"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 007 - The Silent Seven" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

him, he was inserting a new cigarette in the end of the fancy holder.

"What do you know about the burglary, Paget?" questioned Marchand.

"Not very much, Mister Marchand," replied the man. He paused to light his cigarette. "I was driving by
that evening. I often come down Eighty-first Street on my way home.
"I saw the patrol wagon. I came in and joined Willis and Oscar. There wasn't a clew to the chap who
escaped.

"I suppose that he ran away before he had an opportunity to steal anything."

"The door of your room was open, sir," said Willis, earnestly. "Under the circumstances, I took the
liberty to enter. Oscar watched me from the door. The burglar had done nothing to the safe or the closet.
Your desk appeared to be undisturbed.

"I believe that Mister Paget is right. Nevertheless, when we discussed the matter, we considered it
advisable to telegraph you immediately."

"That's explained, Willis," said Marchand, tersely. "Tell me this: how did the burglar enter my room? Did
he destroy the lock?"

"No, sir. He must have opened it with a special type of key. After I inspected the room, I closed the
door. The spring lock closed automatically.

"No one has entered the room since."

THE doorbell rang. Oscar left the room. He returned to announce a visitor.

"Doctor George Lukens, sir," said the serving man, in a hollow voice. These were the first words he had
uttered since his master's return.

"Usher him in," ordered the old man.

Doctor Lukens entered.

He was a man with bushy gray hair, and keen, quick-moving eyes. He was more alert than Marchand,
yet he bore an appearance that placed him at approximately the same age as the master of the house.

Marchand did not rise to greet Lukens; but the physician approached with eagerness. It was obvious that
he was a life-long friend of Marchand.

"Henry!" exclaimed Lukens.

He grasped Marchand's hand; then his gleam of friendship changed to a professional expression of
concern.

"You are in good hearth?" asked Lukens.

"Passably," replied Marchand, with a sour smile. "I had a long trip to-day. That weak heart you have
warned about is none too good. I wired you to come here, in case I might need you.