we are both working on the same case, it seems, but for different people.Marlowe’s next item on his agenda is to visit Elisha Morningstar, a numismatist who had called Mrs. Murdock in hopes to buy the doubloon prior to its being stolen. Morningstar tells Marlowe that he does, in fact, have the coin and will give it to him for $1000. Morningstar will never live to see the money, as he is soon killed by younger and tougher con-men. As Marlowe is leaving to see Anson, he decides to eavesdrop on a telephone conversation that is apparently with Anson. Upon arrival at Anson’s apartment, he finds Anson dead in the bathroom. Marlowe deceives the manager of the building into helping him search its rooms. Soon after, a drunken tenant pulls a gun on the manager, but this is no ordinary gun; it is the murder weapon. The tenant is arrested, but he claims he was framed. He was. Lieutenants Breeze and Spangler are assigned to the case, and interrogate Marlowe. Back at his office, Marlowe receives a small brown parcel containing the Brasher Doubloon. Marlowe then pawns the Doubloon and mails himself the receipt. Marlowe then calls Mrs. Murdock to tell her of Morningstar’s offer and Anson’s death. She tells Marlowe that the coin has been returned. Marlowe’s decides to check up on Morningstar and to ask him a few questions, but he, instead, finds him dead too. Later on that night, Breeze and Spangler pay Marlowe an unwanted visit at his home for an a second round of interrogation, but this time with drinks to lighten up the situation. After they leave, Marlowe is called up and told to meet Alex Morny at a the Idle Valley Club.Marlowe and Morny trade information, and Marlowe finally meets Linda Conquest face to face for the first time, for she is a singer at the club. Marlowe finds out that Conquest has a deep hatred for Mrs. Murdock because of the mistreatment of Miss. Davis. Conquest also tells that Mrs. Murdock also knows ...
