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

"Apparently it had, chief. But there still seems to be a chance that Professor Whitburn has a
duplicate set of Commander Dadren's plans. A letter came in from Cedar Cove -"

"Enough, Marling!" snarled Hildrow. "This may ruin everything!"

"How, chief? If we grab Dadren's plans -"
"They will be worthless if Professor Whitburn has copies. This search must not fail. What is
more, it must be accomplished to-night. At any cost!"
"Nuland says it will be -"

"But Nuland is not infallible." Hildrow yanked a watch from his pocket and studied the dial.
"Four o'clock. How long will it take me to reach Lake Marrinack?"
"By car?"

"Yes."

"From three to four hours."

"That is sufficient. Come, Marling. I want to talk to you while I am preparing."
Hildrow paced across the living room. He entered a small dressing room and seated
himself at a table before a mirror. Bringing out a box of make-up equipment, he began a
transformation of his features.
MARLING watched in admiration, as his chief applied a brownish ointment that took away
the pallor of his face. Then came action on the eyebrows. Tugging at them, Hildrow made
them double in size. He dipped his fingers in a glossy cream and repeated the process. His
eyebrows became almost black.

Flattening his sleek hair, Hildrow produced a tight-fitting wig, with heavy black hair. He
donned it and surveyed his face. Then, with a final leer, he produced a chunky black
mustache. Dabbing his upper lip with spirit gum, he put on the last article of disguise.

As an afterthought, the plotter dug in a small box and found a small gold tooth. He slipped
this over the upper bicuspid; then grinned at his reflection in the mirror. The fake gold tooth
glimmered as Hildrow smiled.
Arising, Hildrow faced Marling. The tool stared. He would never have recognized his chief.
The disguise, though exaggerated, was perfect, so far as a concealment of the plotter's
normal features.

"Call the Western Garage, Marling," ordered Hildrow. "Tell them to have Mr. Collender's
coupe ready. I have the licenses"- he tapped his pocketтАФ"and they have never seen Mr.
Collender in person. They will see him now for the first time."

"All right, chief. Only one thing. When Nuland sees you -"
"He will recognize me. This is the disguise that I have always used with him. Moreover, he
will recognize his countersign when I give it."

Marling nodded as he went to call the garage. Hildrow remained in front of the mirror. He
adjusted his disguise; then reached in a table drawer and produced a pack of cork-tipped
cigarettes. They went with the character that the plotter had assumed. Hildrow smoked
panatela cigars only when he was himself.