"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 044 - Treasures of Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

The approaching person was coming to the curio dealer's office. The visitor turned out to be Harry
Vincent. The Shadow, playing the part of Hawthorne Crayle, looked inquisitively toward this man whom
he did not seem to recognize.

"My name is Vincent," announced Harry, in an affable tone. "I am somewhat interested in curios. I
thought that I would drop in to see your place."

"You are welcome," returned the old man, "but you have arrived just before I am leaving. I have an
important appointment to keep; all that I lack is the required transportation."

"I have my car," responded Harry, remembering that Mann had instructed him to perform any service
that Hawthorne Crayle might ask of him.

"Ah!" exclaimed the old man. "That would indeed be useful. I should not care, however, to impose upon
you, Mr. Vincent."

"No trouble at all," interposed Harry. "I have nothing to do this afternoon. If I can be of service to you-"

"You can," came the crackly reply. "What is more, Mr. Vincent, if you are interested in unusual items that
attract collectors, I may be able to show you one where I am going. An original manuscript of Francois
Villon-at least that is what it was supposed to be. Now, I am informed, it may be spurious."

Harry Vincent caught the gleam of sharp eyes. Harry feigned interest. He nodded to indicate that there
was nothing he would like to see so much as a Villon manuscript.

"Let us go," decided the pretended Hawthorne Crayle. "I have promised Mr. Barliss that I will be there
early this afternoon. There is no time like the present. He is living uptown. I am glad that you have a car; I
do not care for taxicabs."

"We will have to take a cab to the garage."

"Is it far?"

"Only a few blocks."

"We can walk then."

THE false Hawthorne Crayle donned hat and overcoat. He pointed to the telegram that lay upon his
counter and chuckled as he did so.

"A man in Cincinnati wants to buy my gold Buddhas," he remarked. "I must start there to-day-after I
have called on Mr. Barliss. Let us go, Mr. Vincent"-shaky hands were rubbing together-"because this is a
very, very busy day for me."

Harry Vincent was perplexed as he accompanied the old man down the dingy stairs. He heard the
crackly voice of Hawthorne Crayle continuing in loquacious fashion. The old man was talking about his
golden Buddhas, about curios in general and particularly about the Villon manuscript.

It occurred to Harry that Hawthorne Crayle must know people in many walks of life. As they went along
the street toward the garage, Harry became more puzzled.