"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 279 - The Freak Show Murders" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

price for the formula?"
Slowly, Steve nodded. Clamped between his hands, looking up at him with
accusing eyes, was the bronze sprayed face of old Absalom Pettigrew, the real
inventor of alumite, the substance in which his own likeness had been
perpetuated. Somehow Steve had the sinking feeling that Milton Treft, along
with
his unnamed associates, had filched the old sculptor's discovery. Treft must
have seen something in Steve's expression, for the tall man promptly met the
situation.
"Poor Pettigrew is dead." Treft shook his head sadly. "Otherwise he would
share in this good fortune. He left no relatives, more's the pity, or we would
see to their future welfare. But we paid Pettigrew handsomely for his
sculptures
and he entrusted his formula to us, hoping we would use it to benefit the
world
of the future. You understand, of course."
Steve understood too well. First to benefit would be Treft and his
associates to the tune of a million dollars. Next would be Steve's company,
Associated Metallurgy, which would pay the million and promptly double its
investment. An obscure inventor named Pettigrew would be forgotten, so far as
profits were concerned.
"Since you will first receive all the alumite there is," reminded Treft,
narrowly, "no one can dispute your claim to the formula, once you acquire it.
We
stand in back of our guarantee, to the full amount that Associated Metallurgy
will pay. In fact I suggested that the clause be included in the contract."
Clever of Treft to put it that way. It was up to Steve to take it or
leave
it and if he left it some other company would probably buy alumite on his
terms, since he held the formula that might be anybody's. Since Steve was
working for the interests of Associated Metallurgy, his only choice was to
take
it.
"It's in the contract," said Steve, stiffly. "I have it right here in my
pocket."
Steve couldn't reach in his pocket because he was burdened with the
featherweight bust. He extended Pettigrew's image to Treft, but instead of
taking it, the tall man stepped to the door in the far corner, beckoning for
Steve to follow.
"Bring Pettigrew with you," said Treft, in a tone which Steve branded as
mock sincerity. "It is too bad we cannot have the man himself as a witness to
this transaction that he would certainly have approved. Right here in my
study"
- Treft was opening the door as he spoke - "I have all the letters from my
associates along with the alumite formula.
"I shall give you the letters so that you can contact the men personally
and obtain the twelve statues. As for the formula, I shall show it to you, but
it will stay in my possession until your company requires it. I might add that
it is the only copy of the formula in existence. That yellow envelope on my
desk