"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 095 - Death Rides the Skyway" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"I shall tell the master that you are here, sir," stated the servant.
CROFTON watched the servant waddle across the hallway, toward a door farther back and on the
other side. There the fellow stopped and rapped. A few moments passed; the door opened part way and
a long, peaked face peered into the hall.

"Who is it, Sowbry?" questioned the man from within, his voice low, but nervous. "Some visitor to see
Mr. Hylap?"

"Yes, Mr. Danning," nodded the servant. "A gentleman named Gwynn, here to see the master about real
estate."

"Impossible," returned Danning, with a shake of his head. "Mr. Hylap is resting. He does not want to be
disturbed."

"This may be important," protested Sowbry. "Only yesterday, Mr. Danning, I heard the master mention
that he wished to sell some property -"

"Eavesdropping, eh?" Danning's interruption was a snarl. He swung fully into the hall. "I shall report you,
Sowbry. As for tonight, Mr. Hylap wants no visitors. As his secretary, I shall not allow -"

This time it was Miles Crofton who offered interruption. He had risen from his chair; he was striding
forward as he spoke. His voice came gruffly.

"I have business here," interjected The Shadow's agent. "Since I have taken the trouble to come here, I
feel that it is up to Mr. Hylap to decide whether or not he intends to see me. I have no time to listen to
petty arguments. Is that understood?"

Danning shifted into the hall, pulling the door shut behind him. The secretary's nervous face showed
high-pitched excitement. Throwing out his arms, Danning blocked the path.

"You can't see Mr. Hylap,'' he insisted hoarsely.

Crofton chuckled. He viewed the frail, long-limbed secretary and saw that the fellow was quivering with
consternation. Crofton turned abruptly toward Sowbry; considering the servant as an ally, he gave an
order.

"Come, Sowbry," suggested Crofton. "You have my card. Enter your master's study and announce me."

"I shall be pleased to do so, sir," acknowledged the servant. "But Mr. Danning is blocking the way -"

Another servant had appeared as Sowbry faltered. This fellow looked brusque and businesslike; his
uniform indicated that he was a chauffeur, who had probably been in the kitchen when he had heard the
noise of the argument. The arrival stepped up beside Sowbry; from his nod, his glare toward Danning,
Crofton knew that this second servant would also favor his cause.

"So Danning is the obstacle, is he?" queried Crofton. "Well, Sowbry, I don't think that he will persist in
keeping you from your duty. Not after I have reasoned with him."

CROFTON took a step toward the secretary. With a wild cry, Danning leaped forward from the door,