Manuscript
As the audible word gets transcribed by Gardner’s secretaries, missing are a glimpse of fear from Perry Mason and a whole lot of speculation about the case. Those who listen to Gardner’s dictation get a more human Perry Mason, one who is both scared and wrong about the details of the case.14 But by the time it reaches an early version of the manuscript, the details, as well as his Mason’s flash of fear, are gone.15 In the manuscript, Mason and Street use conversation, sexuality, and “psychology” to get Lowry to talk.16 All of these elements remain largely intact in the 1963 Pocket Book version of the printed book. In addition, the dictation scene remains intact.
Ideally, this page would contain photo facimilies of the manuscript from the Harry Ransom Center.