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

understand perfectly that you have given a complete statement of Chatham's visit in this apartment.

"But I thinkтАФin fact, I feel sureтАФthat Chatham was governed by certain emotions unknown to you."
"If so," returned Palermo coldly, "it would not interest me to know them now."

"And it would interest me to know your opinion regarding them."

THE young journalist met the physician's gaze unflinching. Burke's physical appearance was deceiving,
but his indomitable spirit could be seen in his eyes.

Palermo recognized it. He realized that he was dealing with a man of purpose. For a moment a trace of
anger came upon his features; then he suddenly softened, and seemed to express real interest in Burke's
words.

"Very well," said Doctor Palermo, in an indulgent tone. "Tell me what you have ascertained regarding
Horace Chatham."

"Doctor Palermo," said Burke, "I have met many men who have committed crimes. I have invariably
found that they are either extremely hardened, or excessively emotional.

"IfтАФas is well concededтАФa murder was committed by Horace Chatham the night after he was here, it
seems to me that you would have detected something in his manner that would have warned you.

"That has been covered in my statement to the police," retorted Doctor Palermo. "Chatham was
emotional that evening. But the inspiring motive of his emotion was money. He could talk of nothing else.
He was almost incoherentтАФ"

"Yet," interposed Burke, "it now appears that Chatham did not lack money. His finances were in
reasonably good shape. If he killed Wilkinson for the sake of thirty thousand dollars, he was wasting his
efforts."

Doctor Palermo shrugged his shoulders. Burke was inwardly pleased. He had forced the physician into a
position that made a quick reply impossible.

He waited for the doctor to speak. But Palermo artfully changed the subject.

"You must pardon me for a few minutes," he said. "I can discuss this with you later. I was working in my
laboratory when you called, and I must return there."

He started away, then motioned to Burke.

"Come along, if you wish," he added. "My laboratory may interest you."

He led the way through two curtains at the side of the room. He unlocked a strong door, and Burke
followed him. They entered a large room, fully equipped with apparatus.

Doctor Palermo stopped at a white-porcelain table where a bowl of green liquid was boiling above a gas
burner. The physician took a small vial from a shelf, and poured a few drops from it into the bowl.

Immediately the bubbling ceased, and as the liquid simmered, it changed from green to a deep red.