"Maxwell Grant - The Shadow - 336 - Blackmail Bay" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grant Maxwell)

called Moffat's Point.
Due west from the Point was Round Island, with a few contours and
indentations, plus a sprinkling of buildings that gave it the appearance of a
summer resort, though it had no steamboat service. After studying Round
Island,
The Shadow reverted to Spruce Island, but only briefly enough to note that it
had a few irregular back roads, stemming chiefly from the landing which led to
buildings that were obviously summer cottages.
The left hand rolled the chart into a cylinder, revealing the surface of
a
polished table, which vanished as the right hand clicked off the bluish glare
and plunged the room into absolute blackness, stirred only by a whispered
laugh. This was The Shadow's sanctum, the secret headquarters where he planned
his campaigns against crime. As proof, a pinpoint of yellow light appeared
suddenly amid the Stygian surroundings and a quiet voice came from an unseen
amplifier:
"Burbank speaking."
It was the Shadow's contact man, responding to an automatic flash. In
return, The Shadow spoke:
"Instructions to Burke. He is to proceed with feature stories covering
vacation areas, as accepted by the New York 'Classic'. First assignment:
Cobosco Bay. Await further details."
"Instructions received."
"Instructions to Vincent." Again, The Shadow spoke in a subdued, sibilant
tone. "He is to confirm the rental of a cabin on Round Island at off-season
rates and proceed there immediately."
"Instructions received."
"Instructions completed," came The Shadow's final tone. "Switch to
outside
wire."


THERE was a click in the darkness. A luminous phone dial showed on the
sanctum table. Swiftly, The Shadow's forefinger dialled a number and a girl's
voice responded, "Hello."
"Hello, Margo." The response was no longer The Shadow's but a quiet, easy
tone that the girl immediately recognized. "About that trip you are taking
tomorrow -"
"I'm already packed," replied Margo, "but please, Lamont, tell me where -
and why -"
In the same calm tone, The Shadow detailed:
"You will go to Baxter Harbor on the Maine Coast and take the noon boat
on
the Cobosco Bay Line to Spruce Island. At the general store, you will pick up
a
reservation for a week's stay at the old hotel on Moffat Point -"
"In whose name will the reservation be?"
"In your name, Margo Lane. A local taxi driver will take you to the
Moffat
House and back to the home of Judge Parker Kroft, on Hiram's Cove. There, you