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

Hugo von Tollsburg extended his hand. The dirigible commander seized it warmly. The two men faced
each other as sworn friends.
"Von Werndorff," said the baron, in a tone that was low, but clear, "you have cooperated with me to
perfection. When I visited you months ago, and told you that I wished to travel to America unbeknown,
you agreed to my plan without question. You provided this secret place for my passage.

"I am ready for the voyage. I feel confident that all will occur as I have planned. These words are my
farewell. I shall not speak again. When we arrive in the United States, come to this cabin and announce
when the path is clear."

"I shall obey," responded the commander.

"Remember this," added Von Tollsburg. "No one must ever know that Hugo von Tollsburg was aboard
this airship. My mission is tremendously important. It must be preserved a secret. That is your only duty
now.

"Whatever may occur in the future is my affair alone. Not one bit of evidence should remain to indicate
that I came on board. You understand?"

"I understand."

"Should you need aid in removing me from this airship, rely only upon your trusted lieutenant; but give him
no word as to my identity. A great work is at stake, Von Werndorff. Secrecy is paramount."

"I shall never speak."

The interview was ended.

ALONE, Baron Hugo von Tollsburg breathed a sigh of relief. He could feel the draft of cool air coming
through the ventilator that connected with the opened closet.

He was a stowaway aboard the Munchen. To-morrow, the great airship would be crowded with
passengers for the transatlantic flightтАФand with them, hidden beyond all chance of discovery, would be a
mysterious stowaway, hiding in a secret chamber cunningly contrived for his reception.

Von Tollsburg drew a large envelope from the pocket of his coat. The man's firm face, impassive even to
the pointed tips of his military mustache, showed plainly as it came close to the light. From the envelope,
Von Tollsburg removed a stack of American currency and a sheaf of folded papers.

A stern smile flickered over Von Tollsburg's well-formed lips. The baron's cold, gray eyes made a careful
inspection of the articles from the envelope. With satisfaction, Von Tollsburg pocketed his possessions.
He closed the door of the hidden closet, and stood in the center of the secret room.

Completely isolated from the world without; protected by sound-proof walls, Baron Hugo von Tollsburg
was ready for the long and secret flight that would carry him, unheralded, halfway across the American
continent. Smuggled here by the captain of the Zeppelin, he was confident that he had reached the safety
zone in the mission that he had undertaken.

He did not dread the journey. Calm and unperturbed, he planned for sleep. He found the crevice that