Mystery and Crime Hammett, Samuel Dashiell: Zigzags Of Treachery. V1. 20 Dec 2012

[crutledge]

Samuel Dashiell Hammett ( /dəˈʃiːl/; May 27, 1894 – January 10, 1961) was an American author of hard-boiled detective novels and short stories, a screenplay writer, and political activist. Among the enduring characters he created are Sam Spade (The Maltese Falcon), Nick and Nora Charles (The Thin Man), and the Continental Op (Red Harvest and The Dain Curse).

Excerpt
All know about Dr. Estep's death," I said, "is the stuff in the papers." Vance Richmond's lean gray face took on an expression of distaste.
"The newspapers aren't always either thorough or accurate. I'll give you the salient points as I know them; though I suppose you'll want to go over the ground for yourself, and get your information first-hand.
I nodded, and the attorney went on, shaping each word precisely with his thin lips before giving it sound.