"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 053 - Tower of Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

The Shadow's campaign had not ended. That was why Cliff Marshland was in the Black Ship tonight.
Stationed in the heart of the enemy's terrain, unsuspected by the craftiest of skulking crooks, Cliff was
watching for new indications. He was picking potential foemen against whom The Shadow could pit his
might.

CLIFF was using Lugger as a blind. While he chatted with the dock-walloper, The Shadow's agent was
keenly alert upon events about him. Lugger, imbibing freely from a bottle, was guffawing at his own
uncouth jests. Cliff, taking advantage of his companion's unobservance, kept tabs upon conversation that
was going on close by.

A trio of mobsters was at the nearest table. These men were talking in low tones. Snatches of their
statements were audible to Cliff. Gorillas who had served with different gangs, these were the type of
mobsmen whom Cliff had been set to watch.

тАЬLooks like there'll be nothin' doin' tonightтАФтАЭ

тАЬHow do you know? Remember that night we stuck around until two o'clock?тАЭ
тАЬWait'll Burnetti blows in. Maybe he'll have somethin' to tell usтАФтАЭ

These were the words that Cliff Marsland caught. The Shadow's agent knew their meaning. These
mobsters were working with a roving gang leader named Burnetti, whose allegiance belonged to big
shots who were willing to pay for his services.

Burnetti had been conspicuously absent from the Black Ship of late. Cliff sensed that his appearance here
would mean the assembling of his crew for murderous work. Tonight, perhaps might be a blank. That
would mean a new vigil for tomorrow night, provided this same trio of thugs should be at the Black Ship.

While Cliff was musing thus, the street door opened and a squatty, evil-faced ruffian slouched into the
Black Ship. Cliff's momentary gaze was keen. The newcomer was Burnetti. Cliff noticed a tenseness
among the trio of gorillas.

Lugger Gates was talking. His bleary eyes were looking toward Cliff. The Shadow's agent grinned and
nodded in reply to the dock-walloper's incoherent statements. All the while, Cliff watched Burnetti as the
newcomer strolled among the tables, grunting greetings to friends.

As if by chance, Burnetti arrived at the spot where his three gorillas were parked. He dropped into a
vacant chair, signaled to a waiter for a bottle, and poured himself a drink. His voice came in a cautious
growl.

тАЬForty-sixth... Opposite the Majestic... You'll see the cab pull up... Watch for Dirk... Two cars... Yeah...
He'll be gettin' out...тАЭ

An utterance from Lugger drowned further words. The dock walloper was gripping Cliff's arm. Cliff
nodded as he centered upon Lugger. He had heard enough; the game now was to avoid suspicion.

Burnetti had finished a second drink. He had strolled over to another table. The three gorillas were rising.
Cliff saw them slouch from the Black Ship. He caught a glimpse of Burnetti, finishing another drink and
rising to follow, alone.