"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 275 - The Crystal Skull" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

"Look them over, Cranston."

"They mean nothing," interposed Cranston, calmly. "Guy Culver showed me similar evidence covering a
consignment of Chinese art treasures that were stored safely in a warehouse. I refused to contribute to
their purchase and I was wise. The whole consignment turned out to be a fraud."

"But I contributed, Wade!" broke in Glenfield. "I lost every dollar that I put up! If I'd talked to Cranston
then, I might have saved my money."

"You probably would have," agreed Wade. "And is that why you talked to Cranston about my
proposition?"

Sheepishly, Glenfield nodded. Stepping around the desk, Wade gave Glenfield a friendly thwack on the
shoulders.

"You did the right thing," assured Wade. "There is no comparison between Culver's proposition and
mine. True, I have gathered three hundred thousand dollars toward purchasing the Amsterdam collection
sight unseen, but I have positive proof that its listed items are intact and genuine."

Both Wade's handclap and his tone were reassuring to Glenfield. The portly man brightened immediately
and turned happily to Cranston.

"You see, Cranston?" queried Glenfield. "Wade is willing to go to any lengths to prove himself. He tells
me there is still a chance for someone to invest another fifty thousand -"

"Twenty-five thousand," interrupted Wade, blandly. "Half of the share I reserved for myself. Cranston is
quite welcome to that portion if he wants it. I'm afraid he's still thinking about the Culver fiasco. But I
don't think Culver was to blame for it. He died very suddenly, you know."

Cranston had turned. His eyes were fixed straight upon Wade's. With steady lips, Cranston spoke in his
calm tone:

"I know."

Turning a trifle nervously, Wade picked up the documents and thrust them in Cranston's hands. With a
slight nod to Glenfield, Wade gestured the portly man toward the door and saw him out into the living
room.

"Good-by, Glenfield," said Wade. "If there is anything wrong with the proposition, Cranston can call you
later. Let me talk to him a while. I am positive I can reassure him."

Closing the door, Wade locked it and came back around the desk. Seated there, Wade folded his arms
and asked:

"Would you like a preview of the Amsterdam collection, Cranston?"

Cranston's eyes met Wade's across the documents. Calmly, Cranston nodded.

"It is stored in the strong room under the Green Star Line pier," informed Wade. "I can arrange for you to
examine them before nine o'clock. That should settle everything happily, provided you know genuine art