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

stated that I was after Augustus Messler's jewels."

"That's what I said, and I meant it."

Claverly smiled. He eyed Rosling carefully. There was a smoothness to Claverly's countenance that the
hatchet-faced visitor could not match. Claverly proceeded.

"You jump to conclusions, Rosling," he said. "First, you decided that my luck at cards proved me to be a
sharper. That meant that I must be a crook. Next, I was friendly with Messler. That proved that I was
out to trim him. Finally, you knew that I had come to England on the P O liner that Messler had planned
to board at Calcutta."
"That's right," added Rosling. "The ship that had a bunch of crooks aboard."

"Exactly," agreed Claverly, "and those suspects are now held by Scotland Yard. I am not among them. I
am traveling freely on the high seas. Which proves -"

"That you're wiser than those guys they grabbed in England. Too wise for Scotland Yard; but not wise
enough to fool Hatch Rosling. Get that, Claverly?"

"Your nickname is a good one, Hatch," observed Claverly. "It makes you appear to be exactly what you
claim to be - a New York crook. I admire your frankness, Hatch. After you accused me of being a
crook you admitted that you were one yourself."

"Sure I did. Why shouldn't I? We're birds of the same feather, Claverly."

THE young man smiled. His suave expression indicated an agreement with Rosling's statement; but
Claverly did not commit himself with words. Rosling caught the implication.

"Quit the hokum," ordered the hatchet-faced man. "All that counts is one thing: we'd both like to grab
those jewels of Messler's. That's agreed, ain't it?"

"Yes," admitted Claverly, "I must confess that the rajah's gems intrigue me. However, I had not formed
any plans for obtaining them. Messler is welcome to them."

"Sour grapes," growled "Hatch. "You ran into the same trouble I did. Couldn't figure a way to snatch the
swag. The jewels are safe aboard this tub. But after we get to New York, it'll be different."

"Yes, you will be in your own territory. You will have the opportunity that you need. But my position will
be quite different. Assuming that I did want Messler's jewels, New York would be the last place that I
could get them."

"But I said we could team up -"

"And that is what surprised me. Here, aboard ship, our positions are equal. We could be of use to each
other. But in New York, all is in your favor. I am useless."

"So that's it, eh?" Understanding showed on Rosling's sharp countenance. "You've been thinking things
over since last night?"

"I have," answered Claverly, in a dry tone.