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

He invited us to visit his home on Thursday night. We are to view the rajah's jewels."

"Say!" exclaimed Hatch. "That makes it all jake!"

"Under the circumstances," added Claverly, "I shall remain in New York. I shall probably meet Messler
off and on before Thursday. Of course, I shall express anxiety about getting back to Torburg."

"That's a good stall," agreed Hatch. "But don't overplay that talk about your father's estate."

"Why not?"

"Because some smart dick might look into it."

"What if he does?"

"Well, he might find out that it was hokum."

"But it isn't." Claverly delivered a broad smile. "You made a bad guess, Hatch, when you thought that I
was passing out a phony line."

"You mean you really are coming into a pile of dough when you get to Torburg?"
"Precisely. The estate will not be large; but it actually exists. That's why I'm coming in from Australia."

"And you heard about Messler jewels when you were aboard the P O ship?"

"Yes."

"Say" - Hatch paused to chuckle in commending fashlon - "there ain't any guy but you for the inside
work. You've got a straight story. You can back it up. Messler's invited you to his place. It's sweet."

The chuckle continued as Hatch turned toward the door. His hand on the knob, Hatch delivered a
parting statement.

"Don't worry about the dough I lost tonight," he said. "Keep your winnings. It was worth it. We know
how to get in touch with each other after we reach New York. We talked over the job last night.

"We'll pull it just as we planned. The guys outside, waiting for the signal. You give the tip and act like you
were surprised like everybody else in the joint. Thursday night - that's set. Unless something goes sour."

HATCH unbolted the door and departed. Claverly puffed his cigarette alone. Turning, he strolled to the
wardrobe and took out his coat and vest. Donning the garments, he folded the coat collar around his
neck. It was plain that he intended to take a short stroll on an upper deck, as a relief from the stuffiness
of smoking room and cabin.

Claverly strolled out. He closed the cabin door behind him, but did not lock it. This was proof that he
would return within a few minutes.

Silence reigned in the room where the light still burned. The door of the wardrobe wavered.

Timed to a slight roll of the ship, the door swung shut. This was the first time that it had acted in such