"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 035 - The Black Hush" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)half turned his head in Cardona's direction. Grinning at a companion's remark, the man displayed a
glimmer of gold in his thick-lipped mouth. Cardona needed no further sign of recognition. This glitter from a full, heavy face was the identifying mark of Goldy Tancred. This was the man whose coming the detective had awaited. AS Goldy and his friends crossed the lobby and entered an elevator, Cardona remained more watchful than before. At length, satisfied by his inspection, Cardona arose and strolled toward the revolving door. He turned as he neared it, tracing his steps so that only his back could be seen from outside. Shifting the position of his derby, the detective slowly changed his course, so that it neared the row of elevators. Waiting for a car, Cardona spotted the outer door from the corners of his eyes. He saw another man enter and go to the seat which was now vacant at the edge of the lobby. Just the trace of a satisfied smile flickered on Cardona's lips. This arrival was another detective who had come in response to Cardona's signal at the revolving door. "Ballroom floor," announced Cardona, as the elevator ascended. "Which way to the Mohawk meeting?" "Over to the right, sir," responded the operator. "The meeting is in the Blue Room." "The Blue Room?" quizzed Cardona. "I was told that the crowd met in the Red Room." "They used to," explained the operator as he brought the car to a stop, "but they changed it for this meeting. Go down to the right; turn at the end of the corridor. You'll see the door." Reaching the Blue Room, the detective looked in through the door at an angle. He spied a waiter and beckoned to the man. He drew the attendant out beyond the screen. "I want to speak to Mr. Tancred," explained Cardona. "He just came in a few minutes ago. Wearing a fuzzy coat. Tell him a friend's out here to see him." The waiter nodded. He went into the Blue Room. Two minutes passed, then a head was thrust from the doorway. Cardona recognized the face. It was that of Bowser Riggins, a man who had come in with Goldy Tancred. "Huh!" greeted Bowser. "It's you, eh? O.K." He turned and waved to someone in the room. A moment later, Goldy Tancred appeared in person, to display his shining molars when he saw the detective. "Wait inside for me, Bowser," ordered Tancred. Dressed in Tuxedo, the gold-toothed man made an imposing appearance despite the hardness of his heavy face. He joined Cardona outside the screen, and walked a few paces along the side passage. Then with a quizzical frown, he turned to the detective. |
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