"Perry, this should be exciting," Della said.

For those who don't know, she happens to be a secretary to a lawyer.

"Yes, I know, Della. I think Paul's in charge of this, not me."

Della nodded. At least Perry had given her a reminder.

"Oh, I almost forgot Paul's in charge of this contest. I needed that reminder."

"Remember Paul wanted to have at least four lucky winners?"

"I do now since you just reminded me. Speaking of Paul, where is he?"

Perry shrugged. His shoulders.

"I don't know. I don't need to know every little thing that he does."

Paul is the best private investigator he's had since he began his practice. What gave Perry the idea of becoming a lawyer because it ran in the family.

"I'm sure Paul is taking his time on getting ideas on who would win this contest that he came up with."

Della had to agree with him.

"He'll let us know when he decides to stop that advertisement on television. He's probably received a lot of telephone calls by now," he told her.

Again Della agreed.

"Let's ask him that question when we see him again," she said.

"The more we talk about it, the more curious we get. I don't know what made Paul come up with an idea like this."

"Maybe he wanted to try something different, Perry. It's his idea, he can choose four lucky winners when he makes up his mind."

He nodded.

"I'm leaving for a while, Della. If anyone wants to speak with me, have them leave a message to call them back."

"All right, Perry. I always do."

"Of course you do, Della. I don't know when I return. Even if Paul's planning to look for me, I'll just do it myself."

"All right. Talk to you later, Perry."

"I'll see you again soon."

That's when the lawyer left.

"I think he's a bit nervous about this whole contest. I'm curious to know who are the lucky contest winners are. Are they going to be local or from somewhere else?"

Della kept trying her hardest to come up with names, but all she could think of was people they personally knew. Before Della began to do anything else, the phone rang immediately.

"Perry Mason's office. This is Della Street."

"Hello, Ms. Street. Is Perry in?"

Della didn't recognize the woman's name, so all she did was ask, "What's your name, ma'am?"

"I'm Perry's mother. I'd like to speak to my son if he's around."

"Well, Mrs. Mason, he left not too long ago."

"Do you know when he plans to return?"

"No, I don't. He really didn't say. Is there anything wrong?"

Della could tell the other woman was worried about something, but what was it? Since it was only his mother, Perry would understand what's going on with his family.

"Tell Perry to call back immediately when he returns. This isn't good news, so please pass it on, Ms. Street. It's about my husband."

"Your husband? What does this have to do with him that made you call his office?"

"It's more of a personal subject. Perry has mentioned you a few times. We should meet sometime."

"That would be nice."

Now that was when the call ended.

Della didn't need to write down his mother's message. Since she now knew it was from his family, she'd just tell him once he returns. While Della had taken his mother's call, Perry was with Paul since he and Della were talking about him in the first place.

"Hey, Perry. I wasn't expecting to see you," greeted Paul.

"I know you weren't," the lawyer told his private investigator.

"Let me guess why you came to see me. It's about that contest. Am I right?"

"Yes, you are, Paul. Della and I were only talking about your contest idea of yours. Are you receiving any telephone calls?"

"Actually, I have been. I do still have plenty of time to decide who would want to meet with us."

"How did you come up with such an idea like this, Paul?" the lawyer asked.

Paul shrugged.

"I don't know. I only thought it would be something different for a change, even if it means people we already know, if you don't count our clients."

"You're only doing this so we could have some fun."

"That's exactly right, Perry. Maybe there might be a murder involving the lucky winners."

"So that's why you're having this contest."

"You got that right, Perry. Maybe these winners might solve their own mysteries."

"I never thought about that, but we wish you luck on finding the lucky winners," he told Paul.

"You'll know when I choose. You better go back to your office, Perry. It might be crazy with these phone calls about the contest."

"You have a good point, Paul. I probably have a few messages by now. Good luck."

"Thanks, Perry. I thin I'll need the luck."

"I'll talk with you again another time."

"Take care, Perry."

"Same to you, Paul."

That's when he walked out of Paul's office. Yes, Paul has been keeping a list of callers who are interested. It was now time to get back to work.