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

make sense to them."

Eldwald paused, giving Weston the long-awaited chance to put a question. At that, Eldwald still held the
edge, for his statements had built up to a logical query, the very one that Weston therewith made.

"Does it make sense to you, Eldwald?"

"Of course," nodded the square-faced man. "I've been to Malbray's. His whole place is a gigantic
greenhouse, filled with rare plants from all over the world. He grows all kinds of flowers, in and out of
season, including tropical shrubs you never even read about.

"You've heard of famous plant-grafters like Luther Burbank. Well, you'd think they ended their education
in kindergarten, after you've had a look at Malbray's place!"

Eldwald's enthusiasm was contagious. He was certainly giving Malbray a wonderful build-up. Then, in
characteristic fashion, Eldwald bluntly and boldly switched the subject.

"So Malbray thinks that someone murdered Bendleton," declared Eldwald tartly. "I suppose he refers to
me."

"Malbray mentioned no names -"

"None were necessary," interrupted Eldwald. "However, I wouldn't have murdered Bendleton. Not even
to save my own life."

Weston threw a quick glance at Cranston; then turned again to Eldwald, to question briskly:

"Your life was in danger? From whom?"

"From Bendleton," responded Eldwald. "He was a fanatic, with those humane ideas of his. He wanted to
ease human suffering; I hoped to profit from it. Don't forget that both Bendleton and myself rate as
successful businessmen. He'd suddenly sailed off on a tangent, while I was staying to my orbit."

WESTON tried to construe the full meaning of Eldwald's remarks. Slowly, the commissioner stated:

"You were both successful businessmen, you and Bendleton. You could both make money without going
in for murder."

"Exactly," agreed Eldwald. "But when Bendleton's mind soared beyond the profit motive, he repudiated
his entire past. From then on, his actions were unpredictable."

The commissioner gave a short laugh. Turning in his chair, he spoke to The Shadow.

"You heard what I heard, Cranston," declared Weston. "Eldwald is advancing the preposterous notion
that Bendleton might have planned to murder him, rather than see Malbray's new drug devoted to profit
instead of humanity. You are a man of ideals, Cranston. I shall let you refute Eldwald's claim.

"Tell him what you would do under similar circumstances. Could you, as a humanitarian, possibly
consider disposing of a man's life purely because he blocked your plans for easing the sufferings of
persons you had never met?