The Big Sleep Page #3

He told me about Regan, but that's

not what he wants to see me about.

That's what you wanted me to say.

I'm sure I don't care

what you say, Mr. Marlowe.

I'm wasting your time.

Goodbye, Mrs. Rutledge.

Oh, Norris.

You made a mistake. Mrs. Rutledge

didn't want to see me.

I'm sorry, sir.

I make many mistakes.

- Did you find what you wanted?

- Yes, thanks.

You don't look like a man who'd

be interested in first editions.

I collect blondes in bottles too.

Can I be of any assistance?

Would you happen

to have a Ben Hur, 1860?

- A what?

- Do you have a Ben Hur, 1860?

A first edition?

No, no, the third, the third!

The one with the erratum on page 116.

I'm afraid not.

How about a Chevalier Audubon,

Not at the moment.

You do sell books?

What do those look like? Grapefruit?

Well, they look like books.

Maybe I'd better see Mr. Geiger.

- He's not in just now.

- That's a pity because...

I said, Mr. Geiger is not in!

I heard you.

You needn't yell at me.

I'm late for my lecture on

Argentine ceramics, so I won't wait.

The word is "ceramics."

And they ain't Argentine,

they're Egyptian!

You did sell a book once, didn't you?

I'll run along to the library.

Or I could go to that bookstore

across the street, couldn't I?

Do so.

Thank you.

Is there something I can do for you?

- Would you do me a small favor?

- It depends on the favor.

- You know Geiger's bookstore?

- I think I may have passed it.

You know Geiger by sight?

What's he look like?

Wouldn't it be easier to go

and ask to see him?

I've already done that.

I know anything about rare books?

You could try me.

Do you have a Ben Hur,

...with a duplicated line

on page 116?

Or a Chevalier Audubon, 1840?

Nobody would. There isn't one.

The girl in Geiger's bookstore

didn't know that.

I see.

You begin to interest me vaguely.

I'm a private dick on a case.

Perhaps I'm asking too much...

...although it doesn't seem

too much to me.

Geiger's in his early forties...

...medium height...

...fattish...

...soft all over,

Charlie Chan mustache...

...well-dressed...

...wears a black hat...

...affects a knowledge

of antiques and hasn't any...

...and I think his left eye is glass.

You'd make a good cop.

Thanks.

Going to wait for him to come out?

They don't close

for another hour or so.

And it's raining pretty hard.

I got my car and...

That's right, it is, isn't it?

It just happens I got a bottle

of pretty good rye in my pocket.

I'd a lot rather get wet in here.

Well!

Looks like we're closed

for the rest of the afternoon.

Tell me more about this business.

There isn't much to tell.

What's the matter?

I'm just wondering if you have to...

Not necessarily.

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