"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 085 - The Mardi Gras Mystery" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

the same direction.

Not far past Gallion's, a girl was standing near a doorway, peering toward the group that was advancing.
The banjo player paused, that the girl might notice his skill at melody. Apparently, he was inviting her to
join the group of singers. Andrew saw the girl shake her head; the strolling crowd continued on its way.

THE girl was in costume. She was wearing a short-skirted ballet dress; and as Andrew approached, he
noted that her face was masked. Her left arm was pressed against the side of the doorway; and as
Andrew drew closer, he saw that she was holding an object that she had previously kept from view.

This was a flat, black box that glistened with a polish. It looked like a large jewel box of ebony; the
corners and the hinges were of silver. Curiously, Andrew eyed the girl more carefully, but did not pause
in his pace. It was the girl herself who brought him to a stop.

Just as Andrew reached the doorway, the girl stepped forward. She darted quick glances in both
directions. Then, with her right hand, she gripped Andrew's arm.

As the young man halted, the girl spoke. Her tone, though tense, was modulated.

тАЬHere is the box,тАЭ stated the girl. While Andrew gaped, she thrust the ebony object into his hands. тАЬBe
sure to keep it hidden until you are alone.тАЭ

тАЬThe box?тАЭ queried Andrew. тАЬButтАФbutтАФwhyтАФтАЭ

тАЬHide it,тАЭ insisted the girl. тАЬIt is important that no one should know that you have received it. Please put
the box out of sight.тАЭ

тАЬThere is some mistake,тАЭ objected Andrew. тАЬReally, I know nothing about the matter!тАЭ

тАЬI understand,тАЭ smiled the girl. Her tone was confident, more natural. тАЬPlease! Put the box away. I see
some people coming in this direction.тАЭ

Mechanically, Andrew obeyed. Protests were useless; the girl's assurance won. As Andrew slipped the
box into a wide inside pocket of his copious cloak, the girl produced a small silver key, which she
handed to the recipient of the box.

тАЬBe careful,тАЭ she whispered. тАЬDo not let anyone see you unlock the box. You will understand when you
find the contents. Everything will be explained.тАЭ

Andrew was looking at the key. It was oddly shaped and curious in design. He turned to speak to the
girl. He was too late. She had already turned and was walking hastily away, taking the direction from
which Andrew had come. The girl had passed the door of Gallion's restaurant. She was mingling with a
group near the corner.

For a moment, Andrew thought of overtaking her; of repeating his belief that a mistake had been made.
Then he realized that his hesitation had given the girl time to hurry toward Royal Street, where he would
have but little chance of finding her again. Moreover, her last words had somewhat dispelled his doubt.
The girl had said that the contents of the box would explain everything. Perhaps she was right.

Pocketing the key, Andrew resumed his pace, walking more briskly than before. His rapier swung back