"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 042 - Mox" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

arms were swinging in a somewhat military manner. The doorman spoke and bowed. The newcomer
glanced about the lobby in a rather brusque fashion. He noted Lamont Cranston. His face lighted and a
smile appeared upon his dominating face.

"Ah!" exclaimed the arrival. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Cranston! I was detained at my office; in
fact, I found it necessary to leave word that I could be reached here while dining with you."

"So I supposed," returned Cranston, with a quiet smile.

"How so?" inquired the arrival, in a tone of surprise.

"Because," said Cranston, "there was a call for you. I answered it. I managed to get the gist of it,
commissioner."

The last word revealed the identity of the newcomer. This man, who had arrived to dine with Lamont
Cranston, was none other than Police Commissioner Ralph Weston!

"A call!" interjected the commissioner. "In reference to -"

"To a murder," interposed Cranston, in his easy manner. "It appeared to be from a police
inspectorтАФfrom his homeтАФthe name slips me -"
"Klein?"

"Ah, yes. Inspector Klein. He has received a report from an acting inspectorтАФI believe the name is
Cardona -"

"Yes. Cardona." Weston was impatient.

"Cardona has started to a house in the Bronx." Cranston drew a slip of paper from his pocket. "This
address, commissioner. A man was murdered there, it appears. Cardona is going to investigate.
Inspector Klein seemed anxious that you should be there also."

Weston snatched the paper and studied it. A doubtful expression appeared upon his face. With a
penchant for crime solution, he was anxious to find a way of postponing this dinner engagement with
Lamont Cranston. The multimillionaire supplied the answer.

"So I arranged," remarked Cranston, "to have my limousine available. It is outside. I should be glad to
ride with you to the Bronx if you feel that our dinner might best be postponed."

"Excellent," declared Weston warmly. "I shall accept your invitation. Let us go at once."

Lamont Cranston called for hat and coat. With Commissioner Weston, the millionaire strode from the
Cobalt Club. A limousine drew up to the curb. They stepped in.

Commissioner Weston was elated at this turn of events. A showman by nature, a man who regarded his
office as a unique position, Weston was pleased at the opportunity to take along so unusual a companion
as Lamont Cranston.

The millionaire, in turn, wore a placid smile that Weston did not detect. The police commissioner had no
inkling whatever to Lamont Cranston's real purpose in extending this invitation. He did not know that the