"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 056 - The Crime Crypt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"I appreciate it, Uncle Cecil," declared Havelock, in a voice which echoed the old man's friendly tone.
"My one hope, however, is that my inheritance shall be long delayed. In fact, uncle, chance might make
you my heir. All of my Mexican mining properties are willed to you. They are worth many thousands -
those mines in Hidalgo."

"The old usually die before the young, Martin."

"Perhaps. My father died young - my mother also. However, uncle, my purpose here is to enjoy a visit
with you. I shall stay as long as possible; after that, back to Mexico. My interests are too extensive to
neglect."

"You are wise, Martin," nodded Jason Thunig, sagely. "It is excellent to know that you have done so
well. A stranger in a foreign land, you met with great success. Commendable, Martin. Commendable!"

THE door of the living room opened as Thunig ceased speaking. It was Calhoun who entered. The old
servant was carrying a tray which bore a glass of water and a bottle of large white tablets. The three men
watched him set the tray upon a table. Solemnly, Calhoun opened the bottle and poured out three tablets
which he dropped into the glass of water.

"Your medicine, sir," he said, turning to Cecil Armsbury. "About this evening, sir - do you require me
further?"

"No, Calhoun," returned Armsbury. "You may go."

The servant stalked from the room. Cecil Armsbury settled back to puff at his cigar. His voice took on a
reflective tone.

"Years have gone rapidly," he declared. "I have traveled far and often. To many strange lands. Those
days of journeying are ended. I am growing old. My medicine! Bah!"

The old man scowled as he stretched forward a clawed hand and picked up the glass. The tablets had
dissolved while he was speaking. The water appeared almost as clear as before.

"Every night," mused Armsbury. "Three tablets in a glass of water. A stimulus for my weakening heart. I
wonder why Calhoun did not put in the tablets before he brought the glass in here. He usually does so."
The old man paused and frowned speculatively. "Calhoun is sometimes absent-minded. If he put three
tablets in before he entered - and three here - that would be a double dose."

"Would it be serious?" questioned Thunig, anxiously.

"Probably fatal." Armsbury laughed at Thunig's expression of alarm. "But do not worry. I can rely upon
Calhoun."

"Perhaps it would be best to prepare another glass -"

"Foolishness, Jason," scoffed Armsbury. "If I worried over every possibility of error that might mean my
life, I should live a burdensome existence. No, no. I have escaped death at the hands of wild African
savages. I have eluded well-aimed Tartar arrows. I passed through the Boxer uprising in China. Folly,
Jason, to think that a servant's error could possibly end my adventurous career! After these tablets have