"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 010 - Hands in the Dark" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

we've seen each other... You are coming in to-morrow? That's great... No, Betty, you mustn't talk that
way. This is your home, as it has always been... I'll see you to-morrow, then? Wonderful!"

After the phone call, Bob chatted with his uncle's old friend. He was glad to meet some one in New
York.

Bob had left, when only a youth, to seek his fortune in South Africa, where his father, Theodore Galvin's
brother, had left him some property.
He told Mallory of his adventures there. He brought out papers from his suitcase, and showed them to
his uncle's old friend. The papers were piled upon the desk by the time their conversation had ended.

Hiram Mallory arose. He held out his hand.

"You have done well, Robert," he said. "I only regret that your uncle did not live to see you and talk with
you as I have. He would have been delighted to learn of your success.

"He was a broken man when he went away, Robert. He wanted to go to some distant country, where he
could relieve his mind from all his worries.

"He was old, Robert, but I believe that he would have recuperated some of his losses if he had returned.
But that was not to be -"

Mallory paused speculatively as he stood by the doorway. He glanced at his watch and smiled at the
lateness of the hour.

"Half past eleven," he said. "I am usually in bed by ten o'clock. I must go. I shall see you again, Robert."

"Good night," replied Bob. "I'm certainly glad you dropped in, Mr. Mallory. I'll turn in myselfтАФafter I've
gone over those papers on the desk. That will mean an hour's work, at least."

Alone, in the gloom of the oak-paneled room, Bob lost himself in the work before him.

He had come away from South Africa rather hurriedly; but on the boat he had attended to all details. He
had only these final matters left. As soon as they were finished, there would be no reason for him to
worry about the affairs that he had left.

Bob worked quickly. It required less time than he had anticipated. The old clock in the hallway was
striking twelve when he completed his labors.

His own business ended, Bob began to study some documents that Hodgson had laid on the desk. They
referred to his uncle's affairs, but were of minor importance.

While Bob was considering these, he became conscious of a slight noise behind him. He swung in his
swivel chair, expecting to see Hodgson.

A startled gasp came from Bob's lips as he found himself staring into the muzzle of an automatic.

The gun was held by a man who wore a dark overcoat and a black cap. The stranger's face was partly
obscured by the collar of his coat. The peak of his cap hid his eyes.