"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 027 - The Silent Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

well-groomed appearance did not fit his pudge-nosed, hard-lipped countenance, which bore a wicked,
leering smirk.

The arrival, tall and stoop-shouldered, was a gray-haired man who possessed a marked dignity. His
gaunt face showed firmness in spite of declining years. Only in one feature did he resemble the man who
had been waiting in the office. His eyes, like those of the other man, gleamed with cunning and evil.

THE stocky, hard-mannered individual was the first to speak. In a voice which was suave, despite its
harshness, he questioned the visitor's identity.

"You are Thomas Jocelyn?"

"Yes," responded the elderly man, still eyeing his questioner. "You, I presume, are Larry Ricordo?"

"That's me," answered the harsh-voiced man, with a grin. "Sit down and make yourself easy."

Thomas Jocelyn seated himself in a chair beside a table in the center of the room. He leaned solemnly
upon his gold-headed cane and stared at Ricordo.

"Where is Folcroft Urlich?" he inquired.

"The professor will he here soon," replied Ricordo, while lighting another cigarette. "I came earlyтАФto
open the office. Plenty of time yet."

Jocelyn contented himself with the one question. He appeared nervous, despite his composed manner.

For several minutes, Ricordo stood expectantly, thinking that the old man intended to make a new
inquiry. Finally, with a gruff laugh, Ricordo slouched into a chair.

"Well," he remarked, "we're all set. We're going to see the wheels run round to-night. Picking this office
was a cinch."

As Jocelyn made no comment, Ricordo desisted after the one attempt to open conversation. He eyed
Jocelyn almost contemptuously, but did nothing to arouse antagonism. When a firm knock sounded at the
door, Ricordo leaped to his feet and went to admit the next visitor.

The newcomer completed an odd triumvirate. He was of medium height, dark-haired and of stern visage.
He wore a small hat, and his hair formed a flowing mop above a bulging forehead. His face, sallow and
hollow-cheeked, resembled a living skull from which a pair of sharp, greenish eyes peered with evil gaze.

This man smiled broadly as he perceived the two already in the room. He threw off his overcoat and
advanced with outstretched hand, his mouth forming an ugly, irregular slit as the smile continued.

"Ah!" croaked the new visitor. "Both here, eh? My friends, Jocelyn and Ricordo. You are both friends by
now, I hope. That is well. We all have much in common."

"Good evening, Urlich," said Jocelyn, in a calm tone.

"Hello, professor," grinned Ricordo. "All set. Want to see the lay?"
"Not yet"тАФthe professor's tone was reprovingтАФ"not yet. There is time to spare. It is well that we talk