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

The mammoth cheese box, tucked out of view behind the old mansion, puzzled Larry Ricordo as he
approached it. The gang leader studied every feature of the odd structure. Although circular, it seemed to
possess a pagoda style, on a flattened scale.

First, Urlich and Ricordo entered a sort of portico that ran entirely around the building, under a low,
extending roof, which was supported by iron posts set at intervals. Ricordo noted that the floor of this
peculiar ground-level porch was formed of metal plates.

Professor Urlich pressed a button beside a double door at the front of the building. A few moments later,
the two doors swung inward. They closed after the men had entered.

The pair now stood within a second circular passageway that had walls on both sides. It was a gloomy
corridor that appeared to run completely around the building.

A single door showed opposite the portal they had entered. The professor ignored it.

As they walked along this strange hall, Ricordo noted again that he was treading upon plates of metal.
They circled halfway around; then stopped at a door set in the inner wall.

Here Professor Urlich pressed another button. The metal door slid upward, revealing a circular staircase
that led both up and down.

Urlich conducted his companion upward, through a huge cylinder that resembled a water standpipe.
When they came to the top, they emerged into a large circular room, the second story of this odd
building.

"My laboratory," remarked Professor Urlich.

LARRY RICORDO blinked as they headed for another stairway in the center of the room. He saw all
sorts of strange devices: crucibles, huge tubes, bottles upon shelves, machines, and models of all
descriptions. Two silent men, clad in white coats and aprons, were at work there.

The outer walls of this circular chamber were windowless; but the outer rim of the roof was designed
with skylights, and Ricordo noted workbenches set near the wall, so that they could gain illumination from
outside during daytime hours.

The gang leader's inspection ended as Professor Urlich conducted him up the central spiral. They
reached a hall above; here were doors on all sides. The professor opened one and brought Ricordo into
a small room that was equipped like an office. It had a single window.

Glancing from this opening, Ricordo made out the shape of the building. The first floor was like a huge
cylinder of large diameter, but of stunted height. The second was of less diameter, for it had no portico.
The third, where they were now located, was even smaller in diameter.

This allowed for the skylights in the laboratory and made the building take on its pagodalike shape. Like
an Egyptian pyramid, this odd edifice was built in steps, but it was circular, not square.

Ricordo found himself wondering what might be on that first floor, with the circular passage which they
had followed. He asked no questions, however. Professor Urlich was speaking, and Ricordo turned
away from the window to face the scientist.