"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 040 - The Death Triangle" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

further pelf.

Mitts Cordy watched Sparkles Lorskin pace the floor. The gang leader then turned to study the layout of
the apartment. The door that led to the kitchen was almost directly opposite the entrance to the
apartment. The table was slightly off line between the two portals.

Sparkles noted his companion's calculation. With a shrewd smile, he explained the proper arrangement
as he indicated two chairs near the table.

"I'll be facing the kitchen," he declared. "I'll have Doctor Arberg in this chair at the side. You'll get my
sign when it's time to break in. Work quick -"
Sparkles paused as a buzz came from the wall. He walked over to answer the telephone.

Mitts heard his brief conversation. Sparkles turned quickly as he concluded.

"It's the old boy, himself," he said, in a low tone. "Duck out, Mitts, and wigwag the crowd below. He'll
be up here in a couple of minutes."

As soon as Mitts Cordy had passed beyond the door to the kitchen, Sparkles Lorskin opened the main
door of the apartment. He heard lethargic footsteps on the stairs. He bowed as a stoop-shouldered man
came into view, carrying a portfolio. The visitor approached, and his white beard wagged.

"Mr. Lorskin, yess?" came the high-pitched question.

"Yes," replied Sparkles, with a smile. "I am glad to meet you, Doctor Arberg."

The physician received the crook's handclasp within the door of the apartment. As Sparkles closed the
barrier, the visitor's eyes saw the glittering gems upon the table. A cry of interest came from Doctor
Arberg's lips. The old man placed his portfolio on the floor.

"Ah!" he exclaimed. "These are wonderful, yess! It is good that I should have come here."

The elderly man sat down in the very chair that Sparkles had assigned for him. Still wearing his satisfied
smile, the crook took his own seat and watched the visitor examine the gems that lay before him.

Sparkles was particularly interested in Doctor Arberg's face. The Dane possessed a countenance that
was both kindly and dignified. He wore a heavy white mustache and well-trimmed white beard, yet the
strength of his features was apparent beneath.

Physically, however, Doctor Arberg presented no problem. His slow stride up the stairway had been
proof of his advanced years. Lorskin, who had never met the blood specialist before, placed Arberg's
age at about seventy-five. The physician was active for a man of that age, but it was plain, by his actions,
that he was well past his physical prime.

"By the way, Doctor Arberg," purred Sparkles Lorskin, "I trust that you have not told anyone of your
intended visit here -"

The speaker paused as Arberg slowly shook his head in negative reply. The old physician seemed too
interested in the gems to give a verbal statement.