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

"Doctor Fullis warned me of that fact," nodded Davenport. "He permitted his patient to indulge in some
activity following each prescribed dose of medicine. He left strict orders, however, that all shocks should
be avoided.

"I am somewhat surprised, however, that death should have come so close after the taking of the
capsules. They formed a very powerful stimulant. It merely proves that the shock must have been a
tremendous one."

"It was," asserted Terry. "My uncle valued his manuscript above all else in-"

"You say this is not the manuscript?" quizzed Cardona suddenly.

"Apparently not," interposed Rodney Glasgow. "Yet the missing manuscript must have been very similar
to this one. It was not until Shattuck Barliss had opened it to the final pages that he discovered it to be
spurious."

To illustrate, Glasgow advanced and took the volume from Joe Cardona's hands. The lawyer turned the
parchment pages. The others gathered close to hear his story. They did not notice the strange
phenomenon which occurred in the hallway beyond the open arch that led from the living room.

The dimness of the hallway seemed to move. Out of blackness came a living shape. A tall, spectral figure
appeared-a form that was clad entirely in black. Its shape showed the outline of a sable-hued cloak;
above it, the spread formation of a broad-brimmed slouch hat.

No countenance showed within that mass of darkness. The only token of the presence that wore the
spectral garb lay in the glow that appeared beneath the hat brim. Brilliant, burning eyes shone with
penetrating power. They were centered upon the group within the living room. They were the eyes of The
Shadow!

The black cloak swished, its sound scarcely audible. The figure of The Shadow disappeared from the
arch. With silent tread, the spectral visitant stalked up the stairway. His tall form blended with darkness at
the landing.

No one was on the second floor. The Shadow seemed a ghostly creature as he moved toward the
half-opened door of the bedroom where the body of Shattuck Barliss lay. A moment later, the fantastic
master of the darkness was viewing the pitiful body that lay beneath the coverlets.

THE SHADOW'S gaze was penetrating. His amazing eyes seemed to visualize all that had happened.
The cloak swished; The Shadow crossed the room and entered the little library. He viewed the freshness
of the panels, the newness of this room, when compared to the remainder of the house.

Back in the bedroom, The Shadow examined the opened safe. He studied the panel that Terry Barliss
had removed at his uncle's order. The Shadow went to the bed. He stared at the dead form of Shattuck
Barliss.

The box of capsules caught The Shadow's eye. Its label bore the name and address of a well-known
pharmacist. The written statement added that the dosage should be two capsules four times a day. The
number of pills was marked as fifty.

The Shadow's arm extended. A hand, gloved in thin black, reached toward the box. A slender, nimble