"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 017 - The Five Chameleons" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

was the sober-minded member of the group. The sobriquet of "Deacon" fitted him like a slipper. He
appeared years older than Butcher. Standing next to the huge man, Deacon looked very lean and
withered.

"To Maurice Exton, the best of luck and health!"

Thus chimed the third toast; and after it the jocular order:

"Pour it out, Major! Don't be stingy with the bottle!"

Maurice Exton - the one called "Major" - was a medium-sized man in his late thirties. His hair was black,
his features sallow. A neat mustache that matched his hair adorned his upper lip. A Van Dyke tipped his
chin. His shoulders were erect, and had a military bearing. He filled the glasses with steady hands.

Then came the toast to the fourth of the group:

"To Joel Hawkins, the best of luck and health!"
After the passing of this last toast, there was momentary silence.

Then Deacon turned to Joel Hawkins and said:

"Don't forget the glasses, Ferret. There's another one coming up."

"That's right," replied "Ferret," with a wry grin. "Did you think I forgot?"

Joel Hawkins leaned forward with a shrewd, gleaming grin. Short, stoop-shouldered, so as to almost
appear deformed, the name of Ferret was apt. The man's eyes peered sharply through partly closed lids.
Handling the bottle with his face on a level with the glasses, he seemed to be measuring each drink so that
all would be exactly the same.

Major picked up his glass and stood, while the other three followed him to their feet.

"To David Traver!" he said, in an even voice.

"To David Traver," came the chorus, "the best of luck and health!"

The men drank this final toast more slowly. Their glasses swung down one by one.

As they resumed their seats, they looked about with satisfaction.

"Well, we've remembered Judge," declared Butcher.

"Judge has remembered us," said Deacon quietly.

THE conversation took a new turn now that the strange formality had reached its end.

"New York in the morning. The end of the trail," announced Butcher, with a broad smile. "All on deck at
seven. We want to take a look at the Statue of Liberty!"

"Let the old gal take a look at us!" cackled Ferret.