"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 261 - The Museum Murders" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

And then the big car was rolling around the comer, its observers little knowing that Cranston was already
transforming himself into The Shadow, that cloaked fighter whose prowess could outmatch a horde!
MEANWHILE, Clyde Burke was watching the progress of the lottery, ancient Roman style. Trying not
to look too interested, he leaned his elbow on the table, plucked a rubber band from some that were
loose in the drawer and idly looped it over forefinger and thumb, to trigger it at a bronze bust beyond the
lottery wheel.

Darden was dropping his own capsules in the box with the others. He delegated one director to shake
the box and pour the wooden pellets into the groove of the antique lottery wheel, which another man was
directed to spin.

The wheel whirled and the capsules rattled around within its double rim, but none flew free. All that flew
anywhere was another rubber band with which Clyde bopped the bronze bust in the nose.

About to reload, Clyde heard indignant buzzes from the directors near him and realized that the heroic
bust represented old Henry Argyle, the presiding deity in these precincts. So Clyde guiltily tossed the
rubber band to the floor and watched the lottery finish.

As the wheel slackened, its pellets subsiding toward the bottom, Ewell Darden ran his hand against the
stream and plucked one with his fingers.

Clyde shifted for a closer look as Darden stepped forward. Again, directors gave him reproving glances,
so Clyde pretended he was picking up the rubber band - which he did, because he found it promptly. It
happened, however, that Darden wasn't going to open the capsule that he had picked at random.
Instead, he called for Croom, who arrived immediately. Darden gave Croom the capsule.

"As supervisor of the new museum," declared Darden, "it will be your duty to convoy the trucks there,
Croom. Out of two dozen possible places, the new museum has been chosen by lot. You will find your
destination named in the paper within this capsule. Do not open it until the armored procession is safely
under way."

Nodding, Croom shook the wooden capsule and heard the wadded paper rattle inside it. So he put the
closed pill in his pocket, while Darden was adding that everything was in Croom's hands. Once
established at the new goal, Croom was to inform the directors of his whereabouts, but not until he felt
that all was secure.

As Croom left, Clyde took advantage of his reporter's privilege, putting questions straight to Darden.

"Would I be right," inquired Clyde, "if I stated that you've placed everything in the hands of this one man
- Carl Croom?"

Directors broke in before Darden could reply. They had chosen Croom for this assignment by a majority
vote, on the basis of his capability and service. While he had charge of the expedition, other responsible
men would be with Croom, accountable for the welfare of the treasures quite as much as he.

"But this place where they're going" - Clyde spoke with a speculative note - "how can they move in on
such short notice?"

Darden explained that every country stronghold picked by the directors had been taken on option, such
being a necessary proviso. The options ran until the first of the month - which was a few days off - and