"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 003 - The The Shadow - Laughs" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

He was about thirty-five years of age, but the worried expression of his features made him look older.

A middle-aged woman came down the stairs and smiled as she greeted the new arrival.

тАЬI hadn't expected you for another week, Mr. Jarnow,тАЭ she said, тАЬbut your room is ready.тАЭ

тАЬThank you, Mrs. Johnson,тАЭ returned the man at the door. тАЬYou're always ready here. This is one
rooming house that seems like home.тАЭ

тАЬThank you, Mr. Jarnow. But I am sorry that you had to come back to Philadelphia during this hot spell.
The last few days have been scorchers. You must have found it cooler, away from townтАФтАЭ

тАЬI had to hurry back, because I'm expecting a visitorтАФa Mr. Windsor. Has he come?тАЭ

тАЬNo one has called to see you.тАЭ

тАЬIf he comes, send him up, please. But make sure it is Mr. Windsor.тАЭ

Jarnow hurried up the stairs and entered a room at the back of the house. He went to the window,
opened it, and peered down into the narrow alley below. Then he closed the window, and drew the
shade to its full extent.

Having concluded these precautions, he turned on a study lamp that hung above a small table, and locked
the door of the room.

A glance at his watch showed eight o'clock.

тАЬHe should be here now,тАЭ muttered Jarnow. тАЬHe said he would come, and he should be here by now.тАЭ

A minute ticked by, and the man in the room became restless. He paced the floor back and forth, his
hands closing and opening nervously. He stopped by the door to listen. While he stood there, intent, he
heard voices in the hallway.

There was a tap at the door, and the man drew back as though afraid. Then came the voice of the
landlady.

тАЬMr. Windsor is here.тАЭ

Jarnow unlocked the door, and admitted the visitor.

The newcomer was faultlessly attired in a tuxedo, and his rather jolly expression contrasted noticeably
with Jarnow's serious face.

тАЬHello, Frank,тАЭ said the visitor. тАЬHere I am; just about on the dot. Glad to see you. What's all the
excitement about?тАЭ

Jarnow closed the door, withdrawing the key as the lock clicked, and motioned his visitor to a chair
beside the table. Windsor had been drinking; his unsteadiness betrayed him even more than his speech.
тАЬYou seem rather mysterious, Frank,тАЭ said Windsor, in an indulgent tone, as the tall man took the chair
on the opposite side of the table. тАЬWhat's it all about?тАЭ