"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 071 - The Plot Master" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

demanded:
"Well, Marling. What has delayed you?"

"Sorry, chief," returned the arrival, in an apologetic tone. "Holley was out when I called at the
Century Casting Company. I had to wait until he came back."

"Any news from Cedar Cove?"
"Nothing new."

The tall man grunted his disappointment. His lips, however, resumed their evil smile as
some new thought came to his mind. Then Marling produced a newspaper and, with a grin,
handed it to his chief.
The tall man stared at the evening issue. There, on the front page, was a photograph of
himself, wearing the mild expression that he had owned before Marling's arrival. Beneath it
was the name "Eric Hildrow."
"They know you're back from Cuba, chief," informed Marling, still holding his grin. "They've
run that canned interview you gave them about the conditions on the sugar plantations. It
ought to please the senator, to know you're back."

"He is pleased," asserted Hildrow. "A letter arrived while you were absent.

"From Washington, sent by Senator Ross Releston himself. He states that he will soon be
ready to receive my report on Pan-American trade conditions. Cuban sugar interests the
good senator."

A SARCASTIC smile was flickering on Hildrow's lips. The expression revealed him as a
man of cunning. Marling nodded in approval of his chief's statements.
"That fits in with Stollart's last report," declared Marling. "The one that came to the Brooklyn
post office yesterday, addressed to J.T. Ushwell."
"The name I use with Stollart," remarked Hildrow. "He was really bought overтАФthat
fellowтАФand he stands well with Senator Releston."

"You're sure that Stollart doesn't suspect -"

"That J.T. Ushwell and Eric Hildrow are one? Not a chance of it! No more than Senator
Releston could suspect that I am playing a double game. My contacts with Releston have
been entirely above board. I met him on business that pertains to international trade
conditions. He regards me as an authority on such subjects.
"In fact, it was only in a passing manner that I learned of the senator's interest in the new
submarine that Commander Dadren is developing at Cedar Cove. I took Stollart into our
fold; and he has learned the rest. That keeps me in the clear."

"Smart work, chief," commented Marling.
"In Havana," remarked Hildrow, "I contacted with a certain agent. I can tell you this, Marling:
once we have gained the plans to Dadren's submarine, we can reap millions. I told the man
in Havana just enough to arouse his full enthusiasm."

"One trouble, chief," objected Marling. "Negotiations before you have the plansтАФwell, it
might queer the game."
"How? I did not mention Dadren's name. The agent in Havana knows nothing of the