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

"I hid it!" whispered Chatham, in a tense tone. "I hid it, where no one could find it!

"Then I was afraid. Afraid that some one might capture me, and demand the purple sapphire. So I
carried it with me, and my fear has been tenfold!"

"Where is it now?"

Horace Chatham hesitated. He stared fixedly at the physician. For a moment two wills were at odds;
then Chatham yielded. The friendly, urging influence of Doctor Palermo seemed to overcome his fears
and suspicions.

With a gasp of relief, Chatham reached into a pocket of his coat, and brought out a small jewel case,
which he held in his tightly clenched fist.
"Let me see it."

Gently, as though dealing with a child, Doctor Palermo removed the jewel case from Horace Chatham's
clutch. He opened it, and the purple sapphire, a huge, exquisite gem, glowed with weird beauty in the soft
light of the room.

"Shall I keep it for you?" questioned Palermo, in subtle, alluring tones.

"No! No!"

Chatham made a grasp for the jewel case with its precious contents. Palermo drew away, and stopped
the other man with raised hand.

"Easy, Chatham," he said. "Remember, I am your friend."

"But it is mine!" exclaimed Chatham. "I must keep it! I shall always be cursed with it!

"Harriman did not die until he lost it. While I carry it, my life is safe. Once out of my hands, it will bring
me deathтАФ"

"Relax!" commanded Doctor Palermo. "Let me talk to you, Chatham.

"I can help you. I can put an end to your troubles and your fears. Sit back in your chair."

Horace Chatham obeyed. He lay back in the chair and reclined his head so that it nearly rested against
the oak paneling of the wall. He watched Palermo deftly remove the purple sapphire from its case.

"A beautiful gem," observed the physician. "Strange that those who hold it should fear it. I would not
dread its curse, if it were mine!"

The words soothed Chatham. He half smiled as he looked at the gem which Doctor Palermo held. So
intent was his mind on it that he was utterly oblivious to all else.

THE panel behind Horace Chatham's head slid noiselessly to one side. The action followed a motion by
Doctor PalermoтАФa simple gesture in which the physician raised the forefinger of his left hand.

As the panel opened, two thick-set brown hands came into view, one on each side of Chatham's chair.