"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 161 - The Voice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

SOON after six o'clock, Lamont Cranston arrived in the outer office. A
clerk promptly recognized him, although the fellow had seen Cranston but once
before.
Lamont Cranston had an appearance that was unforgettable.
The belated director was tall, almost rangy. His build indicated latent
strength; but that impression was offset by his leisurely style of manner. His
face was calm; immobile of expression.
Those features, however, had a hawkish look; a masklike touch that
rendered them impassive. Seeing Cranston, one wondered what his thoughts were,
but never guessed.
Since neither Clume nor Irene had mentioned that Cranston was expected,
the clerk ushered him into the directors' room and left the door open. Pausing
at the closed door of the anteroom, the clerk decided that either Clume or the
secretary would soon appear. That was why the clerk went back to his desk.
A quarter hour passed. Cranston sat placidly beside the long table,
smoking a thin cigar. He had just finished his smoke when he saw Irene come
from the anteroom.
The secretary went to a large filing cabinet in the outer office. She was
busy filing papers for about five minutes; then she had only one sheet left -
the document that Cranston was to sign.
Irene was turning away when the busy clerk noticed her. He remarked that
Mr. Cranston had arrived. Irene came promptly to the directors' room. Her
apologies were sincere. Forgetting her usual business manner, Irene's voice
and
manner were more lovely than she imagined.
"I did not know that you had arrived, Mr. Cranston," she said. "But that
is no excuse. I should have left word with the clerks that you were expected."
 "Quite all right, Miss Borion," assured Cranston. "I see" - he noted the
paper that the girl extended - "that the directors have voted to buy the Green
Star Lines. I shall be glad to add my signature."
There was no pen in the directors' room. Irene invited Cranston to the
anteroom. He was signing the document when the telephone bell rang. Irene
answered.
"Hello..." Irene's tone was brisk. "I'm not sure that Mr. Clume is
here...
You say that he told you to call at half past six?... Mr. Trenchell! Of
course!
I remember that he expected to hear from you..."
Irene connected the call with Clume's office. There was no response.
Watching, Cranston noticed that the girl's face became bewildered. She started
to lay aside the telephone; then, in worried fashion, she spoke across the
wire, telling Trenchell that she would have Mr. Clume call him back.
Hanging up the telephone, Irene sprang to the door of Clume's private
office. She knocked, then tried to open the door. It wouldn't budge. The girl
turned, to see Cranston standing beside her. His calmness curbed her alarm.
"Mr. Clume is in there." Irene managed the words steadily. "But he
doesn't
answer. Something must have happened to him. I know it, because" - she blurted