"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 014 - Hidden Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

тАЬI have made an exhaustive survey of your work,тАЭ the commissioner continued. тАЬI find that you possess a
remarkable aptitude in the practical solution of crime problems.

тАЬI note, however, that you seldom resort to theory. That is the matter which I wish to discuss with you
today.тАЭ

Cardona's eyes narrowed as he returned the commissioner's stare.

тАЬJust what do you regard as theory, commissioner?тАЭ he questioned.

тАЬAll crimes,тАЭ explained Weston, тАЬdemand a double treatment. Practical methods, such as arrests, grilling,
dragnets, and the like, are useful in the majority of cases. Theory, in which crime is considered as a
serious study, is just as essential as practice when one is confronted by a baffling problem.тАЭ

тАЬThat's well and good, sir,тАЭ declared Cardona. тАЬI use theory, but I mix it with practice. My idea is to get
at the facts in a case. The quicker you do that, the quicker you get results.

тАЬI can track down half a dozen facts while I might be bothering around with one fancy stunt that would
lead to nothing. Get the goods, and forget the rest of it. That's what works!тАЭ

The commissioner was silent. A slow, thin smile appeared upon his lips.

The smile made Joe Cardona uneasy. He felt that his emphatic statement was due for a criticism. He
waited, resolved to stand by what he had said.

тАЬYou have given me your definite opinion?тАЭ questioned the commissioner.

Cardona nodded.

тАЬYou actually believe,тАЭ continued Weston, тАЬthat the final report on a solved case should be free of all
extraneous impressions and unsound notions?тАЭ

тАЬCertainly,тАЭ said Cardona.

тАЬThen whyтАЭтАФWeston's voice was deliberate as he tapped the typewritten papersтАФтАЬwhy have you
frequently left an element of profound uncertainty in connection with cases that you have declared to be
completely closed?тАЭ

Cardona looked puzzled. He tried to grasp the commissioner's thoughts, but failed. The detective did not
know what to reply, and Weston seemed to enjoy Cardona's bewilderment.

тАЬLet me speak more specifically,тАЭ declared Weston, leaning back in his chair. тАЬIn at least six of your
reports, you have referred definitely to one individual, whom you claim has played an important part.

тАЬYou have established this person in your own mind. You have linked him with widely differing affairs.
Yet, you have not presented one tangible bit of evidence to prove that this person is a single individual.

тАЬHe might be one, as you suggest. He might be three. He might be six. He mightтАЭтАФthe commissioner's
voice slowed with emphasisтАФтАЬhe might be none at all!тАЭ
тАЬYou meanтАЭтАФCardona was speaking in a confused mannerтАФтАЬyou mean that I тАФthat in those casesтАФтАЬ