The Case of the Phantom Fortune — Erle Stanley Gardner

"I want your man Drake to find out who made that fingerprint."

"You think the person who made that fingerprint will be at the dinner tonight?" Mason asked.

Horace Warren nodded.

"And you want me to find out who that person is and then protect your wife against that person?"

Warren nodded again.

"How much expense to I incur?"

"Any expense within reason."

"Up to what limit?"

"There is no limit."

"Usually," Perry Mason explained, "legitimate law-abiding citizens are not subject to blackmail unless there is something in their past that would leave them vulnerable. I take it that in the case of your wife..."

"Take what?" Warren asked irascibly.

"That there would hardly be such a past."

"Why not?" Warren rasped. "I married Lorna because I loved her. I didn't inquire into her past."

"In other words, her past is something of a mystery?"

"Her past is a closed book. Just protect her against the person who made that fingerprint. Here is my check. I'll see you at dinner tonight."