"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 039 - Road of Crime" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

No longer the rowdy that he had appeared to be by day, Graham Wellerton, in his gentlemanly guise,
hailed a taxicab as he stepped from the subway.

Lounging in the back seat, he lighted a cigarette and, amid the puffs of smoke, emitted soft chuckles.
From a position as a lesser gangster, he had risen to a lieutenancy which equaled that of Wolf Daggert.
Today, he had shown his superiority over Wolf.

Graham Wellerton was anxious to hear what the big shot would have to say. That was his mission tonight
- a visit to the big shot. From now on, Graham would rate above Wolf Daggert. The big shot liked
smooth workers.

Yet the smile of triumph upon Graham's face was sour at the corners. Despite the proficiency which he
had shown in crime, this handsome young man was not overpleased with his calling.

THE cab pulled up at a huge apartment house. Graham Wellerton, his face no longer showing traces of
satisfaction, alighted and paid the driver.

Wellerton strolled into the lobby, approached the doorman and inquired if Mr. Furzman were at home.
The doorman asked the visitor's name, made a short call over the apartment telephone and ushered
Graham to the elevator.

The car stopped at the fourteenth floor. Graham stepped out and approached a doorway at the end of a
short corridor.

The door was ajar. A stocky, iron-jawed individual opened it without a single word. Graham Wellerton
entered and waited until the door was closed.

"Hello, Gouger," he said to the stocky-faced man. "Is King Furzman ready to see me now?"

Gouger nodded. He opened a door at the right of the little anteroom in which they were standing, and
motioned the visitor to enter. Graham walked through the doorway; Gouger followed and closed the
door behind him.

The anteroom remained silent. A small, gloomy chamber with three doors, it served only as an entry. It
was the appointed spot where Gouger, bodyguard to "King" Furzman, awaited visitors who were
announced.

Now that one visitor had entered, there was no occasion for Gouger to remain until another call came
from the downstairs lobby. But during that interim, an unexpected visitor was due to make his
appearance.

Scarcely had the door at the anteroom closed behind Gouger and Graham Wellerton before the knob of
the door from the corridor began to make a slow turn. Something clicked softly in the lock. The door
moved inward.

A figure entered the anteroom. The door closed behind the silent visitor. Within the range of light stood
the tall form of a spectral visitant who had entered here despite the fact that the door was securely
locked.

This being was completely clad in black. His principal garb was a long, flowing cloak, that gave his form