"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 226 - The Blur" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

answered.

"I don't know."

He wondered if Tex believed him. Maybe the gambling king expected the answer and considered it the
proper policy on Terry's part. At any rate, Tex dropped the question. He merely snapped:
"All right. What are you waiting for?"

"To find out how much it's worth," Terry returned, thumbing toward the note. "I've already invested in
your roulette wheel, and I'm looking for a dividend."

Tex took it as a matter of course. He eyed Terry in appraising fashion before offering the price. Tex had
a way of estimating people and their ideas about big money. He gauged Terry as a man of about twenty
five, who had knocked around some without taking too many bumps. The sort who would spend it if he
had it, and might on occasion plunge.

Terry's face was squarish, like Tex's. Too, the young man had a steady eye, though he was still finding it
difficult to pull his gaze away from Tex's diamond stud. Tex noticed it, and the fact was in Terry's favor.

It was the beauty of the gem, not its value, that impressed Terry. He was admiring the diamond, not
coveting it. Terry lacked the attitude of a crook, so Tex put the final test.

"How much did you lose?"

"Not much, in proportion to the play," answered Terry honestly "Only about three and a half."

Tex pulled a wad of money from his pocket, counted off three one-hundred-dollar bills, added a fifty.

"That covers it," said Tex. "As for this" - he crinkled the note - "if what it says is right, I'll hand you a
grand. Only first, I'm going to make sure it's right."

Tex reached for the telephone with Terry still wondering what the note was about. It certainly had the
earmarks of importance, considering that Tex was willing to pay a thousand dollars to the man who had
delivered it.

While Terry waited, Dunvin turned as if to go. Tex told the stoop-shouldered man to remain.

"No special secret about this," declaimed Tex. "Stick around, Dunvin, and maybe you'll learn why I don't
need to buy any electrical gadgets."

Getting a response on the telephone, Tex asked if he had the Cobalt Club. Learning that he did he said
he wanted to speak to Police Commissioner Weston. Tex gave his name, and it worked like a charm, for
a minute later the police commissioner was on the line.

"Hello, commissioner." Tex spoke with a patronizing tone... "Yes this is Tex Winthorp... I just received a
tip-off that you're going to raid the Century Casino this evening. So, what about it?"

There was a pause, while Tex's square face flexed into a smile. Then:

"Why stall, commissioner? You wouldn't, if I hadn't called the turn... Come on over, and bring the boys