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

wall, and turned out the light; then to the window.

"Come," he ordered through the darkness.

THE other men approached. The curtain raised under Urlich's touch. It was like the lifting of asbestos
before a drama.
Silhouetted before the sparkling glow of the city lay the huge apartment building. The dim lights of the
penthouse were the same as Larry Ricordo had viewed them. The corner was still black, and it was this
spot that the professor indicated.

"There is the studio," he remarked, in a low tone. "It is Sartain's custom to retire there, alone. This will be
his first visit upon his return. He is expected by nine o'clock, with his secretary. The chain-store
representative will call at half past.

"Brooks has given us all the information. The documents are on Sartain's desk for his consideration.
There is no reason why he should depart from his usual custom. It is upon such simple, commonplace
actions that all great deeds of hidden crime should be built.

"Your presence here will inspire your confidence in my powers. Ricordo has already evidenced his
doubts. You, Jocelyn, may also be apprehensive. But as you witness each step, and hear me explain its
cause, you will understand."

The professor's tone had taken on the quiet notes of a scientific lecture. His calloused words brought a
grunted laugh from Larry Ricordo. Thomas Jocelyn shuddered. Nevertheless, the financier stayed as
close to the window as did the gang leader. There was a fascination in that scene across the street.

"You will witness death," repeated Professor Urlich, by way of conclusion. "Death undisturbed; death
unsuspected; death that will be regarded as accidental. Ricordo may trust to guns and violence. I deal
death with silent skill. That is the death that you will see to-night - and which will strike again and again.
Silent death!"

The professor paused. The men by the open window remained motionless. Once more those insidious
words sounded from the lips of Folcroft Urlich.

"Silent death!"

CHAPTER II. IN THE PENTHOUSE
PROFESSOR URLICH had spoken correctly when he stated that Larry Ricordo had methods different
from his own. The gang lord who served the professor's evil designs was quite as anxious to see Alfred
Sartain die as was Urlich himself. Hence he had taken even more precautions than those that he had
mentioned to his companions.

Besides the gangsters stationed in a vacant apartment beneath the penthouse, there were others outside
the apartment building. They were there to see that nothing might disturb the scene above; to interfere
with the entrance of any other than Sartain, his secretary, and the chain-store delegate who had to-night's
appointment.

Thus, when Alfred Sartain alighted from a taxi outside the building, at precisely ten minutes of nine, he
was covered by slouching, hidden watchers. The millionaire was accompanied by one man, obviously his
secretary, who lugged a pair of suitcases. The doorman saluted as they entered, and helped the secretary