"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 074 - Bells of Doom" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"Er - no" - Messler hesitated - "Claverly is here already. I - well, we have a while yet, and I think you
had better come into the study. We have a sort of conference going on."

"Between you and Claverly?"

"Not exactly. Claverly just happened to be here. Other persons are concerned. It will be all right for you
to join us, Cranston. By the way - where is your hat and coat?"

"At the Cobalt Club." A thin smile showed on Cranston's lips. "The night was mild, so I strolled outside
without them. Stanley - my chauffeur - happened to come along with the limousine, so I stepped aboard
and came here."

Messler was conducting Cranston across the living room. They reached the door of the study as
Cranston's statement was completed. They entered. Cranston seemed mildly surprised to see Joe
Cardona and Markham.

The headquarters men knew Cranston. He was a friend of the former acting police commissioner,
Wainwright Barth; he was also acquainted with Ralph Weston, the present commissioner, who was back
at his old job again.

Messler had evidently told Cardona that Cranston was among the guests; for the detective did not show
surprise as he shook hands with the arrival.

The men seated themselves about the study. Messler took a chair behind a desk; Claverly was close by.
Cranston sat down near Cardona and Markham. Like the others, he waited for Messler to speak.

"Let me resume," said Messler. "I have time to give Mr. Cranston a brief explanation of what is
impending. Since he knows you, Cardona, he has probably guessed that you are here on account of the
rajah's jewels.

"The jewels, Cranston, are in that safe" - Messler pointed toward a strong-box set in the wall of the study
- "and I intend to bring them out after all my guests have arrived. In the meantime, I - well, I have
become a bit concerned about the gems, I thought - or better, suspected - that there might be danger
here tonight.

"So I arranged for protection. These two men" - he indicated Cardona and Markham - "will station
themselves here in the study, to be ready in case any trouble may occur. I decided - when Claverly
arrived early - that it might be well to take certain persons into our confidence.

"Claverly is one; you are the other. I have revolvers here" - Messler paused to bring the weapons from
the desk drawer - "and if it is all right with Cardona, I shall have you two men equip yourselves with
these guns. Is that satisfactory, Cardona?"

"All right," responded Cardona. "But don't say anything to the rest of the guests."

"Certainly not," agreed Messler. "I shall have a revolver of my own. We three will be in the living room;
Cardona and Markham will remain here. Of course, gentlemen" - this was to Cranston and Claverly -
"we must not use our weapons except in case of emergency. Should any marauders appear here, I feel
sure that Cardona and Markham can deal with them."