"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 123 - Washington Crime" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

Creelon's reply was a quick step backward. The spy gave a twist to
Bryland's revolver; had the ex-major covered in an instant. As he confronted
Bryland in that fashion, Creelon snarled: "I shall make the terms! You are
helpless here! I shall hold you, while my men search your premises!"
"They will never find the place where the code is hidden."
"You think not?" Creelon's glare was livid. "Suppose I worm it from you
with torture, Bryland. I have done it with others, more stubborn than you."
"Quite useless. I have placed the code where you cannot gain it. I took
precautions before I came here. In fact, if I do not leave here within the
next
thirty minutes, the National Emergency Code may be destroyed!"


BRYLAND'S statement was emphatic. It impressed Creelon; made him wonder
what measures Bryland had chosen. The spy pictured the NEC as hidden in some
mechanical contrivance that contained a time-fuse, ready to burst with flame
and consume the stolen document at a given hour.
 The Shadow, however, was not deceived. He knew that Bryland was depending
upon sheer bluff. Again, the smooth thief was outguessing the master-spy.
Bryland watched Creelon; waited until the proper moment, then spoke in
persuasive tone.
"Why not be reasonable about this matter?" he queried. "You have gone at
it wrongly, Creelon. You placed the burden upon me, instead of yourself. That
was a mistake. I have the NEC. My position is dangerous. Therefore, I should
be
the one to make the deal."
Creelon considered. He decided to listen further.
"We have settled on the price," declared Bryland, briskly. "You run no
risk in giving me the money. I would prefer to rid myself of the National
Emergency Code. If I tried to keep it, you could easily block me from selling
it elsewhere."
"Quite true," admitted Creelon, dryly. "Provided that you actually have
the NEC. There is still a chance that you were merely smart enough to claim
its
ownership when Nina questioned you."
This brought a smile from Bryland.
"We can both be safe, Creelon," he remarked. "You have already negotiated
with a certain foreign power; you are living here, at that nation's own
legation. You have merely to arrange for that power to have a million dollars
waiting elsewhere."
"Elsewhere?"
"Yes. At its legation in another country, of my choice. Prove to me that
the money will actually be there; that I shall have no difficulty obtaining
it.
I can then leave immediately for the designated place."
"But the code -"
"Will be here in Washington. In a spot where you can easily obtain it. I
shall advise you of the place after I begin my journey. If you do not find it
intact, you can denounce me."
The plan was reasonable. Creelon's own expression admitted the fact.