"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 254 - Syndicate of Sin" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

The visitor was Mark Kemper.

Mark Kemper was a clever young man who enjoyed considerable social prestige. Photographers were
always snapping his picture in exclusive night clubs. Wealthy debutantes were flattered when he escorted
them. Few people were aware that Kemper's pose as a society idler covered a vicious mode of earning a
living.

Mark Kemper's real business was blackmail!

Cotswold was one of the people who knew. He knew because he was already in the toils of Kemper.
He had paid out large sums without a murmur. Kemper was careful to bleed people who dared not
complain to the police.

Kemper ignored the millionaire. He pointed toward the thug named Blinky.

"Remove his gag!"

Bobo obeyed. Kemper leaned over the twitching face of Blinky. He spoke quietly.

"Who's your bossтАФthe big shot you work for? I want his name!"

"I don't know," Blinky gasped.

Kemper gestured grimly.

"Persuade him!"

It was Sam who did the persuading. He used a plumber's thick candle on the soles of Blinky's naked
feet. He didn't confine his attention to the soles. Sam was an artist at torture. He applied the flame to
Blinky's agonized toes and the tender flesh between them.

The screams of the petty crook filled the soundproof room with horrible echoes. Sweat poured down
Blinky's face.

There was sweat on Cotswold's face, too. Rigid and helpless alongside the tortured crook, Cotswold
had a taste of what might be in store for him.

The torture of Blinky didn't take long. When it was over, Kemper leaned over the moaning victim.

"Who's your boss?"

"I don't know. I never saw him. I just take orders."

"Shall I give him another dose?" Sam asked.

"Don'tтАФfor God's sake!" Blinky shrieked. "I'm tellin' the truth! If I knew, I'd squeal. I never set eyes on
the boss of the racket!"

"I believe you are telling the truth," Kemper said. "I didn't really expect a punk like you would know. But
you were the only one in his mob I was able to get a line on."