"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 006 - The Death Tower" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"Positively!"

"Would you work for me, faithfully, without question?"

"I would."

"Keeping all our dealings confidentialтАФ"

"Absolutely."

"Then I can tell you my real purpose in setting you up in business. Burke, I am a criminologist. I have my
own way of dealing with crime. Those who work for me must always obey me implicitlyтАФ"

Burke nodded.
"- even though they may not understand my motives." Clarendon's voice was firm, almost severe. "Even
though they may face danger!"

A look of enjoyment appeared upon Burke's visage. He sensed adventure. The smile remained upon
George Clarendon's lips, as though the man with the masklike face knew what was passing in Burke's
mind.

It was the sealing of a bargain. From that moment, the ex-reporter was the henchman of George
Clarendon. For a full minute the men looked at each other with mutual understanding. Then Clarendon
pointed to the clippings on the desk.

"You have read them thoroughly?" he asked.

"Yes."

"What do you think of the case?"

"It's an unusual one," said Burke, thoughtfully puffing at his pipe. "I've gone into it carefully, Mr.
Clarendon. It seems obvious that Chatham murdered Wilkinson, yetтАФ"

"Yet you would like to reject the obvious."

"Exactly so."

"Why?"

"Because the motive doesn't seem sufficient."

George Clarendon nodded. Thus encouraged, Burke went into his story.

"Chatham must have had money," he said. "Yet he borrowed thirty thousand dollars from Wilkinson. His
note was accepted. Wilkinson put it away.

"Six months, Chatham would have to pay that note; yet he murdered Wilkinson on the spot. It seemed a
foolish thing to do. He could have waited a while, if murder was necessary."