"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 026 - Murder Trail" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

Whatever the case might be, Von Werndorff could see but one duty; that was to keep the news of this
strange death from the world. In forming his decision, the Zeppelin commander was governed by a
double motive. First, his promise to the baron; second, his own interests.

It would fare badly with Von Werndorff should the authorities, in either Germany or America, learn that
he had intended to land a stowaway in Chicago. An unexplained murder would add to the difficulties of
the situation. Silence was paramount. Von Werndorff's duty now lay to himself.

THE fact that time was passing became very pressing to the stupefied commander. It forced his
immediate decision. He cautiously opened the panel of the cabin, went into the corridor, and reached his
own quarters, where he beckoned to Lieutenant von Salzburg. The subordinate followed him back along
the long corridor and stood serenely by while Von Werndorff reopened the secret door.

When he entered the room at the commander's bidding, Von Salzburg stood agape at the sight of the
murdered man. The young lieutenant did not know Baron von Tollsburg. He had no idea who the dead
man might be. He heard the click as the panel closed; then turned to meet his superior's eyes.

"Fritz," said Von Werndorff in a serious tone, "this man was a friend of mine. You brought him aboard
the Munchen; he remained, and I intended to smuggle him into the United States. He is dead now; and
the matter must never be known. You understand?"

The lieutenant nodded.

"It is fortunate," added Von Werndorff, "that our flight was so successful. Within three days we head
south for Rio de Janeiro. On our way to Brazil, I shall expect you to perform an important work. Enter
this room, place the body ofтАФof my friend in a box, and remove it to the corridor. Be sure that it is
weighted after you have taken it up the companionway; then through the hatchтАФinto the ocean -"

"I understand," responded the lieutenant. "I shall assume the responsibility. There are members of the
crew whom I can trust. They need never know what the box contains."
"Correct." declared the commander. "You are sure that you can handle this, Fritz?"

"Without difficulty, Herr Captain."

Von Werndorff sighed in relief. He trusted Fritz as he would his own son. By passing the first burden to
his subordinate, and letting Von Salzburg employ others to aid him, the commander was clearing the
matter to perfection.

CAPTAIN VON WERNDORFF congratulated himself upon his methodical decision as he rode by
automobile to the banquet that had been arranged in his honor. Nevertheless, he could not forget the
misfortune that had come to his friend, the baron.

Smoldering vengeance still rankled Von Werndorff's thoughts. In his pocket he felt the two shreds of
evidenceтАФthe cigarette butt and the scrawled signature. He felt sure that Von Tollsburg had smoked the
cigarette, and had written upon the paper. Therefore, these articles were no clew to the murderer. They
were evidence only that Baron von Tollsburg had been aboard the Munchen. Therefore, Von Werndorff
did not want them.

As the automobile crossed a bridge, Von Werndorff tossed the folded slip of paper from the window.
Weighted by the butt of the cigarette, the tiny object sailed over the rail and dropped into the Chicago