"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 011 - Double Z" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

formed a mysterious symbol.

Slowly, mechanically, Caulkins folded the paper and laid it on the table beside him. He looked at Judge
Tolland and noticed that the jurist's thin lips were twisted in a mirthless smile.

"Startled, eh?" asked Tolland.

"Yes," admitted Caulkins.
"I read your articles regarding my disappearanceтАФthose that you wrote under the name of the Wise
Owl. They were keenly done, Caulkins. Strangely enough, they were partly true. But they missed the
important elements."

"This note from Double Z?"

"Yes. But you were not to blame for that."

Caulkins nodded thoughtfully.

"I never would have connected it," he said. "Double Z was not heard of until several months after your
disappearance. Even now, I do not understand.

"The note simply says: 'You have one week to live'тАФthen comes the signature. Since Double Z was
unknown at the time, I cannot understand why the threat frightened you. Judges often receive letters from
fanatics."

"Caulkins," said Tolland slowly, "I am going to be confidential with you. With any other newspaperman, I
would have bluffed this matter out. I have been on the verge of revealing myself during the past few
weeks. I think you can help meтАФand also aid the police to clear up this terrible mystery."

The reporter's eyes focused keenly on Tolland's. The statement freed his mind from the bewilderment
that had gripped it. Here would be a real scoop!

"The theory of my disappearance," said Tolland slowly, "has followed one general trend, beginning with
the day I left my home and did not return. That day was, incidentally, the day after I received that note
from the man you call Double Z.

"It has been presumed that I had accepted bribes from criminals, and that I feared discovery. On the
contrary, it was because I refused bribes that I found it necessary to disappear. There were certain cases
due to come up before me.

"I received a visit from a man who offered me a very large sum to favor the defense of one case and the
prosecution of another. I refused. After that I received the Double Z warning."

"You knew the man who tried to bribe you?"

"I knew the man."

"But you said nothing?"

"I could do nothing at the time. It would have been impossible. The standing of the manтАФwell, you will