"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 028 - The Shadow's Justice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

тАЬThanks,тАЭ responded Westling, in a relieved tone. тАЬThe old gentleman has been quizzy enough about my
affairs without him learning anything that won't do any good. I've kept out of jams since that last oneтАФтАЭ

тАЬAnd you don't intend to get into any more,тАЭ smiled Farland Tracy. тАЬAll right, Drew. I'm glad to hear it.тАЭ

Drew Westling turned away and strolled back across the hall.

FARLAND TRACY noticed that Headley was returning down the stairs. The lawyer smiled. He fancied
that Drew Westling would not want the attendant to hear the discussion that had just taken place.

Houston Boswick, owner of this mansion, was, as Tracy had mentioned, Westling's uncle. The old man
had been away for several months, and hence knew nothing of Westling's activities during his absence.

It was Farland Tracy who had twice gained Westling's release, without scandal, after raids on gambling
houses where the young man had been. Such information, coming to Houston Boswick, would prove
most embarrassing to Drew Westling. The young man depended entirely upon his uncle for support.

тАЬMr. Boswick will see you, sir,тАЭ announced Headley. тАЬHe is in the upstairs study.тАЭ

Farland Tracy walked up the steps. Drew Westling, slowly puffing through his long cigarette holder,
stood in a corner of the hall. With shrewd gaze, be watched Headley depart toward the kitchen. Then,
turning his eyes upward, he waited until Farland Tracy had passed the head of the stairs.

Hastily ejecting his cigarette into an ash stand, Drew Westling pocketed the holder and followed the
direction that the lawyer had taken. He tiptoed rapidly up the steps, turned into a narrow hallway, and
softly approached a door near a turn in the corridor. He stopped beside the closed portal, turned about,
and crouched with his ear to the door.

Watching toward the steps, Westling knew that he would be instantly aware of Headley's approach,
should the butler come upstairs. Listening intently, he could hear the greetings being exchanged between
Farland Tracy and Houston Boswick.

Ready to glide along the hall at the slightest alarm, Drew Westling was in an ideal position to learn what
might be said within the study.

STRANGE purposes were at work within this gloomy old mansion. Standing secluded from the highway,
it was invisible to the passing world. But while one man listened within, there were others who were
watching without.

Across from the lighted porch, amid the blackness of a clump of shrubbery, low voices were discussing
the arrival of Farland Tracy. Those voices came from a spot where the lawyer had looked, but had seen
nothing in the misty night.

тАЬJust lay low, Scully,тАЭ came a smooth command. тАЬWe've got an hour to wait, at least.тАЭ

тАЬAn' maybe nothin' to wait for,тАЭ was the growled reply.

тАЬProbably nothing,тАЭ rejoined the smooth voice. тАЬBut we're not going in while the old man has a visitor.
We're not going in blindly, either. That sort of stuff is through. We'll wait until we have a reason.тАЭ