"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 231 - Garden of Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"Murdered? What makes you think so, professor?"

RISING, Malbray gave a wrinkly smile, which showed a bitter shrewdness at the corners of his lips.

"The untimely manner of his death proves it," Malbray asserted. "Bendleton was ready to buy my new
drug, Somnotone, because Dr. Williams and others have tested it to their satisfaction. Mind you, he
wanted the discovery to benefit mankind. Therefore, he died by the hand of man. It is nature's law, that
one should die through the benefits he bestows."

Weston felt that this sort of conversation was carrying them far from the proper track.

"Be specific, professor," he insisted. "Did Bendleton have any enemies?"

"I have said as much," returned Malbray. "Here!" He picked up a handful of letters from the desk and
thrust them in Weston's direction. "Read these. Uncover Bendleton's enemies."

"But we have gone through that correspondence, professor. It contains names, of course, but only in a
business way."

"And why else should Bendleton have died?" demanded Malbray. "Except in a business way? He wanted
to benefit the world, without profit. In certain circles" - Malbray bobbed his head wisely as he turned to
other listeners - "such policy is considered akin to crime."

This might be the kernel of something. Weston tried to pin Malbray down to fact.

"Did other persons seek to buy your new drug, professor?"

"Of course," answered Malbray. "Every large drug company in the country would want it."

"Can you recall any individuals?"

Malbray rubbed his chin; then shook his head. Weston began reading off names mentioned in
Bendleton's letters. He came to one: Kirby Eldwald. Malbray brightened suddenly, and nodded.

"I remember Mr. Eldwald," he declared. "He came to my house, like Mr. Bendleton. How long ago" -
the keen eyes went shut - "I can't recall. I pay no attention to time, commissioner. What few
appointments I make, I forget. As for such instruments as these" - he gestured to the telephone - "I
cannot tolerate them. I have none in my own home -"
Weston gestured an impatient interruption; Malbray was off the track again. He had supplied one
important point: the fact that Kirby Eldwald wanted to purchase Somnotone. Head of the Apex Drug
chain, a huge retailing organization, Eldwald was a business rival of Bendleton.

Making a note of Eldwald's name, Weston was about to question Malbray further, when Dr. Williams
arrived to state that Fay Bendleton would like to join them.

The girl's expression was quite composed when she entered the study. Fay, herself, was proof that
Malbray's new drug, Somnotone, had merit. She was quite herself, an indication that the medicine had no
harmful effects; at the same time, she was able to contain the emotion that had previously seized her.
When she viewed her father's body, Fay remained unswayed.