"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 035 - The Black Hush" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

his teeth in a sickly but glittering grin. Bowser Riggins, gaining courage from his chief, smiled feebly.

A false alarm?

That was Cardona's momentary thought. Then, seeing that all was well here, the detective swung from
the door and entered the corridor. There, as in the Blue Room, light had been restored. No person was
lurking in the corridor, but Cardona's ears caught the sound of wild, terrified shouts.

Responding, the detective dashed along the corridor to the other side of the hotel. He arrived at the open
door of the Red Room. He dropped his flashlight into his coat pocket and displayed his badge as he
encountered a group of frightened, struggling men, who were pushing toward the corridor.

The sight of badge and revolver stayed the near stampede. Men dropped into their chairs. They looked
at Cardona for help. Pointing fingers and excited words directed the sleuth's attention to the sight that had
caused this commotion.

SLUMPED across the head table were the bodies of Richard Reardon and Roland Furness. Cardona
needed no testimony to tell him what had happened. His practiced eye knew that the middle-aged
association president and the young electrical engineer had been slain in cold blood!

Cardona calmly closed the door of the room and locked it. He ordered one man to telephone for
assistance. He motioned all who were standing, to chairs. Grim-faced, he took command; then, after
studying the persons present, he walked up beside the bodies.

It was not long before police arrived. Cardona unlocked the door to admit the officers.

The detective had done the best thing possible under the circumstances. Coming through the corridor, he
had seen no one who might have figured in this double murder. He felt sure that the killer had probably
escaped; nevertheless, it had been essential to hold all who were present. Cardona had done this
effectively.

With policemen to do his bidding, Cardona began a quiz.

He learned immediately that the shots had been fired from the door; that the victims had been spotted by
a powerful light. No one present - and most were close friends of Reardon and Furness - could suggest a
motive for the killings.

Important details in the handling of this case required time. Inspector Timothy Klein arrived; more men
came on the job. At last, with testimony taken and witnesses examined, Joe Cardona found himself alone
in an emptied room. He went out into the corridor and walked slowly to the other side of the hotel. He
looked into the Blue Room.

The Mohawk meeting was still on. Politicians, highly convivial, were still at their merrymaking. They had
not heard the news of murder. Cardona saw Goldy Tancred and Bowser Riggins enjoying themselves at
the head table.

THE detective went back toward the Red Room. He met Inspector Klein. His superior noted the serious
expression upon Cardona's face.

"What is it, Joe?" inquired Klein.