"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 019 - The Romanoff Jewels" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"Popular young chap," observed Waddell. "Met my daughter at Noyes' house some time ago, and has
come here frequently. Name is Frederick Froman. Very agreeable personality. Appears to have a lot of
money. Different from that fellow Tholbin."

With the mention of the second name, the stout millionaire directed Cranston's attention to a sallow-faced
young man who was standing beside the grand piano. Betty Waddell, the millionaire's daughter, was
seated on the piano bench. She and Tholbin were engaged in conversation.

"David Tholbin," mused Waddell. "Wish I knew more about him. He'll be proposing marriage to Betty,
first thing you know. He follows us too much when we travel. Seems to have some moneyтАФhow much, I
don't know. Sort of an adventurer, I figure."

It was obvious that the millionaire judged men by their wealth. Lamont Cranston, himself a
multimillionaire, was a highly honored guest, gauged by Waddell's standard.

Without speaking or giving visible notice of his action, Cranston made a calm comparison of the two
young men whom Waddell had last indicated in the conversation.

The two formed a marked contrast. Froman, with light hair and complexion, possessed a frank face.
Tholbin, sallow and black-haired, appeared as a shrewd schemer.

Yet of the pair, Froman was the more dynamic. He was one of those men whose age is difficult to
determine. The firm set of his chin showed something of the mental force that lay behind.

FOUR men had been pointed out to Lamont Cranston. They were men of varied sorts. Marcus
HoltmannтАФa man of business; Parker NoyesтАФa sedate lawyer; Frederick FromanтАФa gentleman of
leisure; David TholbinтАФa young adventurer. Their purposes in life were different. Chance, to-night, had
made them guests at the same social function.

That same chance had brought a fifth visitor in the person of Lamont Cranston. He was the one who
observed; and his keen, piercing eyes were ferreting hidden secrets.

With it all, Cranston possessed a remarkable aptitude for concealing his own actions. Not one of the four
sensed the interest that he was taking in them.

Strolling leisurely across the room, Lamont Cranston joined the group that was listening to Holtmann. The
sour-faced man was answering questions. His brief, terse phrases came to Cranston's ears.

"Five Year PlanтАФgigantic ideaтАФyes, I spent six months in Moscow - vast natural resources in
RussiaтАФwealth in back of itтАФmany reports are based upon lack of authentic information -"

Another man had joined the group. The newcomer was Frederick Froman. He displayed a purely
passive interest in the discussion. He lighted a cigarette, roamed leisurely away, and returned. His second
approach took place as Marcus Holtmann was ending the discussion.

"Well, gentlemen," declared the man who had been to Russia, "I feel that I have talked enough for this
evening. I can only say that my experiences were interesting and enlightening. They proved to me that one
cannot judge conditions in Russia by a short visit only. Now that I am back here, I am more interested in
America. My stay in New York ends to-night."