partnership. There were legal difficulties. One of the persons who had conflicting interests in our claim was killed. He was murdered. I won’t say Benjamin murdered this man. There were circumstances which pointed to it.

“But the police bungled the case. They thought I had committed the murder. I was tried and convicted. However, after conviction new evidence was disclosed which resulted in my obtaining a pardon.