"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 285 - Fountain of Death" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

while Mrs. Claybourne was spreading smiles amid her jewels. Then, instead of motioning Johnny along
the line, Claybourne was turning him over to the junior set, as though he were one of the family.

This was something that Cranston really should know about, but before Margo could turn to look for
him, she heard his calm voice beside her.

"I see it, Margo. It may mean more than we suppose. Keep a close eye on Johnny; he's yours from now
on."

"But if he needs watching, Lamont -"

"He does, but I can't spare the time for it, at least not now. When I took a look at the reception line, up
popped the devil and his twin brother, though I wouldn't care to say which is which. I might be unfair to
the other."

Following Lamont's eyes, Margo saw the two men he meant. One was tall, a trifle gaunt, with a trace of
suavity; the other was portly, but large enough of frame to minimize his overweight. To Margo, both men
looked too distinguished to fit the classification that Cranston had applied to them.

The pair happened to be Sheff and Hippo, operating under more pretentious titles which did not deceive
Cranston in the least. He knew them for a brace of crooks de luxe; they were tagged as such in The
Shadow's own private files, although each individual's past was totally untainted by anything resembling a
police record.

What even The Shadow had not learned was how the purposes of this conniving pair might cross the
path of Johnny Craver - who belonged in a totally different category.

CHAPTER V
MARGO decided that catching up with Johnny Craver was like overtaking an eel. Having decided to
become the life of Claybourne's party, Johnny was almost anywhere and everywhere. But he was always
squirming into sight again, which was something of a help.

At last, Margo hooked him briefly, or, rather, Johnny hooked himself to a glass of champagne that came
by on a waiter's tray. Suddenly observing Margo across the bubbling foam, Johnny gave a guilty wince
and handed her the glass.

"It's yours, Margo," he said. "I'm still working on Sapphire Water - or at least I should be."

"I'd say you were working on the Claybournes," bantered Margo. "What sort of compliments did you
pay them?"

"Nice ones. The old lady liked it when I told her she looked better in more jewels. I didn't add that she'd
put on enough more bulk to display them properly."

"And the kiddies?"

"I said I was pleased to see how much they'd grown; which they have, sideways instead of straight up.
Halfway compliments are sometimes best."

"What about Claybourne?"